Alex English joins Sacramento Kings coaching staff

Friday the 13th proved to be very lucky for Columbia native, former Gamecocks star and Basketball Hall of Fame member Alex English.  English is joining the coaching staff of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

In announcing the hiring, recently appointed head coach Keith Smart described English as a great addition to the staff and someone who will be good for everyone on the team, especially the Kings' younger players.  "He was an elite player in this league for a long time and is a very good coach. When he talks, they'll listen," said Smart.  "We're trying to surround ourselves with the right people that fit our basketball team who have the ability to teach our guys and also have a firm hand to get them walking in the right direction as young men."

English joins the Kings after spending seven seasons as an assistant coach and director of player development with the Toronto Raptors.  He is an eight-time NBA All-Star and 13th on the league's all-time scoring list with 25,613 points.  English was a first-ballot inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame after a stellar playing career with the Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks.  English played his college basketball at the University of South Carolina where his jersey hangs in retirement from the rafters of the Colonial Life Arena.

Prior to his time with the Raptors, English held similar positions with the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks and was head coach of the North Charleston Lowgaters of the National Basketball Development League.

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Editor's Note:  The Woolfolk Group congratulates Alex English on his new appointment and extends best wishes for success in Sacramento.