Joel Abelson named Skyforce Head Coach

The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that Joel Abelson has been named head coach of the long-standing franchise. He becomes the 15th head coach in franchise history after spending the past five seasons as an associate head coach/assistant coach in the NBA Development League.

“This is an important hire for our franchise,” said owner/president Mike Heineman. “We were looking for someone to blow us away during the interview process and that is what Joel did. We believe he is the next great young coach with an NBA future.”

Abelson served as associate head coach of the Idaho Stampede the past two seasons under former Skyforce guard Randy Livingston. He was an assistant coach in Idaho the previous two seasons under Bryan Gates (2008-09) and Bob MacKinnon (2009-10). He broke into the NBA D-League as director of basketball operations with the Tulsa 66ers in 2007-08 working under Joey Meyer following a basketball operations internship with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2007.

The University of Michigan graduate was an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors summer league entry in July and in prior summers trained collegiate and professional players at the Bob Hill Basketball Camp (2009, 2010) and Impact Basketball (2008).

“I’m extremely honored and excited about the opportunity to be the head coach of the Sioux Falls Skyforce,” said Abelson. “I look forward to immersing myself in the Sioux Falls community and leading this proud franchise back to its tradition of winning.”

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com