Vitaly Potapenko, new Cavaliers assistant

Former NBA center Vitaly Potapenko (208 cm, Wright State’06) will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers as a player-development coach. He was drafted by the Cavs with the 12th pick in the first round of the 1996 draft. Potapenko played for Cleveland from 1996 to 1999. The 38-year-old Ukrainian has had experience as a coaching assistant in both the NBA and in the D-League.

As a player-development coach, Potapenko will be working with players during practices, but will not be sitting at the bench during games. His experience may prove useful in the development of Cleveland’s young big men, Tristan Thompson (203 cm, Texas’11) and Tyler Zeller (213 cm, North Carolina’12).