Nate Reinking appointed GB Men’s head coach

The British Basketball Federation have appointed Nate Reinking as head coach of the Great Britain men’s national team ahead of the EuroBasket 2021 pre-qualifying programme next month.

The former GB guard and assistant coach will succeed Alberto Lorenzo.

Reinking, 45, is the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA G-League affiliate Canton Charge and has held that position since 2016. Prior to that he served as an assistant coach from 2013 to 2016.

Reinking said: “The Great Britain national team has been a huge part of my life and career not only as a player but as a coach. I was fortunate to play for and work under great coaches like Chris Finch, Joe Prunty, and Alberto Lorenzo who have all made a significant impact on my coaching philosophy and taught me the business.

“I’d like to thank the Cleveland Cavaliers organisation for allowing me to take on this role and Toni Minichiello for contacting me and offering me this opportunity. I look forward to the upcoming challenge of qualifying for FIBA EuroBasket 2021 starting August 7.”

Maurice Watkins, chairman of the British Basketball Federation, said: “We are really pleased Nate has accepted our offer of coaching the GB men’s team at this key moment.

“He has a great history with the team as a long-serving player and as an assistant coach, and with the British game in general.

“He has been operating to a high standard with Canton Charge in the NBA G League over a number of years now and we have faith he can lead the players through this round of EuroBasket 2021 pre-qualifying and beyond.”

Watkins added: “I’d like to thank Alberto Lorenzo and his coaches and staff for the work they have done over the last 18 months. We are grateful to them for the commitment and effort they have put in with the team.”

American-born Reinking played with distinction for the Great Britain national team between 2006 and 2012. He was a member of GB’s EuroBasket teams in 2009 and 2011 and GB’s Olympic team in 2012.

At the time of his retirement following the London 2012 Olympics, Reinking was the most capped player in GB history (80), and second all-time leading scorer (745) behind Luol Deng (891).

Reinking returned to GB the following season, but this time as an assistant coach under head coach Joe Prunty, a role he kept until 2017. During that time GB made two further EuroBasket appearances in 2013 and 2017. He earned a further 54 caps as an assistant coach for a combined total of 134 appearances for his country, the most in men’s national team history.

Reinking enjoyed a successful professional career playing mostly in England and Belgium. Reinking graduated from Kent State University in 1996 after a four-year playing career with the Golden Flashes.

Tickets are on sale now for the home games against Luxembourg on August 10 (7pm) and Kosovo on August 17 (7pm).

Both matches take place at the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue, Manchester.

There are early-bird ticket offers until August 10 with adults able to see both games for just £12 and under-16s £5.

Buy tickets for GB v Luxembourg here

Buy tickets for GB v Kosovo here