The Saitama Broncos promoted former NBA player David Benoit to head coach, the bj-league club announced on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old Benoit played for eight seasons in the NBA — mainly with the Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets — and also played in leagues in Spain, Israel and China in his playing career.
He played for the Broncos the past two seasons, though his first season with Saitama ended after only 10 games because of a torn Achilles tendon.
In 2005-06, Benoit also served as Saitama's interim head coach, replacing Charles Johnson, who turned from head coach to team manager.
Benoit said it was a tough decision to call it quits after an 18-year playing career, but now he is eager to develop his players. The Broncos also hired Sho Hasegawa as assistant coach.
Kenji Yamane coached the Saitama in 2006-07. The team finished with a 15-25 record, missing the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons.