MLN Newswire - Bakersfield, CA, June 29, 2006 – Former NBA player Ike Austin has been named assistant coach and of the Bakersfield Jam, it was announced today by head coach Jim Harrick. Austin, who won the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 1996-97 season, will also serve as the director of basketball operations.
 
“Ike Austin is a veteran NBA player.  He brings tremendous experience to the basketball operations department of the Bakersfield Jam,” said Harrick. “I believe that with his help we will build a great team to lead the Jam.”
 
“What a wonderful pair to work with,” said Lara Mae Divina, Team President/GM. “With this coaching staff at the helm, I look forward to having a great group of players to represent us well on the court and in the community”
 
The Jam is Austin’s second stop as a coach in professional basketball.  In his previous post, Austin was the head coach for the ABA Utah Snow Bears. Selected by the Utah Jazz in 1991, Austin also competed for the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, LA Clippers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizard, and the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, over a 10-year NBA career.
Outside of basketball, Austin created the Ike Austin Foundation in 1997. The headquarters is located in Detroit, Michigan. The Ike Austin Foundation was created to assist underserved communities, which are being devastated by Diabetes, and to assist single parents and underprivileged children. The Foundation is committed to being active in our Nation's community social ills.
 
“I am excited for the opportunity to work under a great coach and a great organization.  I am looking forward to bringing a championship team to Bakersfield,” said Austin. “Also, I look forward to the fans support of our team in this inaugural season.”
 
A native of Fresno, Calif., Austin earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. He is married to Denise and they have a son, Wesley (7) and a daughter, Vanessa (4).  
 
The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA’s 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. In addition to the assignment of 29 players to D-League affiliates, there were also 18 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA last season. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.