IUPUI Hall of Famer and current Indiana Fever assistant coach Carlos Knox has agreed in principle be the next head coach of the NBL’s London Lightning, a source told VigilantSports.com.
The Lightning’s hiring of Knox is scheduled to be made official at a press conference on Thursday.
(Knox Indy Pro Am Founder/Director Carlos Knox with Pacers forward Chris Copeland.)
Knox replaces Micheal Ray Richardson, who left after two seasons “to pursue a job opportunity closer to his home in the United States,” according to a team release.
The London Lightning, founded in 2011, play in London, Ontario and are part of the National Basketball League of Canada. They won back-to-back NBL titles in 2012 and 2013.
Knox is getting a two-year deal, a source said.
The London Free Press first reported a possible deal between the Lightning and Knox.
In March, Knox interviewed with IUPUI, his alma mater, about their men’s basketball opening. The job ultimately went to North Central product Jason Gardner. Soon after, Knox was named assistant coach for player development with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
Knox will still be able to continue his duties with the Fever, as the NBL season runs from October to April.
Once an injury ended his career overseas, Knox coached Indiana Alley Cats and then Pittsburg Xplosion, both CBA clubs, Al Hilal Club in the Middle East and San Diego State University (women’s assistant). In 2009, he founded the Knox Indy Pro Am for local products to get quality games in during the summer time. It has since become one of the premier Pro Ams across the country.
Knox has helped train athletes like Pacers guards George Hill and Lance Stephenson, Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, and Jeanette Pohlen of the WNBA.
[Photo by Defro]