CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Former Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett has been hired by the Los Angeles Lakers as an NBA Draft advisor to President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka the team announced Tuesday.
According to a Lakers release, Bennett said of the opportunity, “When Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization. The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.”
Rob Pelinka said of the hire, “As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource.”
Bennett was drafted 35th overall in the 1992 NBA draft and spent three years in the league with the Charlotte Hornets. The University of Virginia recently dedicated the court at John Paul Jones Arena to honor Bennett in a ceremony on February 21.
Bennett went 364-136 record in 15 seasons at Virginia from 2009-24, reaching 10 NCAA Tournaments, winning two ACC conference tournaments, six ACC regular-season titles and the 2019 national championship.
