Friday, September 21, 2007

Former Villanova star hired as assistant coach by T'Wolves

-Courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves

Minneapolis/St. Paul - The Minnesota Timberwolves hired Ed Pinckney as an assistant coach on Randy Wittman's staff Friday. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Pinckney comes to the Timberwolves from his alma mater, the University of Villanova, where he was an assistant coach the past four seasons. Pinckney returned to the Villanova after a long career in the NBA. Following his retirement from the NBA in 1997, Pinckney joined the Miami Heat organization as part of its radio and television broadcasting team. In 2002-03 he was named to oversee the club's mentoring program.

"We are very lucky to have the opportunity to add a coach who I think will have a great rapport with our big men as they develop in this league," Wittman said. "Ed brings with him great experience working with younger players from his years at Villanova which will benefit the younger talent on our current roster."

A No. 1 draft choice of the Phoenix Suns in 1985, Pinckney played 12 years in the league with Phoenix, Sacramento, Boston, Milwaukee, Toronto, Philadelphia and Miami. His best seasons were 1986-87 with the Suns when he averaged 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds and 1988-89 when he averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Kings and Celtics. For his career, Pinckney averaged 6.8 points, on 53.5 percent shooting, and 5.0 rebounds in 793 games.

As a collegian, Pinckney was one of the finest players in Villanova history. He helped lead the Wildcats to the 1985 NCAA national championship with a 66-64 upset of heavily favored Georgetown. Pinckney was named Most Outstanding Player for his 16-point, six rebound effort in the win. A four-year starter from 1981-85, Pinckney scored 1,865 points (seventh most in school history) and collected 1,107 rebounds (fourth in school annals). Pinckney later had his number retired by the school.

As well as his duties as an assistant with the Wolves, Pinckney will also head up the Timberwolves NBA Player Development Program.

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