The Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this month hired Jeff Newton as the head coach of the Iowa Wolves, its NBA G League affiliate.
“NEWS: The @Timberwolves today named Jeff Newton as Head Coach of the @iawolves, the team’s G League affiliate,” the team tweeted immediately after the hiring.
Newton assumes the position following two years as the Timberwolves’ offensive associate and player development coach, a press release issued by the franchise Sept. 7 said.
Timberwolves assistant general manager Gianluca Pascucci said Nelson’s time with Minnesota showed how devoted he was to the team’s overall mission thus making him the “natural choice” to lead the Wolves.
“We feel that Jeff will continue to succeed and grow in his role in Iowa, just as he has excelled here in Minnesota,” Pascucci said in the release. “We are also excited to welcome Scott into the Timberwolves and Wolves family.”
Newton succeeds Sam Newman-Beck, whom the Timberwolves let go earlier this year after two years on the bench, according to SB Nation.
It was during the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League in which Newton demonstrated his head coaching chops at the helm of the Timberwolves SL squad, for which he received praise from Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.
“I am proud to see the progression Jeff has made in his role throughout this summer, especially with the development he made with our Summer League roster,” Finch said in the team’s release. “Jeff has proven in his daily work with the Timberwolves that he is prepared and deserves this next step in his career.”
Newton’s resume includes a combined six seasons with the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets.
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