Purdue Basketball Head Coach Matt Painter continues to enjoy a remarkable year. Following Purdue’s first Final Four appearance since 1980, it was recently announced that he will extend his involvement with USA Basketball by serving as an Assistant Coach for the USA Men’s Basketball Select Team.
For those unfamiliar, the Select Team serves as a practice squad that challenges and prepares the USA Men’s National Basketball Team. Leading the Select Team will be Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, with Jim Boylen from the Indiana Pacers joining as the other assistant coach. The coaching lineup boasts considerable expertise and credentials, adding to the prestige of the program.
The 2024 USA Basketball Men’s Select Team roster includes several notable names, as listed on the USA Basketball website: Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), Cooper Flagg (Duke University), Langston Galloway (Free Agent), Nigel Hayes-Davis (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Golden State Warriors), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat), Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets), Trey Murphy (New Orleans Pelicans), Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings), Brandin Podziemski (Golden State Warriors), Micah Potter (Utah Jazz/Salt Lake City Stars), Payton Pritchard (Boston Celtics), Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic), and Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets). This roster represents a blend of emerging talent and seasoned players, showcasing the depth of talent within USA Basketball’s developmental program.
Matt Painter’s appointment as Assistant Coach for the Select Team marks another milestone in his illustrious coaching career. Widely recognized as one of the top coaches in college basketball, Painter’s selection for this role underscores his standing among his peers. His peers in the coaching fraternity hold him in high regard, reflecting on his leadership and coaching acumen. Painter’s journey from a young and relatively inexperienced head coach, initially hired by Gene Keady and Morgan Burke, has been marked by steady growth and achievement. Today, he is regarded as one of the elder statesmen of college basketball, a testament to his longevity and success in the sport.
The opportunity to coach alongside Mosley and Boylen on the Select Team represents a unique chance for Painter to contribute to the development of future stars and the overall success of USA Basketball. His involvement underscores his commitment to excellence and his role in shaping the next generation of basketball talent. Painter’s ability to balance success at Purdue with national team responsibilities further solidifies his reputation as a versatile and influential figure in the basketball community.
As Painter continues to add accolades to his coaching resume, including this prestigious appointment with USA Basketball, his impact on the sport and his legacy as a transformative leader in college basketball only continues to grow. This latest role underscores not only his coaching prowess but also his dedication to fostering talent and promoting the game’s growth on both national and international stages.
