The Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, will have a new head coach in place for the 2023-24 season in former NBA player Beno Udrih.
Udrih, 41, last played in the NBA in 2016-17 and finished his professional playing career after the 2018 season in Europe. He broke into coaching in the G League in 2020, working under Westchester Knicks head coach Derrick Alston.
Udrih moved to New Orleans for the 2020-21 NBA season to work under Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy as an assistant and with player development and remained there under head coach Willie Green for a season. Udrih then joined the Atlanta Hawks for the 2022-23 season as a pro scout. Current Bucks assistant coach Joe Prunty was also in Atlanta last season, as was head coach Adrian Griffin’s son, AJ.
Udrih will be the fourth head coach in Herd history.
In a statement released by the Herd, Udrih said, “I have a long-standing respect for the Herd and Bucks as an entire organization. I’m excited to get to work and do my best to help develop our players both on and off the court. As a former player, I hope to bring a certain level of relatability to my approach, and help our players become the best version of themselves.”
Chaisson Allen was 19-45 as head coach of the Bucks’ developmental affiliate from 2021-23.
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Udrih had been a professional in Europe since 1997 but didn’t come to the NBA until he was a first-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2004, selected No. 28. He was part of championship teams in San Antonio in 2005 and 2007.
Overall, Udrih played 13 years in the NBA for eight teams, including the Bucks. He originally was acquired by the franchise in a draft day trade in 2011 from Sacramento in a three-team deal that also brought Stephen Jackson to Milwaukee.
Udrih was then traded away at the 2013 deadline, accompanying Tobias Harris and Doron Lamb to Orlando for JJ Redick, Ish Smith and Gustavo Ayón.
“Beno brings a wealth of basketball knowledge from his playing career in the NBA and internationally as well as coaching experience at the NBA and NBA G League levels,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “Beno’s collaborative approach and passion for teaching the nuances of the game will make him a great fit for this position.”
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Herd hire Beno Udrih as new head coach