Sydney Kings co-owner Andrew Bogut on why the club’s new coach is worth taking a risk on
Sydney Kings’ new coach arrives with NBA experience and has revealed how a ringing endorsement from the NBL club’s last two mentors helped convince him to move to Australia.
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Sydney Kings co-owner Andrew Bogut concedes the club’s search for a new head coach wasn’t “easy”, but he believes ex-NBA assistant Mahmoud Abdelfattah possesses the energy and work ethic worth taking a “risk” on.
The Kings have locked in Abdelfattah on a two-year deal – and Bogut is backing the former Houston Rockets assistant and championship-winning G League mentor to be successful on the NBL stage.
“Everyone that I’ve spoken to about him, there wasn’t a whole heap of negative,” Bogut said about Abdelfattah, who is of Palestinian and American descent.
“He is very energetic and upbeat every day and guys who have played for him at Houston like (former King) Jae’Sean Tate, gave us some good info as well and had positive things to say.
“He is a worker and a leader in the gym type, so that is someone who we are about.
“We are OK at taking risks. People might look at it and say, who? It isn’t a big name coming out of the NBA, but we think he fits very well with what we are trying to accomplish.”
Sydney opted to continue its proven path of American coaches in the NBA system following on from Will Weaver and Chase Buford.
Lets goooo!!
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) June 21, 2023
Welcome @MahmoudFattah30https://t.co/6G4tCikRgC
Abdelfattah, the first Palestinian and Muslim to be named head coach of an NBA or NBA G-League franchise, revealed conversations with former Kings coaches Weaver and Buford played a major role in luring him to the back-to-back NBL champions.
“After speaking with both Chase [Buford] and Will [Weaver], both loved their experience in Sydney and raved about how phenomenal the organisation is, it felt like the perfect next step in my career,” Abdelfattah, 34, said.
“Honestly, outside of the US, the NBL is the league that most resembles the NBA, in terms of style and developmental systems – which is important to me, as I want all players to fulfil their potential, be that Australia or taking to next step to the NBA.
“To get the opportunity to coach the Kings, on the back of their amazing track record over the past few seasons, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is amazing.”
Abdelfattah began his career on the sidelines in 2011 as Perspective Charter Schools’ assistant head coach – a role he held until 2013.
A four-year stint as an assistant with the St. Cloud State University followed before joining the staff of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the G-League affiliate of the Houston Rockets – firstly as their player development co-ordinator.
He then transitioned to the Vipers assistant coach (in which the club won the title), before being promoted to head coach ahead of the 2019-2020 season – which was the first of two Covid-interrupted campaigns.
In year three Abdelfattah had a breakout campaign, leading the Vipers to the 2021-2022 G-League championship (33-13 record) and taking out the Coach of the Year award – while leading the league in points per game and offensive rebounds, highlighting the style of play he will bring to the Harbour City.
On the back of this, Abdelfattah was hired as one of the assistant coaches on Stephen Silas’ Rockets team for the 2022-23 NBA season.
There's a new King in town 👑
— NBL (@NBL) June 21, 2023
The @SydneyKings have announced Houston Rockets assistant Mahmoud Abdelfattah as their head coach for #NBL24 📋
Read more: https://t.co/2rNLNWSmNypic.twitter.com/yPiMLVeFSC
Abdelfattah has vowed to maintain Sydney’s fast-paced, run the floor style of play.
“I’ll be letting our guys play with a lot of freedom on the offensive end, allowing them to use their talents while putting them in positions to succeed,” said Abdelfattah, who plans to arrive in Sydney after the 2023 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
“We will be playing with a high tempo, that pushes the ball up the floor.
“We’ve got some great, versatile players already on the roster and I can’t wait to start working with them on the court.”
Kings chairman and co-owner Paul Smith knew Abdelfattah was the perfect candidate for the role.
“Not only is Mahmoud clearly an outstanding coach, but he demonstrated an enormous appetite to discover and embrace the notion of coaching in the NBL and the cultural diversity that is the hallmark of our city,” Smith said.
“His candidacy to be the head coach of the Sydney Kings was outstanding.”
Kings CEO Chris Pongrass echoed Smith’s thoughts, saying Abdelfattah was the perfect candidate to coach the exciting roster, including Jonah Bolden, DJ Hogg, Shaun Bruce and Angus Glover.
“Mahmoud has a longstanding history in basketball with experience at every level,” Pongrass said.
“A remarkable basketball mind, he sees the game differently to others – he is creative and innovative from an on-court, tactical sense, and has a strong background in player development.
“As a leader, Mahmoud has proven success and we received an outpouring of support from players and colleagues.”
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