Former Knicks swingman Chris Jent is returning to New York as associate head coach under Mike Brown.
The New York Knicks are finalizing a deal to bring Chris Jent back to Madison Square Garden—this time on the bench.
According to ShamsCharania, Jent will join newly hired head coach Mike Brown as associate head coach, taking on an elevated role in the team’s restructured staff.
For Jent, 55, the move is a homecoming. He spent part of the 1996–97 season as a Knicks player, during the Patrick Ewing era. While his playing days in New York were brief, Jent’s basketball journey has been extensive. After going undrafted out of Ohio State in 1992, he played internationally and in various U.S. leagues before signing with the Houston Rockets in 1994, winning an NBA championship alongside Hakeem Olajuwon.
Following stints in the CBA, Australia, and Italy, Jent transitioned into coaching, where he’s built an impressive résumé spanning more than two decades. His NBA assistant coaching stops include Orlando, Cleveland, Sacramento, Atlanta, the Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently, Charlotte. In July, he led the Hornets to the Las Vegas Summer League championship, earning praise for his ability to connect with and develop young talent.
Jent’s coaching career began with the Philadelphia 76ers during the Allen Iverson-Larry Brown era. He has also served multiple stints on the Ohio State coaching staff and worked in the G League (then the D League).
New York reportedly narrowed the associate head coach search to Jent and Indiana Pacers assistant Mike Weiner, but with Weiner withdrawing from consideration, Jent emerged as the frontrunner. His hiring signals the Knicks’ commitment to building a strong support system around Brown as they prepare for the 2025–26 season.
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