Report: Billy Donovan the favorite for Thunder job; Spurs assistant Messina in running
We're likely still a ways away from having a clear picture of who the next Oklahoma City Thunder head coach will be, but some intriguing names are being bandied about as candidates to fill the Scott Brooks-shaped hole on the team's bench.
The Thunder, perhaps inspired by the Brad Stevens revolution in Boston, were said to be considering bringing an NCAA coach aboard, with specific mention of Florida's Billy Donovan and Connecticut's Kevin Ollie.
Ollie, just five years removed from wrapping his playing career as a member of the Thunder, has reportedly already pulled himself out of consideration for the job.
With Ollie ostensibly out of the picture, ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Donovan has emerged as the early front-runner, adding that San Antonio Spurs assistant Ettore Messina is also in the running.
The Italian-born Messina coached for a number of years in Europe, helming clubs in Bologna, Treviso, Moscow and Madrid. He captured four Euroleague championships and was twice named Euroleague Coach of the Year.
He's been on the Spurs' staff since 2014, and earlier this season replaced Gregg Popovich as head coach for two games while Popovich recovered from a minor medical procedure.
Messina, who went 2-0 in his brief stint, was the the first person born outside North America to coach an NBA regular-season game.