Hawks hire former All-Star Van Exel as assistant

The Atlanta Hawks hired former All-Star guard Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach, the team announced Wednesday.

Van Exel replaces Marlon Garnett, who recently joined James Borrego's Charlotte Hornets staff.

"Since his playing career ended, Nick has been very successful in helping develop young guards for the teams he's worked with, including several that have turned into All-Stars," Hawks head coach Nate McMillan said in a statement. "We feel he'll be a great addition helping our young core guards continue to progress."

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Van Exel 37th overall in 1993. He played 13 years in the Association split across six clubs.

Van Exel began his coaching career in 2009 as an assistant with Texas Southern University. He joined the Hawks a year later and served as their player development instructor until 2013.

The 49-year-old joined Larry Drew's staff with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013-14 campaign.

Van Exel's most recent coaching stint was a three-year run with the Memphis Grizzlies under David Fizdale and J.B. Bickerstaff.