Pacers assistant Jim Boylen named USA Basketball's 2023 Coach of the Year
Boylen coached the World Cup Qualifying Team from 2021-23, working with 52 players over six qualifying windows.
Pacers assistant coach Jim Boylen was named USA Basketball’s Coach of the Year for his work with the organization over the last few years.
Boylen served as head coach of Team USA’s men’s basketball team during six windows from Nov. 2021 to Feb. 2023 and led the team to quality for the 2023 World Cup, which was held over the summer.
The hardest part about it was the ever-changing rosters considering the qualifying windows took place during the NBA season. He coached 52 different players during that run, including former Pacers Langston Galloway, Brian Bowen II, Orlando Johnson — and Justin Anderson and Jordan Bell of the Mad Ants.
“He did it with free agents, G League players, guys that were castoffs from Europe and things like that,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s a pretty significant accomplishment so congratulations to him.”
Oh, and they weren’t treated to chartered flights and five-star hotels like the World Cup or Olympic Teams.
“It was a tremendous commitment and effort from Jim and all the athletes and assistant coaches,” said USAB CEO Jim Tooley. “Jim further assisted the 2023 Men’s World Cup preparations by coaching the USA Select Team.”
Boylen, 58, works daily with centers Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson before each game and he has a prominent voice on the defensive end.
He's a longtime assistant coach in the league, including a previous stint with the Pacers on Frank Vogel's staff from 2011-13. He has three NBA championships and served as Bulls head coach from 2018-20.
Even when he worked for other teams, Boylen has called Indianapolis home.