Shooting Guru Chip Engelland Leaves Spurs, Joins Thunder

Well, if nothing else, the Thunder should shoot better next season.Chip Engelland

That’s because they are adding renowned shooting coach Chip Engelland as an assistant to Mark Daigneault‘s coaching staff next season, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Engelland, 61, has spent the past 17 seasons with Gregg Popovich and the Spurs, but left after failing to come to terms on a contract, Wojnarowski reported.

He has had a bond with Thunder head of basketball operations Sam Presti, previously of the Spurs’ front office. Engelland was credited with helping the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker with their touch from the perimeter, Wojnarowski noted.

The Thunder, of course, now featured No. 2 overall draft pick Chet Holmgren, as well as other notable names such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.

“Engelland comes to the Thunder with the franchise brimming with young talent — and more expected on the way,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Engelland played college basketball at Duke, then spent time overseas and in the old Continental Basketball Association and World Basketball League. He began his NBA coaching career in 1999 as an assistant with the Pistons.

“Engelland will work on Mark Daignault’s coaching staff to develop the shooting habits across the young roster,” Wojnarowski wrote.

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