NBA: Jason Kidd named new Brooklyn Nets coach

(Updated 9:53am) The Brooklyn Nets announced Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) that they have named former Net Jason Kidd as the team's new head coach, confirming the move in a press release on the team's website.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to be named head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, and it's a role I have been studying for over the course of my playing days," said Kidd in the release. "Championship teams are built on being prepared, playing unselfishly and being held accountable, and that's how I expect to coach this basketball team. I am truly excited about this next phase of my basketball career."

"Jason is a proven winner and leader with an incredible wealth of basketball knowledge and experience. This will be a natural transition for him to move into the role of head coach, as he embodies the tough, smart and team-first mentality that we are trying to establish in Brooklyn," team general manager Billy King added in the statement.

The Brooklyn Nets Facebook page also posted a graphic of Kidd in a suit with the caption "Hello Coach!"

Jason Kidd: 1st player to become head coach in season immediately after retirement since Mike Dunleavy (LAL, 1990-91). via @eliassports

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2013

Kidd, who retired earlier in June as a New York Knick, would become the first player to transition immediately to a head coach position since Mike Dunleavy with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1990, ESPN Stats and Info tweeted.

Kidd is expected to hire at least one, and possibly two, assistant coaches with head coaching experience, sources say.

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) June 13, 2013

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Nets are expected to surround Kidd with assistants with head coaching experience to make the transition smoother.

The 19-season NBA veteran finished with career averages of 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.9 steals, and is considered one of the league's best point guards and leaders.

He played seven seasons in New Jersey (the previous city of the Nets), where he took the team to the NBA Finals twice, though he ultimately won his first and only NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2010-11 season, against the Miami Heat.

The Nets had previously interviewed Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time), before deciding upon Kidd as their choice.

Kidd replaces interim head coach PJ Carlesimo, who took over after Avery Johnson was fired in the middle of the 2012-13 season. - AMD, GMA News