Lakers Bring Former Virginia Coach Tony Bennett on Board as a Draft Advisor
Tony Bennett Appointed NBA Draft Advisor for Los Angeles Lakers
Former Virginia Cavaliers coach Tony Bennett, renowned for leading the team to the 2019 national championship, has accepted a position as an NBA draft advisor with the Los Angeles Lakers. In this role, he will collaborate closely with Rob Pelinka, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager. Bennett amassed a record of 364 wins and 136 losses from 2009 to 2024 during his tenure at Virginia.
"As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource,” Pelinka stated. “Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill, and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. He will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, our scouts, and our draft department as a whole. We are truly excited.”
Virginia honored Bennett with a ceremony before Saturday’s game, where the court at John Paul Jones Arena was named in his honor during an 86-83 victory over Miami.
During his illustrious career, Bennett received accolades as the AP National Coach of the Year in both 2007 and 2018 and led the Cavaliers to six ACC regular-season championships. He also coached at Washington State from 2006 to 2009.
“When Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization,” Bennett said. “The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.”
Bennett began his career as a player, studying under his father, Dick Bennett, at Wisconsin-Green Bay before playing four seasons in the NBA. He spent three of those years with the Charlotte Hornets from 1992 to 1995.
