Sam Vincent named Fort Worth Flyers head coach

“We are fortunate to have as our coach somebody of Sam’s stature both in the USA and internationally,” said Kahn. “I believe Fort Worth will immediately take a liking to him -- he is personable and excited to work in this community.”

Vincent is familiar to the NBA’s Development League, serving as head coach of the former Mobile Revelers from 2002-2003. In two seasons, he compiled a 56-50 record and guided the Revelers to the NBA Development League championship in 2002.

Currently, Vincent serves as the head coach of the Nigerian Sr. Men’s basketball team. Just eight days ago he guided the team to a third place finish in the 23rd FIBA African Championship Game in Algiers, Algeria, and qualified for the 2006 World Championship Games in Japan.

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to coach the Fort Worth Flyers,” said Vincent. “I am looking forward to working with David, Todd, and the entire Fort Worth Flyer’s organization as we prepare to make the inaugural season exciting and enjoyable for all.”

A native of Lansing, Mich., Vincent attended Michigan State University where he averaged 16.8 points per game and earned several awards, including team MVP honors in 1983-1985 and The Sporting News All-America honors in 1985. He was also named MSU Media MVP in 1984 and 1985 and finished sixth in career scoring (1,861), ninth in career assists (306) and third in career steals (159).

Vincent was selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round (20th overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft. He played for seven seasons in the NBA, averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 assists while competing with four different teams, including Boston (1985-87), Seattle (1987-88), Chicago (1987-88 and 1988-89) and Orlando (1989-90 to 1991-92).

Following his professional playing career, Vincent worked for one year as special advisor to vice president Reggie Williams at Disney’s World Wide of Sports, where he recruited major sporting events for the Orlando marketplace.

In 1996 Vincent was hired as head coach of the Cape Town Kings in South Africa, where he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization, including business administration, sponsorship sales, marketing and communications. After three seasons with the Cape Town Kings, he was named head coach of both the Men’s and Women’s South African Senior National Teams.

In 1999-2000, Vincent coached in the Greek A02 men’s basketball league in Larissa, Greece and was also head coach of the Canoe Jeans in Den Bosch, Netherlands in the A1 Dutch League.

Following his stint with the Revelers, Vincent spent the summer of 2002 coaching the Nigerian National women’s team in the African Championship and qualified them for the World Championship Games in Mozmbique in 2003. With the qualification, the team was awarded an appearance in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where they became the first women’s basketball team representing Africa to win a game by defeating Korea, 68-64.

“I was fortunate to play for some great coaches and with some legendary players during my NBA career,” Vincent said. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to coach the sport I love and be a part of the NBA family once again.”

In the community, Vincent has been actively involved with Basketball without Borders since 1997. The program provides youth, 16-20 years of age, an opportunity to share living quarters with their teammates and participate in seminars that focus on community outreach efforts for education, grassroots basketball development, product donation, healthy living, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse education and prevention.

The Flyers’ home opener is Wednesday, Nov. 23 against the Tulsa 66ers at 7 p.m. at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The inaugural season begins with back-to-back road games on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, beginning with the Roanoke Dazzle followed by the Fayetteville Patriots.

The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA’s umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league’s inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA’s 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.