The New York Knicks announced the addition of Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne as the team's new assistant coach.
He is the first formal hire since the announcement of head coach Tom Thibodeau on July 30.
“I’m thrilled… He has an outstanding ability to forge relationships with players and improve their skills,” Thibodeau said in a statement.
Payne spent the last ten years at Kentucky under John Calipari, where he helped develop athletes including Anthony Davis and Karl Anthony-Towns. In New York, he will reunite with former Kentucky players Julius Randle and Kevin Knox.
“He knows what it takes to win, and has learned from one of the best coaches there is in John Calipari.