The Stash: The Austin Spurs/Spurs prospects thread - 2023-2024 Season, pg. 22

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Coach Ahearn doesn't exactly look thrilled to be moving on. It's a big life change. Only five years ago, he was named the coach of a high school basketball team and now he'll be working for a NBA team. Quite a trajectory. I do wish we could have retained him, but opportunities like this don't come often. Best of luck to him, and thanks, Coach!

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Catching up on some Austin Spurs news, some feedback from GM Landry Fields about our rookie crop of players - Luka, Quinn, and Keldon:

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Nice! Good for the G-Leaguers:

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Ok. So congrats to Landry.

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I didn't say this when Blake left for the Grizz bench, but I felt it then as well, so I'll say it now for both: while I'm not surprised that teams keep looking to our development and try to poach our talent, I'm just about done with personnel using us as a jumping point to get their careers started - elsewhere.

That's now the coach and GM of Austin that chose to move on to other organizations after getting their starts with us - after we gave them their entrance into the professional NBA realm. Ahearn was hired as Austin Spurs coach in 2017, his first stint in the pro level after coaching high school teams. Left in June. Fields started with us in 2016 in scouting - again his first foray into the pro realm, and was just promoted to the GM of Austin Spurs only a year ago.

I don't begrudge people getting other opportunities, but it seems it's not just talent drain because other franchises seek out our talent, but also because the people we hire are using us as springboards for positions elsewhere. This is the second time I'm getting that vibe now. Both departures seem like they came out of nowhere, as shortly prior to their leaving both were speaking about the vision going forward for the players and the team.

I think the Spurs expected both to be in our organization for the long haul given that we gave both their foot in the door and both are so young. I had hoped they'd show some appreciation, loyalty, desire to grow with us. But nope, it's foot in the door, foot out.

I didn't think they were the type to do that, but better to have people who want to be with us. More opportunities to find them now with a couple of spots open.

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So, with positions opening, we're promoting internally. I like it for continuity amidst change, stability, and growth. Congratulations to Matt and Tyler!

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Some info on each:

Nielsen, who spent last season as an assistant coach for Austin, becomes the seventh head coach in Austin Spurs history.

Before making the move to Austin, Nielsen, a native of Australia, spent four seasons (2015-19) as an assistant coach with the NBL’s Perth Wildcats where he helped guide the team to three NBL championships. Nielsen began his coaching career in San Antonio, serving as a player development assistant during the 2014-15 season. In addition, he was an assistant coach with San Antonio’s summer league team from 2014-19.

Self takes over as general manager after serving as Austin’s assistant general manager last season. After joining the organization in the summer of 2017, Self spent two seasons as a quality assurance assistant in San Antonio’s basketball operations department. He came to the Spurs after graduating from the University of Kansas, where he earned his degree in sport management and played on the Jayhawks basketball team (2012-17).

More details on their playing days here: https://austin.gleague.nba.com/news/austin-spurs-name-matt-nielsen-head-coach-and-tyler-self-general-manager/

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We finally got the guy we planned on drafted two years ago in Keita. I can't wait to see what he and Cam show after some development with us. We're going to be very solids team in San Antonio and Austin.

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EDIT to add: Well now... my goodness!

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Safe to say we're excited to have him now after he was chosen just before our selection:

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Spurs Family impact growing internationally. Congratulations!

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Congratulations and welcome to the Spurs family, Samson!

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It's official! Austin Spurs is a go. That said, I hope Devin stays with the big club:

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Ok. Development continues. Stay safe and kick ass, Austin Spurs!

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Our draft selections:

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This is a large man!

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EDIT to add:

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Keldon's older brother:

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Some more info about Kaleb:

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Congratulations to Kenny and Parker!

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A very condensed schedule. Look at all those back-to-back games!

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Expected. I wonder whether Quinn and Tre will join him:

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Nice of the Spurs to wait until Tre had a chance to play against his brother before sending him to the bubble.

So with Luka, Tre, and Woodard that makes a roster of fifteen.