Sydney Kings have installed Shane Heal to coach the team for the remaining six games of the NBL season.
Heal will take over the role immediately, replacing Ian Robilliard who has recently been appointed as the club's interim chief executive, and will be in charge for his first game when the Kings host Townsville on Sunday.
Heal, a former point guard known for his aggressive play, loud haircuts and three-point shooting, captained the Kings to their first championship in 2003, has his number 23 jersey retired and is still highly regarded at the club.
The Kings have endured a mixed season under Robilliard, missing out on landing Boomers superstar Andrew Bogut during the NBA lock-out due to unresolvable insurance issues while overcoming a series of injuries to hover mid-table with an 8-14 record.
The Kings are on a five-game losing streak but Heal, who at this stage does not have a deal for next season, says he simply hopes to bring his own touch to the team for the final six games of the year.
"I will really be working on getting their mindset right and belief in themselves," he said.
"I am looking forward to sitting down with the team to talk about philosophies and expectations."
Robilliard says he expects Heal to use his experience to instil a championship-winning mentality into the young Kings squad.
"It is a great feeling to have secured Shane Heal for the role of head coach," he said.
"The club definitely considers him a Sydney Kings legend.
"Having played in the purple and gold, he knows first hand what it means to wear in our colours, to win a championship, and to play at the Kingdome.
"If he can instil half of his Sydney Kings personal experience into our roster, it could help our team of committed professionals become a champion team."
AAP
Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia First posted February 24, 2012 16:36:22
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