RUSTON, La. -- Louisiana Tech has hired Miami assistant Eric Konkol as their new men's basketball coach.
Konkol, whose appointment was announced Monday, takes over for Michael White, who was engaged by Florida earlier this month. Louisiana Tech athletic director Tommy McClelland says Konkol "has a national reputation as a great recruiter" and is a rising star in coaching.
“Eric Konkol spent the past four seasons on as an assistant at Jim Larranaga's staff at Miami. “
HAVANA - Former NBA greats Steve Nash and Dikembe Mutombo have opened their training camp for Cuban basketball players, eager to boost the game's popularity on the communist-run island following the declaration of agreement between Washington and Havana.
The flags of Cuba and the United States soared at a Havana university where the four-day camp began Thursday. Nash, a former MVP, and Mutumbo, a Hall of Fame inductee, were merged by ex-WNBA player Ticha Penicheiro and NBA coaches in coaching more than 100 athletes.
"Basketball is a connection that can join people and cultures, so I am happy to be here," Mutumbo said. Nash said Cuba has "a very solid basketball program." "It's just time for them to get a little more help," Nash added.
The NBA is the first U.S. proficient league to official visit Cuba since the detente announcement. Basketball is Cuba's fourth most popular sport, after baseball, boxing and soccer.
"This is great for us to line up ourselves with the United States," Cuban basketball player Carlos Villegas told Local 10 News. "It's great for us as a country, and it's great for me as an athlete."
Noticeably absent was anyone on behalf of the NBA team with perhaps the strongest Cuban fanbase. The Miami Heat said it wasn't informed in advance of the trip. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver apologized, calling it a "rookie mistake."
