{"id":178995,"date":"2026-02-25T14:22:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=178995"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:39:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:39:33","slug":"lakers-add-ex-uva-legend-tony-bennett-in-key-advisory-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/25\/lakers-add-ex-uva-legend-tony-bennett-in-key-advisory-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Add Ex-UVA Legend Tony Bennett in Key Advisory Role"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lakers<\/a> addressed a key need off the court Wednesday, hiring former University of Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft Advisor<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Add Ex-UVA Legend Tony Bennett in Key Advisory Role<\/h2>\n

Bennett to Assist Pelinka in Draft Decisions<\/h3>\n

Bennett will help <\/span>guide the Lakers\u2019 pre-draft decisions<\/span><\/a> leading up to and during the now two-night event. He brings immense success from UVA as the 2019 national champion and the program’s all-time leader in wins. Reflecting on this new chapter, Bennett said:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization. The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Meanwhile, Pelinka said the Lakers were \u201cthrilled and honored\u201d to bring Bennett on:<\/span><\/p>\n

“As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource. Tony\u2019s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. Tony will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, to our scouts and to our draft department as a whole. We are truly excited.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bennett\u2019s new role gives him a homecoming to the league. He <\/span>played for the Charlotte Hornets<\/span><\/a> from 1992-95 as a former second-round pick.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

If Lakers fans need any information on who Tony Bennett is, he was the mastermind behind Virginia's success for over a decade and was responsible for the development of the following NBA talents: <\/p>\n

Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, De'Andre Hunter, Trey Murphy III, and Ty Jerome. https:\/\/t.co\/dtjSgYgEsD<\/a><\/p>\n

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 25, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n