Memphis Grizzlies name Bickerstaff head coach

WASHINGTON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Memphis Grizzlies announced that an agreement with interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been reached to retain him as head coach next season on Wednesday.

"J.B. did an admirable job as interim head coach last season in what was a challenging set of circumstances," Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace said. "J.B. has connected with our players and earned their respect throughout his time in Memphis, and we have been pleased with his role in developing our young players. We are excited to see him coach with a full offseason and a healthy roster next season."

Originally joining the Grizzlies as associate head coach in the summer of 2016, Bickerstaff was named interim head coach on Nov. 27, 2017 and served in that role for the final 63 games of the 2017-18 season.

Before coming to Memphis, Bickerstaff spent five seasons (2011-16) with the Houston Rockets, where he was elevated to interim head coach early in the 2015-16 season and guided the Rockets to a 37-34 finish to close the season with a postseason berth.

Bickerstaff's additional experience as an assistant coach includes four seasons (2007-11) with the Minnesota Timberwolves and three seasons (2004-07) with the Charlotte Bobcats under his father, Bernie Bickerstaff. Enditem