Knicks Hire Calipari Assistant to Join Coaching Staff

Tom Thibodeau's staff is beginning to take shape.

The New York Knicks announced on Tuesday that they hired Kentucky associated head coach Kenny Payne as an assistant coach on Thibodeau's staff.

"I'm thrilled that Kenny has joined my staff as an assistant coach," Thibodeau said in a press release. "He has an outstanding ability to forge relationships with players and improve their skills. He knows what it take to win and has learned from one of the best coaches there is in John Calipari. Kenny will be a tremendous addition to our organization."

Payne, 53, spent the last decade at the University of Kentucky alongside Calipari, which included an NCAA championship in 2012 led by Anthony Davis, who credited Payne in helping develop his post-up game.

Payne has also worked closely with fellow No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns – who has also raved about the assistant coach – as well as current Knicks forward Kevin Knox.

.@nyknicks Name Kenny Payne Assistant Coach pic.twitter.com/FEWYOfEgyX

The new assistant coach also has a history with Knicks president Leon Rose and senior vice president William Wesley.

Prior to Kentucky, Payne was an assistant coach at Oregon from 2004-10. He played four seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers from 1989-93 and won an NCAA championship as a player at the University of Louisville.

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