Warriors Rumors: Steve Kerr's Son Nick Named HC of Santa Cruz G League Team
Aug 9, 2023
SANTA CRUZ, CA - APRIL 26: A shot of the Santa Cruz Warriors logo prior to the game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in Game Two of the NBA D-League Finals on April 26, 2015 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League are promoting Nick Kerr to the role of head coach, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
Kerr is the son of Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. He joined Santa Cruz's staff as an assistant ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Prior to his move to the G League, Kerr had been with Golden State as a video coordinator and player development coach. He takes over for Seth Cooper, who was head coach of Santa Cruz for two seasons before shifting into a player development role for Golden State this summer.
The Santa Cruz Warriors went 18-14 and narrowly missed out on the G League playoffs in 2022-23.
Kerr played collegiately, first at the University of San Diego before transferring to Cal as a graduate student. He told the San Francisco Chronicle's Connor Letourneau in November 2015 he had a future coaching career in mind when he made the switch to the Golden Bears.
"The 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard uses free moments in practice to pepper [Cuonzo] Martin's staff with questions about coaching philosophy," Letourneau wrote.
Letourneau added that Kerr wanted to "carve out a path separate from his father's," which became tricky when he first took a job with the Warriors and will now be leading their G League affiliate.
But coaching a G League team represents the next step in his coaching journey and could be a springboard for him to get on an NBA bench down the road.
Warriors Security Guard Jonathan Amey Jr. Receives Tryout for GSW's G League Team
Oct 31, 2021
SANTA CRUZ, CA - APRIL 26: A shot of the center logo prior to the game between the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Santa Cruz Warriors in Game Two of the NBA D-League Finals on April 26, 2015 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
A Golden State Warriors security guard received an incredibly rare opportunity to make his basketball dreams come true.
Jonathan Amey Jr., who ushers Warriors players into their parking garage before games, tried out for the team's G League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors last month, according to Janie McCauley of the Associated Press (h/t NBA.com).
Amey didn't make the cut, but he enjoyed the experience regardless.
"It was just a great experience to be able to play at a pro level," Amey said, "and be able to also just to have an opportunity to get a chance to do something most people wish they had the opportunity to do. I didn't think I was going to get an opportunity, so I just felt like, 'Hey, if the offer's there, just go for it.'"
Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry even lauded the 26-year-old before a Saturday night matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder:
"It speaks about how encouraging, motivating and unifying basketball is for him to go put himself out there, go out for a tryout," Curry said. "He said his jumper needed some improvement. He's a little self critical, but we gave him the confidence to keep trying and keep his attitude high. I like the fact that he put himself out there because it's no easy task. So, shoutout to Jonathan."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn't know about the tryout, but admitted he'll absolutely be talking to Amey about the experience:
"I've got to ask him about it," Kerr said. "Good for him, just to fulfill a dream and to go for it. I love it, that's great."
Amey previously played intramural basketball at Cal State East Bay.
