Matt Brase (born June 15, 1982) is an American professional basketball coach who is an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the head coach of Haiti men's national basketball team.

Matt Brase
Philadelphia 76ers
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1982-06-15) June 15, 1982 (age 42)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolCatalina Foothills
(Catalina Foothills, Arizona)
CollegeCentral Arizona (2001–2003)
Arizona (2003–2005)
NBA draft2007: undrafted
PositionForward
Coaching career2008–present
Career history
As coach:
2008–2009Arizona (assistant)
2009–2011Grand Canyon (assistant)
2012–2013Rio Grande Valley Vipers (assistant)
2015–2018Rio Grande Valley Vipers
20182020Houston Rockets (assistant)
2022–2023Pallacanestro Varese
2023–presentPhiladelphia 76ers (assistant)
Career highlights and awards

Playing career

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Brase played for University of Arizona and led the team to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they reached the Elite Eight in 2005.[1] He was coached by his grandfather, basketball coach Lute Olson, from 2003 to 2005.

College coaching career

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After graduation, Brase served in different capacities in the Arizona Wildcats basketball department. After being promoted to assistant coach at Arizona during the 2009, his team reached the Sweet 16.[2]

For the 2009–11 seasons, Brase served as an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University while studying for his master's degree in business administration with a focus on leadership.[3]

Professional coaching career

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The Houston Rockets hired him in 2011. During the 2011–12 season he worked as part of the Rockets basketball operations staff focusing on player personnel and scouting college, international and NBA players. In 2012–2013 Brase served as an assistant coach for Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In 2013, he became the Director of Operations for the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets named him the head coach for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers beginning the 2015 season.[4] In 2018, he became an Assistant coach for the Houston Rockets[5] and led the team to an NBA D-League Western Conference title.[6]

On July 6, 2022, he became the head coach of Pallacanestro Varese in the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).[7]

On September 5, 2023, Brase became an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers.[8]

Personal life

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Brase's father, Jon, is a dentist. He played baseball at Iowa. Brase's sister played for University of Arizona's women's basketball team before becoming a coach at Loyola Marymount and then with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. His mother, Jody, is the daughter of Lute Olson, and the Principal at Catalina Foothills High School.[9]

References

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  1. ^ http://riograndevalley.dleague.nba.com/news/houston-rockets-and-rgv-vipers-announce-matt-brase-as-head-coach/ [dead link]
  2. ^ http://tucson.com/sports/basketball/college/wildcats/arizona-basketball-o-neill-pennell-staffs-have-thrived/article_5bb1e37b-1a8e-5ffb-9229-2f2b2f63fa8b.html Archived June 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Matt Brase – Men's Basketball Coach". Grand Canyon University Athletics. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. ^ http://dleague.nba.com/news/rgv-hires-matt-brase-as-head-coach [dead link]
  5. ^ Schlosser, Keith (September 13, 2018). "Matt Brase set to join Houston Rockets' coaching staff". Ridiculous Upside. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Star, Jon Gold Special to the Arizona Daily. "Virus has only stalled — not stopped — Brase's dreams of being NBA head coach". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Varese announces Matt Brase as new head coach". Sportando. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  8. ^ "2023-24 Coaching Staff Announced". NBA.com. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Brase, Jody (August 11, 2021). "Catalina Foothills High School Administrative Staff". Grand Canyon University Athletics. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2020.