Kevin O’Neill has officially found a new home.
The former UA interim head basketball coach was named an assistant for the Memphis Grizzlies today, expected to help shore up what was one of the NBA’s worst defenses last season.

“The Grizzlies are excited about the opportunity to work with a defensive expert in Kevin O’Neill,” said Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni, a former Suns assistant coach. “His experience and knowledge in college and the NBA will help our players and organization reach the highest levels we are striving for.”

The Grizzlies allowed opponents to shoot 48.0 percent from the field last season, the highest opponent mark of any NBA team, and allowed 106.9 average points. That mark put Memphis 28 of the 30 teams in scoring average.

O’Neill, 51, had six years of NBA experience as an assistant and head coach before joining UA as an assistant coach last season. He was promoted to interim head coach upon Lute Olson’s leave of absence on Nov. 4 last season.

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