Jason Hart named coach of G League Ignite

Jason Hart was named head coach of the NBA G League Ignite on Thursday.

Hart, 43, played nine seasons in the NBA and coached nine seasons at the collegiate level, including the past eight at the University of Southern California.

"Jason's commitment to developing high-character young men and his experience across all levels of basketball make him the perfect fit to lead Ignite," G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim said in a release. "I am excited to have him guide this team as we continue to build Ignite as the premier program for the world's best young players."

Hart began his coaching career as an assistant at Pepperdine in 2012-13 before joining the staff at USC in 2013-14. He was promoted to associate head coach for the Trojans in 2017-18.

"From the moment I looked at this opportunity, I was confident that this was the ideal job for me," Hart said. "Since my retirement from the NBA, I have coached basketball at every level, learning what it takes to help young men achieve their dreams of playing in the NBA. I will give every ounce of energy and knowledge that I have to making sure each young man is able to fulfill his potential."

A point guard, Hart averaged 4.8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 341 NBA games (56 starts) from 2000-10 with nine teams.

Hart replaces Brian Shaw, who stepped down after leading the Ignite to an 8-8 record and a playoff berth during the team's inaugural season in 2020-21.

The Ignite, a team dedicated to developing elite prospects for the NBA Draft, are based in Walnut Creek, Calif. The 2021-22 roster includes two top-10 recruits from the high school Class of 2021 in Jaden Hardy and Michael Foster Jr.; Scoot Henderson, a top 10 player in the 2022 class before reclassifying; and Australian standout Dyson Daniels.

Former members of G League Ignite include Filipino-American Jalen Green, who was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, and Filipino Kai Sotto.

—Field Level Media/Reuters