By AJ Cadman
Daily Bruin Senior staff
Former UCLA standout Kiki Vandeweghe was named general manager
of basketball operations for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets last
Thursday. He inked a five-year deal worth $750,000 annually.
“I’m just very excited to be back in Denver,”
Vandeweghe said at a news conference following the announcement.
“More than any other city I played in, I had the most fun
here. We had winning teams and just a great family feeling here. I
want to recapture that feeling.”
Deliberations over the job were prolonged by complications in
determining his exact responsibilities and roles for the position.
Issues arose over Vandeweghe’s lack of front office
experience.
But Denver team president and head coach Dan Issel is confident
that Vandeweghe can handle the job.
“Kiki is very well respected around the league as a player
development (coach) and we want him to continue that role
here,” Issel said in a phone interview. “He is a bright
guy and I think he is going to do well in this position.”
Vandeweghe has spent the past the past two seasons as an
assistant coach and director of player development with the Dallas
Mavericks.
Vandeweghe played in 113 games for the Bruins between 1977-1980,
averaging 12.2 points per contest on 57 percent field goal shooting
““ the fifth all-time at UCLA.
The two-time NBA All-Star went on to have a 13-year pro career,
with the first four in Denver.
With reports by Scott Schultz, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.