The Los Angeles Lakers' coaching search has reportedly come to a close, with Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham reportedly set to become the team's next lead man.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have reached an agreement with Ham.
The Lakers have hired Darvin Ham as coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 28, 2022
Ham has been an assistant in the league for over a decade and has been widely tipped to become a head coach, previously interviewing for the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers' top jobs and was on the Sacramento Kings' radar.
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So, who is Darvin Ham?
Background
Ham was born on July 12, 1973 in Saginaw Michigan. He attended Saginaw High School in Saginaw, Michigan.
College career
Ham attended Texas Tech University from 1993-96. In college, he averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game through three seasons.
In his third season, he helped the Red Raiders reach their first-ever Sweet Sixteen, losing to Allen Iverson and the Georgetown Hoyas.
Ham became well-known in college for breaking the backboard on a put back dunk against the UNC Tar Heels.
Professional career
Ham declared for the NBA Draft in 1996, going undrafted and signing with the Denver Nuggets ahead of the 1996-97 NBA season.
He played eight seasons in the NBA, with his most notable stints coming with the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons, where he was part of the 2004 championship-winning squad.
Ham also spent one season (199-00) playing professionally in Spain with CB Granada.
Coaching Career
The 49-year-old has been an assistant coach for over a decade and spent two seasons with the Lakers from 2011-13.
After finishing his playing career in the D-League with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, he transitioned to being a coach in 2008 for two seasons.
In 2011 Ham began as an assistant coach with the Lakers in a player development role, working alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard, before joining the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff in 2013.
Ham spent five seasons in Atlanta and then in 2018, he followed head coach Mike Budenholzer to the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant and was on the bench for their 2021 championship win.
Is Ham the right fit for the Lakers?
The Lakers cast a wide net in their search for a new head coach following the departure of Frank Vogel, who went 127-98 over his three seasons in L.A., which included winning the 2020 championship.
After going 33-49 in 2021-22 and missing the playoffs altogether, the Lakers have been linked with a host of big names including Utah's Quin Snyder, Philadelphia's Doc Rivers, Toronto's Nick Nurse, Golden State assistant Mike Brown and former Warriors coach Mark Jackson.
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Several former assistants have made strong impressions as head coaches this season with Boston's Ime Udoka, Dallas' Jason Kidd, Minnesota's Chris Finch and New Orleans' Willie Green all leading their teams to the playoffs in 2021-22.
Ham is also a favorite among players, with former Laker Kyle Kuzma giving the Bucks assistant his seal of approval.
Dham deserve a head coaching job forsure!!!! https://t.co/RGNz2UBNi9
— kuz (@kylekuzma) April 29, 2022
As long as the Lakers have LeBron James, they will harbor championship aspirations and with Ham's experience winning rings both as a player and coach, he fits the bill for their coaching makeover.
