Lakers hire former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as a draft advisor
The Los Angeles Lakers are adding championship pedigree to their front office, tapping one of the most respected minds in recent college basketball history to bolster their scouting department. On Wednesday, the franchise announced the hiring of former Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett as a newly appointed draft advisor.
The move marks Bennett’s official return to the basketball world after his abrupt and shocking retirement from the University of Virginia in October 2024. Bennett, who spent 15 seasons in Charlottesville and guided the program to its first-ever NCAA National Championship in 2019, will report directly to Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.
In a statement released by the team, Pelinka emphasized that the Lakers were seeking a specific type of evaluator to modernize their draft process. "As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource," Pelinka said. The Lakers' executive highlighted Bennett’s proven track record of identifying and developing "high-character, high-skill, and high-IQ players"—traits that have become premium currency in the modern NBA.
Bennett’s resume makes him a unique asset for an NBA front office. Known for his disciplined "Pack Line" defense and culture-first approach, Bennett developed a reputation for turning overlooked recruits into steady NBA contributors. His development tree includes Rookie of the Year winner Malcolm Brogdon, sharpshooter Joe Harris, and versatile wings like De'Andre Hunter and Trey Murphy III. The Lakers are banking on Bennett’s ability to spot similar "pro-ready" intangibles in future draft classes.
"The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting," Bennett stated regarding the hire. The announcement comes just days after Virginia honored their winningest coach by naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him. Now, the 56-year-old will trade the sidelines for the war room, tasked with helping Los Angeles unearth the next generation of championship-level talent.
The move marks Bennett’s official return to the basketball world after his abrupt and shocking retirement from the University of Virginia in October 2024. Bennett, who spent 15 seasons in Charlottesville and guided the program to its first-ever NCAA National Championship in 2019, will report directly to Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.
In a statement released by the team, Pelinka emphasized that the Lakers were seeking a specific type of evaluator to modernize their draft process. "As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource," Pelinka said. The Lakers' executive highlighted Bennett’s proven track record of identifying and developing "high-character, high-skill, and high-IQ players"—traits that have become premium currency in the modern NBA.
Bennett’s resume makes him a unique asset for an NBA front office. Known for his disciplined "Pack Line" defense and culture-first approach, Bennett developed a reputation for turning overlooked recruits into steady NBA contributors. His development tree includes Rookie of the Year winner Malcolm Brogdon, sharpshooter Joe Harris, and versatile wings like De'Andre Hunter and Trey Murphy III. The Lakers are banking on Bennett’s ability to spot similar "pro-ready" intangibles in future draft classes.
"The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting," Bennett stated regarding the hire. The announcement comes just days after Virginia honored their winningest coach by naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him. Now, the 56-year-old will trade the sidelines for the war room, tasked with helping Los Angeles unearth the next generation of championship-level talent.
