Sixers add Spurs’ Udoka, Hodges to coaching staff

During the Sixers playoff run, assistant coach Monty Williams agreed to a deal to become the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns. The Sixers interviewed former NBA player/coach Avery Johnson for the vacancy, but have decided to go with someone else from a familiar coaching tree -- the San Antonio Spurs.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Sixers have hired Spurs assistant Ime Udoka to replace Williams as lead assistant on Brett Brown's staff.

Brett Brown was an assistant coach in San Antonio while Udoka was a player there and they were on the same staff for one season. Charania notes that Udoka comes to the Sixers as a highly-regarded assistant and that he's had several strong head coaching interviews over the past few years. He coached the summer league Spurs during 2013 and 2014.

Udoka has served as an assistant under Gregg Popovich since retiring from playing after the 2010-11 season. He played seven seasons in the NBA with the Lakers, Knicks, Trailblazers, Kings and Spurs. Udoka spent the 2004-05 season playing overseas.

In addition to Udoka, the Sixers hired Spurs assistant Cameron Hodges as a player development coach, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Hodges will join the organization after his time with the Spurs comes to an end in late June. He replaces John Townsend on the Sixers staff. Hodges' focus will be to work with players on shooting, so Ben Simmons is likely going to become one of his main projects right off the bat.

Brandon Apter is a Sixers writer for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on Twitter @bapter23.