SAN ANTONIO – USA Basketball passes its national-team coaching duties from Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski to the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich starting this summer, and Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is ready to bridge the transition as an assistant coach, if the program asks.
Thibodeau joined Krzyzewski’s staff in 2013 and helped coach championship teams at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain and the 2016 Brazil Olympics.
Even though he now is both Wolves coach and president of basketball operations, Thibodeau said Friday he’s prepared to devote parts of his summers going forth to Team USA, if Chairman Jerry Colangelo asks him.