John Wetzel

john wetzel

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John Wetzel| Assistant Coach

College - Virginia Tech '66

In his 29th season in the NBA as either a player or coach, John Wetzel is in his fourth year as a Kings assistant coach. Last season, he and the entire Kings coaching staff served as coaches for the Western Conference All-Star Team after Sacramento posted the Conference’s best record at the All-Star Break. It marked the third time in Wetzel’s career that he was named as an All-Star assistant coach after representing the Western Conference in 1981 while with Phoenix and in 1991 with Portland.
Wetzel was reunited with Kings Head Coach Rick Adelman in 1998-99, with whom he spent six seasons in Portland (1988-89 — 1993-94) and two campaigns in Golden State (1995-96 & 1996-97). While in Portland, Wetzel helped guide the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. His coaching experience has proven to be a valuable asset to his current position, where Wetzel’s main responsibilities include coordinating advance scouting, reviewing offensive and defensive game plans, and individual skill work with selected players.
Prior to his years in Portland, Wetzel served as head coach of the Phoenix Suns in 1987-88 after an eightyear stay (1979-80 — 1986-87) as an assistant coach with the club. He also worked as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets in 1994-95. In all, 15 of the 21 teams Wetzel has helped coach, including the past three Kings squads, have reached the NBA Playoffs, making four Western Conference Finals appearances (1984, 1990, 1991, 1992).
Wetzel enjoyed a seven-year NBA playing career (1967-68 — 1975-76) after originally being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the eighth round (#76 overall) of the 1966 NBA Draft. Wetzel did not play his rookie season due to a broken wrist but began his career with the Lakers in 1967-68. He was selected by Phoenix in the 1968 NBA Expansion Draft, but then served two years in the military before returning to the league for the 1970-71 season with the Suns.
The 6-5 guard averaged 3.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over his seven-year career. His last season as a player in the league was in 1975-76 when he was a member of the Western Conference Champion Suns who lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Wetzel earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and science from Virginia Tech University. He averaged 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for the Hokies his senior year (1965-66) and was elected to the Virginia Tech Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.
A native of Waynesboro, Virginia, Wetzel and his wife, Diane, who recently renewed their wedding vows (33 years), have two sons, Mark and Paul. They enjoy outdoor activities and spending time in the offseason in Hawaii.