Will Weaver, who spent time as a Nets assistant coach from 2016-2018 and 2023-2024, has conducted multiple interviews with Basketball Australia to potentially become its new head coach, according to The Stein Line contributor Jake Fischer.
The Boomers’ interview committee has also been exploring Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, Canada's Gordon Herbert, and Orlando assistant coach Bret Brielmaier as legitimate options, with a decision expected to come within the next week-plus, per Fischer. Led by NBA veterans Patty Mills and Joe Ingles during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Boomers secured their first-ever international medal by defeating Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Slovenia for the bronze.
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This breakthrough for the program has made Basketball Australia's open head coach position a highly-coveted role across the basketball world, one that the team hopes to fill with someone who can develop an interesting group of promising, young players ahead of an important 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.
Weaver was an assistant coach for the Boomers at the 2014 World Cup and became a valuable member of the staff going forward, also later coaching the Sydney Kings in NBL20 (only COVID getting in the way of a championship run). The 2019 G League Coach of the Year, an award he won with the Long Island Nets, most recently served the Brooklyn Nets staff during the 2023-24 season under Jacque Vaughn. Prior to that, Weaver led Paris Basketball in the 2022-34 season of the EuroCup, spearheading the club’s debut in European competition.
His basketball career started as a college assistant from 2006-2012 before first transitioning to the NBA in 2013 to join the Philadelphia 76ers staff. Weaver is known as a coach with experience in rebuilding organizations and developing talent, which is what led him to his first tenure with Brooklyn in 2016 as a special assistant to former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.
The Austin, Texas native is a real contender for Basketball Australia's lead role, according to multiple reports, although Snyder seems to be the leading candidate. Boomers executive general manager Jason Smith has already flown to the United States to meet with Snyder this week, The Stein Line reports. Smith also visited Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn, in addition to a number of Australian players in the NBA.
Former No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft Andrew Bogut is featured on the Basketball Australia interview committee tasked with finalizing this decision next month. In the meantime, Weaver’s name continues to be discussed in NBL circles as a potential hire for vacant coaching positions.