Lottery prospect Deni Avdija has seen firsthand Amar’e Stoudemire encourage and help talent grow and develop.

“Amar’e as a teammate was great, great man,” Avdija said during Zoom media interviews last month. “Has a lot of patience with young guys. Really wants the young guys to improve.” 

He’ll take on a similar role with a familiar face – Steve Nash.

The first-time head coach has added his former All-Star teammate in Phoenix as an assistant with a focus on player development, The Athletic reported.

Nash and Stoudemire were the 1-2 punch during Phoenix’s great run in the 2000s under Mike D’Antoni. Stoudemire continued his career in New York, Dallas and ended it in Miami, but had his best seasons finishing precise Nash passes with the Suns.

Now the two will be reunited in Brooklyn, which has championship aspirations with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leading the way. With reports of the 2020-21 season possibly beginning in late December before Christmas, teams don’t have much time to get ready.

Teams like Brooklyn hiring a head coach who has never been a coach on any level is an even greater challenge, but Nash hiring Stoudemire can help his comfort level.

Stoudemire served as a mentor to Avdija as the two were teammates playing for Israeli League champion Maccabi Tel Aviv this past season.

Avdija said Stoudemire has shared his NBA experiences with him.

“I had a great relationship with him,” Avdija said. “He’s a great friend of mine. I learned a lot from him this season.”

When asked what’s the one question he remembers asking Stoudemire, Avdija said, “how is to play with Steve Nash?” 

Stoudemire and Nash are going to find out together what it is like to coach in the NBA.

There were reports Stoudemire would continue playing basketball, but he has clearly changed his mind in taking on this new role in Brooklyn under Nash.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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