Nick Van Exel, DeSagana Diop Join Legends' Coaching Staff

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FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) -- A pair of former Dallas Mavericks are joining head coach Eduardo Najera's staff for the upcoming 2014-15 season with the Texas Legends.

Nick Van Exel will make his NBA Development League debut as an associate head coach, while former center DeSagana Diop will come on board as a Player Development coach.

Van Exel spent 13 seasons in the NBA and was an NBA All Star in 1998. He spent parts of two seasons with Dallas and averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 assists while playing for six teams over his career.

After retiring in 2006, he spent two years in player development with the Atlanta Hawks before joining the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach last season.

Diop retired from the NBA in 2013 after 12 years in the league. He played three-plus seasons in Dallas and was a significant part of the team's 2006 NBA Finals team.

The 7-foot Senegal native averaged 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 block over his career.

"Diop will work with the post players to develop agility under the basket and provide guidance from a long NBA career," according to a team release.

Fred House, a former Legends player, will also come on as a Player Development coach.

The Texas Legends are the Development League affiliate team for the Dallas Mavericks.

Legends Basketball Operations Staff

President of Basketball Operations: Spud Webb
Vice President: Del Harris
Head Coach/General Manager: Eduardo Najera
Assistant General Manager: Nancy Lieberman
Assistant General Manager: Travis Blakeley
Associate Head Coach: Nick Van Exel
Assistant Coach: Tyler Gatlin
Assistant Coach: Brandon Espinosa
Player Development: DeSagana Diop
Player Development: Fred House
Executive Advisor: Marques Haynes
Director of Scouting and Analytics: Matt Morales
Basketball Operations Manager: Byron Bogar
President: Malcolm Farmer

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