:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67762763/471523172.0.jpg)
Former Portland Trail Blazers Assistant Coach (and Interim Head Coach) Kaleb Canales is joining Nate Bjorkgren and the Indiana Pacers, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Canales was an assistant in Portland between 2008-2012. He most recently served with the New York Knicks.
The Indiana Pacers are hiring Kaleb Canales as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Canales has had extended recent runs with Knicks (2018-2020), Mavericks (2013-2018) and Blazers (2008-2012). Canales was an interim HC with Portland in 2012.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 9, 2020
Canales started with the Blazers in 2005 as an intern, rising to the position of Video Coordinator in an era when that field was relatively wide open. He was promoted to Assistant Coach in 2009. He finished out the 2011-12 regular season as Portland’s Interim Head Coach after incumbent Nate McMillan was dismissed. He coached the Blazers for 23 games, accumulating an 8-15 record. The Blazers finished 28-38 that year in a lockout-shortened season.
In April of 2019, the Knicks posted a video biography of Canales and his journey through the NBA ranks, highlighting his status as the first Mexican-American NBA coach.
Canales has also served under Rick Carlisle with the Dallas Mavericks.