GREENSBORO, N.C. — D.J. Bakker will be the next head coach of the Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets' G-League affiliate. He will be the fourth head coach in franchise history.
Bakker served as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season and has over 11 years of coaching experience inthe NBA.
"D.J. brings 11 years of professional coaching experience, has an extensive background in player development and talent evaluation, and he is a proven leader at the NBA and G League levels," Jeff Peterson, president of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets, said.
"His communications skills allow him to build strong relationships with his players and staff, and his emphasis on work ethic, preparation and development is in lockstep with our organizational values. We are looking forward to beginning our partnership with D.J. as we welcome him, his wife, Laura, and their family to the Carolinas," Peterson said.
Before working with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bakker served in coaching positions for multiple other NBA teams. He spent five seasons with the Detroit Pistons as a player development coach and assistant head coach. Bakker then spent time in player development roles with the Dalles Mavericks from 2015 to 2016, and the Toronto Raptors from 2016 to 2018.
He served as the head coach of Detroit's NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, starting in 2021-22. He helped the team to a 39-25 (.609) record over two years.
Bakker is a native of Highland, Indiana, and played basketball at Trinity Christian College. He began his professional career during the 2009-10 season as a video coordinator with the Chicago Bulls.
“Our fans can expect a team that competes every night, plays with passion and works at both ends of the court. I cannot wait to get started," Bakker said.
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