Noel Gillespie was named head coach of the Erie BayHawks, the Hawks G League affiliate, the team announced Thursday.

Gillespie, 40, spent the past two seasons as head coach of the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets G League affiliate.

“We are really excited to welcome Noel to the BayHawks family,” BayHawks general manager Derek Pierce said in a statement. “Noel is a well-respected mind in the coaching community and brings a wealth of experience both in the NBA and the NBA G League. He’s worked alongside some great coaches and players in his career and we are thrilled to have him lead our team this season and beyond."

Before his time in Charlotte, Gillespie spent 10 years with the Suns, serving as an assistant coach for four seasons, and the Nuggets, working as an assistant coach from 2013-16.

A native of Milwaukee, Gillespie earned a graduate degree in electronic media communications with a minor in coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater before beginning his NBA career as a video assistant for the Pacers in 2001.

“My family and I are honored and excited to be part of the Atlanta Hawks and Erie BayHawks family, as well as the Erie community,” Gillespie said in a statement. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity to develop young and talented players both on and off the court. I’m looking forward to bringing the culture of the Atlanta Hawks to Erie and building off of the success the BayHawks had last season.”

Gillespie replaces Josh Longstaff, who left for a position in the NBA with the Bucks.

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