The Sacramento Kings reached an agreement in principle Tuesday with Reggie Theus to become their new coach, ending a meandering two-month search for Eric Musselman's replacement.
Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the club plans to introduce Theus, the New Mexico State coach and a former Kings player, at a news conference Wednesday.
The Kings' search progressed slowly and deliberately after the club's first losing season since 1998. Sacramento nearly hired Stan Van Gundy two weeks ago before he chose the Orlando Magic, while veteran coach Larry Brown recently expressed interest in the opening.
The Kings instead chose Theus, a well-liked 13-year NBA veteran — though he has almost as much experience playing a coach on television as in real life. Theus, who transformed the New Mexico State program into an NCAA tournament club in just two seasons on the Aggies' sideline, has never coached in the NBA.
"People that know me, know that I am not someone who gets speechless, but right now I am," Theus said in a statement released by New Mexico State. "When I got involved in the interview process, I really didn't give it much thought. It was just a chance to experience an NBA interview, and I never thought about this really happening."
Musselman was fired April 20 after one season that began with his arrest on a drunken-driving charge. The former Golden State coach coaxed just 33 victories from a fractured locker room filled with grumpy veterans — most of whom are under contract for next season.
ALSO: Denver Nuggets forward Nene said Tuesday he will end a four-year absence and rejoin Brazil's national team for this summer's Olympic qualifier ... The Houston Rockets hired four assistant coaches on Tuesday, including former NBA All-Star Jack Sikma. R.J. Adelman, the oldest son of new head coach Rick Adelman, will also join the staff. Elston Turner and T.R. Dunn are the other assistants to Rick Adelman, who was hired on May 23 to replace the fired Jeff Van Gundy ... Former Georgia Tech point guard and NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson was hired as coach of the CBA's Atlanta Krunk ... The Minnesota Timberwolves hired John-Blair Bickerstaff as an assistant coach ... Nevada guard Marcelus Kemp has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will play his senior year for the Wolf Pack.