Stan Heath Named Coach of the Year

LAKELAND MAGIC HEAD COACH STAN HEATH NAMED NBA G LEAGUE COACH OF THE YEAR

The NBA G League announced today that Lakeland Magic Head Coach Stan Heath has been named 2020-21 NBA G League Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year. Heath earned the honor in a vote by NBA G League head coaches and general managers whose teams participated in single-site play at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.

“The Magic family is extremely proud of Coach Heath, who is the most deserving of this recognition,” said Lakeland Magic General Manager Anthony Parker. “The way Stan Heath coached teams compete, and the consistency with which they play, are positive reflections of the work Stan and his staff have put in each year. Throughout his four years, Stan has continuously grown and gotten better each season.”

In his fourth season as head coach of the Orlando Magic’s NBA G League affiliate, Heath guided Lakeland to a regular-season record of 9-6 (.600), including five victories in its final six games. The 5-1 finish earned Lakeland the sixth seed in the NBA G League Playoffs, where it went on to win the franchise’s first NBA G League championship.

The Magic sparkled on defense under Heath, leading the NBA G League in points allowed (101.5) and defensive rating (101.0). Lakeland also held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage (42.5) and three-point field goal percentage (29.1).

Hired in 2017 as Lakeland’s first head coach, Heath has led the Magic to a record of 94-63 (.599) in four seasons.  Lakeland has posted a winning record each season under Heath, including a franchise-best 32-18 (.640) in 2018-19. During his tenure as Lakeland Magic’s Head Coach, Heath has won more regular season games than any other coach in the NBA G League. Heath’s teams have never failed to qualify for the postseason, including an NBA G League Championship (2021) and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals (2019).