TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats announced Monday the hiring of Chris Fleming as assistant coach. Fleming comes to Tuscaloosa with over a decade worth of coaching in the NBA as an assistant coach. Most recently, Fleming served as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2024-25 season. 

“We are excited to welcome Chris Fleming to Tuscaloosa and will be a huge addition to our staff and program,” Oats said. “Chris brings over a decades worth of coaching experience in the NBA and overseas with most notably the German National Team. He is known for being exceptional at player development and brings a modern approach to the game. Not only is Chris a great coach but is also a high character individual who will be a huge asset to our program. We are excited to welcome him and his family to Tuscaloosa.” 

Throughout his time in the NBA, Fleming has coached current NBA All-Stars Demar DeRozan, Nikola Jokic, Brooke Lopez, Lauri Markkanen and D’Angelo Russell. The native of Long Beach Island, N.J., has also coached in overseas including serving as the coach of the German national team. 

“I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Alabama’s great basketball tradition,” Fleming said. “Coach Oats has done an exceptional job implementing an NBA-style system and I really look forward to helping coach and the rest of the staff build for the future.”  

Chris Fleming Bio

• Has worked with 11 NBA All-Stars during his 10 years spent coaching in the NBA, including Demar DeRozan, Nikola Jokic, Brooke Lopez, Lauri Markkanen and D’Angelo Russell.  
• Coached NBA Champion, Dirk Nowitzki, along with Dennis Schroeder and Daniel Theis during his time coaching the German National Team
• Served as an assistant coach in the NBA under Kenny Atkinson, Chauncey Billups, Billy Donovan and Michael Malone
• Serving as interim coach for the Chicago Bulls during the COVID-19 protocol, Fleming guided the Bulls to a 5-0 record during the 2020-21 season 
• Guided Quakenbrücker TSV to promotion to the German top-flight level Basketball-Bundesliga, and to a German Cup title in 2008
• During his time with Brose, Fleming captured four German championships and three German Cup titles while being named the Bundesliga Coach of the Year in 2011
• Coaching Experience:

  • 2024-25: Portland Trail Blazers (Assistant Coach)
  • 2019-24: Chicago Bulls (Assistant Coach)
  • 2016-19: Brooklyn Nets (Assistant Coach)
  • 2015-16: Denver Nuggets (Assistant Coach)
  • 2014-17: German Senior National Team (Head Coach)
  • 2008-14: Brose Baskets (Head Coach)
  • 2005: German U-20 National Team (Head Coach)
  • 2000-08: Quakenbrücker TSV / Artland Dragons (Head Coach)
  • 1998-99: Quakenbrücker TSV (Assistant Coach)

What They Are Saying About Chris Fleming

“Chris is an outstanding basketball coach. His strong background in player development and his modern approach to the strategy of the game will help him integrate seamlessly into Coach Nate Oats‘ staff at Alabama.” – Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach