Ryan Saunders, School of Kinesiology alumni, is now the head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves men’s basketball team. He was named Interim Head Coach in January, 2019. Saunders graduated from the U of M with a bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2008; he also played for the Gopher men’s basketball team, where he was two-time captain, four-time scholar athlete award winner and a 2006 Big Ten All-Academic selection.

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Prior to leading the Wolves, Saunders served as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards and as head coach for Minnesota’s Las Vegas Summer League entry. He also participated in the first Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp in Lohja, Finland in 2016 and Basketball Without Borders Asia 2018 in India.

“In Ryan, we are getting one of the bright, young coaching minds in the NBA,” said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor in a recent NBA article. “I am impressed with how he has developed relationships with our players and with his modern approach to our growing game.”