Kenny Atkinson named NBA Coach of the Year after historic season with Cleveland

American Kenny Atkinson, who had an intense experience last summer as Vincent Collet’s assistant with the French men’s national team, has just been named NBA Coach of the Year. A prestigious trophy rewarding his exceptional first season leading the Cleveland Cavaliers, who topped the East with 64 wins. He had already been selected by his peers in mid-April.

Kenny Atkinson – Coach of the Year with the @cavs

🏖️🥇 pic.twitter.com/gbhzgrcRLv

— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) May 6, 2025

A record season for Atkinson and Cleveland

Appointed head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 offseason, Kenny Atkinson (57) quickly transformed a competitive team into a winning machine. Moving from 4th to first place in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs won 64 regular season games, their best record since 2016 and LeBron James’ second stint. Three winning streaks of 12 or more games highlighted this historic season, a first in franchise history.

This is the third time a Cavaliers coach has received this honor, after Bill Fitch in 1976 and Mike Brown in 2009. Atkinson was chosen over J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit) and Ime Udoka (Houston) by a panel of 100 journalists and media personalities.

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An ever-stronger connection with France

The former Brooklyn Nets head coach, who then served as assistant coach with Los Angeles (Clippers) and Golden State, found a head coaching position with Cleveland this season. But it was his time with Team France in summer 2024 that marked a personal and professional turning point for him.

As Vincent Collet’s assistant at the Paris Olympics, Atkinson contributed to Team France’s silver medal. A memorable experience: « It changed my life. I had never experienced such intensity. I still get tears in my eyes when I hear La Marseillaise, » he told L’Équipe last April.

This French-American connection didn’t end there: Atkinson brought in Vincent Collet as a consultant for the Cavaliers, present with the team throughout the playoffs. A partnership that works well, reflecting the positive momentum in Cleveland.

Focus on playoffs

The Cavaliers secured their second-round playoff spot after easily eliminating Miami in the first round. Despite an opening loss to Indiana, Atkinson’s team remains a serious contender for an NBA Finals appearance. And Vincent Collet’s presence behind the scenes might continue to bring luck to the former Team France assistant.