National Basketball Coaches Association
Presents the 2025 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award
To NBA Coaching Lifer & Hall Of Famer Maurice Cheeks
LAS VEGAS, July 19, 2025—Maurice Cheeks, a longtime NBA Head & Assistant Coach and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, is the recipient of the 2025 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) announced today.
“Mo Cheeks has done it again!” said Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach and NBCA President. “A man of quiet dignity but high impact, Mo has backed up a Hall of Fame playing career with yet another great honor. Congrats to one of the game’s all-time greats.”
“I’m honored to receive this Award and want to thank the Coaches Association and the members of the Selection Committee,” said Cheeks. “To all the honorees, I’m blessed to have been chosen among all these worthy coaches.”
Cheeks began his coaching career in 1993 as an Assistant Coach with the Quad City Thunder of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In 1994, he started his NBA coaching journey as an Assistant Coach under Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach John Lucas. Cheeks worked with the 76ers for the next seven seasons under Head Coaches Lucas, Johnny Davis, and Larry Brown. With Cheeks coaching alongside Brown, the 76ers made three consecutive playoff appearances (1999, 2000 and 2001) and earned a trip to the 2001 NBA Finals.
In 2001, Cheeks was hired as the Head Coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He served in that capacity for four seasons, finishing with a 162-139 record and two playoff appearances (2002 and 2003). In 2005, he reunited with the 76ers as the team’s Head Coach. Cheeks held the position from 2005-08, guiding the franchise to the 2008 NBA Playoffs.
In 2009, Cheeks joined the Oklahoma City Thunder as an Assistant Coach under Head Coach Scott Brooks. While Cheeks was a Thunder Assistant Coach, the franchise made four straight playoff appearances, including the 2012 NBA Finals. Cheeks was then hired for a brief stint as Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons before continuing his illustrious assistant coaching career with the Thunder (2015-20 under Head Coach Billy Donovan) and the Chicago Bulls (2020-24 under Donovan). In 2024, Cheeks joined the New York Knicks as an Assistant Coach under former Head Coach Tom Thibodeau.
“Assistant Coaches generally operate behind the scenes and almost never receive enough public recognition for their team’s success. However, any Head Coach will tell you that Assistant Coaches are an indispensable part of the team equation,” said David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel. “Coach Cheeks’ dedication to teaching and his unselfish contributions to his team’s success continue to make an impact through today’s coaches and players. Congratulations to Mo on this well-deserved honor.”
Cheeks has played an enormous role in shaping generations of NBA players and coaches, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Larry Brown, Jalen Brunson, Rick Brunson, Billy Cunningham, Chuck Daly, DeMar DeRozan, Billy Donovan, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Derek Fisher, Paul George, Willie Green, James Harden, Andre Iguodala, Allen Iverson, Royal Ivey, Steve Kerr, Zach LaVine, John Lucas, Kevin Ollie, Chris Paul, Scottie Pippen, Zach Randolph, Jerry Stackhouse, Damon Stoudamire, Tom Thibodeau, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, and Russell Westbrook.
In 29 seasons of NBA coaching, Cheeks has been to the playoffs 18 times, won 50+ games five times, and reached the NBA Finals twice. In total, he has coached over 2,200 NBA games and has a current record of 1,195-1,079 (.526).
Prior to coaching, Cheeks was selected in the 1978 NBA Draft by the 76ers, with whom he played 11 of his 15 NBA seasons. He finished his career as a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection and a four-time NBA All-Star. At the time of his retirement, Cheeks was the NBA’s all-time leader in steals. He was a key member of the 76ers’ 1982-83 NBA Championship Team and is one of only 10 players to have his number retired by the franchise. In 2018, Cheeks was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The NBCA Tex Winter Lifetime Impact Award honors the tremendous achievements and commitment of Hall of Famer Tex Winter. During his outstanding NBA coaching career, Winter set a standard of innovation, integrity, competitive excellence, loyalty, and tireless promotion of NBA basketball.
The award is selected annually by the NBCA Selection Committee, comprising some of the most respected coaches and executives in the game, including Rick Adelman, Hubie Brown, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry, Danny Ferry, Mike Fratello, George Karl, Doc Rivers, Rod Thorn, and Lenny Wilkens.
This year’s nominees included Assistant Coaches Bob Beyer, Dan Burke, Jeff Bzdelik, Gordon Chiesa, Jim Eyen, Brian Hill, Jim Lynam, Bob McAdoo, Brendan Suhr, Bob Weiss, and John Wetzel.
Prior recipients are Hank Egan (2024), Brendan Malone (2023), Ron Adams (2022), Dick Helm (2021), Bill Bertka (2019), Tim Grgurich (2018), Ron Rothstein (2017), and Phil Johnson (2016).
About the NBCA: The National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) is the labor organization that represents basketball coaches in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1976 by legendary Boston Celtics player and coach, Tommy Heinsohn, the NBCA consists of all NBA Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and alumni, and works closely with the NBA on all matters that pertain to the coaching profession.
Contact: David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel, 212-424-0100, ext. 28, david.fogel@nbacoaches.com