In 2024, Vitaly Potapenko became an Assistant Coach for the Detroit Pistons. He was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and attended and played at Wright State University. Coach Potapenko was selected in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1996 NBA Draft and went on to also play for the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Sacramento Kings, and also played professionally overseas in Ukraine and Spain.

NBA COACHING EXPERIENCE

2024-Present – Detroit Pistons (Assistant Coach – J.B. Bickerstaff)

2018-2024 – Memphis Grizzlies (Assistant Coach – J.B. Bickerstaff & Taylor Jenkins)

2013-2018 – Cleveland Cavaliers (Assistant Director of Player Development –Mike Brown,  David Blatt, & Tyronn Lue)

2012-2013 – Santa Cruz Warriors (Assistant Coach – Nate Bjorkgren)

2011-2012 – Dakota Wizards (Assistant Coach – Edwin Ubiles)

2010-2011 – Indiana Pacers (Assistant Coach – Jim O’Brien & Frank Vogel)

2009-2010 – Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Assistant Coach – Joey Meyer)