The team formed a “robust” offseason program for players and has leaned more heavily on newly hired assistants such as Steve Hetzel, Fernandez’s lead man on the bench who is currently serving as head coach of the summer league team, and Juwan Howard, whose reputation speaks for itself. “It’s been great,” second-year forward Jalen Wilson said of Hetzel’s leadership in Fernandez’s absence. “His intensity, his attention to detail, I feel like [he has]everything we need to advance this summer. From Day 1 he’s been high energy, wanting to get guys better in all different aspects — watching film, on the court. So, I think it’s been great to have him around, to be able to pick his brain, and for us to be coached by him this summer is a great opportunity.” -via New York Daily News / July 16, 2024