Mokeski named assistant coach of Ft. Worth Flyers

FORT WORTH, Texas, September 28, 2006 - Twelve-year NBA veteran Paul Mokeski, most recently the player development coach and advance scout for the Dallas Mavericks, has been named assistant coach of the Fort Worth Flyers. Mokeski will work alongside new head coach and NBA veteran Sidney Moncrief.

"We are very fortunate to have an assistant coach with the caliber of Paul Mokeski," said Moncrief. "He has extensive experience in coaching on the professional and collegiate levels and will bring a basketball expertise that should enhance the product we are looking to put on the court."

"In Sidney Moncrief and Paul Mokeski, the Fort Worth Flyers have the finest coaching combination in NBA Development League history in terms of NBA experience. I'm excited to have such outstanding individuals associated with our team," said Southwest Basketball, LLC principal owner David Kahn.

Although this is not the first time that Moncrief and Mokeski will coach together as they previously worked together with the Dallas Mavericks from 2000-2003, their relationship on the basketball court dates back to 1983, when the pair competed as teammates for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity to work with Coach Moncrief. Sidney and I played together for eight years in Milwaukee, and he was always a very talented player who carried himself in a very professional manner," said Mokeski. "I am happy to have the chance to work with and learn from him and be part of helping the Flyers continue their success in the D-League."

Mokeski, who stands 7-feet tall, brings more than a massive stature to the Flyers sidelines. Familiar with the Fort Worth and Dallas communities, he served in several capacities for the Dallas Mavericks including advance scout, player development, and defense coach since 2001. In addition to scouting and game preparation responsibilities during the regular season, he served as a head coach for the Mavericks summer league team during the 2005 Long Beach Summer League tourney and as an assistant coach following the 2006 campaign at the Las Vegas Summer League.

"For the last four years my role with the Mavericks has been primarily as an advance scout. Although I have learned a lot from observing and studying all the great coaches in the NBA, it has taken me away from what I love most, which is helping players develop their basketball skills," said Mokeski. "Coaching with the Flyers will give me the opportunity to be back on the bench and on the court with the players on a daily basis, which is very exciting to me."

A graduate of Crespi Carmelite (Calif.) High School, Mokeski was selected as a high school All-American in 1975. In 1979, he graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in journalism while starting four years for the Jayhawks basketball team. He was named an All-Big Eight selection following his junior and senior seasons, averaging 12 points and nine rebounds throughout his collegiate career.

In 1979, Mokeski was selected in the second round (20th overall) by the Houston Rockets in the NBA draft. Following several early career moves, he nestled in with the Bucks from 1983-89. Following his NBA career, which spanned from 1979-91, Mokeski played a one-year stint in France.

From 1992-94, Mokeski served as an assistant coach with the Quad City Thunder (CBA). He also served as head coach of two professional teams including the Harford Hellcats (CBA) from 1993-95 and the Connecticut Skyhawks (USBL) in 1996.

In addition to professional basketball, Mokeski walked the collegiate sidelines serving as an assistant coach at Stony Brook University (New York) during the 1998-99 season and the University of Southern California from 1999-2000.

Paul and his wife Linda reside in Carrollton and have two sons, Michael (21) and Bryan (19), both of whom attend North Lake College.