Bryan Gates recalls coaching Willie Green as an assistant in New Orleans under Monty Williams in the 2010-11 season and seeing coaching qualities in him.

"He acts the exact same way he did as a player with the younger guys," Gates said during an interview while working as an assistant with the Sacramento Kings.

Now Gates is replacing Green.

The Phoenix Suns are hiring Gates, league sources confirmed to The Republic. The hire first was reported by ESPN.

Gates last was an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a second time (2019-21) after an early stint there in 2015-16.

“Having worked with Bryan for a season, I gained tremendous respect for his basketball acumen and ability to work with players,” said then-Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders in a news release in 2019 about Gates, who was born in Anchorage, Alaska and attended Boise State.

“I saw firsthand how he creates relationships with players and coaches, as well his attention to detail and ability to teach the game."

Green left Phoenix to become head coach in New Orleans after two seasons as the Suns lead assistant.

Considered a versatile coach and motivator, Gates started his NBA coaching career as an assistant with the Sacramento Kings for the 2009-10 season after working several years in the G League where he led the Idaho Stampede to an 2008 G League title.

Gates then joined Williams in New Orleans in 2010 as he was there the first time Williams coached Suns All-Star point guard Chris Paul. Gates spent all five seasons there with Williams before Williams was let go after the 2014-15 season.