DENVER (AP) -- The Denver Nuggets have hired Arturas Karnisovas to serve as assistant general manager.

Karnisovas (Car-NISH-oh-vas) will help new general manager Tim Connelly and team president Josh Kroenke with day-to-day operations related to scouting and player personnel matters.

Karnisovas, 42, spent the last five years with the Houston Rockets, most recently as their scouting director. He started with the Rockets as an international scout after spending four years in basketball operations in the NBA's league office.

Prior to working in the NBA, Karnisovas had an impressive international playing career. After attending Seton Hall from 1990-94, he helped Lithuania win Olympic bronze medals in 1992 and `96 and played professionally for Barcelona, Bologna, Olympiakos and Athens, reaching the Euroleague Final Four three times.