Person, who assisted the Lakers coaches and Jackson during their championship run last season, spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings (2007-09) and Indiana Pacers (2005-07). Prior to that, he served two seasons as a special assistant to the CEO/president of basketball operations for Indiana, working with Pacers and Indiana Fever (WNBA) players, both on and off the court. Additionally, he spent one season with the Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Pacers' coaching staff.
An alumnus of Auburn University who concluded his collegiate basketball career as the Tigers’ all-time leading scorer, Person has been in the NBA for 25 years; 13 as a player and the last 12 in the front office or coaching.
A first round selection (fourth overall) by the Pacers in the 1986 NBA Draft, he averaged 18.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in his first season and was named NBA Rookie of the Year. He spent six seasons with Indiana and ranks 10th on the team's all-time scoring list with 9,096 points. He recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against New York on Feb. 20, 1986, becoming the first Pacers rookie in franchise history to record a triple-double. Person also played for Minnesota, San Antonio, Charlotte and Seattle over his 13-year NBA career. His career averages include 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.