Jamahal Mosley was first seen as someone with NBA coaching potential when he was hired as a development coach by the Denver Nuggets 16 years ago.
Also in Denver at the time: an assistant general manager named Jeff Veltman, who is now the Orlando Magic's president of basketball operations. And Veltman never forgot Mosley's influence on the players of the time.
"Jamahal noticed you," said Veltman.
Fast-forward to Monday, when Veltman formally introduced Mosley to coach the Magic. This is Mosley's first time as head coach of the NBA, a recruit that many around the league had expected to see somewhere over the years.
"We just have to work on getting better," Mosley said. “I think we just have to continue to grow and create these people and put these people on a level that they want to keep coming every day to be better and better and better. I think that’s the journey. The important part is to look like."
Mosley has inherited a rebuilding project in Orlando, coached by Steve Clifford for the past three seasons. The Magic finished 21–51 this season, trading Nikola Vucevi, Aaron Gordon and Ivan Fournier to acquire young players and draft picks during the season, and they were among the top eight in this year's draft. Catch two.
In short, there will be a lot of growth in Orlando. This is what makes Veltman think about Mosley.
"Jamahal has a unique set of abilities," Veltman said. "His passion, his experience, his ability to connect. He has an amazing interpersonal skill with anyone and it stems from his compassion as a person."
Mosley, 42, has spent the past 15 years as an assistant in Denver, Cleveland and Dallas. The last seven seasons were with the Mavericks. Mosley thanked his wife and children, as well as many people and past coaches and employers - and his mother, who died 16 years ago.
"For her to be able to see me has come true, it's a blessing and I'm grateful for that," Mosley said.