Lantern file photo
Assistant Ohio State men’s basketball coach Chris Jent has accepted an offer from the Sacramento Kings to become an assistant coach on new coach Mike Malone’s staff.
Jent joined the OSU coaching staff in 2011 after spending time as an assistant coach in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers. He was also an assistant on the Orlando Magic staff in 2004-05 and was named the interim coach for the final 18 games of the season.
Before joining the Buckeyes, Jent was a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization for five seasons as the director of player development and eventually as an assistant coach.
Four of those years were spent working alongside Malone, who left Cleveland for the New Orleans Hornets in 2010. Malone was formally introduced as the new Kings coach on June 3, replacing former coach Keith Smart.
During his tenure at OSU under coach Thad Matta, the Buckeyes went a combined 60-16 over two seasons with one Final Four and one Elite Eight appearance.
Jent played for the Buckeyes from 1988-92. He played in 123 career games at OSU and ranks No. 8 all-time for the Buckeyes in career 3-point shooting percentage.
After leaving Columbus, Jent spent 10 years in the professional ranks, two of which were in the NBA, including the 1994 Houston Rockets championship team.
Jent was paid an annual salary of $240,000 while at OSU, according to his employment agreement.
Both Jent and Matta did not respond to The Lantern‘s request for comment.
