The Magic continue to gather talent as they hired renowned player development expert God Shammgod as an assistant coach. The former pro has cultivated the likes of Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and Kristaps Porzingis – is he the key for Orlando’s young core to “crossover” to a deep playoff run in 2026?
Orlando Magic Blessed By God Shammgod
“Ah man, it was tough,” responded Shammgod when the Dallas Morning News asked him about leaving the Mavericks after nine years. “This is a great opportunity for me. More stuff for me. More ways to grow.”
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley worked closely with Shammgod as an assistant coach during his years in Dallas before landing the top job in Orlando. He is intimately familiar with Shammgod’s abilities and player-first mantra. In these early days of summer, the Magic’s front office has spawned a loot box of new weapons for Coach Mose as they traded for Desmond Bane, snagged Tyus Jones in free agency, and drafted Noah Penda and Jase Richardson. With all the new faces on the court – and a very young core in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs – Mosley knows that his team will require guidance and leadership to solidify themselves atop the Eastern Conference. Those principals are exactly what Shammgod brings with him to the Sunshine State.
A Brooklyn native, Shammgod was drafted by the Wizards in 1997. He has played professionally around the globe in China, Poland, and Saudi Arabia. As a coach, he is lionized by players like Irving and Doncic for his player-focused culture – but to the fans, he is most well-known for his infamous crossover: “A move so lethal,” said ESPN, “it has its own name.”
— Shammgod (@therealshammgod) February 25, 2025
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What Does Shammgod Bring to the Court?
Shammgod stresses the fundamentals, working one-on-one with players to develop their ball-handling and ability to create space. This has been an area of concern with the Magic. Defenses collapse on Banchero and Wagner without fearing kick-outs to the league’s worst perimeter scorers, as they shot only 31.8% from the arc as a team last season. Shammgod’s tutoring, combined with credible threats in shooters Bane and Jones, should open up the court for Orlando’s wings.
The highly-respected coach, while a professor of technique, is also lauded for his mental game. During Media Day before the NBA Finals, Irving heaped praise upon his teacher. “Shout-out to God Shammgod,” he told reporters. “He’s been imperative in just helping me grow, enjoying the game every single day, competing. [To] Remind me this is bigger than basketball. I’m just following his footsteps.”
How will Shammgod help the Magic Contend?
With two promising rookies in Penda and Richardson, and a youthful nucleus of Banchero (22), Wagner (23) and Suggs (24), Shammgod can be the lodestar this team needs to navigate to the Eastern Conference Finals. Team President Jeff Weltman has acted aggressively to address their shooting woes, and expectations are sky-high in The City Beautiful. He can teach this young group patience, technique, and how to (metaphorically) break some ankles next season with his signature New York flair.
Photo credit: © Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
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