After coaching the Sixers through the ups and downs of the past three seasons, Brett Brown will represent the organization at the NBA Draft Lottery next Tuesday in New York City.
Brown learned of the decision during a meeting with the front office and ownership.
"I'm honored and extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity," Brown said Monday at the Sixers' practice facility. "More for what it represents to the city and the chance for us to move our program, I think, in an aggressive way forward."
The Sixers hope May 17 will yield results to move them in a new direction.
The Sixers, 10-72 this season, have a better than 25 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick and mathematically cannot get draw a selection lower than fourth. They could have as many as four first-round selections.
"We're very proud of the way he's handled himself and this team over the last few years," president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said of Brown Monday morning on TCN's Breakfast on Broad. "He deserves to be up there and bring this thing home for us."
While Brown noted "of course everybody wants the No. 1 pick," he and the team have been scouring the draft boards for potential fits, none of whom he can comment on at this time. Colangelo said the Sixers are looking for the top talent available with whichever picks they receive.
Philadelphia 76ers
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers and their rivals in the NBA from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
"We have, what I think, are some potential stars. The problem is we don't have a current star or a developed star just yet," Colangelo said. "So I think you're still in a mode of taking the best possible piece for what you think could be that significant franchise, transformational type of player going forward."
Colangelo reiterated his stance on keeping Brown, who has compiled a 47-199 record with the Sixers, as head coach. The two have been meeting regularly, discussing the roster, staff and planning for the future.
"He really is committed," Colangelo said. "He's committed to the city. He talks passionately about fans from Philadelphia and what they've gone through. He really does represent us, the organization, and I think the city collectively very, very well."
