Corliss Williamson is back on the sideline, and this time the job comes with a fast turnaround and a brand-new group to sort out.
The San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, still riding the momentum of the franchise’s trip to the NBA Finals, is now leading the Summer Spurs through minicamp at Victory Capital Performance Center. Williamson said the pace of the offseason has barely let up since the Finals ended, but he sounded ready for it.
"Things have just been rolling this summer," Williamson said, smiling. "Not much of a break, but I think we welcome that.
Every year, we can be in this position. This is an exciting time."
That quick reset has been part of the story. Just 17 days passed between Game 5 of The Finals at Frost Bank Center - when the Spurs’ run ended against the New York Knicks - and the start of the Summer League minicamp. Williamson said the early work has already drawn strong reviews.
One of the rookies getting his first taste of the pro game, Tarris Reed Jr., noticed the difference right away.
"The first thing I noticed," Spurs rookie Tarris Reed Jr. began, "(is) the game is a lot faster than college. It's just fast-paced.
Fast-tempo, 24-second shot clock, three-second lane violation ... everyone is an elite athlete. First day of practice was pretty high intensity."
San Antonio’s Summer League group is built around its four-player rookie class: Reed, Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance, Tennessee guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Duke forward Maliq Brown. Also on the roster is sophomore forward Carter Bryant, who averaged 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds across 22 playoff appearances.
Two players are not on the Summer League list after the Spurs tendered qualifying offers: Harrison Ingram, who received one in standard capacity, and David Jones Garcia, who received one in two-way capacity. Both are restricted free agents this offseason.
Quaintance will be with the team in San Francisco and Las Vegas, but he won’t play as he continues to recover from a torn right ACL and meniscus suffered in February 2025.
"He's engaged," Williamson said of the rookie. "He's here at every practice.
He's engaged. Good young man.
I like his talent. I look forward to seeing him for ... years."
Williamson, who joined Mitch Johnson’s staff before last season after two years as an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves, brings a long coaching résumé to the role. His background includes assistant stops with the Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns, along with head coaching experience at Central Arkansas.
He also knows the league from the inside. Before coaching, Williamson played 12 seasons with the Kings, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers. The 52-year-old won an NBA title in 2004 and an NCAA championship with Arkansas in 1994.
For Williamson, summer head coach duties are a new line on the résumé, and one he’s clearly been waiting for.
"It seemed like every time I (had) the opportunity to be a head coach for Summer League," Williamson said, "I either took another job or ... we got caught in a couple situations."
The Summer Spurs will start at Chase Center, where they play one game apiece against the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers in the California Classic from July 3-6. After that, they’ll move on to at least five more games beginning July 9 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for NBA 2K27 Summer League.
Williamson said the appeal of the job is simple: a group of players hungry for a shot and eager to learn.
"These guys are anxious to be in the NBA," he said. "That gives you excitement as a coach. You get an opportunity to reteach some of the things you've done throughout the year."
He’ll have help from Spurs video coordinator Kenny Trevino, who coached the Summer Spurs two years ago, and Pierre Parker, the younger brother of Spurs legend Tony Parker, who finished his third season as an assistant with the Austin Spurs in March.
Reed said the challenge is obvious with such a new group and such a short runway.
"It is tough," Reed said. "You only get a three-day prep, and then you're going to play."
Still, Reed said the early games in San Francisco should help the group figure itself out before Vegas.
"I feel like the three games we're about to play in San Francisco are going to be great ... (for us to learn) how we try to play, where guys want the ball, how guys look to score, how guys pass and really get us ready for Vegas."
The Summer Spurs open their Summer League schedule against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on July 3, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central.
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