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Phil Handy

b. 1971

American basketball player and coach (born 1971)

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About Phil Handy

Born 1971. Phil Handy is an American basketball coach and basketball player.

Philip Tony Handy (born August 24, 1971) is an American basketball coach who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and player development trainer. He played college basketball for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, and then played professionally abroad before starting his career in coaching.

Early life Born in San Leandro, California, he grew up in Hayward - Union City, California.

College career After a year of junior college, During his tenure with the Rainbows he was a WAC champion, and first Team All defense selection.

Professional career Handy played for the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers during the pre-season, in the Continental Basketball Association for the Omaha Racers, Grand Rapids Mackers (via dispersal draft from Omaha), La Crosse Bobcats (rights traded to Fort Wayne Fury on 12 October 1998) and internationally in France (SLUC Nancy Basket), Italy, Germany, Spain, Israel (Maccabi Hadera), England (Manchester Giants), and Australia (Melbourne Tigers and West Sydney Razorbacks). Never a crowd favourite Razorback fans took particular delight in chanting "You're useless Handy".

He obtained a CBA All-Rookie First Team (1995–96), and a British Basketball League championship with the Manchester Giants in the season 1999–2000.

Coaching career Handy has served as player development coach for the Los Angeles Lakers under Mike Brown. Still under Brown, he served as assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He then moved to the Toronto Raptors as assistant for Nick Nurse. He then moved back to the Lakers under Frank Vogel.

Handy went to 6 consecutive NBA Finals, 4 with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2015–2018), 1 with the Toronto Raptors (2019), and 1 with the Los Angeles Lakers (2020) winning championships in 2016, 2019, and 2020.

On November 15, 2024, Handy was announced to be one of the six new head coaches of the Unrivaled basketball league.

On July 9, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks hired Handy as part of their coaching staff under head coach Jason Kidd.

On August 31, 2026 the Philadelphia 76ers announced Handy has joined their coaching staff.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Awards
British Basketball League; Continental Basketball Association; NBA champion
Also known as
Philip T. Handy, Philip Tony Handy

People in Phil Handy's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Phil Handy's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Phil Handy?

American basketball player and coach (born 1971)

When was Phil Handy born?

Phil Handy was born on 24 August 1971 in San Leandro.

What is Phil Handy's occupation?

Phil Handy is a basketball coach and basketball player.

What nationality is Phil Handy?

Phil Handy is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Phil Handy

· Wikidata: Q65589506

· DBpedia: Phil Handy

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Phil Handy. https://biography.guide/phil-handy/

MLA: "Phil Handy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/phil-handy/.

Chicago: "Phil Handy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/phil-handy/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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