Elie named assistant by Spurs

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The San Antonio Spurs have hired Mario Elie as an assistant on the staff of Coach Greg Popovich.

Elie replaces Mike Brown, who has been named to a similar position on the staff of new coach Rick Carlisle at Indiana.

"We're all very happy to welcome Mario Elie to our staff," said Popovich. "As a player Mario always exhibited a good knowledge of the game, and his attitude and work ethic will serve him well."

In an 11-year playing career, Elie played on three NBA championship teams, one with the Spurs in 1999, and two with Houston back-to-back in 1994 and '95. A seventh round pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, he played for Philadelphia, Golden State, Portland, Houston, the Spurs, and Phoenix, averaging 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.5 minutes per contest in 732 games.