Steve Scalzi Named Head Coach Of The Motor City Cruise

DETROIT – The Motor City Cruise, NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, announced today the organization’s 2026-27 coaching staff. Additionally, Steve Scalzi has been named the franchise’s third head coach.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the Motor City Cruise and build on the success this program has established over its first five seasons,” said Scalzi. “The Cruise have already made a tremendous impact in the G League, including two playoff appearances and the first playoff victory in franchise history last season. I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum and helping our players and staff reach new levels of success. I also want to recognize the tremendous job Jamelle (McMillan) has done leading this program, with 10 players earning NBA call-ups or contract conversions during his tenure. That’s what the G League is all about – developing players, coaches and staff, while creating opportunities and competing to win, and I’m excited to continue that work here in Detroit.”

Scalzi, 42, has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, helping develop the organization’s young core, including Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. In February 2026, he and the Pistons coaching staff, under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, represented the Eastern Conference at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Scalzi also served as head coach of the Pistons during the 2026 NBA Summer League.

Scalzi began his professional coaching career in the NBA G League, formerly known as the NBA Development League, with the Tulsa 66ers as an assistant coach during the 2013-14 season. In his first season with the league, Scalzi was responsible for player development and helped three prospects earn promotions from the G League to the parent club. He then joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014, spending seven seasons with the organization in roles including Director of Analysis and Opposition Scouting from 2014-19 and Player Development Coach from 2019-21.

During his time with Oklahoma City, Scalzi mentored and developed two NBA Most Valuable Players, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, while helping the organization reach five NBA Playoff appearances and two Western Conference Finals. He later served as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns from 2021-23 before joining the Detroit Pistons in 2023. During his two seasons with Phoenix, the Suns posted a franchise-record 64 wins during the 2021-22 season, finishing with the NBA’s best record. Scalzi also served as the Suns’ head coach during the 2022 NBA Summer League.

A native of Brewster, N.Y., Scalzi began his basketball career at Boston College, where he served as a student assistant from 2002-06. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Human Development from Boston College in 2006 and a Master of Science in Corporate Leadership and Organizational Communications from Northeastern University in 2010.

Under new head coach Steve Scalzi, returning to the Motor City Cruise coaching staff for their second year includes assistant coaches Walker Russell Jr., Vasu Gupta, Assane Sene and Carter Vance. Terell Strickland has been added to the Motor City Cruise staff as the team’s Coaching Associate.