Former Missouri Tigers point guard Phil Pressey is set to take on an exciting new role as head coach of the Maine Celtics, the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics, according to HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto. This move marks a significant step in Pressey’s coaching career, aligning him with the NBA’s most storied franchise.
Pressey, who played at Mizzou from 2010 to 2013, was a standout during his college career, averaging 9.7 points and 5.9 assists per game over three seasons. His junior year was particularly impressive, with a career-high 11.9 points and 7.1 assists per game, earning him a spot in the 2013 NBA Draft. Though he went undrafted, Pressey’s strong performance in the Orlando Summer League secured him a contract with the Boston Celtics. Over three NBA seasons, he averaged 3.2 points and 2.9 assists in 13.6 minutes per game before continuing his playing career overseas in Spain, Turkey, and Germany.
Boston Celtics player enhancement coach Phil Pressey will be named head coach of the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, league sources told @hoopshype. Pressey spent two seasons with the Celtics as a player, appearing in 125 games during his first two seasons in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/A34hkZKQzc
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 13, 2025
Returning to the Celtics organization in 2023, Pressey served as a player enhancement coach under head coach Joe Mazzulla for the past two seasons. His new role as head coach of the Maine Celtics will see him replace Tyler Lashbrook, who guided the team to a 21-13 record and a trip to the NBA G League Eastern Conference Finals last season.
Pressey’s appointment isn’t the only recent Mizzou connection to the NBA coaching ranks. Former Tigers star DeMarre Carroll, who played at Missouri from 2007 to 2009, has reportedly joined the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach under new head coach Jordan Ott. Carroll and Ott share a history, having worked together as assistant coaches with the Los Angeles Lakers (2023-24) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2024-25), and with Carroll playing under Ott during his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
As Pressey steps into his new role, the former Mizzou star is poised to bring his experience and leadership to the Maine Celtics, potentially revealing the NBA G League’s next big coaching talent.