Kenny Atkinson Biography: Kenneth Neil Atkinson, born on June 2, 1967, is an American professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. He previously held the head coaching position with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. A native of Huntington, New York, Atkinson played college basketball at the University of Richmond, where he helped lead the Spiders to the 1988 NCAA Division I Tournament.
Kenny Atkinson Biography
When Kenny Atkinson took over as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in June 2024, expectations were tempered. The roster had playoff-caliber talent but had yet to break into the elite ranks of the Eastern Conference. By April 2025, however, Atkinson had transformed the team, leading them to a 64–18 record and securing the top seed in the East. His impressive turnaround earned him high praise from fellow coaches—on Saturday, the National Basketball Coaches Association honored him with the 2025 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.
Kenny Atkinson Biography 2025 Details
| Born | June 2, 1967 (age 57) Northport, New York, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| High school | St. Anthony’s (South Huntington, New York) |
| College | Richmond (1986–1990) |
| NBA draft | 1990: undrafted |
| Playing career | 1990–2004 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Coaching career | 2004–present |
| Category | Football Biographies |
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About Kenny Atkinson
Kenneth Neil Atkinson is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. He was previously the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020.
Kenny Atkinson Wiki
- Born: 2 June 1967 (age 57 years), Huntington, New York, United States
- Teams coached: Cleveland Cavaliers (Head coach, since 2024) ·
- Children: Anthony Atkinson, Annika Atkinson
- Height: 85 m
- College: Richmond (1986–1990)
- Parents: Pauline Atkinson, Neil Atkinson
- Siblings: Mike Atkinson, Steve Atkinson, Brian Atkinson, Tom Atkinson
Playing Career
During his senior year at Richmond, Atkinson averaged an impressive 18.9 points per game. He began his professional career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the United States Basketball League (USBL) between 1990 and 1992. From 1993 to 2004, he continued his playing career overseas, competing in professional leagues in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Atkinson also had tryouts with several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks in the summer of 1991. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Kenny Atkinson Coaching Record
As a head coach, Kenny Atkinson has compiled a regular-season record of 118 wins and 190 losses over 308 games, giving him a win percentage of 38.3%. This places him 141st all-time in total wins and 222nd in win percentage among NBA head coaches. Atkinson has only made one playoff appearance as a head coach, where his team went 1-4 in the series, resulting in a 20% postseason win rate.
Kenny Atkinson Contract and Salary
In June, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, replacing J.B. Bickerstaff. However, at the time of the announcement, the team noted that the details of his contract were still being finalized. As of now, his exact salary has not been publicly disclosed. Based on comparable coaching contracts in the NBA, Atkinson—who has extensive experience as both an assistant and head coach but has not yet won a title as a head coach—can be expected to earn in the range of $5 to $6 million annually. This estimate aligns with the salaries of coaches like Tom Thibodeau and Billy Donovan, who have similar profiles. Notably, Atkinson did win an NBA championship as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors during the 2021–22 season.
Kenny Atkinson Net Worth 2025
Kenny Atkinson’s net worth in 2025 is likely substantial, estimated to be in the multi-million dollar range. His wealth is primarily derived from his NBA coaching salary, performance-based bonuses, and endorsements.
While there are no up-to-date public estimates of Kenny Atkinson’s net worth, it’s reasonable to assume he has accumulated significant earnings throughout his long coaching and playing career. Atkinson has worked in the NBA since 2007, including assistant coaching roles with the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors. He also served as Director of Player Development for the Houston Rockets before taking the head coaching job with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020.
FAQs
How much could Kenny Atkinson earn as Cavaliers head coach?
While his exact salary hasn’t been disclosed, Kenny Atkinson is expected to earn between $5 million and $6 million annually based on comparable contracts of other NBA coaches with similar experience.
Has Kenny Atkinson ever won an NBA championship?
Yes, Kenny Atkinson won an NBA championship as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors during the 2021–22 season.
What teams has Kenny Atkinson coached for in the NBA?
Kenny Atkinson has held coaching roles with several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets (as Director of Player Development), and Brooklyn Nets.
Did Kenny Atkinson have a professional playing career?
Yes, Kenny Atkinson played professionally overseas for over a decade in countries such as Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands before transitioning into coaching.
What is Kenny Atkinson’s NBA head coaching record?
As of now, Kenny Atkinson holds a regular-season coaching record of 118 wins and 190 losses. With a single playoff appearance where his team went 1-4.
Why is Kenny Atkinson’s net worth not publicly known?
There are currently no verified estimates of Kenny Atkinson’s net worth, but it’s expected to become more publicly documented as he continues in his role as a head coach in the NBA.