Yorick leaves coach role – but will stay with Giants

YORICK Williams has stepped aside as Manchester Giants coach after the club finished bottom the BBL.

But the club and league legend will not severe his ties with his hometown team and will take on an ambassadorial role.

Williams oversaw a 99-93 win over Plymouth Raiders in his final game in charge, scoring 25 points in his role as player-coach.

And, while he has coached his last Giants game, no announcement has been made about the 41-year-old veteran’s future as a player.

After succeeding Jeff Jones in the summer of 2015, Williams – who has played for a host of other BBL clubs – combined playing with coaching duties.

He led Giants to 11th place in his opening season with an 8-25 record but could not kick on in 2016-17, finishing on 5-28.

He will act as a mentor to the club’s junior and community set-ups, as well as supporting with player recruitment and education delivery.

Giants CEO John Dwan, said: “With the wealth of knowledge that Yorick has, we were determined to keep him involved in the club after he had made the decision to stop coaching, and he will be the ultimate ambassador for any young player wanting to come through and succeed at basketball in Manchester beyond.”

The Giants have indicated the club’s new coach will have imported players at his disposal for the first time since the return to the BBL in 2012.