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Timberwolves assistant coach Rick Brunson resigns

The Timberwolves confirmed his resignation, which is effective immediately.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Rick Brunson against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Timberwolves say assistant coach Rick Brunson has resigned amid reports that women had accused him of improper conduct.

The team announced Brunson's resignation Tuesday in a one-sentence statement and later issued a longer statement to explain.

"Our entire organization – made up of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Minnesota Lynx and Iowa Wolves -- is deeply committed to creating a safe work environment for our employees, partners and fans. Our teams strive to have our actions reflect our values each and every day. We work to maintain high standards of conduct and expect our staff to lead by example. We did not believe Mr. Brunson’s conduct was consistent with those standards," the statement reads.

The Star Tribune, citing a source it did not identify, reported that the 45-year-old Brunson had been the subject of complaints for improper conduct toward women. The Athletic also reported he was the subject of improper conduct allegations.

The Timberwolves hired Brunson in 2016, and last season was his fourth working under coach Tom Thibodeau. Brunson had previous assistant coaching jobs with the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte and Chicago, where he worked under Thibodeau.

Brunson also played in the NBA for nine years, including stops in New York and Houston. He made it to the playoffs in five of his nine seasons, and was a member of the 1999 Eastern Conference Champion New York Knicks, who lost to San Antonio in the finals.

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