Nuggets Summer League coach Jordi Fernandez doubles as a sports psychologist

Like many coaches, Jordi Fernandez is a teacher at heart. This summer, the Nuggets assistant coach is tasked with coaching, or teaching, basketball to 16 players, many of whom have never played with one another before. The Nuggets’ practice court is his classroom.

Before he accepted a player development position with the Cavaliers in 2009, Fernandez was working towards his Ph.D. in sports psychology after getting his masters in the same field. He already has a bachelor’s degree in sports sciences. Fernandez was coaching on the side while teaching college courses in Norway when the Cavs called and offered him a full-time job on their player development staff. He’s published two articles that appear in academic journals and is one away from his Ph.D.

“When I get fired I’ll finish it,” Fernandez said.