Legends began to play in the 2010–11 season, and became the first male professional team coached by a woman, Nancy Lieberman. In 2020, Nelson finished in 8th place for the Executive of the Year Award. Olympics Since 1990, Nelson has served as an assistant coach for the Lithuania national basketball team. In 1991, as Lithuania had just been re-established as an independent state, the Lithuanian Basketball Federation could not rely on public funding. Knowing of Marčiulionis's struggles, Nelson helped get sponsors for the Lithuanian team's 1992 Summer Olympics campaign, which included rock band Grateful Dead. In that period, the Lithuanians won three bronze medals in four Olympics, a silver medal in EuroBasket 1995 and a gold medal in EuroBasket 2003. In appreciation for his contributions, Nelson was awarded the Medal of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas in 1995 and the Commander's Grand Crosses of the Order for Merits to Lithuania by the President of Lithuania in 2004. He also serves as Honorary Ambassador for the League of Industries. In 1994, Nelson served as a scout for USA Basketball at the World Championships in Toronto. Dream Team II went undefeated on their way to capturing a gold medal that year. Nelson also serves as the Chief Advisor for the China national basketball team. During his two years of service, they equaled their all-time-best Olympic finish (8th) in Athens and won the Gold Medal at the 2005 Asian Championships. Personal life Nelson is married to Lotta and has two children. Nelson has been involved with several charitable efforts. He worked with the NBA's African Top 100 campaign, an outreach program providing educational opportunities to challenged African athletes. He is the founder of the "Global Games" in Dallas, which gives area high school kids a chance to test themselves against the top Junior National teams in the world. He also helped create the Assist Youth Foundation, who offers opportunities for underprivileged kids in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and across the globe. See also List of National Basketball Association team presidents References 1962 births Living people American men's basketball players Commander's Grand Crosses of the Order for Merits to Lithuania Dallas Mavericks assistant coaches Dallas Mavericks executives Golden State Warriors assistant coaches National Basketball Association general managers Phoenix Suns assistant coaches Recipients of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Sportspeople from Des Moines, Iowa Wheaton Thunder men's basketball players