
Tony Bennett has been out of basketball since 2024 when, on the eve of the college basketball season, he abruptly stepped down as Virginia coach, citing the ongoing changes in the sport. As the 2025–26 season hits the home stretch, Bennett is re-entering the fold—this time at the NBA level, as an advisor for the Lakers.
As Los Angeles prepares for the loaded 2026 NBA draft, team president Rob Pelinka announced that Bennett will serve as an advisor for the franchise.