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Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have named Ron Ekker, Chris Jent, Clifford Ray and Morlon Wiley assistant coaches, General Manager John Weisbrod announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. The four join assistant coach Paul Westhead on Johnny Davis’ staff.

“We considered it important to find coaches which complemented Johnny’s talents,” said Weisbrod. “With these additions, we feel we have accomplished that objective and are excited about moving forward as a team.”

Added Davis, “With the additions of Ron, Chris, Clifford and Morlon, and Paul returning, we have a good mix and wealth of experience on our staff. This is also a group which had demonstrated dedication and enthusiasm for their job, role and responsibilities on a daily basis.”

Ekker brings more than 35 years of coaching experience to Orlando. Most recently, he was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2001-03. Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Ekker spent 10 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. He was hired in 1991 as a regional scout. In 1995-96, he was named Dallas’ head scout and served as director of scouting/assistant coach for the Mavericks from 1996-2000.

Prior to his work as an NBA scout, Ekker spent 10 seasons from 1982-93 coaching in the Contintental Basketball Association (CBA) and the World Basketball League (WBL). In 1987-88, he led the La Crosse Catbirds of the CBA to a Western Division title with a 40-14 record. Ekker also coached five seasons at West Texas State (1973-78) and spent four years as head coach and athletic director at St. Louis University. He has a collegiate coaching record of 209-194 (.519).

Jent joins the Magic after spending the 2003-04 season with the Philadelphia 76ers as assistant coach/player development. He has 10 seasons of experience as a professional basketball player, including two seasons in the NBA. A member of the 1993-94 NBA Champion Houston Rockets, Jent also played for the New York Knicks during the 1996-97 campaign, as well as internationally in Australia, Italy, Spain and Greece.

A native of Sparta, N.J., Jent also played five seasons in the CBA. Prior to turning professional, he played four years at Ohio State University from 1988-92. Jent appeared in 123 games with the Buckeyes during his collegiate career, scoring 1,007 points. His 112 three-point field goals ranks seventh all-time in OSU history. Jent helped Ohio State to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back Big Ten championships.

A former center in the NBA, Ray returns to Orlando, where he was a special consultant during the 1999-2000 season. He was a member of Cleveland’s coaching staff in 2002-03, after serving as an assistant coach for Golden State for two seasons (2000-02). Ray began his coaching career with the Dallas Mavericks in 1987. He served six seasons with Dallas in a part-time role, specifically working with centers and forwards. Ray moved to Fort Wayne and Grand Rapids of the CBA, landing his lone head coaching job with Fort Wayne, replacing Rick Barry at the end of the 1993-94 season. He then served as an assistant coach with New Jersey in 1995-96.

Originally selected in the third round of the 1971 NBA Draft by Chicago, Ray appeared in 784 regular season games during his 10-year NBA career with the Bulls and Golden State, averaging 7.4 ppg., 8.9 rpg. and 2.2 apg. in 25.4 minpg. His name can be found throughout the Golden State record books, ranking among the Warriors’ all-time leaders in offensive rebounds (2nd, 1,372), defensive rebounds (2nd, 2,938), field goal percentage (5th, ..537), blocked shots (6th, 465) and total rebounds (9th, 4,310). Ray was a member of four 50-plus win teams and was named to the 1971-72 NBA All-Rookie Team.

Wiley has spent the last four seasons with Dallas as part of the player development staff in the Mavericks’ basketball operations department. Wiley played in 295 regular season games during his NBA career with Dallas, Orlando, San Antonio, Atlanta, Miami and Houston, averaging 3.7 ppg., 2.4 apg. and 1.2 rpg. in 13.0 minpg.

Wiley was a member of the inaugural Magic squad back in 1989-90 and was the first player ever signed by Orlando on June 29, 1989. He appeared in 83 total games with the Magic (1989-91), averaging 4.4 ppg. and 2.4 apg.