The NBA G League announced today that Motor City Cruise head coach Jamelle McMillan was named Coach of the Month for November. He led the team to a 4-0 start, the best in the organization’s early history. The team went 6-2 overall throughout the month.
In his first year as head coach, his team has set a tone within their own walls and throughout the G League. The Cruise finished the month with the lowest amount of turnovers per game (13.8) across the entire league. They also averaged 7.8 blocks per game in November, which is second in the G League throughout the same span.
“Relentless competition is something that we preach,” McMillan told Detroit Bad Boys at Cruise media day before the season. “And creating an edge. We’re trying to create advantages by way of our edge. … We really want to be an up-tempo and aggressive unit moving forward.”
If the team stays cruisin’, McMillan’s group will be in position to qualify for the G League Showcase Cup. The Cup culminates this year in Orlando, Florida, where the eight best teams meet to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The Cruise averaged 117.8 points per game in November while shooting 46.8% from the floor. On the season, they boast a 115.4 offensive rating which is currently best in the league.
McMillan balanced rotations with varying personnel each night. Stanley Umude has spent most of his time with the Pistons, only active in two games for the Cruise thus far. Other two-way players have missed time recently as well. Malcolm Cazalon missed two games due to an illness and Jared Rhoden was a late scratch in the most recent game with back soreness.
No matter the personnel, the Cruise have competed. Lead guard Zavier Simpson is top-ten in assists per game. Starting big Jontay Porter is a top-five rebounder in the G League, averaging a double-double.
McMillan is off to a strong start as head coach. His team is in a good place in the early season and plans to make some noise throughout the Winter Showcase and eventually during regular season play.
“This is an exciting and well-deserved moment for Jamelle and our entire operation,” Cruise General Manager Ben Carloni said of the honor. “His everyday pursuit to better our players, both individually and collectively is critical to our on-court success so far.”