Coach Kevin Brooks has been sacked by the Wellington Saints three days before the last game of the National Basketball League season.
He was "stood down" on Monday from Thursday's match against the Nelson Giants according to the Saints because of heavy defeats by Harbour Heat and bottom-placedManawatu Jets, the Dominion Post reported.
Brooks' assistant Kenny McFadden and former player Frank Mulvihill will take over for the final week of the regular season.
The Saints said they owed it to sponsors and supporters to try to instil some fresh ideas and motivation in a bid to finish an extremely disappointing season on a high.
Brooks, a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, fell out with franchise owner Nick Mills soon after his appointment as coach this season.
He had confirmed last week that he would not be coaching the side next season.
"I'm disappointed, but not surprised," was all he was willing to offer publicly, the newspaper reported.
Mills was unapologetic about making the change so late in the season, saying it was a board decision.
The Saints have had nine wins and eight losses so far.
