Former Rockets staff member Atkinson joins Knicks as assistant

NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks added assistant coach Kenny Atkinson to Mike D'Antoni's staff Wednesday.

Atkinson joins Herb Williams, who was retained after the firing of Isiah Thomas, and former Phoenix Suns assistants Phil Weber and Dan D'Antoni.

Before spending last season as director of player development for the Houston Rockets, Atkinson was on the staff of the Paris Basket Racing Club in France for three years. He also served as director of player development for the Republic of Georgia in the summer of 2006.

Atkinson played professionally in Europe for 13 years after a standout career at Richmond that included leading the Spiders to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.