LAS VEGAS — The mentor has become the crosstown rival.

Jordi Fernández, the rising sophomore coach of the Nets, was discovered roughly 16 years ago <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/sports/mike-brown-won-press-conference-but-his-knicks-mission-is-different-task/">by Mike Brown through</a> mostly happenstance.

Fernández was an intern at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas, training Brown’s young son, Elijah.

Brown, the head coach of the Cavaliers, didn’t talk to Fernández at first. 

The mentor has become the crosstown rival.{ai:summary}<p>Jordi Fernández, now the sophomore coach of the Nets, was discovered by Mike Brown 16 years ago while interning at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas. Initially, Brown did not engage with Fernández, who was training his son, Elijah, at the time. </p><p>The relationship has evolved from mentor to rival as they now compete in the NBA. #sports</p>

Jordi Fernandez knows mentor Mike Brown won’t ‘be afraid’ of massive Knicks expectations

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