NBA franchise New York Knicks’ assistant coach Phil Weber is likely to be named the head coach of Indian men’s national team.

ESPN reporter Mark Stein on Wednesday tweeted that Weber is a strong contender for the post. “Coaching sources say longtime assistant Phil Weber (Suns, Knicks, Heat, Pels) on course to be named new head coach of India's national team,” read his tweet.

“India is an important market to the NBA and Weber -- who's poised to move to New Orleans' front office next season -- was the league's pick,” the tweet further stated.

According to a well placed source, the announcement of Weber’s appointment will be made in a few days by the Basketball Federation of India.

Bhaskar Sappaniambalam is the current coach of the men's team.

The 55-year-old Weber, a native of Northport in New York, is in his 12th season as an NBA coach. Prior to his association with the Knicks, he spent nine seasons serving as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns (1999-2000 to 2007-08) and guided them to three consecutive Pacific Division titles (2005, 2006, 2007).

Weber also served as the head coach of the Suns’ Vegas Summer League teams. In 2006, he worked with the USA basketball men’s senior national team as they prepared for the FIBA Men’s World Championships in Japan. Weber’s academy for NBA player development  helped groom the likes of Shawn Marion, Baron Davis, Jalen Rose and Pat Garrity. 

Earlier this month, the BFI appointed Serbian Zoran Visic as the head coach of the women’s national team.