New Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash addressed recent claims of benefitting from white privilege upon landing the job last week.

ESPN personalities like Stephen A. Smith and others in the media were critical of the Nets' out-of-the-blue hiring while other black coaches like Jason Kidd and Tyronn Lue are still looking for a head coaching gig.

Others like TNT's Charles Barkley said this was a poor example of it, noting Nash was a sound candidate the Nets just happened to wow in pursuit.

In his inaugural press conference, the former two-time MVP acknowledged he has benefitted from white privilege, though he's not sure if him getting the job is an example of it.

“I have benefited from white privilege,” said new Nets coach Steve Nash, according to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic. “Our society has a lot of ground to make up.”

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Nash also noted something in society must change to provide equal opportunities — though doing so will take a lot more than the Nets hiring a Black coach.

While Kidd and Lue were prime candidates to take the job, the Nets were likely worried of overpaying as the aforementioned two are also within the sights of other NBA franchises.

Steve Nash has a strong rapport with general manager Sean Marks from his time with the Phoenix Suns, so Marks and owner Joe Tsai took to convincing the dime maestro to take a swing at coaching in the NBA — something he was previously reluctant to do.

This is a surprise hire, but not a surprise trend. Since the league’s last player-coach (Dave Cowens with the 1978-79 Boston Celtics), 16 people (including Steve Nash) have become NBA head coaches without prior coaching experience at a professional level. Nine of those 16 are African American.