Former Indiana men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson released a statement on Friday, his first full remarks on his departure from the program. In the statement, Woodson says that returning to Bloomington to lead the men’s basketball program was “an honor” and a great opportunity to represent the Hoosiers and his alma mater.

The Sacramento Kings struck a deal to bring in the longtime NBA coach and former Indiana Hoosiers coach as an assistant under Doug Christie on Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Woodson marks the first hire for Christie, who was promoted as the team’s full-time head coach last month.

Woodson will join the Sacramento Kings’ coaching staff as an assistant coach under head coach Doug Christie, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Woodson’s newest position marks his eighth as an assistant in the NBA beginning in 1996 with the Milwaukee Bucks.