Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Maurice Cheeks announced today that the team has hired Henry Bibby as an assistant coach for the remainder of the season. Bibby will replace Jim Lynam, who earlier this month announced that he would not return to the team this season due to health reasons.

A former Sixer, Bibby has a combined 22 years of playing and coaching experience between the professional and collegiate ranks. Most recently, he served as the head coach for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA for the 2005 season.

Prior to his time in the WNBA, Bibby served as the head coach of the University of Southern California men's basketball team where he posted a 131-111 record over nine seasons. He led the Trojans to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2000-01 and 2001-02, and earned a trip to the Elite Eight in 2001.

During his nine year playing career in the NBA, Bibby averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He spent time with the New York Knicks (1972-74, 1974-75), New Orleans Jazz (1974-75, 1975-76), the 76ers (1976-80) and the San Diego Clippers (1980-81). In total, Bibby played in 675 games, scored 5,775 points, had 2,259 assists and pulled down 1,581 rebounds in the NBA.

With the Sixers, as a teammate of Maurice Cheeks, Bibby averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 327 games (208 starts).

InsideHoops.com Editor's View: Excellent move by the Sixers. Adding Bibby can only help.