Steve Gansey, the Mad Ants’ coach, will coach the Indiana Pacers’ Summer League team this year.

Our Dylan Sinn, in Indianapolis today covering the Pacers’ pre-draft workouts, was able to catch up with him. The Pacers, of course, own and operate the Mad Ants.

“I’m really, really excited about the Summer League. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about and wanted to do since I’ve started coaching in the (G League) and being around here with the Pacers. I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Gansey said.

“It’s the first time the Pacers have been in Vegas and all 30 NBA teams are going to be there. I’m just really very excited about it and can’t wait to get started.”

Gansey’s contract to coach the Mad Ants expires this summer but the Pacers have given him glowing reviews, leading one to think they will pursue his return.

He said coaching Summer League will be similar to coaching the Mad Ants; it’s about developing talent and getting players used to the Pacers’ way of doing things.

“It’s not going to be too different. There are going to be some familiar faces that are going to be on the team,” Gansey said, referring to T.J. Leaf, Edmond Sumner, Ben Moore and Alex Poythress. “There’s some familiarity with the guys and adding some other pieces that we’ll see from throughout the G League that we’ve played against."

Of course, the Mad Ants run about the same offensive and defensive sets as the Pacers.

Gansey had helped out Popeye Jones in coaching Summer League the last couple of years.

“I was actually campaigning during the first round of the playoffs against the Cavs. ‘Who’s coaching Summer League? I’d love to do it.” Gansey said. “I want to continue to grow as a coach and this will be part of my growth.”

jcohn@jg.net