Mike Krzyzewski is leaving retirement to join the NBA as an adviser rather than a coach.

On Wednesday, the league announced that Krzyzewski, a Hall of Famer who also holds the record for most men’s college Division I coaching wins, will serve as its new special adviser to basketball operations. He will attend the league’s general managers meeting next week in Chicago, which takes place simultaneously with the draft lottery and combine there.

“We are honored to have Coach K join the NBA family and share his vast experience and expertise with the league and our teams,” said Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president of league operations. “As a preeminent coach and renowned leader who cares deeply about the game of basketball, he is uniquely suited to drive discussions and offer insights about the present and future of the NBA.”

The former Duke coach “will provide counsel to the league office, NBA team executives and other leaders across the league on a host of issues related to the game,” the league said.

After the 2021-22 season, Krzyzewski won five national championships and set a number of records, including 1,202 wins at the men’s Division I level, 13 appearances in the Final Four, 36 trips to the NCAA tournament, and 101 wins in games.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to deepen my connection to the NBA and participate in conversations about further strengthening the league and the game,” Krzyzewski said. “Even in my retirement from coaching, my passion for the sport has never been higher. This role will enable me to stay engaged with basketball at the highest level.”

Throughout his time at Duke, Krzyzewski turned down multiple coaching jobs in the NBA. He worked with NBA players through his long stretch as coach of USA Basketball’s senior men’s team – – going 88-1 in that role with three Olympic gold medals, two Basketball World Cup gold medals and one gold in the FIBA AmeriCup.