Report: Sixers make changes in scouting department

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 

There still is no news regarding the Sixers' general manager search, but according to the Inquirer's Keith Pompey, the Sixers have made some big changes within their scouting department.

According to Pompey, the team let go longtime scout Mike VandeGarde as a way "to streamline the scouring process." To replace VandeGarde, the Sixers hired J.R. Holden as an international scout. He spent the last four years as the international scouting director of the Detroit Pistons.

On August 15, Holden will officially start with the Sixers.

Pompey also mentions in his report that the Sixers, "Strong proponents of gender equality, the Sixers are also making a push to hire a qualified female scout, according to sources."

Holden brings an international flavor to the Sixers, as he had a standout professional career in Europe after going undrafted out of Bucknell back in 1998.

Holden holds a citizenship in both Russia and the United States and is a former member of the Russian national basketball team.