The legendary Olimpia Milano coach Dan Peterson walks inside the team's practice facility with Mike D'Antoni's banner hanging behind him. Chiara Goia for The Wall Street Journal NBA The Coach Who Changed the NBA From Italy He played an influential role in the evolution of basketball. But there’s a reason you’ve never heard of Dan Peterson. The American has been in Europe for nearly five decades.

The legendary Olimpia Milano coach Dan Peterson walks inside the team's practice facility with Mike D'Antoni's banner hanging behind him. Chiara Goia for The Wall Street Journal