Toggle sidebar

When Pope was selected by the Pacers in 96.

T

TrueBluePhil

All-Conference
Nov 27, 2010
847
1,459
93
No, Mark Pope is not the only current college basketball coach who played in the NBA. He did play six seasons in the league with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets after his college career at Washington and Kentucky, where he was part of the 1996 national championship team, and now coaches at Kentucky. However, several other active NCAA Division I head coaches also have NBA playing experience, including:
  • Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis: A four-time NBA All-Star who played 14 seasons with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat from 1993 to 2007.
  • Mark Madsen at the University of California, Berkeley: Played nine NBA seasons, winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and has been head coach at Cal since 2023.
  • Reggie Theus at Bethune-Cookman University: A two-time NBA All-Star who played 13 seasons from 1978 to 1991, averaging 18.5 points per game, and has coached there since 2021.
 
  • Like
Reactions: *Fox2Monk*, Cowtown Cat and BlueBlood96Cat
Kentucky15

Kentucky15

Senior
Mar 29, 2013
584
719
88
Yea Penny is the only other one I can think of. Garbage. Told many when he took that job he’s trash, he was a trash middle school coach too. Lots of ranting no coaching.

wasn’t Pat Kelsey the guard for the kings back in the day?
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueBlood96Cat
J

Joerupp1

Redshirt
Oct 3, 2025
1
1
3
Fred Hoiberg, Damon Stoudamire, Bobby Hurley, Bryce Drew (D2?) and I’m probably leaving 2 or 3 others out that hadn’t been mentioned. Is Theus still coaching? Avery Johnson, Woodson and Juwan Howard are no longer coaching in the NCAA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mozzie
UK4Life#9

UK4Life#9

Sophomore
Jul 3, 2025
121
153
43
Kentucky15 said:
That’s him. They look so similar.

a new rafters low. Confusing Kelsey with white chocolate.🤪
Click to expand...

I’m not hating on ya but you must be young. lol

JWill was the truth back in the day. My brothers ex wife graduated with him and Randy Moss at DuPont High School in WV. I saw the place where he grew up and if I’m remembering right, it was a double wide trailer in the hood.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kentucky15
Kentucky15

Kentucky15

Senior
Mar 29, 2013
584
719
88
UK4Life#9 said:
I’m not hating on ya but you must be young. lol

JWill was the truth back in the day. My brothers ex wife graduated with him and Randy Moss at DuPont High School in WV. I saw the place where he grew up and if I’m remembering right, it was a double wide trailer in the hood.
Click to expand...

eehhh I was just joking. I’m aware he’s not white chocolate lol. But they are both white?

I’m 39, loved those white chocolate years. He did grow up interesting, I still think he’s the best passer I ever watched.
 
  • Like
Reactions: UK4Life#9
UK4Life#9

UK4Life#9

Sophomore
Jul 3, 2025
121
153
43
Kentucky15 said:
eehhh I was just joking. I’m aware he’s not white chocolate lol. But they are both white?

I’m 39, loved those white chocolate years. He did grow up interesting, I still think he’s the best passer I ever watched.
Click to expand...

I was wondering if you were joking, I’m 38 so we got to watch basically the same years of ball.. lol He’s definitely the best passer I’ve ever watched. I remember seeing the elbow pass and then trying to do it myself! 😂
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kentucky15
Kentucky15

Kentucky15

Senior
Mar 29, 2013
584
719
88
UK4Life#9 said:
I was wondering if you were joking, I’m 38 so we got to watch basically the same years of ball.. lol He’s definitely the best passer I’ve ever watched. I remember seeing the elbow pass and then trying to do it myself! 😂
Click to expand...

He is one of the most underrated of his era for sure. I always wished he had been a UK guy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: UK4Life#9
UK4Life#9

UK4Life#9

Sophomore
Jul 3, 2025
121
153
43
Kentucky15 said:
He is one of the most underrated of his era for sure. I always wished he had been a UK guy.
Click to expand...

I can’t remember if we even recruited him, I doubt it tho. I looked some things up when we started this convo and he wasn’t nationally ranked but was regarded as one of the best players, which is weird.

Who would have thought these two would go on to be one of the best players of all time at their position? 😂 IMG_0643.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kentucky15
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom