Arizona Basketball Alumni: Where are they playing/coaching now?
NBA/WNBA COACHES (12, One Free Agent)
Steve Kerr — Golden State Warriors Head Coach
Kerr just came back from Tokyo after coaching the USA Men’s basketball team to a Gold medal with his former coach and mentor Gregg Popovich. Not one Wildcat was on his team, but the USA did beat Josh Green’s Australian team to make it to the Gold Medal match. Kerr just landed his favorite player back in Northern California, as Andre’ Iguodala signed back up to reunite with a healthy Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green on the Golden State Warriors. Wildcat Nico Mannion just left the Warriors to play for the Italian Men’s National team and decided to stay in Italy to play next season.
Luke Walton — Sacramento Kings Head Coach
Still with the Sacramento Kings, Luke enters his third season as head coach and should have a talented group in 2021-22. He returns De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, and Marvin Bagley. They also added Davion Mitchell (brother to NBA superstar Donovan Mitchell).
Could the Kings finally have a group that is good enough to make the playoffs? We will see! Either way, the pressure is on for Walton.
Miles Simon — Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach
After collecting an NBA Championship ring with Lakers Head Coach John Vogel, Simon stayed on the staff for last season when the Lakers bowed out early in the playoffs. This season, the Lakers have bulked up the roster again, with a bunch of veterans adding Carmelo Anthony, and two UCLA Alums Trevor Ariza and Russell Westbrook. Wow! What fun Simon will have this season, and hopefully (this is personal for me) bring home another ring!
Jessy Mermuys — Orlando Magic Assistant Coach
After having spent time with Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and the Toronto Raptors, Jessy is on the move again as he will now serve as an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic.
Joseph Blair — Washington Wizards Assistant Coach
After a season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Blair took a position just this week with the Wizards.
Julie Brase Hairgrove — Phoenix Mercury Assistant Coach – WNBA
Julie Brase Hairgrove is the longest-tenured assistant coach in the WNBA, she has won three WNBA Championships with the Phoenix Mercury assisting three different Head Coaches over 11 years. Julie still holds the High School record for most points scored (2,913) in the state of Arizona.
Adia wasn’t the first Wildcat coaching who was also a mommy, Hairgrove has three beautiful daughters. She raised her daughters thinking being in a WNBA locker room was just part of life, splitting their time between Tucson and Phoenix. Here is a quote from an article in Foothills Magazine from Hairgrove:
“This [Mother’s Day] is the day to recognize all that mothers do throughout their lives. Raising children is an important responsibility. Sure, my kids keep me busy but I’m having fun with them all day long. They do cute things all the time, and I always can’t wait to tell my husband about them. All three of them have different personalities, and it’s so cool to be there and watch them develop. At the end of the day, it is very rewarding to see them grow and who they are becoming.”
Jud Buechler — New York Knicks Assistant Coach
Buechler is still serving as a coach with the New York Knicks, after a surprising run in 2020-21, Jude should have another fun group to watch this year.
Bruce Fraser — Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach for Player Development
Fraser is still coaching under Steve Kerr with the Warriors.
Quinton Crawford — Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach
Mainly coaching in the NBA G-League, Quinton will serve as an assistant with the Lakers.
Damon Stoudamire — Boston Celtics Assistant Coach
After the last five years leading the University of the Pacific Tigers men’s basketball, earning the Ben Jobe Award and WCC Coach of the Year in 2020. In July 2021, Damon returned to the NBA accepting an Assistant Coach position on Ime Udoka’s staff. Udoka was hired as head coach of the Boston Celtics, and he is the first head coach of African origin in NBA history. According to Jeff Goodman, the two grew up together in Portland, Oregon.
Bret Brielmaier — Orlando Magic Assistant Coach
A longtime assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bret returns for another season coaching in the NBA after previously serving as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets organization and their G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
A native of Minnesota of beloved Wildcat, Bret will team up with former Wildcat Jessy Mermuys down in Orlando where they will both coach with the Magic in 2021.
Matt Brase — Portland Trailblazers Assistant Head Coach
After serving as a Houston Rockets Assistant Coach, and Mike D’Antoni’s right-hand man, Brase coached the No. 1 ranked team in the TBT (The Basketball Tournament). However, the winning was team Boeheim’s Army as they received $1 million.
He then moved on to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as head coach for the Haitian Men’s Basketball Team.
The grandson of Lute Olson is steadily climbing the coaching ranks as now he will serve as an assistant on the Portland Trailblazers’ coaching staff.