GAINESVILLE — Earlier than former Florida males’s basketball coach Billy Donovan is to be enshrined in basketball historical past, he got here again to the place it began.
Donovan obtained thunderous applause from the 89,451 followers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the Gators soccer opener on Saturday, every week earlier than he’s set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame.
“I’m grateful that I’ve received nominated for one after which two received inducted. So simply very, very grateful,” he mentioned.
Donovan was initially introduced as a member of the 2025 class in San Antonio throughout the halftime break of Florida’s Remaining 4 recreation in opposition to Auburn in March. One recreation later, the Gators broke their 18-year drought and introduced a nationwide title again to Gainesville, the primary time since Donovan’s staff did it in 2007.
Throughout his tenure on the college, Florida made three nationwide championship recreation appearances, profitable two. Donovan additionally coached the staff to 6 SEC championships, 4 Remaining Fours and 17 postseason appearances. He was named SEC Coach of the Yr in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
“I take a look at what occurred right here in Florida, I didn’t seize a rebound or make an help or, , make a free throw. I didn’t. I used to be lucky that, , there was plenty of religion and perception, fairly actually,” he mentioned.
Donovan’s path to the NBA started with purchaser’s remorse. In 2007, the Orlando Magic enticed
the then-UF coach with a head teaching job. However, following an emotional information convention,
Donovan modified his thoughts and returned to Gainesville, reportedly agreeing to not coach for
one other skilled staff for 5 years.
In 2015, Donovan snagged a job with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and signed a five-year, $30 million contract to lastly be part of the NBA. Every year, the staff made the postseason however struggled to get previous the primary spherical. After talks of an extension fell aside, Donovan moved to Chicago to educate the Bulls.
His time within the Windy Metropolis has been much less glamorous than in Gainesville. This 12 months, the Bulls
completed ninth within the Jap Convention and misplaced within the play-in event for the third time.
Regardless of this, the Bulls demonstrated their perception of their head coach, signing a multiyear contract extension July 27. The monetary phrases or the contract size weren’t launched.
Windfall Faculty additionally retired No. 34 in honor of Donovan in February for his school
enjoying days. In his 4 years with the Friars, he helped lead the staff to an NCAA Remaining 4
look and was named MVP of the Southeast Regional within the 1986-87 season.
“I by no means received within the recreation of basketball, pondering or dreaming some locations would occur,” he
mentioned. “I received into the sport enjoying as a result of I really like enjoying.”
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