{"id":867007,"date":"2026-06-14T16:12:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T16:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/867007\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T16:12:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T16:12:22","slug":"usd-graduate-leads-new-york-knicks-to-nba-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/867007\/","title":{"rendered":"USD graduate leads New York Knicks to NBA championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mike Brown accomplished a San Diego first on Saturday night, when he led the New York Knicks to a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs to clinch the NBA Finals in five games.<\/a><\/p>\n

Brown, 56, became the first University of San Diego graduate to coach an NBA team to a title. Brown is a 1992 graduate of USD, where he played two seasons for longtime coach Hank Egan after transferring from Mesa Community College in Arizona. A 6-foot-3 guard, Brown averaged 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 57 games.<\/p>\n

Brown has remained an involved alumnus. He was on campus last year, when USD opened its new practice facility and performance center.<\/p>\n

First-year Toreros basketball coach JR Blount and athletic director Kimya Massey were among the USD officials to congratulate Brown in the hours after the Knicks\u2019 championship win.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe continues to make USD proud by demonstrating the leadership, accountability, and commitment to excellence that define championship teams and cultures,\u201d Blount said. \u201cCoach Brown\u2019s journey is a powerful example of the standard we strive for at USD and the impact Toreros continue to have across the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NewNew York Knicks coach Mike Brown returned to USD\u2019s campus last summer. (USD athletics)<\/p>\n

Massey called Brown\u2019s first title as a head coach \u201can incredible, historic and well-earned achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo reach the pinnacle of the sport as a head coach is a defining moment in a remarkable career, and we couldn\u2019t be more proud of the way he represents Torero basketball,\u201d Massey said. \u201cWe\u2019re also grateful for the continued connection he maintains with our program. His journey reflects the standard we strive for at USD \u2014 pursuing championships while doing it the right way and making your community proud. Coach Brown stands as a powerful example of the impact Toreros continue to have across the NBA and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

USD boasts an impressive array of NBA coaches, something you might not expect from a West Coast Conference program that\u2019s appeared in just four NCAA Tournaments.<\/p>\n

Five Toreros \u2014 Bernie Bickerstaff, Eric Musselman, David Fizdale, James Borrego and Brown \u2014 have been head coaches in the league.<\/p>\n

Egan himself moved on from Alcala Park to become an assistant under Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.\u00a0 Brown worked alongside Egan in San Antonio from 2000 to 2003, joining the Spurs after Bickerstaff hired him as a video coordinator and scout with the Washington Wizards.<\/p>\n

\"MikeMike Brown played two seasons at USD after transferring from Mesa Community College in Arizona. (USD athletics)<\/p>\n

Brown was an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers for two seasons before being named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005. Brown spent six years over two stints as the Cavs\u2019 head coach, and also ran the Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and Sacramento Kings (2022-24). He won three championships as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors (2016-22), where he replaced San Diego native and University of San Diego High School graduate Luke Walton on Rancho Santa Fe resident Steve Kerr\u2019s staff.<\/p>\n

Brown was at his best in New York. He posted a 53-29 regular-season record this season, the best mark by a first-year coach in franchise history.<\/p>\n

Now, he\u2019s an NBA champion.<\/p>\n

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