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 stated.
Donovan was initially introduced as a member of the 2025 class in San Antonio through the halftime break of Florida’s Remaining 4 sport in opposition to Auburn in March. One sport later, the Gators broke their 18-year drought and introduced a nationwide title again to Gainesville, the primary time since Donovan’s crew did it in 2007.
Throughout his tenure on the college, Florida made three nationwide championship sport appearances, profitable two. Donovan additionally coached the crew 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, you understand,
make a free throw. I didn’t. I used to be lucky that, you understand, there was loads of religion and perception,
fairly actually,” he stated.
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 crew 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 crew 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 yr, the Bulls
completed ninth within the Japanese Convention and misplaced within the play-in match 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 School additionally retired No. 34 in honor of Donovan in February for his school
taking part in days. In his 4 years with the Friars, he helped lead the crew 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 sport of basketball, considering or dreaming some locations would occur,” he
stated. “I received into the sport taking part in as a result of I like taking part in.”
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