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NCAA Basketball: Who are the best D-I coaches who have played professional basketball?

By Daniel Benjamin

Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing works with a player before their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing works with a player before their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; UC Davis Aggies head coach Jim Les hugs guard Darius Graham (2) after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated UC Davis 100-62. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; UC Davis Aggies head coach Jim Les hugs guard Darius Graham (2) after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated UC Davis 100-62. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Jim Les, UC Davis Aggies

Jim Les was an incredible shooter. After playing at Cleveland State and Bradley, Les was chosen in the third round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. However, Les did not make his NBA debut until making the Utah Jazz in 1988. He ended up spending seven seasons in the NBA, producing 3.8 points, along with 2.9 assists in 321 games.

Les started his coaching career in the CBA and also spent time with the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA. He entered the collegiate ranks as a head coach in 2002 with the Bradley Braves, where he remained until 2011. Les posted a 154-140 record and led the Braves to four postseason berths, including a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.

After being relieved of his duties by Bradley following the 2011 season, Les was named head coach at UC Davis. The 53-year old led the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history as a D-I member this past season. The Aggies went 23-13 in 2016-17, marking their second 20 win campaign in the past three years. Les is 87-104 in six years at UC Davis.

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