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

By Daniel Benjamin | Apr 18, 2017

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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Nov 11, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; Utah Valley Wolverines head coach Mark Pope reacts after a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Mark Pope, Utah Valley Wolverines

Mark Pope started his playing career at the University of Washington before transferring to Kentucky. He evolved into a second round pick in 1996. Pope played in 153 career games over six campaigns with Indiana, Milwaukee, and Denver.

Pope spent one season at Georgia and Wake Forest to open his coaching career. He then moved onto BYU where he remained from 2011-15 before being named as head coach by Utah Valley.

Utah Valley went 12-18 in Pope’s first season. The Wolverines finished with a .500 record this past season, reaching the semifinals of the CBI. The 44-year old is 29-35 as a head coach overall.

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