Billy Donovan is a former professional basketball player and current coach who has had a successful career in the sport. He played college basketball at Providence College, where he was a standout player and helped lead the team to the Final Four in 1987. After college, Donovan played professionally in the NBA for the New York Knicks and the Rapid City Thrillers of the Continental Basketball Association.
After his playing career ended, Donovan began coaching, starting as an assistant at his alma mater, Providence. He then moved on to become an assistant at the University of Kentucky, where he helped the team win a national championship in 1996. In 1997, Donovan was hired as the head coach at the University of Florida, where he would spend the next 19 seasons.
During his time at Florida, Donovan became one of the most successful coaches in college basketball. He led the Gators to two national championships, in 2006 and 2007, and made four Final Four appearances. He also won six SEC championships and was named SEC Coach of the Year four times. Donovan coached several future NBA players at Florida, including Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Bradley Beal.
In 2015, Donovan left Florida to become the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. He spent five seasons with the Thunder, leading them to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons. Donovan coached several All-Stars during his time in Oklahoma City, including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George.
After leaving the Thunder in 2020, Donovan was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He has since led the team to a promising start to the 2020-21 season, with a young roster that includes rising stars like Zach LaVine and Coby White.
Throughout his career, Donovan has been known for his ability to develop young players and build successful teams. He has a reputation as a hard-working and innovative coach who is always looking for ways to improve his players and his team. With his success at both the college and professional levels, Donovan has established himself as one of the most respected coaches in basketball.
🏀