Package Deals: High School Reunion Before Becoming First-Round Draft Pick
July 1st, 2013 - 21:52
Forward Anthony Bennett, selected as the top overall pick in the NBA draft, attended Findlay Prep prior to his one-year stint with UNLV. One of Bennett's coaches at Findlay was Todd Simon, who is slated to join UNLV's staff as an assistant after previously serving as a video coordinator for two years under former Rebels coach Lon Kruger.
Prior to AAU posses, high school reunions were a popular recruiting ploy. There are usually more than a dozen active Division I head coaches who got their start as a college assistant by tagging along directly or being reunited with one of their regal high school recruits. Following is an alphabetical list of star players such as Bennett whose high school coach was employed at the same college as an assistant before the standout became an NBA first-round draft selection:
| NBA First-Rounder | College | H.S. Coach/College Aide | College Head Coach | Draft Year | Pro Team (Pick Overall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Barnes | Providence | Jimmy Adams | Dave Gavitt | 1974 | Philadelphia 76ers (2nd) |
| Howard Carter | Louisiana State | Rick Huckabay | Dale Brown | 1983 | Denver Nuggets (15th) |
| Bill Cartwright | San Francisco | Don Risley | Bob Gaillard | 1979 | New York Knicks (3rd) |
| Norm Cook | Kansas | Duncan Reid | Ted Owens | 1976 | Boston Celtics (16th) |
| Ernie DiGregorio | Providence | Nick Macarchuk | Dave Gavitt | 1973 | Buffalo Braves (3rd) |
| Julius Erving | Massachusetts | Ray Wilson | Jack Leaman | 1972 | Milwaukee Bucks (12th) |
| Tyreke Evans | Memphis | Lamont Peterson | John Calipari | 2009 | Sacramento Kings (4th) |
| Danny Ferry | Duke | Mike Brey | Mike Krzyzewski | 1989 | Cleveland Cavaliers (2nd) |
| Darrell Griffith | Louisville | Wade Houston | Denny Crum | 1980 | Utah Jazz (2nd) |
| Larry Hughes | Saint Louis | Derek Thomas | Charlie Spoonhour | 1998 | Philadelphia 76ers (8th) |
| Jeff Lamp | Virginia | Richard Schmidt | Terry Holland | 1981 | Portland Trail Blazers (15th) |
| Raymond Lewis | Cal State Los Angeles | Caldwell Black | Bob Miller | 1973 | Philadelphia 76ers (17th) |
| Jamaal Magloire | Kentucky | Simeon Mars | Rick Pitino | 2000 | Charlotte Hornets (19th) |
| Calvin Natt | Northeast Louisiana | Mike Vining | Lenny Fant | 1979 | New Jersey Nets (8th) |
| Lamar Odom | Rhode Island | Jerry DeGregorio | Jim Harrick | 1999 | Los Angeles Clippers (4th) |
| Stanley Roberts | Louisiana State | Jim Childers | Dale Brown | 1991 | Orlando Magic (23rd) |
| Jalen Rose | Michigan | Perry Watson | Steve Fisher | 1994 | Denver Nuggets (13th) |
| Brian Skinner | Baylor | Harry Miller | Darrel Johnson | 1998 | Los Angeles Clippers (22nd) |
| Steve Stipanovich | Missouri | Rich Grawer | Norm Stewart | 1983 | Indiana Pacers (2nd) |
| Kenny Thomas | New Mexico | Ron Garcia | Dave Bliss | 1999 | Houston Rockets (22nd) |
| Tim Thomas | Villanova | Jimmy Salmon | Steve Lappas | 1997 | New Jersey Nets (7th) |
| Wayman Tisdale | Oklahoma | Mike Mims | Billy Tubbs | 1985 | Indiana Pacers (2nd) |
| Trent Tucker | Minnesota | Jessie Evans | Jim Dutcher | 1982 | New York Knicks (6th) |
| Darnell Valentine | Kansas | Lafayette Norwood | Ted Owens | 1981 | Portland Trail Blazers (16th) |
| Frank Williams | Illinois | Wayne McClain | Bill Self | 2002 | Denver Nuggets (25th) |