In a shocking move that sent ripples throughout the college basketball world, Dusty May became the first college basketball coach to leave for an NBA job since John Beilein in 2019. May’s decision to leave Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks was a bold one, especially given the fact that he had just led the Wolverines to their first national title since 1989. However, May’s rationale for leaving was not entirely unexpected, given the pressures and uncertainties of the college basketball landscape.
The Allure of the NBA
The NBA offers a level of stability and security that is hard to find in the college basketball world. With its lucrative salaries, state-of-the-art facilities, and top-notch resources, the NBA is an attractive destination for many coaches who feel that they have reached the pinnacle of their careers in college. For May, who had achieved a remarkable turnaround with Michigan, the opportunity to coach in the NBA was too good to pass up.
But May’s decision raises questions about who could be next to make the jump to the NBA. With the college basketball landscape constantly changing, it’s not a matter of if, but when, another coach will leave for the professional ranks. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top contenders who could be next to make the leap.
Luke Loucks, Florida State
At just 36 years old, Luke Loucks is one of the youngest coaches in the country. However, he’s already made a name for himself as a rising star in the college basketball world. With a background in the NBA, working for the Warriors, Suns, and Kings from 2016-25, Loucks has the skills and experience to compete at the highest level. His first season at Florida State portended great promise, and he’s definitely someone to watch in the coming years.
Given his young age and the fact that he’s still building his reputation as a coach, it’s hard to see Loucks leaving his alma mater, Florida State, anytime soon. However, as his career trajectory continues to rise, it’s not a matter of if, but when, he’ll be considered for an NBA job. With his NBA background and strong career trajectory, Loucks is a prime candidate to wind up patrolling an NBA sideline at some point in the next decade.
Jon Scheyer, Duke
Jon Scheyer is another coach who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for an NBA job. With a background in the NBA, working for the Warriors, and a strong track record as a coach at Duke, Scheyer is definitely someone to watch. His decision to stay at Duke, despite interest from the Mavericks, was a smart one, given the program’s potential to win a national title this season.
However, if Scheyer does decide to leave Duke, he’ll be a highly sought-after candidate. With his talent acquisition skills and ability to assemble a loaded roster, Scheyer is a coach who can compete at the highest level. When, or if, he does make the jump to the NBA, it will be a significant loss for Duke, but a gain for the league.
Todd Golden, Florida
Todd Golden is another coach who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for an NBA job. With a background in coaching skilled size, which is exactly in line with what the supersized NBA is all about, Golden is a coach who could thrive in the professional ranks. His decision to stay at Florida, despite interest from other programs, was a smart one, given the program’s potential to win a national title this season.
However, Golden’s competitive juices are definitely there, and he’s someone who could be tempted by the opportunity to coach in the NBA. With his background in coaching skilled size and his ability to assemble a loaded roster, Golden is a coach who could compete at the highest level. When, or if, he does make the jump to the NBA, it will be a significant loss for Florida, but a gain for the league.
Kevin Young, BYU
Kevin Young is a coach who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for an NBA job. With a background in coaching in the professional ranks, including a stint with Phoenix, Young is a coach who could thrive in the NBA. His decision to stay at BYU, despite interest from other programs, was a smart one, given the program’s potential to win a national title this season.
However, Young’s competitive juices are definitely there, and he’s someone who could be tempted by the opportunity to coach in the NBA. With his background in coaching in the professional ranks and his ability to assemble a loaded roster, Young is a coach who could compete at the highest level. When, or if, he does make the jump to the NBA, it will be a significant loss for BYU, but a gain for the league.
In conclusion, while it’s impossible to predict with certainty who will be next to make the jump to the NBA, one thing is clear: the allure of the NBA is strong, and many coaches will be tempted by the opportunity to coach in the professional ranks. With the college basketball landscape constantly changing, it’s not a matter of if, but when, another coach will leave for the NBA. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping a close eye on these top contenders, who could be next to make the leap.
