Coach Mike Krzyzewski exclusive: "I never considered it to be a challenge to go to the NBA—I thought it was pretty challenging to win the ACC!"
Mike Krzyzewski, widely regarded as one of the best basketball coaches in history, spent 42 years as the head coach of Duke University, winning numerous titles and accolades. In an interview with Olympics.com, Coach K reveals why he never signed for an NBA team, as well as his thoughts on USA basketball ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Basketball
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has explained why he never made the move from collegiate coaching to the lofty heights of the NBA.
During his 42-year tenure at Duke University, Krzyzewski led the Blue Devils to five national titles, 15 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament championships and 13 ACC regular season titles, remaining loyal to Duke despite the numerous opportunities he received throughout his career to coach in the NBA.
The Duke Blue Devils celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63.
"There were two opportunities [in particular] I had to go to the NBA, with the [Boston] Celtics in the 90's and the [Los Angeles] Lakers in 2005. But I love Duke, and I love college, especially how it was then," Krzyzewski says. "I'm not sure that if it was today, and I was that age, I wouldn't have gone.
"I never considered it to be a challenge to go to the NBA — I thought it was pretty challenging to win the ACC!
"I got my fix during the 11 years I coached the national team, and it made me appreciate the NBA even more, and that's why I'm associated with it [the NBA] now in an advisory role.
In a wide-ranging conversation , 'Coach K', as he is affectionately known in the basketball world, also touched on several key topics from his time coaching the USA men's national team, including:
- His first Olympic experience as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
- What he believes the USA does better than anyone else in international basketball
- A discussion on current USA head coach Steve Kerr and who will be part of the team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The entire interview with Mike Krzyzewski will be available to listen to on Wednesday, 8 November, on the Olympics.com podcast page, as well as on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Krzyzewski also offered his condolences to the family of fellow coach Bob Knight, who passed away aged 83 on 1 November. Knight was a three-time national champion as a college coach, and led the USA men's basketball team to the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“We lost one of the greatest coaches in the history of basketball today," Krzyzewski said. "Clearly, he was one of a kind. Coach Knight recruited me, mentored me, and had a profound impact on my career and in my life. This is a tremendous loss for our sport and our family is deeply saddened by his passing. We offer our sincerest condolences to Karen, Tim, Pat, and their families during this difficult time.”