Larry Brown (basketball)

Larry Brown (born September 14, 1940) is an American basketball coach and former player. He is the only person in basketball history to have coached teams to both an NCAA Championship (Kansas, 1988) and an NBA Championship (Detroit Pistons, 2004).

Brown is known for his demanding coaching style, emphasis on fundamentals, and a commitment to team play. He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina under coach Dean Smith, leading the Tar Heels to the Final Four in 1961. He was also a member of the 1964 United States Olympic basketball team, which won a gold medal.

Following his playing career, Brown began coaching in the American Basketball Association (ABA), where he led the Denver Nuggets to the ABA Finals in 1975. He then transitioned to the NBA, coaching the Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Charlotte Bobcats. He also coached the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team from 1983 to 1988.

Brown is highly regarded for his ability to improve teams and develop players. He has a reputation for turning struggling franchises into contenders. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2001 with the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown has also coached internationally, including leading Maccabi Tel Aviv to the EuroLeague championship in 2014.

His coaching career has been marked by both success and controversy, including frequent job changes and occasional clashes with team management. Despite this, Brown remains a respected figure in basketball, known for his knowledge of the game and his commitment to coaching excellence.