UNC CHARLOTTE |
49 e rs N o te b o o k
Gymologist Mark Price brings his coaching, teaching prowess to UNC Charlotte By Tom Whitestone
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eneath the shadow of a basketball hoop in the 49ers’ Charles Hayward Memorial practice gym, former collegiate and NBA star Mark Price was introduced as the 49ers men’s basketball coach on March 26. Fitting it seemed. Price grew up in basketball gyms. He lists his father first among those coaches who had the greatest influence on him. He lists as well Bobby Cremins, Lenny Wilkins, Stan Van Gundy and Steve Clifford. But his father, a lifelong coach, comes first. That’s the life Mark Price grew up with and it’s the life Price has known — from his many years as a player to his last eight as an NBA assistant coach. He may have made his name in those spacious arenas, but he made his game in those practice gyms. At 5 feet 11 inches tall, he wasn’t a prototypical basketball player. He had to outwork, outthink and outprepare his opponents. Some credit him with the slip screen — the move by the point guard to cut around a screen and then slip inside and by the oncoming defender. He was known for his shooting ability — which still ranks among the best in NBA history, both from the foul line and the 3-point mark. And he was described as a floor general — a coach on the floor, as it were, who was entrusted to make the right decisions at the right time. All of which was honed and sharpened in the practice gym. When his playing days had past, he took up the role of mentor, helping to coach others and working with them on a regular basis in the practice gym. The Charlotte Hornets’ Michael KiddGilchrist’s improved shooting touch has been credited to Price, who served as the team’s shooting coach for the last two years. Hornets point guard Kemba Walker credits
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Price with his better court awareness and decision-making. Bobby Cremins, who coached Price at Georgia Tech, believes Price has all the tools to be an excellent collegiate coach. Cremins has seen what type of competitor Price is. When Price arrived at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets were an afterthought in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). When he left, they had won an ACC title and were preseason league favorites. In the NBA, in Cleveland, he helped take a team from sub-.500 play to seven NBA playoff appearances in eight years. Five of his first seven years as an NBA assistant included trips to the NBA playoffs. Historically, he has helped build programs, either through his play or his counsel. In 1994 he helped the USA win gold at the FIBA World Championships as a member of Dream Team II. He played alongside Reggie Miller, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal and Dominique Wilkins. He averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists. He hit 42 percent of his 3-pointers (19-of-45) and in the gold-medal game scored 12 points with five rebounds, five assists and no turnovers. Now he brings his game to the 49ers. His goal is the same as it was with each of his other teams — to improve the team and elevate the program. He wants to instill his work ethic and competitive fire into the 49ers so that these players have a chance to leave a similar mark on their teams. He wants to surround himself with players and coaches who are determined to get better. He wants to surround himself with individuals determined to excel. And he wants to get to work as coach and teacher. It all starts in the practice gym. His home away from home.
Director of Athletics Judy Rose and Mark Price
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Bobby Cremins, Mark Price’s coach at Georgia Tech in the 1980s: “Mark has coaching in his blood. He has stayed with the game, and he knows the game.” Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets head coach: “Mark has an amazing basketball mind. He possesses all of the necessary traits required to be an effective head coach. He is a natural leader who has great knowledge and the mental toughness to deal with the adversity that will come with building a program. He will be an outstanding role model for his players.” Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker: “Mark has helped me become a better basketball player. He has taught me a lot about the game, about being a point guard, about being a leader. I know I can go to him with any question and he’ll be able to help me.” Jim Rome on The Jim Rome Show: “I love that hire. The effect that he’s had on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker. The fact that he played in the NBA as long as he did — had the career he had. A coach’s son. I think that’s a genius hire. I think that’s a great, great hire.” Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who took a later flight to a Hornets road game in order to attend Price’s introductory press conference: “Mark is a great coach and a great teacher. I trust his advice and opinions completely. He is an all-time great player, but he is also patient and understanding. He has had an incredible impact on my game.” www.UNCC.edu