KU includes former star player Vaughn to Self’s staff

• Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Writer Basketball recruiting expert. Signed up with ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.May 21, 2025, 03:58 PM ET Kansas is working with previous star player and

• two-time NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn as

an assistant coach, the school announced on Wednesday.Vaughn is the first-ever former NBA head coach to join Kansas’coaching staff. “I’m truly honored and overwhelmed with enjoyment to return to my university and sign up with Coach Self’s staff as an assistant coach,” Vaughn stated.” The game of basketball

has actually offered me the amazing privilege to coach, coach, and compete alongside some of the best in the game. I couldn’t skip the chance to bring those experiences back to the school that implies a lot to me. It’s a true blessing to when again belong to the Jayhawk tradition.”Vaughn played at Kansas from 1993-97, winning Huge 8 Gamer of the Year honors in 1996 and making second-team All-America recognition in both 1996 and 1997. His jersey was retired in 2002 and he ranks 3rd all-time in program history in helps.”We’re very thrilled to welcome Jacque and [his partner] Laura into the fold,”head coach Costs Self said.”I have actually understood Jacque from a distance for a number of years now and have constantly appreciated how he has conducted himself professionally and how he has actually treated people. I believe he will be an exceptional addition to our program, while also serving as a fantastic mentor, coach and agent of Kansas basketball. We lost an awesome coach in Standard [Roberts] when he retired however feel extremely lucky to have replaced him with a significant Jayhawk that has a distinct and outstanding resume.” After being prepared in the preliminary of the 1997 NBA draft, Vaughn had a 12-year NBA career, highlighted by an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. He invested 3 seasons as an assistant coach with the Spurs under Gregg Popovich before being employed as the head coach of the Orlando Magic in

2012. His second stint as an NBA head coach came in 2022, when he took control of as the Brooklyn Nets interim head coach following Steve Nash’s departure and was promoted to the irreversible job 8 days later on. Vaughn guided the Nets to the 2023 NBA playoffs.Vaughn joins a staff of longtime Self lieutenants, including Kurtis Townsend, Joe Dooley and Jeremy Case. He replaces Standard Roberts, who retired earlier this offseason.