‘Icon’ Bibby grateful to be at Sacramento State
SACRAMENTO, Calif.– Mike Bibby and Shaquille O’Neal are going to be blending it up once again, all these years later.No more Sacramento Kings-Los Angeles Lakers competition or on-court trash talk. Now, it’s Bibby the college coach and O’Neal the student-athlete father.Good thing they get along terrific nowadays– due to the fact that Shaq’s boy, Shaqir, verbally devoted to bet Bibby in the former Kings star’s brand-new position as head coach at Sacramento State.”Me and Shaq have a good relationship. It most likely wasn’t good when we were betting each other,”Bibby said with a grin when formally presented at the school Tuesday.”There was a great deal of shot to get a rivalry going, try to succeed time in the league. “Don’t be surprised if more NBA players’sons end up in California’s capital with one of the most precious
stars to come through the Sacramento franchise. Bibby’s phone hasn’t stopped sounding considering that he was hired recently to take control of the program. He does not even have time anymore to take his day-to-day naps.The 46-year-old Bibby is ready to lead the Hornets back into contention in the Big Sky Conference right now after
they ended up 7-25 last season.”How amazing is this, take a look at our new head coach,”athletic director Mark Orr said.”Today’s introduction of Coach Bibby marks an effective turn of occasions here at Sacramento State over the last couple years. Our university is definitely rising. “Bibby retired in 2012 and has actually had different coaching tasks considering that. He won 5 state titles and coached 25 players who received college scholarships in six seasons as coach at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix. He also has been an assistant for the Puerto Rican National Group, summertime league groups for Cleveland and Memphis, and the NBA G-League Ignite.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”Mike isn’t simply a basketball legend, he’s a Sacramento legend,”Sacramento State President Dr. Luke Wood stated.”The city embraced him throughout his NBA years
and he’s returning that love by selecting to lead our program. He comprehends the spirit of this location, the grit, the underdog mindset, the pride and decision and he’s ready to build something that’s unique right here at Sacramento State. With Coach Bibby at the helm we are raising the bar.” Orr said he received questions about the job from NBA-level coaches on down,” and I kept coming back to one of the best basketball minds that this city has actually ever seen. He loves this neighborhood and wishes to be here.
“And Bibby wishes to leave an enduring mark and construct something unique here. He knows the student-athletes will want to him as an example of somebody who has been at the top.”I’m not pleased with just being here. I
don’t wish to let the city down and I’m going to do my hardest not to,”Bibby said. “These kids are attempting to get to where I’ve been, and why not get it from somebody that’s existed before?”Bibby won an NCAA championship as a player at Arizona in 1997 and then starred in the NBA for 14 seasons, with his most effective stint coming during 7 seasons with the Kings. He assisted Sacramento reach Video game 7 of the 2002 Western
Conference Finals before losing to O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.Bibby’s players can’t wait to get going. “He’s a legend, and I believe the city needs somebody that’s going to reflect it culturally,” senior guard EJ Neal stated.”He’s an icon in Sacramento.”Bibby is ready to teach–” Whatever needs to be precise. We do it hard or we do it once again
.”And he plans to set up leading non-conference challengers– “They’ll neglect us.”He has no doubt the Hornets will win instantly, adding that”I have plans of taking this conference by storm.”
“Having actually a coach come in here to teach us and to try and press us and hold us responsible so we can improve and get to that position where he was I think is the greatest
thing, “senior forward Jalen Pitre said.Even with all of that confidence and swag, Bibby was clearly a bit emotional and overcome by this full-circle moment.”I’m lost for words today, I’m nervous as you guys can inform,”Bibby said.”I’m simply ready, I’ve been all set for this for a long period of time.”