Dan Hurley, head coach of the University of Connecticut, who won the NCAA men’s basketball championship for two consecutive years, refused to be the LA Lakers coach after listening to his student J.R. Smith.
The Associated Press reported on Monday (Korea Standard Time) that Hurley, who led the University of Connecticut to the top of the NCAA Division I for the second consecutive year, was offered by the Lakers to lead the team but expressed his intention to remain in the university. He turned down the Lakers’ offer of six years and 70 million dollars.
Hurley said, “I am proud of the championship culture that we have built at the University of Connecticut. I will focus on maintaining the championship position next season as well.” 메이저놀이터
The University of Connecticut won the NCAA Tournament in the 2023-2024 season with 12 wins and no losses.
The Lakers are all-in on appointing Hurley as their next coach.
ESPN reported on the 8th that Hurley met with the owner and general manager of the Lakers, where the Lakers reportedly made a huge offer to Hurler.
In response, a former Laker and longtime teammate of LeBron James warned him.
J.R. Smith, who spent 16 seasons in the NBA, tagged Hurley on social media on the 8th, writing, “Don’t get tricked!”
Smith played for Hurley from 2002 to 2004. He then went on to become a professional, played for the Cleveland Cavaliers for five years, and co-starred with James for four years.
Smith and James won the NBA title together in the 2015-16 season. James left for the Lakers ahead of the 2018-19 season, and Smith joined the Lakers midway through the 2020 season. He appeared in six regular-season games and 10 post-season games for the Lakers. It was Smith’s last season in the NBA. He then attended North Carolina A&T State University, where he turned into a golfer.
The New York Post reported that Smith and James maintained good relations but had problems with the Lakers. For this reason, Smith warned Hurley not to take over as Lakers coach.
