The coaching tree from Naismith to Popovich

Posted Jun 17, 2014
This graphic via Reddit shows how to trace the professional lineage of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's coaching tree all the way back to the inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith. It shows you how direct the descendency is. Just five branches to Popovich. From Naismith to "Phog" Allen to Dean Smith to Larry Brown to Popovich, and there you are. (CBS Sports)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball Offers Quinn Costello; NBA Summer League; QB Conundrum?
Host Isaac Schade discusses class of 2026 4-star forward Quinn Costello's offer and meteoric rise, from unranked to 72nd nationally, Tar Heels in the NBA...
Mon Jul 7, 2025

Author Ron Smith Details UNC Basketball History Books
When Ron Smith walked into North Carolina's Wilson Library, he wasn’t looking for a passion project. He was looking for a distraction. It was 2005,...
Mon Jul 7, 2025

Nuggets newcomer Cam Johnson’s path to NBA stardom paved by hard work, smarts
Cam Johnson is set to replace Michael Porter in Denver's starting lineup after a career year in Brooklyn, where he compiled 18.8 points per game...
Sun Jul 6, 2025

Multiple Tar Heels participating in 2025 NBA Summer Leagues
The annual NBA Summer League action gets underway on July 5, as there will be games played in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and California...
Sat Jul 5, 2025