Wooden will consult for ABA
Legendary UCLA men’s basketball head coach John Wooden was
introduced as a consultant to the American Basketball
Association’s Los Angeles Stars at a news conference Thursday
afternoon at the Great Western Forum.
Rejuvenating the upstart professional league that started
it’s inaugural season last month, the 90-year-old Wooden
asked not to be paid, but the 10-time NCAA Champion coach will earn
a “˜minimal’ salary for attending games and practices
and being available for questions.
“I agreed to serve in the capacity that they wanted
““ sort of an adviser,” Wooden said Tuesday to the Los
Angeles Times.
“I’d do it for nothing. I didn’t really want
anything, but they insisted I take a little something.”
The job will reunite Wooden with one of his former players,
Jamaal Wilkes, who is the Stars’ vice president of basketball
operations. “I agreed, to be honest, because of
Jamaal,” Wooden said.
“I’m very, very fond of him. I don’t know of a
finer person.
“If he’s involved in it and thinks in any way that I
can be of help, I’d like to help Jamaal.”
The Los Angeles franchise currently has three former Bruins on
the squad: Ed O’Bannon (1992-95), Toby Bailey (1995-98) and
JaRon Rush (1998-2000).
Brief compiled by AJ Cadman, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.