Pair of former Gators win NBA title on OKC Thunder staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA championship on Sunday led by head coach Mark Daigneault, who spent four seasons (2010-14) on the Florida Gators men’s basketball staff. In addition, former UF player DeVon Walker (2012-16) serves as the Thunder’s director of advance scouting and player analyst.
OKC defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in the first Finals Game 7 since 2016. Both Daigneault and Walker were part of two SEC championship teams (2013, 2014) and a Final Four (2014) during their time in Gainesville.
“This was a dream for everybody here at one point in our lives,” Daigneault said in his postgame TV interview Sunday. “There was one point where we didn’t know if we were going to be in the NBA, from players to staff to coaches, and it’s a privilege we’re incredibly grateful for.”
During Daigneault’s four years under Billy Donovan at UF, where he served as assistant to the head coach, the Gators posted a 120-30 record (.800), won three SEC championships and advanced to the Elite Eight every season and the Final Four in 2014. He earned his master’s degree in sport management while at UF.
“The University of Florida, Coach Donovan, the Florida basketball staff and players that I had the privilege of working with contributed to my personal and professional growth, and for that I am grateful as I embark on this opportunity with the Thunder organization,” Daigneault said in 2014 after being hired by OKC.
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Daigneault left the Gators after being named the D-League head coach for Oklahoma City. Donovan was hired by The Thunder the following year and spent five seasons in OKC — reuniting with Daigneault — before becoming the Chicago Bulls coach in 2020. Daigneault was promoted as Donovan’s replacement and has won the title in Year 5.
Walker played in 60 career games at Florida with seven starts, averaging 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds.
A pair of past Gators were also represented in the NBA Finals with the Indiana Pacers. Andrew Nembhard averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 assists in 67 games at UF from 2018-20, and Pacers assistant coach Mike Weinar was a former UF manager (2004-08). Nembhard averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 assists during the seven-game series against OKC.
This marks the second straight season that Florida has had ties with the NBA champions (2024, Al Horford, Boston) and the third time in the last four seasons (2022, Chris Chiozza, Golden State).
