Player and coach reunited in Las Vegas when Jonathon Simmons ran up to Ken McDonald and gave him a giant hug.
Simmons spent two seasons playing for McDonald with the Austin Spurs, and just before Summer League earlier this month, Simmons found out he was getting an NBA contract in San Antonio. Simmons told his coach about getting the call and telling his mother that he was an NBA player.
“Coach,” he said, “she cried all night.”
For McDonald, it was another reminder of why he loves being a D-League coach. McDonald’s there for the long practices and the constant drills as players develop into NBA material.