The only top 10 draft prospect still in play may be Kentucky's Julius Randle, but the Lakers should keep their other eye on a potential candidate -- Connecticut Coach Kevin Ollie.
In just his second year as head coach of the Huskies, Ollie has exceeded expectations. The 13-year NBA veteran seems destined to coach his way back to the association.
As a rookie coach, Ollie was named the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year by CollegeInsider.com after a 20-10 season. He improved this season to 30-8, getting past Michigan State (fourth), Iowa State (third), Villanova (second) and St. Joseph's (10th) for the Final Four berth.
With an impressive, albeit brief, coaching record at Connecticut, but no NBA experience on a bench, why Ollie for the Lakers?
In his final season as a player, Ollie put in a year with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2009-10), making a significant impression on All-Star Kevin Durant.
"Kevin Ollie, he was a game-changer for us," said Durant to Bill Simmons in February, during All-Star weekend. "He changed the whole culture, I think. He might not say it, but I think he changed the whole culture in Oklahoma City."
In 2008-09, the Thunder won just 23 games. The following season, Ollie's lone year with the franchise, Oklahoma City made the jump to 50 wins, losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Lakers in a six-game series.
What was it about Ollie that made such a difference?
"His mind-set, his professionalism every single day," said Durant. "And we all watched that. We all wanted to be like that."
One of the Crenshaw High School all time basketball greats. He's done a hell of a job at UCONN in such a short time frame. He's young, played in the NBA himself and has the respect of the players. You like the idea being floated out there by Eric Pincus?
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