Nate McMillan facts for kids
McMillan with the Atlanta Hawks in 2021
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| Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Assistant coach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 3, 1964 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| High school | William G. Enloe (Raleigh, North Carolina) |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 1986 / Round: 2 / Pick: 30th overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1986–1998 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 1998–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | NBA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As player: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1998 | Seattle SuperSonics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As coach: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2000 | Seattle SuperSonics (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2005 | Seattle SuperSonics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2012 | Portland Trail Blazers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2016 | Indiana Pacers (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2020 | Indiana Pacers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Atlanta Hawks (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2023 | Atlanta Hawks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–present | Los Angeles Lakers (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Points | 4,733 (5.9 ppg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assists | 4,893 (6.1 apg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steals | 1,544 (1.9 spg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Nate McMillan, born on August 3, 1964, is an American basketball coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He has coached several NBA teams, including the Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, and Indiana Pacers. Nate also worked as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks before becoming their head coach. He played his entire 12-year NBA career with the SuperSonics. Because he spent so much time with the team as both a player and coach, people called him "Mr. Sonic."
Contents
Early Life and College Basketball
Nate McMillan grew up in North Carolina, a state famous for its basketball. He went to William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh. After high school, he played basketball for two years at Chowan College.
Later, he transferred to North Carolina State University. There, he played for coach Jim Valvano. McMillan helped his team tie for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1985. They also reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA championship tournament in both 1985 and 1986.
Playing in the NBA
The Seattle SuperSonics picked Nate McMillan in the 1986 NBA draft. He played his entire 12-year professional career with this team. During his time as a player, he averaged about 5.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
McMillan is known for sharing the NBA rookie record for assists in a single game, with 25 assists. He was the main starting point guard for the SuperSonics for several years. He was especially good at defense, even leading the NBA in steals per game in the 1993–94 season. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice.
In the 1995–96 season, McMillan helped the SuperSonics reach the NBA Finals. They played against the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. The SuperSonics were the only team to beat the Bulls three times that season. Because of his long service to the team, the SuperSonics retired his number 10 jersey.
Coaching in the NBA
After he stopped playing in 1998, Nate McMillan became an assistant coach for the Seattle SuperSonics.
Seattle SuperSonics Head Coach
In 2000, McMillan became the interim head coach for the SuperSonics. He did well, and the team hired him as their full-time head coach for the 2001–02 season. He led them to the playoffs that year. In the 2004–05 season, he guided the team to a great record of 52 wins and 30 losses. They made it to the Western Conference semifinals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs.
Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach
In 2005, McMillan left Seattle to become the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He helped calm the team and was known for his tough coaching style, earning him the nickname "Sarge." In 2009, he injured his Achilles tendon while playing with his team during practice. Even with his injury, he led the team to 50 wins that season. He coached the Blazers until March 2012.
Indiana Pacers Head Coach
In 2013, McMillan joined the Indiana Pacers as an assistant coach. In May 2016, he was promoted to head coach. During his time with the Pacers, the team made the playoffs in all four seasons. This was impressive, especially after their star player, Paul George, left the team. The Pacers' success was helped by new players like Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, who both became All-Stars. McMillan's contract was extended in August 2020, but he was fired just two weeks later after the team lost in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Atlanta Hawks Head Coach
In November 2020, the Atlanta Hawks hired McMillan as an assistant coach. In March 2021, he became the interim head coach after the previous coach was fired. Under McMillan's leadership, the Hawks went on an eight-game winning streak. They finished the season strong, ending a four-year playoff drought.
The Hawks continued their success in the playoffs. They beat the New York Knicks and then upset the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. This led them to the Eastern Conference finals, a big achievement for the team. They won their first game in the conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks but eventually lost the series. In July 2021, McMillan officially became the Hawks' head coach with a four-year contract. However, in February 2023, the Hawks fired McMillan.
Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach
On August 5, 2024, Nate McMillan joined the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff as an assistant coach. He works under head coach JJ Redick.
National Team Coaching
Nate McMillan has also coached for the U.S. national team. He was an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for the team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He also helped the U.S. team win gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Personal Life
Nate McMillan is married and has two children. His son, Jamelle, also played basketball at Arizona State University. Jamelle has also worked as an assistant coach for NBA teams, including the New Orleans Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks.
See also
In Spanish: Nate McMillan para niños
