Nate McMillan facts for kids
McMillan with the Atlanta Hawks in 2021
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| Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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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Nathaniel "Nate" McMillan (born 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).
Nate McMillan played his entire 12-year NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics. After retiring as a player, he became a coach. He led the SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, and Indiana Pacers as head coach. He also served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks before becoming their head coach. His long time with the SuperSonics earned him the nickname "Mr. Sonic."
Contents
Early Life and College Basketball
Nate McMillan grew up in North Carolina, a state famous for 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 NC State reach the "Elite Eight" in the NCAA championship tournament twice. This happened in both 1985 and 1986. During his college years, he played with several future NBA players.
Playing Career in the NBA
The Seattle SuperSonics picked Nate McMillan in the 1986 NBA draft. He stayed with the SuperSonics for his entire 12-year playing career. He was known for his excellent defense.
McMillan led the NBA in steals per game in the 1993–94 season. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice. He even recorded four triple-doubles during his career. A triple-double is when a player gets double-digit numbers in three different stats, like points, rebounds, and assists.
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 one of the few teams to beat the Bulls multiple times that season.
Because he spent 19 years with the team as a player and coach, he was called "Mr. Sonic." The SuperSonics honored him by retiring his number 10 jersey. This means no other player on that team can wear that number.
Coaching Journey
Seattle SuperSonics (1998–2005)
After retiring as a player in 1998, McMillan became an assistant coach for the Seattle SuperSonics. In 2000, he became the interim head coach. He later became the full-time head coach.
In the 2004–05 season, he led the team to a strong 52–30 record. They made it to the Western Conference semifinals that year.
Portland Trail Blazers (2005–2012)
In 2005, Nate McMillan left Seattle to become the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was known for his tough coaching style, which earned him the nickname "Sarge."
He helped calm the team and improve their performance. Even when his team faced many injuries, he led them to 50 wins in the 2009–10 season. He coached the Blazers until March 2012.
Indiana Pacers (2013–2020)
In 2013, McMillan joined the Indiana Pacers as an assistant coach. In 2016, he was promoted to head coach. During his time, the Pacers made the playoffs in all four seasons.
This was impressive, especially after their star player, Paul George, left the team. The Pacers succeeded thanks to new players like Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. McMillan was fired in August 2020 after the team was swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks (2020–2023)
In November 2020, McMillan became an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks. In March 2021, he became the interim head coach. Under his leadership, the Hawks went on an eight-game winning streak.
They finished the season strong, ending a four-year playoff drought. The Hawks even made it to the Eastern Conference finals. This was only the second time in 54 years for the team. They lost in six games to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In July 2021, McMillan officially became the Hawks' head coach. He signed a four-year contract. However, in February 2023, the Hawks fired McMillan.
Los Angeles Lakers (2024–present)
On August 5, 2024, Nate McMillan joined the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff. He is now an assistant coach under head coach JJ Redick.
National Team Coaching
Nate McMillan has also coached for the U.S. national team. He was an assistant coach for the Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012. The U.S. team won gold medals in both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
He also helped the U.S. team win a bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. McMillan is also in the National Junior College Basketball Hall of Fame. This is because of his great performance at Chowan College.
Career statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Source
NBA
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–87 | Seattle | 71 | 50 | 27.8 | .475 | .000 | .617 | 4.7 | 8.2 | 1.8 | .6 | 5.3 |
| 1987–88 | Seattle | 82 | 82* | 29.9 | .474 | .375 | .707 | 4.1 | 8.6 | 2.1 | .6 | 7.6 |
| 1988–89 | Seattle | 75 | 74 | 31.2 | .410 | .214 | .630 | 5.2 | 9.3 | 2.1 | .6 | 7.3 |
| 1989–90 | Seattle | 82* | 69 | 28.5 | .473 | .355 | .641 | 4.9 | 7.3 | 1.7 | .5 | 6.4 |
| 1990–91 | Seattle | 78 | 0 | 18.4 | .433 | .354 | .613 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 1.3 | .3 | 4.3 |
| 1991–92 | Seattle | 72 | 30 | 22.9 | .437 | .276 | .643 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 1.8 | .4 | 6.0 |
| 1992–93 | Seattle | 73 | 25 | 27.1 | .464 | .385 | .709 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 2.4 | .5 | 7.5 |
| 1993–94 | Seattle | 73 | 8 | 25.8 | .447 | .391 | .564 | 3.9 | 5.3 | 3.0* | .3 | 6.0 |
| 1994–95 | Seattle | 80 | 18 | 25.9 | .418 | .342 | .586 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 2.1 | .7 | 5.2 |
| 1995–96 | Seattle | 55 | 14 | 22.9 | .420 | .340 | .707 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 1.7 | .3 | 5.0 |
| 1996–97 | Seattle | 37 | 2 | 21.6 | .409 | .333 | .655 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 1.6 | .2 | 4.6 |
| 1997–98 | Seattle | 18 | 1 | 15.5 | .343 | .441 | 1.000 | 2.2 | 3.1 | .8 | .2 | 3.4 |
| Career | 796 | 373 | 25.7 | .443 | .343 | .650 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 1.9 | .5 | 5.9 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Seattle | 14 | 14 | 25.4 | .435 | – | .708 | 3.9 | 8.0 | 1.0 | .7 | 5.1 |
| 1988 | Seattle | 5 | 5 | 25.4 | .343 | .000 | .643 | 4.2 | 6.6 | .4 | .6 | 6.6 |
| 1989 | Seattle | 8 | 7 | 25.5 | .475 | .000 | .640 | 3.1 | 7.9 | 1.3 | .6 | 6.8 |
| 1991 | Seattle | 5 | 0 | 19.0 | .261 | .000 | .500 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.2 | .2 | 2.8 |
| 1992 | Seattle | 9 | 2 | 27.3 | .422 | .231 | .714 | 3.7 | 7.0 | 1.8 | .3 | 9.6 |
| 1993 | Seattle | 19 | 2 | 21.8 | .340 | .208 | .533 | 3.5 | 5.4 | 2.1 | .6 | 4.8 |
| 1994 | Seattle | 5 | 0 | 21.8 | .320 | .364 | .250 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | .2 | 4.2 |
| 1995 | Seattle | 4 | 4 | 28.3 | .348 | .125 | 1.000 | 4.5 | 7.3 | 2.5 | .5 | 4.8 |
| 1996 | Seattle | 19 | 0 | 20.3 | .406 | .475 | .643 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.2 | .3 | 4.4 |
| 1997 | Seattle | 3 | 0 | 13.7 | .000 | .000 | – | 1.7 | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | .0 |
| 1998 | Seattle | 7 | 0 | 14.1 | .333 | .167 | 1.000 | 2.3 | 2.1 | .4 | .3 | 2.3 |
| Career | 98 | 34 | 22.3 | .381 | .289 | .632 | 3.5 | 5.2 | 1.3 | .4 | 5.0 | |
Head coaching record
| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 2000–01 | 67 | 38 | 29 | .567 | 5th in Pacific | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| Seattle | 2001–02 | 82 | 45 | 37 | .549 | 4th in Pacific | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Lost in First round |
| Seattle | 2002–03 | 82 | 40 | 42 | .488 | 5th in Pacific | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| Seattle | 2003–04 | 82 | 37 | 45 | .451 | 5th in Pacific | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| Seattle | 2004–05 | 82 | 52 | 30 | .634 | 1st in Northwest | 11 | 6 | 5 | .545 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
| Portland | 2005–06 | 82 | 21 | 61 | .256 | 5th in Northwest | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| Portland | 2006–07 | 82 | 32 | 50 | .390 | 3rd in Northwest | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| Portland | 2007–08 | 82 | 41 | 41 | .500 | 3rd in Northwest | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| Portland | 2008–09 | 82 | 54 | 28 | .659 | 1st in Northwest | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in First round |
| Portland | 2009–10 | 82 | 50 | 32 | .610 | 3rd in Northwest | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in First round |
| Portland | 2010–11 | 82 | 48 | 34 | .585 | 3rd in Northwest | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in First round |
| Portland | 2011–12 | 43 | 20 | 23 | .465 | (fired) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Indiana | 2016–17 | 82 | 42 | 40 | .512 | 4th in Central | 4 | 0 | 4 | .000 | Lost in First round |
| Indiana | 2017–18 | 82 | 48 | 34 | .585 | 2nd in Central | 7 | 3 | 4 | .429 | Lost in First round |
| Indiana | 2018–19 | 82 | 48 | 34 | .585 | 2nd in Central | 4 | 0 | 4 | .000 | Lost in First round |
| Indiana | 2019–20 | 73 | 45 | 28 | .616 | 2nd in Central | 4 | 0 | 4 | .000 | Lost in First round |
| Atlanta | 2020–21 | 38 | 27 | 11 | .711 | 1st in Southeast | 18 | 10 | 8 | .556 | Lost in Conference finals |
| Atlanta | 2021–22 | 82 | 43 | 39 | .524 | 2nd in Southeast | 5 | 1 | 4 | .200 | Lost in First round |
| Atlanta | 2022–23 | 59 | 29 | 30 | .492 | (fired) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Career | 1,428 | 760 | 668 | .534 | 76 | 28 | 48 | .368 | |||
Family Life
Nate McMillan's son, Jamelle, also played basketball. He was a guard for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Jamelle has also been an assistant coach in the NBA. He worked for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Atlanta Hawks.
See also
- List of NBA career steals leaders
- List of NBA single-game assists leaders
- List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise
