Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan
William John Donovan, Jr.is an American professional basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. He previously spent 19 seasons at the University of Florida, where his Florida Gators men's basketball teams won two NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships in 2006 and 2007. Donovan has more wins than any other coach in the history of the Florida basketball program, and he coached the Gators to more NCAA tournament appearances,...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth30 May 1965
CityRockville Centre, NY
I really feel bad for Lee, because Lee is a good kid. He is one guy who is so conscientious in the way he lives his life. He eats correctly, he gets to bed early and he is at every tutor and every study hall. He is such a perfect kid in a lot of ways. For him, it bothers me as a coach that he can't be out there.
I probably won't start him. Lee is getting better and is progressing, but he probably won't start until he shows me that he can get through a full practice healthy.
In the SEC Tournament if you can get a bye, that's always a great thing. It's certainly very hard playing four consecutive games in a row to win an SEC championship.
In the second half, it's a little bit different because your point guard is coming at you. But there is no question that it's a different environment. It's a different place to play in.
In the NCAA tournament, there are two things people love to see -- a Cinderella story and a team that is so powerful and explosive they look invincible.
I'm fine with them. I think we're a basketball team where different players have stepped up at different times.
I knew both teams played sound defense. I thought whoever could attack better had the best chance to win this game.
I laugh when people say they are better off without him. He is one of the most dominant frontline players in the SEC.
I hope the people at Arizona State realize what just happened. When you talk about the complete and total package of a coach, he's it.
I hope that someday, if I'm here long enough, that we can have that sort of thing.
I'm very blessed and thankful to coach these kids.
I'm sure he'd have too because he's got some wiring in his teeth right now. If he did, he'd definitely have to wear something. I don't know how he feels about that or if that would be comfortable with him, but my guess would be he'd have to do something.
I'm very critical of myself, and I know that you need to realize your mistakes to grow.
I had the chance to talk to those guys, and that's what they want to do. I think they're having a lot of fun here. I think they're a different type of kids.