Kids learn from former NBA player

JUMP SHOT— Left, basketball coach Don MacLean watches his team of firstgraders practice at White Oak Elementary School. MacLean is a former NBA player who now coaches his son's Westlake National Junior Basketball team. Below, MacLean's 6-10 frame eclipses the sun. To the 6- and 7-year-old boys on the Tigers Westlake National Junior Basketball team, former UCLA and professional star Don MacLean is just another dad. He's the father of their teammate, Kyle, and also the Tigers' coach.

But savvy fans remember MacLean, who's been a resident of Westlake Village for the past 11 years, from his days as a Bruin and his nine years on a variety of NBA teams across the country, including the Washington Bullets, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Seattle Supersonics, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat.

The 6-foot, 10-inch MacLean was named the NBA's most improved player for 199394, averaging 18.2 points per game. He retired from pro ball after the 2001-02 season.

A four-year starter in college, MacLean holds the record for points scored for both at UCLA and the Pac-10 Conference.

Now 39, MacLean remains involved in the sport not only as his son's coach, but also as a broadcaster for the past six years for UCLA and the Los Angeles Clippers.

This is MacLean's second year as a volunteer coach with Westlake NJB.

"As a coach, he is passionate about making basketball a fun part of his players' lives and the kids learn so much when they are with him," leage president Tami Miller said.

MacLean's goal is to teach the players the fundamentals of the game and make sure they improve by season's end. He wants the kids to have fun—within limits.

"Your teammates are counting on you to pay attention, to not be goofing around," he says. "That's an important part of learning to play sports. To get them acclimated at a young age to start learning the basics is good."

Not content to remain on the sidelines, MacLean wanted to share his knowledge of the game.

"It's refreshing for me to remember in watching these kids at 5, 6, 7 years old just play. There's no other stuff, no other coaches, no shoe companies, no recruiting," he says. "It's just playing, how to put that ball in the basket, how to dribble."

MacLean began playing basketball as a young child in his Simi Valley neighborhood.

He joined a basketball league and was coached by a teammate's father.

The name of that coach was Bob Hawking, who became the boys' basketball leader at Simi Valley High School, where MacLean later attended. Under Hawking's guidance, MacLean— who remains the leading scorer in Ventura County history—and his teammates won a 198788 sectional championship.

"I got exposed really early to good coaching," he recalls, "I just kind of fell in love with the game and spent a lot of time at it."

MacLean remembers playing on outdoor courts only when he was a boy.

"Our kids are lucky to have a gym to play in. Whether rain or cold they still get to play."

MacLean, who's also coached his 7yearold son Kyle in baseball and soccer, commends all volunteer coaches for their efforts.

"To put yourself out there to coach once, twice a week isn't easy for anyone. We all have jobs, we're busy," he says. "The ones that do find it pretty rewarding to coach your son, other kids and getting them to learn the game."

In addition to Kyle, who will be 7 in February, MacLean and his wife, Brooke, have two other sons, Blake, 4 and Trent, 3. MacLean plans to coach all three, but says it might be "tricky" juggling schedules.

MacLean admits to missing the pro game, but says he enjoys his continued involvement in the sport as a broadcaster. His bad left knee put him on the sidelines permanently.

"You can't play forever. I had some good years. The NBA is a great life, a great job and I enjoyed it, but where I'm at now and being able to watch my sons is great."