Former Jayhawk Aaron Miles, one of the best playmakers in Kansas basketball history, is joining Ime Udoka’s coaching staff with the Houston Rockets.
The Kansas Jayhawks have an extensive lineage throughout the basketball world. Whether it be a current player or coach, KU alumni can be found just about anywhere in the NBA. Aaron Miles is a prime example of that, as he has spent time as a player and development/assistant coach.
Miles, a 6-foot-1 pesky defender who played two seasons for both Roy Williams and Bill Self, was the definition of a true point guard. He averaged 6.4 assists per game or more in all four of his years as a Jayhawk, cementing himself as one of the savviest players in Kansas basketball history.
Although he only played 19 games in the NBA, Miles made his way back into the league in 2019 as a player development coach with the Golden State Warriors. After spending two seasons in the Bay Area, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka hired him as an assistant coach in 2021.
Find out which Kansas basketball single-game record Aaron Miles broke by clicking here.
Despite leading Boston to an NBA Finals appearance during his first year, the organization fired him for having an improper relationship with a woman in the workplace.
After a one-year hiatus, he is set to return as the Houston Rockets head coach, signing a $28.5 million deal over four years. One of the first moves he made while in charge of the team was to hire three new assistants — Miles being one of them. He formed a close relationship with Coach Udoka during his time there, even though it was short-lived.
Soon to be #Rockets assistant coach Aaron Miles has worked as an assistant coach with the Celtics, after working as a player development coach for the Golden State Warriors from 2019-2021. He is also a former teammate of Ime Idoka. pic.twitter.com/4i5Xqql8dw
— 𝕁 𝔻𝕦𝕓𝕓 (@TheMindOfJDubb) May 31, 2023
Mike Moser and Ben Sullivan will join Miles as assistant coaches in Houston. The Rockets tied for the second-worst record in the NBA last season, so the new coaching staff certainly has their work cut out for them.
It is encouraging to see Miles climb the ranks as an assistant, similar to what fellow Kansas point guard Jacque Vaughn had to do. He is only 40 years old, so it is not out of the question for him to land a head coaching job in the near future.
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