USD graduate leads New York Knicks to NBA championship

Mike Brown accomplished a San Diego first on Saturday night, when he led the New York Knicks to a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs to clinch the NBA Finals in five games.

Brown, 56, became the first University of San Diego graduate to coach an NBA team to a title. Brown is a 1992 graduate of USD, where he played two seasons for longtime coach Hank Egan after transferring from Mesa Community College in Arizona. A 6-foot-3 guard, Brown averaged 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 57 games.

Brown has remained an involved alumnus. He was on campus last year, when USD opened its new practice facility and performance center.

First-year Toreros basketball coach JR Blount and athletic director Kimya Massey were among the USD officials to congratulate Brown in the hours after the Knicks' championship win.

"He continues to make USD proud by demonstrating the leadership, accountability, and commitment to excellence that define championship teams and cultures," Blount said. "Coach Brown's journey is a powerful example of the standard we strive for at USD and the impact Toreros continue to have across the NBA."

Massey called Brown's first title as a head coach "an incredible, historic and well-earned achievement."

“To reach the pinnacle of the sport as a head coach is a defining moment in a remarkable career, and we couldn't be more proud of the way he represents Torero basketball," Massey said. "We're also grateful for the continued connection he maintains with our program. His journey reflects the standard we strive for at USD - pursuing championships while doing it the right way and making your community proud. Coach Brown stands as a powerful example of the impact Toreros continue to have across the NBA and beyond.”

USD boasts an impressive array of NBA coaches, something you might not expect from a West Coast Conference program that’s appeared in just four NCAA Tournaments.

Five Toreros - Bernie Bickerstaff, Eric Musselman, David Fizdale, James Borrego and Brown - have been head coaches in the league.

Egan himself moved on from Alcala Park to become an assistant under Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. Brown worked alongside Egan in San Antonio from 2000 to 2003, joining the Spurs after Bickerstaff hired him as a video coordinator and scout with the Washington Wizards.

Brown was an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers for two seasons before being named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005. Brown spent six years over two stints as the Cavs' head coach, and also ran the Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and Sacramento Kings (2022-24). He won three championships as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors (2016-22), where he replaced San Diego native and University of San Diego High School graduate Luke Walton on Rancho Santa Fe resident Steve Kerr's staff.

Brown was at his best in New York. He posted a 53-29 regular-season record this season, the best mark by a first-year coach in franchise history.

Now, he’s an NBA champion.

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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 8:50 AM.