Coach Larry Brown's Hall of Fame Enshrinement - Quotes from his Peers

John Calipari, Head Coach, University of Memphis
“Congratulations on a very deserving achievement. You have been great for the game of basketball and you have touched many lives, one of those being mine. Allen, Erin, Megan, Bradley and I love you very much and most of all, congratulations!”



Gregg Popovich, Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs
“It is truly appropriate and wonderful when such a good person and fine coach is singled out for outstanding accomplishment. Coach Brown embodies the game of basketball in the purest sense and I’m honored to be his friend.”



Alvin Gentry, Head Coach, Los Angeles Clippers
“Larry is the best teacher in the game. He has an unbelievable dedication to making the game better. He takes average players and makes them believe in themselves.”


Dean Smith, Consultant, University of North Carolina Athletic Department
“Larry was born to coach. Even when he was a player here, he would coach in camps in the summers and try to put in different offenses and defenses. Of course, I think he was a great player and point guard. I brought him back from the AAU to be one of my assistants here. Back to his alma mater for two years and then the ABA started, and he had a chance to play pro basketball. Larry, Doug Moe and I have always enjoyed talking basketball and there has never been a guy who loves the game more. He has proven his ability at many levels, in college with an NCAA Championship and three Final Fours in about seven years of college coaching. Then every place he has been in the NBA, his teams seem to go to the playoffs, and he gets the most out of each team. I couldn’t be happier for the coaching profession to have Larry as a member of the basketball Hall of Fame and also for us here in North Carolina, we will be excited.”

Kevin O’Connor, Vice President of Basketball Operations, Utah Jazz
“Larry’s ability to coach at any level has been well documented. He is a teacher of basketball to not only players, but coaches as well. He has been a mentor to me, personally. Best of luck.”

Donnie Walsh, President, Indiana Pacers
“In my mind, Larry is as good a coach as there has ever been in this game and he deserves every honor there is to give. He is definitely a Hall of Famer."