Campbell Returns To Minnesota

Listen to the complete interview.
Jonah Ballow with Tony Campbell

On Friday night, Tony Campbell will feel the adrenaline rush again.

After an 11-year career in the NBA, Campbell is helping to groom the future stars of the league. In the middle of a hotbed for top-level basketball talent, Campbell landed a position that may lead to an NBA coaching job. Campbell is the Director of Athletics and head boys basketball coach at Bay Ridge Preparatory School in Brooklyn, New York.

The 20th overall draft pick helped build the athletic program at Bay Ridge, just 23 miles from where he grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. The learning experience of working with young adults has allowed Campbell to get a feel for managing different types of personalities.

"Coaching is something I would love to do. I have to first get an opportunity to prove myself and hopefully one day I will get that chance. For the last 13 years I have been preparing myself for that. I have been on the high school and junior high level and I feel very good about it," Campbell commented.

Campbell spent three seasons in the Twin Cities and will help the Wolves franchise celebrate 20 years in the NBA. During the inaugural season, Campbell was the star for Minnesota by averaging 23.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. A bit of irony would send Campbell to Minneapolis, considering he was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise that began in the land of 10,000 lakes. If there is any player who could relate to the recent struggles for this current Wolves roster, it's Campbell.

"My first year here we were 22-60, last year, they were 22-60. I know they are a better team," Campbell added. "It's just a matter of stepping back and reassessing what they have done right and wrong. Players are going to have to say what can I do to give the team five percent, ten percent more. If collectively everybody can give that extra percentage, I think that will be the difference."

When asked about the top talent in the league, Campbell quickly found an answer.

"It's always a pleasure to watch LeBron James, simply because he is an unselfish player that gets everyone involved. When you have a guy who shows the leadership, the energy, the passion, you have to respect him."

Campbell is a frequent visitor to Timberwolves.com and remains a fan of his former teams while hoping for a future chance at a return to the NBA. Hard to believe 20 years have passed since Campbell suited up in the No. 19 jersey for the Wolves. On Friday night, the one-time record holder for points will step on the floor again. One thing has not changed since 1989, Campbell's passion for the game.

"It's amazing when you look back at this franchise and realize it's been through the good and the bad. I'm just happy to be one of the original pioneers here," Campbell said.