Former Kansas Player Chase Buford Lands Head Coaching Job
LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 19: Chase Buford #41 and Jordan Juenemann #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks greet teammates during the game against the Michigan Wolverines on December 19, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Chase Buford is a former Kansas guard and the son of five-time NBA champion NBA general manager R.C. Buford. However, at only 30 years old, he may be lacking in experience for a potential coaching job. But that hasn't stopped him from getting hired anyway.
The Milwaukee Bucks' G-League team, the Wisconsin Herd, announced on July 29 that Buford has been hired as head coach. He joins the team after spending last season as an assistant coach with the G-League's Delaware Blue Coats.
Buford played three seasons under Bill Self at Kansas, but totaled less than 60 minutes on the court. He recorded 12 points off the bench in 35 games played.
One cool opportunity he has with the Herd? He'll coach former Kansas superstar Frank Mason. From The Wichita Eagle:
“We got Frank which is amazing for me,” Buford said. “He’s an NBA player (spending first two years in league with Sacramento Kings). The fact we have him on 2-way … hopefully we can see him a little bit this year. That would be great.
“I got off a flight when the news broke (of Mason signing with Bucks). I had about 10 texts. I couldn’t believe it. It was awesome. Coach Self talks about Frank as highly as he talks about any player he’s ever coached. I’m excited to hopefully get to work with him quite a bit. Frank has been in Milwaukee. He’s had a chance to work out there a few weeks. I spoke to him earlier today. He’s in California right now (working out). We’ve been in close contact. He’s been awesome, great to work with so far.”
Upon graduating from Kansas in 2010, Buford quickly found his way into the NBA front office ranks. He joined the Atlanta Hawks as a scout and video intern in 2012, and moved to the Chicago Bulls' player development office in 2016.
Buford made his coaching debut for the Hawks' G-League as an assistant for the Erie BayHawks.
As a member of the BayHawks, he worked closely with Mike Budenholzer, who is now head coach of the Bucks.
Over the past two seasons, the Wisconsin Herd has gone 33-67, finishing last in their division both times.
