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INDIANAPOLIS — Gonzaga head coach Mark Few has turned them all down when they came calling about a potential job: Indiana, Arizona, UCLA, Virginia and Michigan. There were others that also had swings and misses, but only one school truly made him even contemplate leaving Spokane.
Though it’s the college basketball offseason, there is no summer slowdown when it comes to ESPN adding top talent to its reporting roster. The newest member of the team is Insider and multiplatform reporter, Jeff Goodman. The Boston native, who has worked for the Associated Press, Scout.com, FoxSports.com, and most recently, CBSSports.com, fell in love.
32 votes, 22 comments. 1.5m members in the CollegeBasketball community. Your home for College Basketball on the internet. Dan Dakich has won plenty of Twitter beefs in his time, but he'll have to take a loss after the roasting he took from ESPN college basketball writer Jeff Goodman on Sunday.
It was back in March of 2009 and Gonzaga had just been knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by eventual national champion North Carolina in the Sweet 16. Few knew the call originating from his good friend Pat Kilkenny, who also happened to be Oregon’s interim athletic director at the time, was inevitable.
They had never discussed the job in the past, despite the fact that Few had graduated from Oregon back in 1987. But Ducks head coach Ernie Kent had just completed a season with a 2-16 league record, and Kilkenny — with the help of Nike boss and Oregon booster Phil Knight — was going to make a run at the guy who had begun to turn Gonzaga into a West Coast powerhouse.
Few was a decade into his tenure, with 10 consecutive trips to the Big Dance. The Zags hadn’t yet gotten past the Sweet 16, but Kilkenny — from his 18-year friendship with Few dating back to when he was a graduate assistant in Spokane — knew that Few was his guy.
And he felt like he had more than just a puncher’s chance.
“I’m not going to say I thought it was a given, but I had a high confidence level for a lot of reasons,” Kilkenny told me. “He went to Oregon, his mom and dad lived there, we’re in the Pac-10 at the time, Phil Knight, Nike. Pretty darn compelling argument. I thought he’d say, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’”
They talked and decided they would each start driving, Few from Spokane and Kilkenny from Eugene. They’d call each other after a few hours and figure out where to meet when their paths got closer.
It wound up being at a rest stop right on the Columbia River in tiny Arlington, Oregon (population: 591).
They pulled up next to one another, Few with his sunglasses on to go incognito, and Kilkenny jumped into Few’s SUV with some diet soda and potato chips. Then he proceeded to try and convince Few to take the Oregon job for the next two hours.
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“We had our little shindig and hashed it out,” Few said. “Pat’s a great guy, one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever known.”
“[Kilkenny’s] super-smart, super-fun,” he added. “There were some good opportunities over the years, but that was the hardest one by far. I grew up 10 minutes from Oregon, my family was still there.”
But from Kilkenny’s perspective, the pitch didn’t go all that well.
“It was a little contentious for the two hours,” Kilkenny remembered. “I believed strongly Mark would be making a huge mistake not leaving a place that didn’t have the resources that Oregon could avail him. Mark said, ‘Oregon’s never gonna get it done, I’m at a better place.’ The conversation was polarizing.”
And it ended with Few deciding to spurn his alma mater, the endless resources, Nike’s backing and a new arena that was inevitable.
“We’re so happy,” Few said looking back at the decision. “This is what fits the Few family so well. The Northwest lifestyle, fly fishing, getting out to the lake — [it] is almost a spiritual experience for part of the summer. One of the coolest things when you stay at a place as long as I have, it’s about the relationships you develop. Those guys come back and they are your guys. If you start bouncing around, you don’t have your guys anymore.”
Then Kilkenny, the man who became extremely wealthy from an insurance business and only took the AD job on an interim basis to help his alma mater, had to make that call.
“Phil wasn’t happy,” Kilkenny said of when he informed Knight that Few wasn’t coming back home. “This is Phil’s baby, and to be rejected — Phil Knight doesn’t get rejected that often.”
Few and Kilkenny’s relationship is better than ever now, but during the year following their Arlington meeting they didn’t talk much at all. Kilkenny still blamed himself for letting Knight and the university down, but after hiring Dana Altman a year later, it got a little easier.
“All is well that ends well,” Kilkenny said. “It was a circuitous route for all of us.”
Kilkenny said he’s spent more time this season with Few than he has in a long time. His plan is to fly out Monday night to Indianapolis and hopefully watch his good friend win a national title. No, it won’t be for the Oregon Ducks, as was the hope a little more than a decade ago, but it’ll be almost as sweet if Few could pull it off from little old Gonzaga.
“For him to win a national championship, it doesn’t surprise me. But it does surprise me he was able to do it at Gonzaga,” Kilkenny said. “Mark is on his way to the Hall of Fame and maybe gonna do something people are going to talk about generations from now,” Kilkenny said. “A movie will be made of it, and it’ll probably be a Disney movie because it’s that wholesome and people will watch that movie 50 years from now and they’ll think, ‘That’ll be made up.’ But it’s true.”
Few took this small, private, Catholic university in Spokane, Washington and didn’t just build it into a WCC power, or even a West Coast power, but a national powerhouse. And instead of bolting for more money or exposure, he turned David into Goliath.
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“I always thought we could build this into a national program,” Few said. “And it’s what’s worked for me.”
MORE: Jeff Goodman’s Key Final Four Storylines
Chad Ford and Jeff Goodman squared off Monday night in the first head-to-head Twitter Mock Draft. Now that the dust has settled, the guys break down their reasoning for all 30 first-round picks.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers select Andrew Wiggins
.@ESPNInsider I'm up 1st. Cavs take Andrew Wiggins. Not what they will do, but what they should do. Too much upside to pass #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
The Cavs may be leaning toward Jabari Parker because he's more NBA ready, but Wiggins has a higher upside and actually helps them in an area in which they need help the most -- defense. In five years, Wiggins will seem like a no-brainer here.
2. Milwaukee Bucks select Jabari Parker
.@ESPNInsider @chadfordinsider With No. 2 pick, the Milwaukee Bucks select Jabari Parker (who should have gone No. 1). #NBAFrontOffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
He was the no-brainer decision here. Parker can score buckets and would complement Giannis Antetokounmpo.
3. Philadelphia 76ers select Dante Exum
.@ESPNInsider The 76ers take Dante Exum & trade the rights to MCW to the Lakers for the No. 7 pick ... #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
The Sixers have been huge Exum fans. On pure talent, he may be as good as any player in the draft. Few players have his speed at his size. As a bonus, it allows the Sixers to trade Michael Carter-Williams to the Lakers for the No. 7 pick and get another Top 10 pick.
4. Orlando Magic select Joel Embiid
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.@ESPNInsider With the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select Joel Embiid. I'm rolling the dice on his back/foot/DNA issues.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
Have to roll the dice here and just pray that his back, foot and whatever else remains healthy. Either I'll be a goat or a hero, but no one has more upside than the skilled 7-footer.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (via Utah Jazz) select Julius Randle
.@chadfordinsider @ESPNInsider I am taking Julius Randle w/ No. 5 pick for Milwaukee Bucks (obtained via trade with Utah). #NBAFrontOffice.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Bucks need a physical presence up front. Randle has some killer in him, and no I'm not worried about his foot.
I dealt Jabari Parker from Milwaukee to Utah for Trey Burke and the No. 5 pick. I love Parker, but the Bucks need more than just him. Now they have a legit point guard in Burke and we also added Julius Randle -- who can be a 15-and-8 guy -- with the fifth pick. This is a win-win for both teams.
6. Boston Celtics select Marcus Smart
.@ESPNInsider @chadfordinsider All my trade offers have been spurned. Boston Celtics take Marcus Smart with the No. 6 pick. #NBAFrontOffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Celtics could lose Rajon Rondo in a year, and this gives Danny Ainge the ability to deal Rondo and not have to get a point guard in return.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers) select Noah Vonleh
.@ESPNInsider The 76ers (via Lakers) take Noah Voleh at No. 7. Feeling me now Sixers fans? #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
.@chadfordinsider @ESPNInsider Love the Vonleh pick. He has so much 'upside.'
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Sixers got this pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Michael Carter-Williams trade and get the guy they've been looking at closely at No. 3. Vonleh is long, athletic and he can stretch the floor. A perfect complement next to Nerlens Noel.
8. Sacramento Kings select Aaron Gordon
.@ESPNInsider @chadfordinsider With No. 8 pick, the Sacramento Kings select Aaron Gordon. He and Boogie Cousins will be a dominant duo.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
Few players actually want to play in Sacramento, but Gordon grew up nearby and would be happy with the opportunity. Just imagine the toughness that DeMarcus Cousins and Gordon would give the Kings along the front line.
9. Charlotte Hornets select Nik Stauskas
.@ESPNInsider With the 9th pick the Hornets select Nik Stauskas! Let it RAIN!!!!! #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
The Hornets may be leaning toward Doug McDermott in real life, but I think Stauskas' ability to shoot off the dribble makes him a better fit. Besides, I still believe in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
10. Philadelphia 76ers select Doug McDermott
.@ESPNInsider @chadfordinsider This one is easy. Philly needs a shooter. Takes Dougie McBuckets at No. 10. #NBAfrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
Chad had already dealt Michael Carter-Williams for Dante Exum and the No. 7 pick (Noah Vonleh). Philly needs a guy who can space the floor -- and McBuckets is just a flat-out shot-maker.
11. Denver Nuggets select Zach LaVine
.@ESPNInsider The Nuggets select Zach LaVine at No. 11. UPPPPPSIIIIIIIDE! #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
LaVine has upside on par with the top 5 picks in the draft. He's very raw, but if the Nuggets are ever going to take the leap, they need a star. It's a risky pick, but I believe that LaVine has it in him.
12. Orlando Magic select Elfrid Payton
.@Espninsider @chadfordinsider With No. 12 pick, Orlando Magic (took Embiid at 4) select Elfrid Payton. Best Rajin Cajun since Andrew Toney.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
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I took Embiid earlier, and now I'm taking the greatest Rajin' Cajun since Andrew Toney. Payton is exactly what the Magic need: A fast point guard who can distribute and also defend. Imagine a young core of Payton, Victor Oladipo, Embiid and Nikola Vucevic. Not bad at all.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves select Gary Harris
.@chadfordinsider @espninsider Make me an offer for Kevin Love, Chad. You know you can't keep him. He's gone. #NBAfrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
.@ESPNInsider Wait, David Kahn isn't there anymore. The Timberwolves select Gary Harris at 13! #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
Harris gives the Wolves a shooter and a guy that's a true two-way player who can play right now -- a must for the Wolves.
14. Phoenix Suns select Rodney Hood
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider With the No. 14 pick, Phoenix selects Rodney Hood- even though GM Ryan McDonough went to UNC. #NBAfrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Suns have a terrific backcourt with Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, and Hood can play both the 2 and the 3. He's long, can shoot it from deep and can also defend.
.@chadfordinsider Phoenix needs a wing who can make shots -- Hood is long and can score from deep, get to hoop and also defend.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
15. Atlanta Hawks select James Young
.@ESPNInsider The Hawks select James Young at No. 15. This is who Phx should've taken at 14. All 6 Hawks fans thank you @GoodmanESPN
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
Young has length and the ability to shoot the deep 3. He's one of the youngest players in the draft but should be a great fit at either the 2 or the 3.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (via Chicago Bulls) select Dario Saric
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider Just dealt Chicago's No. 16 and 19 to Philly for Doug McDermott. Switch that cap, @dougmcd3. #NBAfrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
.@ESPNInsider The 76ers take Dario Saric with the No. 16 pick. We will be patient. Top 10 talent! #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
The Sixers get their third pick of the night after trading the rights to Doug McDermott to the Bulls for 16 and 19. Saric would've been a top 10 pick in the draft had he decided to come to the NBA now. The Sixers, with loads of draft picks, can afford to stash him for the year.
Goodman: I dealt Chicago's No. 16 and No. 19 picks to Charlotte for Doug McDermott. The Bulls have Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Jimmy Butler isn't much of a shooter. The need here is a lights-out shooter -- and that's what Dougie McBuckets does.
17. Boston Celtics select Kyle Anderson
.@ESPNInsider With the 17th pick the Celtics select Kyle Anderson. Highest basketball IQ in draft! #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
Anderson has the highest basketball IQ in the draft. If there are concerns Smart isn't a real point guard, Anderson can run the point from the power forward position.
18. Phoenix Suns select Adreian Payne
.@nbainsider @chadfordinsider With the No. 18 pick, the Phoenix Suns select Adreian Payne. #NBAfrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Suns need frontcourt help and Payne is a matchup nightmare due to his ability to step out and make shots from the perimeter. He could be an upgrade over Channing Frye.
19. Chicago Bulls select T.J. Warren
.@ESPNInsider With the 19th pick the 76ers (via Bulls) take ... TJ Warren! 2nd best pure scorer in the draft. #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
The Sixers have athletes at the 1, 4 and 5. Warren gives them a skilled player who is one of the two or three best scorers in the draft. He isn't a great shooter or athlete, but he knows how to get the ball in the basket.
20. Toronto Raptors select Shabazz Napier
.@ESPNInsider @chadfordinsider They are gonna hate me in Canada, but w/No. 20 pick Toronto Raptors select Shabazz Napier over Tyler Ennis.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Canadians are going to hate me for passing on Tyler Ennis, but I love Napier. C'mon, the guy has two national titles and is as tough as they come. He'll be the ideal replacement if Toronto loses Kyle Lowry via free agency.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder select P.J. Hairston
.@ESPNInsider with the 21st pick the Thunder select PJ Hairston! They could use the shooting in the backcourt #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
The Thunder are still hurting from the James Harden trade. Hairston is a great shooter and has an NBA body. He can help them right now.
22. Memphis Grizzlies select Cleanthony Early
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider Memphis GM Chris Wallace takes Kedric Brown ... Just kidding. Grizzlies select Cleanthony Early at No. 22.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
Chad took my pick at No. 21 in Hairston, so I had to regroup. The Grizz need someone who can score from the wing -- and Early can do that. Hey Chris Wallace: Just pop in the DVD of the Kentucky game.
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider Two sliders right now in our mock draft: Tyler Ennis and Jusuf Nurkic. #NBAfrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
23. Utah Jazz select Tyler Ennis
.@ESPNInsider @ScottieStats and I are taking Tyler Ennis with the 23rd pick to Utah. Upgrade to Burke in my opinion #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
If the Jazz ended up with Jabari Parker and Tyler Ennis, it would be the steal of the draft. Ennis, I believe, has more upside than Trey Burke and they get him at 23.
24. Charlotte Hornets select Jusuf Nurkic
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider With No. 24 pick, Charlotte (got Stauskas at 9) take Jusuf Nurkic. Better late than never, @franfraschilla.
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
He's got a similar body and strength to that of Wolves big man Nikola Pekovic, but is more skilled. The Hornets may lose Josh McRoberts and could use a big man to go along with Al Jefferson.
25. Houston Rockets select Damien Inglis
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Breaking (fake) News: The Rockets trade Omer Asik & No. 25 to Sixers for Thad Young #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
.@ESPNInsider @franfrascilla The Sixers take Damien Inglis with the 25th pick. #NBAFrontOffice #AskFranAboutInglis
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
Fran Fraschilla didn't like the pick, but Inglis has star potential. He's long, athletic and already has an NBA body. He needs development, but the Sixers are the perfect team to give it to him.
26. Miami Heat select Jordan Clarkson
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider The Miami Heat are ecstatic and grab Jordan Clarkson at No. 26 in the steal of the draft. #nbafrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
Miami needs some help. Clarkson is long and athletic and while he's not a pure point guard, he doesn't need to always be on the court. Clarkson is fresh legs and a scorer.
27. Phoenix Suns select Clint Capela
.@ESPNInsider The Phoenix Suns select Clint Capela. Run on international guys. @franfraschilla in heaven #nbafrontoffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
With the Suns' third pick they take a long, athletic big man, who, with time, could end up being a terrific shot-blocker and rebounder. They're just gonna have to be patient.
28. Los Angeles Clippers select Glenn Robinson III
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider The Los Angeles Clippers select Glenn Robinson III with the No. 28 pick. #nbafrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
The Clippers can take a shot with the Big Dog's kid. He's ultra-athletic and needs some time, but Doc Rivers can be patient and is the ideal coach to bring the fire out of him.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder select K.J. McDaniels
.@ESPNInsider The Thunder select KJ McDaniels at No. 29. Crazy athlete. Steal here. #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
McDaniels is one of the best athletes in the draft and is already a terrific defender who can lock down multiple positions. A nice steal here late for the Thunder.
30. San Antonio Spurs select Mitch McGary
.@espninsider @chadfordinsider With the 30th and final pick of the first round, the San Antonio Spurs select Mitch McGary #nbafrontoffice
- Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 24, 2014
Who better for McGary to learn from than Tim Duncan? McGary is big, strong and can help as a rotation big man immediately. He's also more skilled than people realize.
Glad you admit it. I got 2 statues by the way & the key to Philly RT @GoodmanESPN: @chadfordinsider This was a thrashing #NBAFrontOffice
- Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2014
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