SAN DIEGO – The University of San Diego men's and women's basketball programs announced Tuesday that nine-year NBA head coach and longtime ESPN analyst will serve as the first featured presenter at the 2026 USD Basketball Coaches Clinic, set for Saturday, Aug. 1 at USD's Basketball Performance Center. Van Gundy is the first in a series of industry speakers to be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.
"We're excited to bring Jeff Van Gundy to campus for this year's coaches clinic," said USD head men's basketball coach
JR Blount. "Jeff has been one of the most respected minds in the game for a long time, and has been a mentor to me going back to my days at Iowa State. He'll bring a unique perspective to our event and is someone who genuinely loves to coach. We're looking forward to having him here."
Van Gundy, currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers under head coach Tyronn Lue, returns to the NBA bench following a decorated career across coaching, front office, and broadcasting. Prior to joining the Clippers in 2024, he served as a senior consultant with the Boston Celtics, contributing to the organization's 2024 NBA Championship. A former head coach of the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, Van Gundy led the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals and compiled more than 400 career wins at the helm. He also served as head coach of USA Basketball, guiding the United States to a gold medal at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup and helping secure qualification for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Widely respected for his insight into leadership, team culture, and the evolving game, Van Gundy remains one of the most influential voices in basketball.
"JR and I got to know each other as I watched his work at Iowa State," said Van Gundy. "He is an incredible teacher, evaluator, and person. There is no doubt in my mind that he will maximize the talent around him and turn his program into a consistent winner in the WCC. I'm happy to speak at this year's clinic because of my respect for JR and to support this impactful event."
Hosted by USD head coaches
JR Blount and
Blanche Alverson, the clinic will take place inside USD's Basketball Performance Center — one of the premier basketball development facilities on the West Coast — giving coaches at every level the opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate in a world-class setting.
Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, the 2026 clinic will feature a lineup of elite NBA and college coaches, with additional speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Location: Basketball Performance Center | University of San Diego
- Admission: Free (advance registration required)
- Eligibility: Open to verified basketball coaches only. All registrants will be vetted prior to admission, and guests will not be permitted.
- Parking: Free parking is available in the Main Parking Structure on campus.
Note: Due to NCAA regulations, lunch will not be provided. Food will be available for purchase at on-campus dining locations.
Registration: CLICK HERE to register.
