Chase Robert Buford (born October 25, 1988) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an analyst for the Kansas Jayhawks. He played college basketball at Kansas where he was a part of their 2008 NCAA Tournament-winning team. Buford was head coach of the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League between 2019 and 2021. Between 2021 and 2023, he coached the Sydney Kings of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) and won back-to-back championships.
| Kansas Jayhawks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Analyst |
| League | Big 12 Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 25, 1988 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Alamo Heights (Alamo Heights, Texas) |
| College | Kansas (2007–2010) |
| Position | Point guard / shooting guard |
| Coaching career | 2017–present |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 2017–2018 | Erie Bayhawks (assistant) |
| 2018–2019 | Delaware Blue Coats (assistant) |
| 2019–2021 | Wisconsin Herd |
| 2021–2023 | Sydney Kings |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| As player:
As coach:
| |
Coaching career
editBuford began his basketball career as regional scout with the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) before being promoted to video intern. He went on to be the coordinator of player development for the Chicago Bulls from 2015 to 2017 before becoming an assistant for the Erie Bayhawks, the G League affiliate of the Hawks in 2017.[1] He was named an assistant for the Delaware Blue Coats, the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers on September 14, 2018.[2]
Wisconsin Herd
editBuford was named the head coach of the Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019.[3] In 2020, Buford led the Herd to a first place finish, though the league season was suspended and ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[4] In 2021, he made national news when he got suspended for two games for a rant about the officiating during a game in which his team blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter.[5] He later issued an apology, saying he was "unprofessional" and "embarrassed".[6]
Sydney Kings
editBuford was hired as the head coach of the Sydney Kings of the NBL on June 25, 2021.[7][8] He led the Kings to the 2022 and 2023 NBL championships.[9][10] On 16 May 2023, he parted ways with the Kings.[11]
Kansas
editOn June 14, 2024, Buford was announced as an analyst for the Kansas Jayhawks.[12]
Personal life
editBuford's father, R. C., was an assistant coach at Kansas and for the San Antonio Spurs, and is currently the CEO of the Spurs.
References
edit- ^ "Chase Buford Named Head Coach of the Sydney Kings". Milwaukee Bucks. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Blue Coats Announce Basketball Operations Staff". Delaware Blue Coats. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Chase Buford named coach of Bucks' G League team". MySanAntonio. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ Wisconsin Herd not likely to see year finish, G League season expected to be canceled because of coronavirus
- ^ "Bucks G League affiliate coach Chase Buford suspended two games for epic rant directed at officials". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Wisconsin Herd HC Chase Buford Apologizes for Calling Referee a 'F--king Clown'". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Sydney Kings appoint Chase Buford as new head coach". ESPN. June 25, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Chase Buford named as Head Coach of the Kings". Sydney Kings. June 25, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Kings Win First Championship in 17 Years with Record Crowd". NBL.com.au. May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ "Kings' Big Finish to Secure Back-to-Back Championships". NBL.com.au. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ^ "Sydney Kings thank Coach Chase Buford". sydneykings.com.au. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "Buford joins KU coaching staff as analyst". KU Sports. June 14, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.