We are still a couple of months away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with new Sacramento State coach Mike Bibby, who talked about winning an NCAA title at Arizona and his expectations for this season.
In 1996 you played for the West in the McDonald’s All-American Game: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Kobe Bryant/Richard Hamilton/Tim Thomas/other)? The entire East Coast team impressed me: they had a good squad with 5-6 future pros. Back then it was different: there was no social media so I had not seen most of them play in person before. You can keep going down the list: Jermaine O’Neal, Stephen Jackson, Shaheen Holloway.
You played for Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona: what made him such a great coach? The way that he genuinely cared about the kids he recruited. He also let us play our type of game.
In the 1997 NCAA tourney title game you scored 19 PTS in a 5-PT OT win over Kentucky: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the reaction like when you returned to Tucson? It was surreal! We did not expect to be there that year but were happy it happened. We had a parade in Tucson all the way from the airport to the school and everybody in town took the day off from work to come see us. We almost lost our 1st 2 games (an 8-PT win over South Alabama and a 4-PT win over Charleston) and as a freshman I did not want to step on anyone’s toes. In the middle of a team meeting, Coach Olson told me to play the way I did in high school, which flipped the switch for me. To receive confidence from your coach like that means everything.
In the 2002 Western Conference Finals as a player with Sacramento, you made the game-winning jump shot with 8.2 seconds left to beat the Lakers in Game 5, then watched the Lakers attempt 27 FTs in the 4th quarter of Game 6: what are your memories of 1 of the most controversial games in North American pro sports history? Just being involved in that type of rivalry was great. Kobe & Shaq are 2 of the best players ever so it was good to be a part of that.
You remain top-55 in NBA history with 1517 3PM/5517 AST: how did you balance your scoring with your passing? The games last a long time: some people try to score immediately, but I just took whatever the game gave me. I had good court vision and made my guys happy, which is what a PG should do.
Last March you were hired at Sacramento State: why did you take the job, and how is it going so far? I thought coming back to Sacramento would be a great way to start my coaching career. I played here for 6 1/2 years and thrive in places where I feel comfortable: I know the town and it is a great city. I will try to change the culture and build a winning program.
Shortly after you were hired, Shaq was named general manager: what does he bring to your program? Everything! He has done a lot for us by raising some money and it is good to see him here helping us with the process.
Last June the Big West Conference announced that Sacramento State will be joining as a full member in the 2026-27 academic year: what was your reaction to the news? I do not care what conference they put us in: we will be ready to play!
Your father Henry won 3 straight titles at UCLA and an NBA title with the Knicks, your uncle Jim won a World Series with the Pirates, your brother-in-law Eddie House won an NBA title with the Celtics, your cousins Robbie Findley/Shaun McDonald played pro sports, and your son Michael Jr. played college basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? We have a lot of athletes, We used to have a lot of “sports days” growing up so everyone can play a little of everything…but I would have to say me!
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? The goal is always to get to the NCAA tourney. When I said that at my press conference there were some people who snickered, but I do not do anything half-ass so that is what we are trying to build.
