Here’s a solid Q & A conducted by Jeremy Gray of IU Athletics with Director of Basketball Operations Calbert Cheaney via the IU Athletics channel on YouTube.
Among the topics discussed: Cheaney’s return to Bloomington, what it’s like to play in Assembly Hall and some thoughts on Cheaney’s time with Jerry Sloan and the Utah Jazz:
Inside the Hall had the chance to catch up with former Hoosier and NBA guard Greg Graham, who is now a physical education teacher and the basketball coach at Warren Central, on Saturday at the USSFA High School Shootout.
The primary focus of our conversation was 2013 commitment Devin Davis Jr., but we did ask Graham about the recent hiring of his former Hoosier teammate, Calbert Cheaney, as Indiana’s director of basketball operations.
Here’s what Graham had to say:
What did you think about Calbert Cheaney going back to Indiana as director of basketball operations?
“I knew that was going to happen. It was just a matter of when. Cal’s been down there the last few seasons, golf outings and I know he has a great relationship with Crean. I think it’s good for Indiana basketball. This is something that’s been wanted for a long time. To finally have a coach to finally come in and have the guts to hire a Knight guy, that’s good. And I think that’s primarily where the separation with Hoosier nation is from. If you don’t have any former players down there who are involved with athletics, I mean, people around here grew up watching Knight and his players. I think you have to still keep that connection and that tradition going.”
Do you think that’s the biggest thing Crean has done, that the past two coaches didn’t do, is embrace the tradition?
“I think it is the number one thing. And people have been wanting that. Crean finally was brave enough and had enough confidence in himself to bring a player back. I mean, why not? He’s probably arguably the best player that the Big Ten has ever seen. I say that loosely, but he’s the all-time leading scorer (in the Big Ten). He’s a proven player, I think he can help with recruiting, I think he can help a lot of those guys develop their game.”
Indiana head coach Tom Crean and new Director of Basketball Operations Calbert Cheaney met with the media earlier today at Assembly Hall. Watch the entire press conference below, courtesy of IU Athletics:
Calbert Cheaney’s return to Bloomington is official. Per IU Media Relations:
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – One of the most decorated players to ever wear the Cream and Crimson, is returning to Bloomington to rejoin the Hoosiers men’s basketball program. Indiana University men’s basketball coach Tom Crean announced at his Father/Son camp that former IU All-American and National Player of the Year Calbert Cheaney has been named Director of Basketball Operations.
Coach Crean and Cheaney will be available to meet with the media at noon, Monday, in the press room in Assembly Hall.
“Calbert will have an impact on our program in a major way,” said Crean. “He wants to get into coaching full time and he knows the path it takes, the work ethic and the sacrifice. Every kid who plays college basketball at this level aspires to achieve what Calbert did on and off the court, both collegiately and as a professional. Having him here as a mentor on a day-to-day basis will be invaluable to our players.”
Cheaney, an Evansville native who played 13 seasons in the NBA following his career at Indiana, returns to Bloomington after spending the last two years working for the Golden State Warriors.
“My family and I believe that this was the right time to begin a career in college basketball and I am especially looking forward to playing a role in the growth of the players at Indiana,” said Cheaney. “I’m very grateful to Coach Crean for this opportunity to return to IU and I look forward to contributing immediately in any way possible.”
Calbert Cheaney is reportedly headed back to Bloomington.
The Big Ten’s all-time leading scorer will likely join the Indiana staff in an operations position, according to Rick Bozich of The Louisville Courier-Journal.
Indiana coach Tom Crean has not offered any official word on Cheaney, but did make a statement:
“I’m not ready to make any official announcement yet but you can say that I’m extremely excited about the future of our basketball staff,” Crean said.
If the position is in basketball operations, it’s possible Cheaney could assume the spot vacated by Drew Adams, who left last month for New Mexico.
The Evansville native, who will turn 40 next month, served as a special assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors from August of 2009 until Keith Smart was fired in late April.
Cheaney scored 2,613 points at Indiana, won numerous national player of the year awards in 1993, including the Naismith Award, was a three-time All-American and is a member of Indiana’s All-Century first team.
In 13 NBA seasons with the Washington Bullets, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors, Cheaney averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
The ballots have been counted and it’s time for Inside the Hall’s countdown of the greatest Indiana players of all-time. Today: No. 1: Calbert Cheaney.
Years at Indiana: 1989-1993
The numbers: 2,613 points (19.8 average); 690 rebounds (5.2 average); 1,018 field goals; 148 three-point goals; 429 free throws made
Career high: 36 points (November 27, 1992 vs. Seton Hall)
Notable achievements: All-American (1991, 1992, 1993); National player of the year (1993); First team All-Big Ten (1991, 1992, 1993); Big Ten MVP (1993); Indiana team MVP (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993); Big Ten champion (1991, 1993); Final Four (1992)
The case for Cheaney: While Cheaney is missing the biggest credential that defines greatness, a national championship, he is the leading scorer in Indiana and Big Ten history. He is one of only three Indiana players to be named team MVP in four straight seasons (Steve Alford, A.J. Guyton). Cheaney won all 12 national player of the year awards in 1993, won two Big Ten championships, was a three-time All-American and was a part of a Final Four team in 1992.
