LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the best shooting guards in University of Louisville history is taking his coaching talents to Canada.
Reece Gaines was announced Wednesday as the new head coach of the Newfoundland Rogues, a minor league team in Canada's Basketball Super League. Gaines played at UofL from 1999-2003.
"It feels great. It's my first chance to be a head coach," Gaines said in a video posted to the team's YouTube channel. "I'm really appreciative of the organization for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do in terms of leading the organization and the guys, and try to bring some success and winning to Newfoundland."
Gaines was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He played three years in the league for the Magic, Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks.
Gaines played overseas until 2012.
He was an assistant coach for Bellarmine from 2012-2015 and Eastern Kentucky from 2015-2019. He also coached in the NBA G League with the Austin Spurs.
"The whole journey was great, especially now as a coach," Gaines said. "I'm able to use that journey and use those life lessons I learned to give to the players and people around me. It's a rewarding feeling knowing a life of hard work was worth it."
Gaines was part of the coaching staff for The Ville, a Louisville alumni team that made a deep run in this year's The Basketball Tournament. He said some mutual friends got him in touch with Newfoundland.
Gaines still ranks in the top five all-time at UofL in 3-pointers made (225), free throws made (456) and assists (475). He was an AP All American his senior season when he led the team to a 25-7 record.
13-time NBA all star Dwyane Wade once called Gaines the best college player he ever played against.
