Story Links SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former Sacramento Kings legend Mike Bibby is coming home. Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr announced today that Bibby has been named the 17th head men’s basketball coach in program history. Bibby, who spent half of his 14-year NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, returns to the city where he […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former Sacramento Kings legend Mike Bibby is coming home. Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr announced today that Bibby has been named the 17th head men’s basketball coach in program history.
Bibby, who spent half of his 14-year NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, returns to the city where he became a fan favorite while helping the Kings to multiple playoff appearances in the early 2000s. A first team all-American, Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year and the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, Bibby helped Arizona to a 1997 NCAA national championship.
“Since 2001, Sacramento has felt like home to me,” Bibby said. “The people, the fans and the passion they have for the city and their teams is unmatched. I have always felt that passion, and will always be thankful for how I was embraced. Sacramento State is no different. After seeing the campus, and meeting with President Wood and Mark Orr, their vision for the University and program was something I shared. We are going to build, we are going to develop, and we are going to win.””Mike Bibby’s basketball expertise, love for Sacramento, and passion for developing student-athletes perfectly align with our goals for Hornet basketball,” said Sacramento State President Luke Wood. “His leadership and vision will elevate our program to new heights and inspire our community to rally behind Sac State basketball.”
A native of Phoenix, Bibby spent two highly decorated seasons at Arizona (1996-98), where he helped the program to its lone national championship in 1997. He was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1997, and a consensus first team All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1998 after averaging 17.2 points, 5.7 assists and 2.4 steals. He had his No. 10 jersey retired by Arizona.
After his senior season at Shadow Mountain High School in 1996, he was named Mr. Basketball USA, McDonald’s All-American and first team All-American.
Bibby graduated with a bachelor’s degree (multidisciplinary studies) from UNLV in 2017. He and his wife, Darcy, have four children – Michael, Janae, Mia and Nylah.Recently, Bibby had assistant coaching stops with the Puerto Rican National Team, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies summer league teams, and the NBA G-League Ignite. He coached 25 players who received collegiate scholarships during his time as head coach at Shadow Mountain High School (2014-19) in Phoenix, Ariz. During his six seasons at Shadow Mountain (five as head coach), he coached the team to five state championships, a 157-21 overall record, a 72-game winning streak, and a six-year home winning streak.”The excitement and enthusiasm for student athletics programs at Sacramento State is incredible. Today, the Hornets add a Sacramento basketball legend to the coaching staff. Mike Bibby was electric as a professional basketball player in our city. No doubt he will bring that same energy to the University. One more reason to love Sacramento!” – State Senator Angelique Ashby“I’m so proud of Mike, he was a great leader on the basketball floor. I truly enjoyed coaching him as a player. Wishing him and the Hornets all the best.” – Mike Woodson, 22-year NBA coach“Mike Bibby is a beloved figure in Kings basketball history, and we’re thrilled to see him take the next step in his coaching career right here in our community. As a leader on the court, Bibby played with passion, intelligence, and an unwavering competitive spirit –- qualities that will undoubtedly make an impact at Sacramento State. We look forward to seeing him inspire the next generation of players and continue strengthening basketball in our city.” – Sacramento Kings “I’m thrilled that #10 will be back in Sacramento to coach the Sacramento State Hornets as the new head coach. Stingers Up!” – Assemblymember Maggy Krell“In another example of big things happening at Sac State, we welcome back one of Sacramento’s legends Mike Bibby. Mike called Sacramento home for several of the Kings’ best seasons in the early 2000s, and we are glad to see him now in green and gold to continue the work of guiding leadership on campus. Let’s go Sacramento.” – Councilmember Eric Guerra
“The hiring of Sacramento Kings legend Mike Bibby as the new men’s basketball head coach is an exciting addition to the renewed athletic and student enthusiasm at Sacramento State. His leadership and renowned basketball expertise will not only elevate our student-athletes, but also bring a sense of pride to our alumni. This appointment presents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen alumni and community engagement, fostering increased support, donations and investments that directly benefit our students and the University.” – Alice Perez, chair of the University Foundation at Sacramento State
“I’m incredibly excited about the hiring of Mike Bibby as our head basketball coach at Sac State. This is a game-changing opportunity for our students, as his professional experience and leadership will not only elevate the team, but also provide invaluable mentorship that will have a lasting impact on their development. Bringing Bibby on board will inspire our students, create a positive shift within our program and bring a new energy to our campus and community that fosters growth, pride and success.” – Nataly Andrade-Dominguez, Associated Students Inc. President
“Sacramento State is a great home for Mike Bibby with his championship pedigree, deep basketball knowledge, and leadership of the Kings. He will elevate the program to new heights. With his experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, we are confident that Coach Bibby will inspire student-athletes and bring a winning culture to the Hornets. This is a new era for Sac State basketball. – Stingers Up!” – Barry Broome, president & CEO, Greater Sacramento Economic Council “I’m ecstatic to announce Mike Bibby as the new head coach of Sacramento State men’s basketball, and welcome him back to the community of Sacramento,” Orr said. “Mike will recruit talented student-athletes and develop a team culture that embodies success both on and off the court. I am convinced that Mike will pour every ounce of his energy into Sacramento State and engage the entire Sacramento region. I could not be more excited about the future of our program.”
As an NBA player, Bibby appeared in over 1,000 career games, finishing with averages of 14.7 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals during a 14-year run that began in 1998 with the Vancouver Grizzlies, and concluded in 2012 with the New York Knicks. He averaged better than 13 points in each of his first 11 seasons, including a seven-year stint with the Sacramento Kings (2001-08).
During those seven seasons, he averaged 17.6 points and helped the Kings to the franchise’s most successful era. That included three straight Western Conference semifinal appearances, and a conference final in 2002. It was Bibby that hit the game winner in Game 5 of the 2002 conference final to give the Kings a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers. Among franchise leaders, he remains fifth in 3-pointers made (775), sixth in assists (2,580) and seventh in steals (584).”I’m excited for Sacramento State. Mike Bibby was a great teammate who led by example, and he was a coach on the floor. Hooping is in his DNA. I’m looking forward to the future of this program. Go Hornets!” – Chris Webber, 15-year NBA veteran (7 seasons with the Sacramento Kings)WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING“Sac State has a great coach in Mike. Just as confident as I was with Mike on the floor, I am also confident he will bring the program to the next level. Good luck to Mike and the Hornets!” – Gavin Maloof, former Sacramento Kings owner (1998-2013)
“As a proud Sacramento State alum and lifelong advocate for our community, I couldn’t be more excited about Mike Bibby leading our men’s basketball program. Mike is a Sacramento basketball legend whose legacy resonates across the region. His return to Sacramento to coach at Sac State will ignite incredible pride, energize our campus and inspire the next generation of Hornet student-athletes. This is bigger than basketball – it’s about building a culture of excellence that reflects the heart of Sacramento.” – Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen
