NBA: Ranking every active head coach by playing career

Every NBA head coach ranked by playing career: 15. Erik Spoelstra

Erik Spoelstra is the first coach on this list to play at the professional level but he got his start at Jesuit High School in Portland, OR. After starring in high school, Spoelstra stayed home and played his collegiate basketball at the University of Portland. He was named the Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 38.6 percent from distance. He would go on to start for four years and had a solid statistical career.

After graduating, Spoelstra went overseas to be the player-assistant coach for Tus Herten in Germany’s Bundesliga. His professional playing career lasted only two seasons after dealing with back injuries limited his on-court capabilities. At this point, he chose to return stateside to take a position with the Miami Heat in 1996 and the rest is history.

Spoelstra started as the video coordinator and worked his way up through the organization. All in all, Spo has served as video coordinator, assistant coach, advanced scout, director of scouting and ultimately – head coach. Spoelstra is the hardest working man in the building and has been the human embodiment of what Heat Culture is, almost as much as Pat Riley. That is the type of continuity that allows for continued excellence.