How Chris Finch went from Division III basketball to a top NBA coach

Ben Kaplan, co-author of the new book, “Pipeline to the Pros: How D3, Small-College Nobodies Rose to Rule the NBA,” joined Tuesday’s Daily Delivery podcast to talk about the rise of Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
April 16, 2024 at 3:46PM
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch signals to players during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Chris Finch signals to his players during a game earlier this season. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Introduction: On Tuesday’s Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand breaks down the two biggest stories from Monday night -- the Lynx drafting Alissa Pili of Utah No. 8 overall and the Twins losing at Baltimore 7-4. The Lynx gained a dominant offensive player who should bring an infusion of talent. The Twins, meanwhile, are getting far too little from second-year players they were counting on this season.

9:00: Rand welcomes in Ben Kaplan, co-author of the new book, “Pipeline to the Pros: How D3, Small-College Nobodies Rose to Rule the NBA.” They discussed the phenomenon of former D3 players reaching the NBA as head coaches and executives, including Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.

32:00: It sure seems like the price for J.J. McCarthy is too high..

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The podcast archive is here.

Questions? Comments? Long-winded diatribes about nothing in particular? E-mail me at michael.rand@startribune.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RandBall and Star Tribune sports @StribSports

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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