Reggie Theus

Reggie Theus is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played as a shooting guard and point guard in the National Basketball Association for over a decade and later served as a collegiate and professional coach, while also working in broadcasting and media. Theus is known for his scoring ability at Long Beach State, his tenure with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings, and his coaching roles at institutions such as New Mexico State University and Cal State Northridge.

Early life and college

Born in Inglewood, California, Theus attended Morningside High School and played high school basketball alongside peers who later connected to programs at USC, UCLA, and St. John's. He matriculated to Long Beach State under coach Jerry Tarkanian, joining teammates who competed regionally against San Diego State, UNLV, and Pepperdine. At Long Beach State, Theus established scoring records in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, later known as the Big West Conference, and earned All-American consideration, attracting attention from NBA scouts including those from the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics.

Professional playing career

Selected ninth overall in the 1978 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Theus became a primary backcourt option alongside NBA contemporaries such as Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Julius Erving. He led the Bulls in scoring during multiple seasons, facing divisional rivals like the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. After notable seasons in Chicago, Theus was traded during his career to teams including the Kansas City Kings (later Sacramento Kings), where he played with teammates and opponents from franchises such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets. He later had stints in the Continental Basketball Association, and concluded his playing career after international and domestic stops that intersected with players who went on to roles with the NBA Development League and international clubs tied to the EuroLeague, Liga ACB, and Basketball Bundesliga.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Theus transitioned into coaching and management roles, beginning with developmental and assistant positions connected to organizations like the Sacramento Kings front office and the New Jersey Nets. He served as head coach at New Mexico State University where his teams competed in the Western Athletic Conference against programs such as Boise State and Fresno State. He later accepted the head coaching post at Cal State Northridge, succeeding predecessors who had led teams in the Big Sky Conference and Big West Conference. Theus also coached professionally in the NBA G League and in international leagues, interacting with coaching peers from the University of Southern California, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Arizona State University, and University of California, Los Angeles. His coaching career included mentorship of student-athletes who pursued careers in the NBA, FIBA competitions, and overseas clubs such as those in Italy, Spain, and China.

Broadcasting and media work

Parallel to coaching, Theus worked in broadcasting and media, appearing on national platforms including ESPN, Fox Sports, and local sports networks that cover the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Sacramento Kings. He provided commentary alongside analysts who have been associated with ABC, CBS Sports, and Turner Sports, and contributed to pregame and postgame coverage that involved interviews with figures from the National Basketball Players Association and former players who became broadcasters, such as Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, and Shaquille O'Neal. Theus also engaged in community outreach and hosted basketball camps partnering with institutions like Nike-sponsored clinics, local high schools, and collegiate summer leagues affiliated with USA Basketball.

Personal life and legacy

Theus's personal life includes family ties in Inglewood, California and residence periods in cities tied to his career, including Chicago, Illinois, Sacramento, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. His legacy is reflected in Long Beach State's record books, alumni events with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees, and the coaching tree that links to figures from UNLV, UCLA, USC, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has been involved with charitable organizations connected to Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and local charitable arms partnered with NBA franchises. Theus is frequently referenced in discussions of notable guards from the late-1970s and 1980s alongside contemporaries such as Chet Walker, Earl Monroe, George Gervin, and Allen Iverson for his scoring and playmaking contributions.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:American basketball coaches Category:Long Beach State Beach men's basketball players Category:Chicago Bulls draft picks