ARIZONA STATE BASKETBALL

From ASU to the NBA, Jamelle McMillan enjoying role with Pelicans

Jul 17, 2013, 6:22 PM | Updated: 6:22 pm

LAS VEGAS — Jamelle McMillan looks the part.

Then again, would you expect anything less from the son of a coach?

McMillan, who along with Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks won a school-record 80 games in their four years at ASU (2007-11), is entering his second season in the NBA.

Following a year with Drake University as director of basketball operations, McMillan joined New Orleans as a coaching intern.

It was an “open role,” according to McMillan, who said he tried to get his “hands on a lot of different areas” like breaking down video, working out players and even some scouting.

Now, “I do player development work,” he said. “I’ll be working guys out for the most part” with a seat “behind the bench full-time.”

He’ll be the second McMillan on an NBA bench. His father, Nate, is back in the league as the lead assistant in Indiana on Frank Vogel’s staff.

“Thankfully, he’s on the East so I’ll only see him twice (a year),” Jamelle said smiling.

The two have always been close and will continue to be close, though the younger McMillan said he now must be careful what he says to his dad.

“I try to trick him a little bit and pry some information from him as well,” he said. “It’s general concepts. It’s things around the league, trends around the league, players; different styles and stuff like that. It’s very casual conversation. It will get pretty personal here pretty soon, I’m pretty sure.”

While at ASU, it was never a question of if, but in what capacity McMillan would continue his involvement in basketball, be it at the college level or in the pros.

“I’ve always said a GM role and that’s still is the ultimate goal, but since I’ve been thrown in the coaching side of things, I’m having a great time. I love it,” he said.

“Being in it at 24 years old is probably unheard of in a lot of cases; just trying to take each day, day-by-day: assistant, head (coach) and then we’ll see what happens from there. I look forward to working each and every day and trying to get to that head position.”

Coaching may be in his blood, but does the former Sun Devil team captain and owner of the 10th-best three-point shooting percentage (37.3) in school history miss playing?

“No,” McMillan deadpanned. “I get to do it every day in working guys out and in that aspect of it; it’s a lot of fun. But everything that went into it — and what all these guys now go through as far as the injuries and the day-to-day grind and everything that goes into it, my body, the way that it held up at Arizona State, it’s definitely a little bit smoother being in a suit and tie.

“I get out there and I have my moments. I’ll be able to talk my smack a little bit with our guys and play around, but I had a great time, a great career. I was very proud of what I was able to do. I’m excited about what I’m doing now.”

Arizona State Basketball

Isaiah Jackson...

Arizona Sports

Arizona State baseball’s Isaiah Jackson climbs wall for home run robbery

Arizona State center fielder Isaiah Jackson made his case for SportsCenter's Top 10 plays with a home run robbery Sunday against UCLA. 

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Reaction to NCAA dropping the hammer on Arizona State football

The State of the Sun Devils Podcast reacts to the NCAA dropping the hammer on Arizona State Football.

4 days ago

Alston Mason #3 of the Oklahoma Sooners takes a shot as Tyrese Hunter #11 of the Iowa State Cyclone...

David Veenstra

Missouri State’s leading scorer Alston Mason commits to Arizona State

Missouri State leading scorer Alston Mason committed to play for the Arizona State on Friday. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

4 days ago

Jerrance Howard...

Arizona Sports

Arizona State basketball reportedly hires Jerrance Howard to Bobby Hurley’s coaching staff

Arizona State basketball has reportedly hired former Kansas and Texas assistant coach Jerrance Howard to join Bobby Hurley's staff.

6 days ago

Frankie Collins spearheaded ASU's defense with six first half steals in a win against USC on Jan. 2...

David Veenstra

Former Arizona State basketball guard Frankie Collins reportedly commits to TCU

Former Arizona State guard Frankie Collins has committed to TCU. Collins has one year of eligibility remaining.

10 days ago

Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley and assistant Jermaine Kimbrough...

Arizona Sports

Grand Canyon hires Bobby Hurley’s top Arizona State assistant, Jermaine Kimbrough

Arizona State assistant coach Jermaine Kimbrough has departed Bobby Hurley's staff and joined nearby Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew.

11 days ago

From ASU to the NBA, Jamelle McMillan enjoying role with Pelicans