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Alumnus Wes Unseld Jr., Washington Wizards

Spring 2022

By Magazine Staff

Wes Unseld Jr. talking with two Washington Wizards basketall team members
G. Fiume/Getty Images

Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. talks to his players during a timeout.

Education 

1997 Bachelor’s degree, economics, Johns Hopkins University 

Work History 

  • 1997–2005 Scout, Washington Wizards  
  • 2005–11 Assistant coach, Washington Wizards  
  • 2011–12 Assistant coach, Golden State Warriors  
  • 2012–14 Assistant coach, Orlando Magic  
  • 2015–21 Assistant coach then associate head coach, Denver Nuggets 
  • 2021–present Head coach, Washington Wizards  

Notable 

  • Son of NBA legend Wes Unseld Sr., he played high school basketball at Loyola Blakefield in Maryland. 
  • At Hopkins, he was a two-time captain of the basketball team and helped Hopkins to 57 wins and the 1997 ECAC Championship. 
  • When he graduated from Hopkins, he ranked 15th in school history in points (875), 10th in free throws made (211) and minutes played (2,045), 13th in rebounds (427), and 15th in steals (69). He currently ranks 11th in career field-goal percentage (.551) and 15th in blocks (60).  
  • During his tenure in Denver, he helped turn around a weak defense and has been credited with playing a significant role in the development of players Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. as a part of head coach Michael Malone’s staff. 
  • During his initial six seasons with the Wizards, he was instrumental in game planning and player development and was largely credited with the success of the Wizards’ offensive game plans, with the team posting four consecutive playoff appearances (2005–08) and three straight top 10 offensive finishes (2004–07). 
  • With the Orlando Magic, he worked with players Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Victor Oladipo during their early careers and did the same with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson with the Golden State Warriors. 

In His Own Words 

It was good. It’s always a great opportunity to get home. I give our guys a lot of credit: After a 1-hour 10-minute bus ride, we still got something out of it. That’s kind of our thought process with anything and everything we do.… These are enjoyable things—you get an opportunity to reach out to the community, give back to some degree.” 

The Washington Post, October 20, 2021, Regarding the Wizards’ open-to-fans practice in Baltimore at Morgan State University. 

I was around great coaches where it wasn’t necessarily just about winning. It was about building habits and well-rounded human beings. As the Jesuits would say, ‘Men for others.’ You carry some of these tidbits with you, and as I take a step back, that is our goal. Yes, we want to win. This is a results-driven business. But it’s also part of the journey, and when you have great people around you, that journey is that much more special.”  

 
The Baltimore Sun, July 20, 2021. Crediting his upbringing in Baltimore with shaping him as an individual and a coach. 

I look forward to walking through these halls throughout the season to see not only the bust of my father, but to take a peek up in the rafters and see his retired jersey. Our home opener will be a special night for a number of reasons, but this makes it that much more special.” 

NBA.com, October 22, 2021. Regarding the Washington Wizards’ unveiling of the bust of franchise legend and NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld Sr. at Capital One Arena.