PEORIA, Ill., April 7 (UPI) -- Bradley, turning to one of its past stars to revive its basketball program, named Jim Les Sunday as coach.
Les played for Bradley from 1983-86 and teamed with Hersey Hawkins in the backcourt to lead the Braves to a 32-3 record in 1985-86, matching a school record for wins.
The 38-year-old Les went on to play six years in the NBA and recently served as assistant director of player development with the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA.
"My family and I are excited to be back on The Hilltop," Les said. "As part of the tradition and history of Bradley basketball, I have a vision of where this program can and will go under my direction and I look forward to turning that vision into a reality."
Les replaces Jim Molinari, the dean of Missouri Valley Conference coaches.
Molinari had spent the last 11 years at Bradley, compiling a 174-152 record with one trip to the NCAA Tournament in 1996 and five National Invitation Tournament appearances.
But Bradley was just 9-20 this past season and lost to Southern Illinois, 66-44, in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.
