After CBA, Coaching USC Will Be a Snap, Bibby Says

The fact that Phil Jackson and George Karl are former Continental Basketball Assn. coaches was not lost on Henry Bibby as he watched the NBA finals. . . .

Bibby coached for eight seasons in the CBA, the minor league of professional basketball. . . .

That is part of the reason he is unfazed by the job of trying to rebuild the USC program. . . .

“This job is easy compared to the CBA,” said Bibby, whose Trojans lost their last nine games last season after he replaced Charlie Parker.

“I didn’t have an assistant coach in the CBA,” added Bibby, who coached the Oklahoma City Cavalry, Tulsa Fast Breakers, Savannah Spirits and Baltimore Lightning. “I mopped the floors. I drove the van. During a 10-day stretch one year, I lost six players, two to the NBA and four to teams overseas.” . . .

Eight of the 12 players on Bibby’s roster next season will be playing for USC for the first time. . . .

Among them is forward Rodrick Rhodes, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound transfer from Kentucky who practiced with the team last season and could be an impact player. . . .

Four of the seven other newcomers are junior college transfers. . . .

“We’ll be solid at a lot of positions,” Bibby said. “Last season, we were down to four scholarship players. We were in most of the games, but got worn down in the last few minutes. It’ll be nice to be able to go to the bench with some confidence.” . . .

A positive thinker, Bibby, 47, envisions the day in the near future when USC will line up what he calls “the Miracle Five.” . . .

“The Miracle Five will be five talented kids from high schools in Southern California,” he said. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to recruit well in this area. First and foremost, a kid can get a quality education at USC. He also has the opportunity to play in front of his family and friends at an arena that also is the home of an NBA team.” . . .

Next season, Bibby will be coaching against his alma mater, UCLA, and his son, Mike. . . .

Henry was the starting point guard on three NCAA champions and a consensus All-American in 1972 when he was team captain. Mike Bibby will begin his freshman year at Arizona after being rated as one of the best high school guards in the nation. . . .

“I’ll have no problems coaching against UCLA or Mike,” Bibby said. “Basketball is a business and a game. It’s nothing personal.” . . .

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