This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Davis, Calif. • UC Davis coach Jim Les knows Utah.
He spent one season in the NBA with the Jazz, playing behind Hall of Famer John Stockton.
He met his wife here and returns regularly for family visits.
Finally, he's a huge fan of Utah State coach Stew Morrill.
"I have the utmost respect for Stew and how he coaches," Les says. "He should probably have me arrested for how many things I've stolen from him over the years."
Les gets a first-hand look at Utah State on Wednesday night, when Morrill and his team visit UC Davis, which is off to a 3-0 start.
"I told our guys, 'This is a really good early-season game for us," Les said. "We think we've made strides with our program. But we'll get a good idea of where we are playing Utah State. …
"They lost a lot of players and you're thinking, 'Maybe this is a good time to play them.' But in true coach Morrill fashion, his new group is playing at a high level. They are very disciplined at both ends of the court."
Les is a basketball lifer.
He attended Bradley, quarterbacked some of the school's best teams and was the 70th pick in the 1986 NBA Draft.
Over the next decade, he was signed and waived by eight teams. He also played in the Continental League, the World Basketball League and Spain.
Les made his biggest mark during parts of five seasons with Sacramento. But in 1988-89, he was Stockton's primary backup with the Jazz.
"I stayed in the league because, every night as a rookie, I had the best seat in the house," Les said. "I watched the guy who I think is the greatest point guard ever. And I practiced against him every day."
Les started coaching as an assistant with the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs. He returned to Bradley for nine seasons before taking over at UC Davis four years ago.
This is his best team.
"We have four fifth-year seniors," Les said, "so there's some experience and, finally, some depth. We're not a sprained ankle or foul trouble away from struggling. …
"It's been fun to build this. It's been an interesting challenge — one that's very fulfilling based on the student-athletes we bring in and the [academic] profile of the university."
UC Davis' top scorer is Corey Hawkins. He's an Arizona State transfer and son of NBA star Hersey Hawkins, Les' former teammate at Bradley.
"Corey handles the pressure and expectations of being Hersey's son very well," Les said. "He's got impeccable character, he's a good teammate and he's a good guy. That translates into who he is on the floor."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Utah State at UC Davis
P Wednesday, 8 p.m.