close
close
Rajon Rondo joins Bucks as guest coach

Rajon Rondo joins Bucks as guest coach

Rajon Rondo is in camp with the Milwaukee Bucks as a guest coach, a role he is expected to play throughout the 24-25 season.

Rondo retired from his playing career last April and was quickly recruited by Doc Rivers to join the coaching ranks.

“There are a lot of factors that go into coaching,” Rondo said. “You just can’t say, I’m going to be a coach, and then everything will be fine and that’s how it happens. So certain personalities have to fit together (and there’s) a lot of sacrifice. There are certain things I have to do.” I learn. The morning meetings, the number of hours you spend watching movies, it’s a lot.”

Rondo said he doesn’t have an exact path in mind.

“You see people going from non-coaching to head coaching jobs all the time,” he said. “A lot of people immediately become assistant coaches. So there is just no path. I just want to get as much information as possible.”

“He’s the smartest player I’ve ever coached, and not just smart,” Rivers told ESPN. “He knows when to say things and when not to say things. He’s a great team builder. It’s just fun and it’s great to have him around.”

Rivers is reminded of his own journey from playing to coaching.

“I just think there are certain guys who should be coaches,” Rivers said. “It’s funny, I never thought I was going to coach, and Pat Riley told me I was coaching. I said, ‘No, I’m going to do TV.’ He said, ‘You’re going to be a coach,’ and Pat Riley never budged. And when I was on TV for my first three years, he would send texts or letters like, ‘Get your ass on the sidelines.’ And I feel the same (with Rondo).”