Kansas basketball has found itself in the market for another assistant coach, with head coach Bill Self’s revelation Friday that Chase Buford has been hired by the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
Buford, hired by the Jayhawks ahead of the 2024-25 season and a former KU athlete, is no stranger to coaching professional basketball. He’s spent time in various roles for NBA organizations, including the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls. He’s also coached in the G League, including as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks’ affiliate.
“He got an assistant coaching job, and it’s a great gig for him,” Self said of the former analyst. “I’m happy for him, and he did a really good job here. But I’m in the process of looking into some different things. But I haven’t — I haven’t done anything yet. I feel like I’ve got the scope kind of narrowed down of what I think would be good for us, but I haven’t done anything yet.”
Buford, who also has experience as the head coach of the Sydney Kings in the National Basketball League in Australia, becomes the latest assistant coach to depart from Self’s most recent squad. Norm Roberts, a longtime assistant, retired following the end of last season. Jacque Vaughn, another former KU athlete, was hired in Roberts’ place.
Kansas’ season is still some ways away now, but preparations are underway for the Jayhawks to bounce back after a pair of underwhelming seasons – especially in postseason play. Whomever Self hires, they’ll look to help the team emerge again as one of the powers in the Big 12 Conference. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson and sophomore forward Flory Bidunga will be two who will have a lot to say about the heights KU can reach.
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