The only player to have his jersey retired and a day named in his honor in the history of the Idaho Stampede franchise is returning to the team just three seasons later.Randy Livingston is returning not as a player, however, or even the assistant coach as he was under Bryan Gates during the 2008-09 season, but as the eighth head coach in the history of the D-League's Idaho Stampede.
Last season's coach, Bob MacKinnon, stepped down following his lone season in which the Stampede finished 25-25 and failed to make the playoffs.
An official announcement is expected to take place in Boise Wednesday afternoon.
Bill Ilett, majority owner of the Stampede, said at the time of Livingston's jersey retirement that "Randy Livingston stands for everything that is right and professional about the Idaho Stampede franchise. This is an honor for me and for our fans."
Livingston, who served as an assistant coach under Austin Ainge with the Maine Red Claws this past season, retired as a player after helping lead the Stampede to the 2008 NBA D-League Championship following a five-year career with the team. He currently holds the records for all-time assists (1,517), points scored (2,428) and games played (163) for Idaho over the course of his career that spanned the Stampede's time with the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association as well as the D-League.
Ilett noted Tuesday that he was looking for a candidate who could develop alongside his players in an interview with the Idaho Statesman. "I have had a long reputation of giving young coaches a chance to prove themselves with the Idaho Stampede,'' Ilett said. "I'm going back to that formula with this hire." While Livingston is highly-regarded in Idaho, and the minor league basketball landscape in general as he also spent time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, then in the CBA, and Gary Steelheads, his name is also known as one of the most well-traveled journeymen in NBA history.
Considered the nation's top high school player in 1993, Randy chose to attend Louisiana State University, though knee injuries limited the point guard to just 29 games before declaring for the 1996 NBA Draft.
Though Livingston would be chosen in the second round as the 42nd overall pick by the Houston Rockets, the heady floor-leader would go on to play 12 NBA seasons. Livingston played with the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and last, but not least, the Seattle SuperSonics.
Livingston has also been given considerable praise as a point guard development coach following his playing career, most recently in helping develop Mario West into a more complete player with the Red Claws. West was eventually called-up to the Atlanta Hawks where he finished the season.
Former D-League draftee Mike Taylor also benefited from Livingston's teaching as he played the role of point guard understudy during Livingston's final professional season in Idaho.
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