Each of us has those first person friendships from back in the day. Bucky McMillan is one of those guys for me. If you know one thing about him, it's his love for basketball. While most of my friends ventured into corporate America, Bucky pursued his passion as an AAU basketball coach, earning $1,500 a year. He knew his path and excelled. But learn how he made it work.

In 2013, Bucky led Mountain Brook Schools to national prominence, transforming them into one of the best high school teams in the country. Mountain Brook wasn't known for athletic prowess until he worked his magic.

Fast forward to 2020, Samford University recognized Bucky's talent, hiring him to coach their men's basketball program. From just 9 wins initially, he guided them to their first NCAA tournament in 25 years within four years, in 2024.

Whether he coaches a Final 4 team or makes it to the NBA remains to be seen, but I am confident in his success.

Recently, I caught up with Bucky and his staff over dinner, discussing college athletics, the transfer portal, NIL, his potential, and esteemed colleagues like Nate Oats and Bruce Pearl. He holds nothing back.

As the dog days of summer roll in, it's a perfect time to reconnect with individuals who achieve remarkable feats. Don't miss out on hearing Bucky's story and insights - he's an hour well spent for any sports enthusiast.

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