Beno Udrih grooming for after his playing career

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 07: Patrick Beverley
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 07: Patrick Beverley /
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Beno Udrih played a crucial role for the Detroit Pistons last season, playing backup point guard early in the season when Reggie Jackson was out.

Beno Udrih was a crucial piece of the Detroit Pistons’ effort to stay afloat in the early stages of last season when Reggie Jackson was out with knee tendinitis. His role reduced significantly after Jackson returned, but he played so well in his absence that there was a reasonable case to start him and move Ish Smith to backup point guard.

He shot 46.5 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent from three point range last season, averaging 5.8 points and 3.4 assists per game in his limited action.

Now, Udrih is an unrestricted free agent at 35 years of age and still hoping for a call from an NBA team. In the meantime, he’s working out at the Pistons’ practice facility in Auburn Hills and grooming for a post-NBA coaching career.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press lays out Udrih’s situation:

"Free agent point guard Beno Udrih, who is fully recovered from the right knee injury that ended his Pistons season in April, is working out at the practice facility in Auburn Hills.At 35, the 13-year veteran is nearing the end of his career, but said Wednesday that he would like to play a couple more seasons.In the meantime, he’s preparing for a post-NBA career in coaching with an unofficial internship with Van Gundy’s staff."

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Whether more basketball is in the two-time NBA champion’s future (in 2005 and 2007 with the San Antonio Spurs) on the court or not, there should be no doubt that one day he’ll make a good coach on the sidelines for some team.