Photos by WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers VIEW FROM ABOVE—One-time Simi Valley High School All-American Don MacLean, above, watches his team of first-graders practice at White Oak Elementary School in Westlake Village. MacLean, who is UCLA's all-time leading scorer and enjoyed a 10-year career in the NBA, now coaches his son's Westlake National Junior Basketball team. At right, MacLean's 6-foot-10 frame eclipses the sun. To the 6- and 7-year-old boys on the Tigers Westlake National Junior Basketball team, former UCLA and professional star Don MacLean is just another dad. He's the father of their teammate, Kyle, and also the Tigers' coach.

But savvy fans remember MacLean, who's been a resident of Westlake Village for the past 11 years, from his days as a Bruin and his nine years on a variety of NBA teams across the country, including the Washington Bullets, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Seattle Supersonics, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat.

The 6-foot 10-inch MacLean was named the NBA's most improved player for 199394, averaging 18.2 points per game. He retired from pro ball after the 200102 season.

A four-year starter in college, MacLean holds the record for points scored at UCLA and the Pac10 Conference.

Now 39, MacLean remains involved in the sport not only as his son's coach but also as a broadcaster for the past six years for UCLA and the Los Angeles Clippers. This is MacLean's second year as a volunteer coach with Westlake NJB.

"As a coach, he is passionate about making basketball a fun part of his players' lives, and the kids learn so much when they are with him," league president Tami Miller said.

Not content to remain on the sidelines, MacLean wanted to share his knowledge of the game.

"It's refreshing for me to remember in watching these kids at 5, 6, 7 years old just play. There's no other stuff, no other coaches, no shoe companies, no recruiting," he said. "It's just playing, how to put that ball in the basket, how to dribble."

MacLean began playing basketball as a young child in his Simi Valley neighborhood. He soon joined a league and was coached by a teammate's father.

The name of that coach was Bob Hawking, who became the boys' basketball leader at Simi Valley High School. Under Hawking's guidance, MacLean—who remains the leading scorer in Ventura County history—and his teammates won a 1987-88 sectional championship.

"I got exposed really early on to good coaching," he recalled, "I just kind of fell in love with the game and spent a lot of time at it."

MacLean said he only played outdoors when he was a boy.

"Our kids are lucky to have a gym to play in. Whether rain or cold, they still get to play," he said.

MacLean, who's also coached his son Kyle in baseball and soccer, commends all volunteer coaches for their efforts.

"To put yourself out there to coach once, twice a week isn't easy for anyone. We all have jobs, we're busy," he said.

"The ones that do find it pretty rewarding, to coach your son, other kids and getting them to learn the game."

In addition to Kyle, who will be 7 in February, MacLean and his wife, Brooke, have two other sons, Blake, 4, and Trent, 3.

MacLean plans to coach all three, but says it might be "tricky" to juggle the schedules.

The former NBA pro admits to missing the game—his bad left knee put him on the sidelines permanently—but said he enjoys his continued involvement in the sport as a broadcaster.

"You can't play forever. I had some good years. The NBA is a great life, a great job and I enjoyed it, but where I'm at now and being able to watch my sons is great."