Billy Donovan '87 Inducted Into The Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College basketball legend Billy Donovan '87 was honored tonight (Sept. 6) at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame where he was enshrined as a member of the 2025 Hall of Fame class. The event took place in Springfield, Mass., and included several other historical inductees such as Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team.

Donovan has been one of the most impactful and recognizable figures in Friar basketball history. He played for the Friars from 1983-87 in which he was coached by both Joe Mullaney and Rick Pitino. He scored 1,328 points in 122 games. He shot 327-402 (81.3 percent) from the free-throw line for his career.

Donovan is best known for his senior season when the three-point line was added to college basketball. In 1986-87, shot 40.9 percent (97-237) from three-point territory. His 97 threes in 1987 ranks second all-time at PC in a single season. He averaged 20.6 points, 7.1 assists, 2.4 steals and shot 84.3 percent from the free-throw line, which all led the Friars to a fourth-place finish in BIG EAST play. The team then went on a run which resulted in a trip to the NCAA Final Four. He was named MVP of the Southeast Region, All-BIG EAST First Team, BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, New England Player of the Year, All-New England, All-East and UPI Honorable Mention All-America.

Following graduation, he played one season in the NBA. He then became the head coach of the University Florida for 19 seasons (1996-2015). He led the team to two NCAA titles (2006 and 2007) and five seasons with a No. 1 national ranking. Donovan is one of three Friar alums to lead a team to a NCAA title. He coached the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder for five seasons (2015-20) before moving on to his current job as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls (2020-present). He has won over 400 games in his NBA coaching career.

Donvan is the fifth Friar all-time to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. He joins former players Lenny Wilkens '60 (1989, 1998 and 1992 inductions) and John Thompson '64 (1999 induction), and former coaches Dave Gavitt (2006 induction) and Rick Pitino (2013 induction). Lenny Wilkens graduated Providence in 1960 and was the first PC player to earn the Hall of Fame honor. He earned the honor three times, first as a player, then as a coach, then as a contributor to the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team". John Thompson graduated PC in 1964 and during his senior year earned first team All-American, New England Player of the Year, ECAC All-Star, and East-West All Star. He then went on to win two NBA championships in his only two NBA season with the Celtics (1965, 1966), and later coached Georgetown to an NCAA title in 1984. Dave Gavitt spent 17 years with Providence College as an assistant coach (1962-1966), head coach (1969-1979) and athletics director (1971-1982). During his 10 seasons with the Friars as a head coach, he registered a record of 209-84 (.713) and the schools' first Final Four in 1973. Gavitt also was the catalyst behind the formation of the BIG EAST Conference, founded in 1979, CEO of the Boston Celtics from 1990-94 and Chairman of the Board of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until 2003. Rick Pitino coached Providence and Billy Donovan for two seasons from 1985-1987. He led the Friars to a Final Four in 1987 and was a key part in turning around Providence basketball. He has reached six Final Fours and won two national titles in the NCAA and later coached in the NBA for a total of six seasons.

-GOFRIARS!-

Providence College Athletics

Billy Donovan '87 Inducted Into The Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame

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