Edison High grad returning to Oklahoma as president of Indiana Pacers, set to face off OKC Thunder in NBA Finals

Folks in Green Country are rooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder to take home their first NBA championship.

But a few folks in Tulsa are rooting for the Indiana Pacers, because the guy in charge of them is Kevin Pritchard. He lived in Tulsa and graduated from Edison High School.

A Tulsa talent starting early 

Before Kevin Pritchard played in the NBA and then became the leader of the Pacers, he was an Edison Eagle, where his former coach said he shone, even then, as a leader on the court. 

The head basketball coach for Tulsa's Edison High School in the 80s says his teams were like family.

While looking at a team picture from Kevin Pritchard's junior year, Coach John Phillips remembers when he took the team to the state championship. The Eagles made it to another state championship the following year, and it was Kevin's last chance to win it all when he made a shot at the buzzer.

"They said it left his fingers too late, and it was, it was a bad call by the referee," said Phillips.

The 1986 Eagles lost, and Kevin was devastated at the time, but now it's a memory Phillips still brings up when the two are together.

"When I get an opportunity, I always remind him he made the shot. He made a lot of big shots after that," said Phillips. 

Moving on up 

After graduating from Edison, Kevin played for KU and beat the OU Sooners in the 1988 basketball National Championship.

Then he played in the NBA for a few years.

Attempting to make history 

Now Kevin is back in Oklahoma as his Indiana Pacers take on the Thunder for the NBA championship.

"I'm proud of him very much, that I can't express how excited I am for him," said Phillips.

Coach Phillips says he wasn't expecting Oklahoma's team to go up against his friend of four decades, but it's a slam dunk for him no matter what happens.

"We can't lose. I mean, he, if he wins, it's great. The Thunder wins, hopefully it's a good series, and Indiana will feel good about themselves," said Phillips.

Invited to the big game

Coach Phillips says Kevin Pritchard invited him to the finals games in Indiana, but says he will be watching from home.

Another Edison High School Graduate in the Finals

There will be another Edison High School graduate at the NBA Finals. Kevin hired Tom Hankins a few years ago to be the head coach of the Pacers' G-League team, and Hankins will also be in Oklahoma for the games.