Well-wisher after well-wisher approached Fred Hoiberg at the NBA draft combine Thursday at Quest Multisport, shaking his hand and catching up. The congratulations poured in for landing his new job leading Nebraska basketball.
Of course, if Hoiberg hadn’t lost his old one, he would’ve been helping the Bulls brass scout prospects, not watching Nebraska forward Isaiah Roby’s lone game and then leaving.
Nevertheless, Hoiberg, who accepted a seven-year, $25 million deal March 31, insisted it didn’t feel strange to stop by the combine. He even said he has had sporadic contact with Bulls executive vice president John Paxson, who fired him as coach Dec. 1. In fact, the two were seen chatting at the combine Thursday.
“I’ve talked to John a few times. I’m very thankful for the opportunity I got in Chicago,” Hoiberg said. “I learned a lot there and am a better coach because of that experience. I’m doing everything I can to make the most of my new opportunity. I’m excited about it. And that’s all I’m looking forward to.”
Hoiberg said his first six weeks at Nebraska have been a whirlwind. He finally took a break last weekend to watch his twin sons, who are in high school, play in an AAU basketball tournament.
“We’ve been so busy. We signed 11 guys in the first six weeks,” Hoiberg said. “So it’s really been crazy.”
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