We first mentioned this back on 8/6. It’s now been made official…
One of the all-time greatest players to ever don the Cherry and White, Aaron McKie, is returning to his alma mater as he has been named an assistant men’s basketball coach at Temple University. McKie will join current assistants Dwayne Killings and Shawn Trice while Dave Duke will assume a new role as the team’s Director of Player Development, announced Temple men’s basketball head coach Fran Dunphy.
"Aaron McKie is not only Temple Basketball, but he is Philadelphia Basketball," said Dunphy. "His name still resonates in the city, as he played his high school, college and professional ball in Philly. He is a tremendous representative of Temple University and possesses an astute basketball mind which will serve to help the program in so many ways."
"I am truly excited for the opportunity to come back and coach at my alma mater," said McKie. "To work on the staff of one of the best coaches in the country – one respected by his peers but under the radar in the media – in Fran Dunphy is a great opportunity. I am looking forward to helping the program continue its winning tradition."
A Philadelphia native who was a prep standout at Simon Gratz High School, McKie had an incredible three-year career at Temple (1991-92 thru 1993-94) and is currently tied for sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,650 points. A starter for all 92 games of his career, he averaged 17.9 points per game while leading the Owls to 60 wins, three NCAA Tournaments and a trip to the 1993 Elite Eight.
The 6-5 swingman earned many accolades during his heralded collegiate career, including honorable mention All-American (1993); first-team All-Atlantic 10 (1993, 1994), A-10 All-Championship team (1993); first team all-Big 5 (1992, 1993, 1994). In addition, McKie was named Atlantic 10 Conference and Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year for his performance in the 1992-93 season, when he averaged a team-best 20.6 points per game.
Selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, McKie played 13 seasons in the NBA, including eight with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.15 steals while playing in 793 career games, starting 287 times.
As a member of the Sixers in 2000-01, McKie enjoyed his best season, taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors while helping his hometown team reach the NBA Finals. That season, he recorded back-to-back triple-doubles at Sacramento on Dec. 30, 2000 (19 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds) and vs. Atlanta on Jan. 3, 2001 (11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).
Following his playing career, McKie spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, helping the franchise to four appearances in the NBA playoffs.
McKie is active in the community, through his foundation, "AM8". He and his wife, Lisa, reside in the Philadelphia area with their four children, Erin (15), Jaron (7), and twin sons Justin and Julian (4).
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