Ex-NBA player returns home to coach at Snohomish High

(AP) — After starring at the University of Washington, playing in the NBA and venturing overseas for the final segment of his career as a player, Jon Brockman has returned to the place where his basketball journey began.

The former Snohomish High School standout, one of the most successful athletes in county history, is serving as a volunteer coach for the Panthers boys' basketball program this season.

Brockman had stayed in contact over the years with members of the Snohomish coaching staff, including first-year head coach Jim Wilson, who was the C-team coach when Brockman played for the Panthers.

Brockman, a 2005 Snohomish graduate, was a McDonald's All-American who earned Associated Press state player of the year honors as a senior after he averaged 30.2 points and 14 rebounds per game.

After turning down perennial powerhouse Duke to play college basketball for the hometown Huskies, Brockman compiled a record-setting career at Washington, finishing as the all-time leading rebounder and second-leading scorer in program history.

The 6-foot-7 power forward helped UW reach the Sweet 16 in his freshman season and as a senior led the Huskies to the Pac-10 regular-season title — the program's first outright conference championship in more than half a century.

The couple has dreams of living on a farm one day, but for right now, Brockman said, he's enjoying being home and spending time with friends and family.