Butch van Breda Kolff's journey through the world of basketball is marked by a diverse and extensive career as both a player and a coach. Born on October 28, 1922, in Montclair, New Jersey, van Breda Kolff attended Princeton University, where he played college basketball. His playing career was briefly interrupted by his service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to Princeton and completed his college basketball career.

Van Breda Kolff's professional playing career began in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the New York Knicks during the 1946-47 season. His time as a player in the league was relatively short, and he soon transitioned into coaching, where he found a more enduring role.

His coaching career began at the college level, where he took the helm at Lafayette College from 1951 to 1955. He then moved on to Hofstra University, coaching there from 1955 to 1962. During his tenure at Hofstra, van Breda Kolff developed a reputation for his coaching acumen, which eventually led to opportunities at larger programs.

In 1962, he became the head coach at Princeton University, his alma mater. Under his leadership, the Princeton Tigers achieved considerable success, including a Final Four appearance in the 1964-65 season. His coaching style emphasized teamwork and discipline, traits that were well-suited to the collegiate game.

Van Breda Kolff's success at Princeton caught the attention of professional teams, and he made the leap to the NBA as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1967. During his time with the Lakers, he coached some of the game's greatest players, including Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals in both 1968 and 1969 under his guidance, but they fell short of winning the championship each time, losing to the Boston Celtics.

After his stint with the Lakers, van Breda Kolff continued his coaching career in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons and the Phoenix Suns. He also spent time coaching in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Memphis Tams and the New Orleans Jazz. His coaching style was often described as intense and demanding, and he was known for his ability to develop young talent.

In addition to his professional coaching career, van Breda Kolff returned to the college ranks later in his career, coaching at the University of New Orleans and Lafayette College once again. His extensive coaching career spanned several decades and included numerous stops at both the collegiate and professional levels.

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