Jeff Teague finds niche after NBA as podcaster, HS coach
INDIANAPOLIS (BVM) – When it comes to professional athletes, regardless of sport, fans tend to hold the players in a certain reverence as outsiders who can do the near impossible. In this respect, it makes it hard for these elite few to be seen as anything similar to the average person.
However, once in a while, there are breaks in this normally held belief and some professional players can surprise with their candid nature and relatability. In recent months, former NBA player Jeff Teague has broken the traditional mold of a professional athlete as he has revealed some of his most embarrassing and relatable moments through his podcast.
Teague, who spent 12 years in the NBA, won a championship and was an All-Star during the 2014-15 season, has been making the rounds on social media as clips from his podcast, “Club 520 Podcast” have circulated since the show began in late January. While he had a standout career in the league, Teague brings a sense of relatability to his career as he tells stories of getting overconfident against LeBron James, getting beat by Steph Curry and life on the bench for the championship Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
https://twitter.com/ovocartier/status/1680612417695301632
The former professional point guard has likely always been seen as different from anyone else from a young age as he finished his prep career at Pike High School in Indianapolis ranked as a top-100 recruit before excelling for Wake Forest and eventually becoming a first-round NBA draft pick and All-Star. Now, after spending life living up to a certain standard, Teague has been able to let his hair down to enormous success.
Not only do Teague’s podcast clips circle social media, but the show has gained a strong following in the process with over 11,000 subscribers on YouTube. Teague has also become a fan favorite with many shouting out his funny stories and great insights.
“I’ve been waiting years for Jeff to have a podcast and it’s even better than I thought. If you need a social media guy for clips I’ll work for free. Love you Jeff,” wrote one listener on the show’s Apple Podcast page.
“Hilarious pod. Was a huge Jeff Teague fan, followed his entire career cool to see him open up w friends,” wrote another.
Teague really found a lane with his "so many guys I played with or against were so much better than me" angle. Not too many athletes are willing to be that candid and open. It's honest and hilarious. https://t.co/i4L12BJNfU
— 🐿️✨America Is Musty✨🐿️ (@DragonflyJonez) July 16, 2023
While Teague’s success behind the mic has been a pleasant surprise for NBA fans, he has also continued to carve a path in basketball as well. After spending two years in the Atlanta Hawks’ scouting department, Teague decided to return to courtside as the head coach for his high school, being hired by the school in April.
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At Pike, Teague will be tasked with trying to help a tradition-rich program with three state championships under its belt return to its winning ways after the team hasn’t won even a sectional championship since 2020. Last season, the Red Devils went 16-9 and fell in the sectional championship to eventual Class 4A undefeated state champs Ben Davis. Though Teague does not have any coaching experience, he understands the school and the community and gets the benefit of a team returning a lot of veteran players.
Despite Teague entertaining NBA fans by making light of his professional career, he is still a great basketball mind and should help his alma mater heading into the future. Given his success both on the court and off of it following his time in the league, fans should expect to see even more of Teague as his two new careers take off.
