Jim Les is synonymous with Bradley Basketball, having served as a ball boy, player, and now head coach. Regarded as the best point guard in Bradley’s history, Les began his basketball journey at Notre Dame High School for Boys before playing college basketball at Cleveland State, where he set the school’s freshman record for assists in 1981. Transferring to Bradley University, he became a standout, leading the Braves to a 16-0 record in the Missouri Valley Conference during the 1985-86 season and a first-round victory in the NCAA Tournament.

In 1986, Les earned conference Player of the Year honors and the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Hall of Fame Award, recognizing the nation’s top senior under six feet tall. His 696 career assists at Bradley remain a school record, and his 884 total assists rank second in Division I history. Selected in the third round of the 1986 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Les enjoyed a seven-season NBA career, playing for teams such as the Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers. In the 1990-91 season, he led the league in three-point shooting percentage (.451) and remains a top shooter in Sacramento Kings history.

After retiring, Les transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant coach in the WNBA before becoming head basketball coach at Bradley in 2001. Under his leadership, Bradley reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and defeated three top-25 teams in the process. He has also prioritized academics, with all 12 seniors graduating during his tenure. Married to his wife Jodi, Les is a proud father of three children: Tyler, Amber, and Hannah.