Rick Pitino. Pitino scheduled introductory meetings with the players, during which Donovan informed him that he wanted to transfer to Fairfield or Northeastern, both smaller schools where he might get more playing time. However, when Pitino called the coaches of those two schools on his player's behalf, neither was interested in allocating a scholarship to an inexperienced player with little obvious potential. So Pitino advised Donovan to stay at Providence and get in much better physical shape so he could compete for a roster spot the following season. Donovan followed Pitino's advice and was named the Friar's starting point guard during his junior year. He flourished in Pitino's system, which emphasized the new three-point shot on offense and an aggressive full-court press defense. Donovan averaged 15.1 points per game as a junior, when he was nicknamed "Billy the Kid" by Providence fans after the 19th-century outlaw. During his senior year, he averaged over 20 points and 7 assists per game and led the sixth-seeded Friars to the 1987 Final Four while earning Southeast Regional Most Valuable Player honors. Donovan was also named to the 1987 All-Big East first team, the 1987 Big East All-Tournament team, and was an honorable mention All-American. Pitino would later say, "I've never in my life had anyone work as hard to improve as (Donovan)." Professional career Donovan was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the third round (68th overall) of the 1987 NBA draft, but was waived before the regular season began. He signed with the Wyoming Wildcatters of the Continental Basketball Association, hoping for another chance to play in the NBA. Pitino left Providence after the team's Final Four run and returned to New York as the head coach of the New York Knicks. In December 1987, Donovan was reunited with his college coach when the Knicks signed him to a one-year contract. He served as a reserve guard for the remainder of the 1987–88 season and averaged 2.4 points and 2.0 assists over 44 games. The Knicks waived Donovan in March 1988. He did not make an NBA roster during the 1988–89 preseason, so he returned to the CBA, averaging 10.1 points per game with the Rapid City Thrillers. Before coaching Donovan had not received another NBA offer by the end of 1988 and came to the conclusion that he did not have a long-term future as a professional basketball player. He left