Report: UConn's Kevin Ollie willing to listen to Lakers

Kevin Ollie led UConn to the national title in his second year as a head coach. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

UConn head coach Kevin Ollie's name has been linked to the Lakers' list of coaching candidates. And if the storied franchise wants to talk to the coach of the 2014 NCAA national champions, he is willing to listen, according to Mark Medina of insidesocal.com.

While Ollie is interested in hearing what the Lakers have to say, Medina's source says the coach remains very content with his UConn job.

“He’ll listen, but he’s real committed to his alma mater,” said a person familiar with Ollie’s thinking.

Ollie's profile skyrocketed in just his second season as a head coach after leading the No. 7 seeded Huskies past four higher seeded teams, including No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Villanova on the way to a win over Kentucky in the championship final.

Ollie has NBA experience as a player (13 seasons) and has been lauded by Kevin Durant for his impact on the Thunder's team culture during their 2008-09 50-win season.

"Kevin Ollie, he was a game-changer for us," Durant told Grantland's Bill Simmons during All-Star weekend. "He changed the whole culture, I think. He might not say it, but I think he changed the whole culture in Oklahoma City."

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Joining the Lakers would be a hometown move for Ollie, who starred at Crenshaw High School in South Central Los Angeles.