Coby Joseph Karl (born June 8, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player who is assistant to the head coach at Boise State men's basketball team. He is the son of NBA head coach George Karl.
High school career Karl attended Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin, and lettered in basketball. He was an All-Suburban selection, a first team All-Conference selection, and an All-State Honorable Mention selection as a senior. Karl graduated in 2002.
College career Karl played basketball at Boise State while majoring in Mass Communications. The shooting guard led the Broncos in points (17.2) and assists (4.0) as a junior, and he averaged 14.8 points and 4.0 assists during his senior season en route to First Team All-WAC honors in 2007.
Karl had weighed whether to return to college for his senior year or to enter the 2006 NBA draft, attending a few pre-draft workouts for various professional teams. However, he decided to return to college.
Professional career Karl was not drafted by an NBA team, but made the Lakers' 15-man roster as a free agent. Karl made his NBA debut on October 30, 2007, with the Lakers versus the Houston Rockets, playing 37 seconds and registering no statistics.Rockets at Lakers boxscore at NBA.com He was assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.
On February 19, 2008, Karl joined Lakers' second-year guard Jordan Farmar as the only other player in league history to see action in same-day D-League and NBA games.Lakers assign Coby Karl to D-Fenders for final time this season
Karl was then recalled from the Los Angeles D-Fenders for the third time that season, which is the most any player can be recalled in one season.Lakers recall Coby Karl from D-Fenders
In April 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs, Karl and his father became the first father and son to ever oppose each other in the NBA playoffs. Karl was a reserve for the Lakers, and his father was the head coach for the Nuggets. Karl was released by Los Angeles on October 27, 2008.
Karl joined the Spanish pro club Joventut Badalona of the Liga ACB in January 2009.Joventut replaces Bracey Wright with Coby Karl Carl joins Joventut
In September 2009, Karl reached an agreement to attend training camp with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he competed for a regular-season roster spot. On October 22, 2009, the Cavaliers made three final cuts, ensuring Karl a spot on their opening day roster. The Cavaliers waived Karl on January 6, 2010, sending him to free agency.The Cavs waive Coby Karl. Retrieved on January 6, 2010.
On January 30, 2010, Karl was signed to a 10-day contract by the Golden State Warriors. After his stint with the Warriors, he returned to the NBA D-League as a member of the Idaho Stampede.Coby Karl Returns To Idaho Stampede
On April 11, 2010, Karl was signed to the Nuggets to an undisclosed contract.Nuggets sign coach Karl's son Coby He was waived by the Nuggets on August 16, 2010.Nuggets waive Coby Karl
In September 2010, he returned to play in Spain, signing a one-year contract with CB Granada.Coby Karl lands by CB Granada
In May 2011, after being relegated to the second division in Spain with CB Granada, he signed with Armani Jeans Milano in Italy until the end of the season.L'Olimpia ingaggia Coby Karl
In September 2011, he signed with Fabi Shoes Montegranaro in Lega Basket Serie A in Italy.
In October 2012, Karl rejoined the Idaho Stampede.TEN ADDED TO STAMPEDE ROSTER
On July 30, 2013, Karl signed with Pallacanestro Reggiana of Italy.Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia announced Coby Karl He left them in December 2013. He then signed with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. On March 12, he left Riesen Ludwigsburg with the intent of going to the D-League.Coby Karl leaves Ludwigsburg to join Reno BigHorns On March 17, 2015, he signed with Reno and made his debut.Bighorns fall at home to the Vipers On August 21, 2015, Karl retired.
Coaching career On October 27, 2015, Karl was hired as an assistant coach by the Westchester Knicks, the NBA Development League affiliate of the New York Knicks. Westchester made significant improvement during the one season Karl spent on the bench, upping its record from 10–40 in 2014–15 to a 28–22 mark during the 2015–16 campaign.
On September 12, 2016, Karl took over his first head coaching role with the NBA D-League's Los Angeles D-Fenders, the affiliate team of the Lakers. He was not retained by the organization prior to the 2021–22 season.
On September 28, 2021, Karl became the new head coach of the Delaware Blue Coats. On April 7, 2023, he won the NBA G League title with the Blue Coats.
On September 5, 2023, Karl became an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. On May 15, 2025, Karl and the 76ers parted ways.
On September 25, 2025, Karl became assistant to the head coach for the Boise State men's basketball team.
Thyroid cancer Karl also underwent radioactive iodine treatment, a painless and simple outpatient treatment, for papillary carcinoma, a thyroid cancer considered by doctors to be one of the most treatable forms of cancer. After his senior year, Karl again had another surgery to remove cancerous cells. His father left the Nuggets to be with his son during the seven-hour surgery and returned to the team after the completion of the surgery.Karl says son is doing well after cancer surgery
NBA career statistics
Regular season
| align="left" | | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 17 || 0 || 4.2 || .346 || .308 || .800 || .8 || .5 || .2 || .1 || 1.8 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | Cleveland | 3 || 0 || 1.7 || – || – || – || .7 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | Golden State | 4 || 1 || 27.0 || .344 || .182 || .667 || 4.0 || 3.8 || .8 || .3 || 7.0 |- | align="left" | Career | align="left" | | 24 || 1 || 7.6 || .345 || .250 || .750 || 1.3 || 1.0 || .3 || .1 || 2.4
Playoffs
| align="left" | 2008 | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 1 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0
Notes
External links
NBA D-League player profile ACB.com profile