Dick Bennett literally watched Terry Porter grow up and now he thinks it's time for his former player to take the next step in his basketball development.

"I think Terry would make a great NBA coach," said Bennett, the former University of Wisconsin coach who recently came out of retirement to accept the Washington State head coaching position. "If Milwaukee is looking for a guy who relates to younger players, they can't find a better coach than Terry."

Porter, who played for Bennett at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 1981 through 1985 after prepping at Milwaukee South, is believed to be one of seven candidates under consideration for the Milwaukee Bucks head coaching position. The opening was created recently when George Karl was fired with one year remaining on his contract.

The Bucks also are believed to be considering Atlanta Hawks interim coach Terry Stotts; former Bucks great and more recently a Dallas Mavericks assistant, Sidney Moncrief; current Bucks assistant Don Newman; Detroit Pistons assistant Mike Woodson; Seattle SuperSonics associate head coach Dwane Casey; and Phoenix Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni.

Of all the candidates, Porter, who has been an assistant with the Sacramento Kings for one season, has the shortest coaching resume. But none can match his record of longevity as a player.