Nobody was happier to see Larry Brown wrap up his first NBA championship Wednesday night than Brown’s former graduate assistant at Kansas University, current KU coach Bill Self.

“He is remarkably great at what he does. I think it’s awesome,” said Self, who worked on Brown’s Final Four staff in 1986. “This finally gives him his due, what everybody in the profession has known for so long — he’s as good as any coach in the world.

“I don’t think he needs to validate his career, but this certainly will in the minds of many.”

Brown is the first coach in history to lead teams to NCAA and NBA titles.

Pistons secure NBA title

“It doesn’t surprise anybody who has had any chance to spend time with him as coach,” Self said.

Of the series, which Detroit won, 4-1, Self said: “If the other team doesn’t score, you can’t lose.”