Rick Adelman

Rick Adelman is a former professional basketball player and coach from the United States of America. He played in the National Basketball Association. He last played in the NBA for the Kansas City/ Omaha Kings in 1975. He also coached for NBA teams including the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

As a coach, he was thrice named the NBA All-Star Game Head Coach. In 2023, he was given the Chuck Daily Lifetime Achievement Award.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Richard Leonard Adelman was born on June 16, 1946, in Lynwood, California in the United States of America. He stands 185 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 79 kg. He was a right-handed player. He was a Point Guard.

He is the father of David Adelman who also went on to become a professional basketball coach.

High School and College Career

He attended St. Pius X in Downey, California. Later, he committed to play college basketball for Loyola Marymount University, playing for them from 1965 to 1968.

In 1967 and 1968, he was named to the First-team All-WCC. Then in 1968, he was named the WCC Player of the Year.

Professional Career

He turned pro in 1968. He was selected in the 7th round, 79th overall during the 1968 NBA Draft, picked by the then-San Diego Rockets.

He played for the Rockets from 1968 to 1970. Then from 1970 to 1973, he was with the Portland Trail Blazers. From 1973 to 1974, Adelman played for the Chicago Bulls. He later played for the New Orleans Jazz from 1974 to 1975.

He last played professionally for the Kansas City/ Omaha Kings.

Coaching Career

Adelman started his coaching career in 1977, playing for the Chemeketa CC. Then from 1983 to 1989, he was an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers.

From 1989 to 1994, he was the head coach for Portland. In 1991, he was named the NBA All-Star Game Head Coach. He would be named Head Coach again in 2001 and 2003.

From 1995 to 2014, he coached for the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He retired from coaching in 2014.

In 2023, he was given the Chuck Daily Lifetime Achievement Award.

Career Highlights

As a Player

• 1968 - WCC Player of the Year
• 1967, 1968 - First-team All-WCC

As a Coach

• 1991, 2001, 2003 - NBA All-Star Game head coach
• 2023 - Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award

Career Playing Statistics

• Points - 3,579 (7.7 ppg)
• Rebounds - 1,129 (2.4 rpg)
• Assists - 1,606 (3.5 apg)

Career Coaching Record

• NBA - 1042–749

Team History

As Coach

• 1977–1983 - Chemeketa CC
• 1983–1989 - Portland Trail Blazers (assistant)
• 1989–1994 - Portland Trail Blazers
• 1995–1997 - Golden State Warriors
• 1999–2006 - Sacramento Kings
• 2007–2011 - Houston Rockets