Rick Adelman Biography: Richard Leonard Adelman born June 16, 1946 is a former professional basketball player and longtime NBA coach. Over the course of 23 seasons, he served as head coach for several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. In recognition of his impactful career, Adelman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2021.
Rick Adelman Biography
Rick Adelman is a retired NBA head coach with an extensive career leading five teams: the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Adelman began his NBA journey as a 6-foot-2 guard, entering the league in 1968. He spent 14 years with the Trail Blazers organization, including three seasons as a player (1970–1973), five years as an assistant coach (1983–1989), and six seasons as head coach (1989–1994). During his time as head coach in Portland, he compiled an impressive 291–154 record and led the team to the NBA Finals twice, in 1990 and 1992. He later coached the Golden State Warriors for two seasons (1995–1997). As a player, Adelman averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 27.7 minutes per game during his three seasons in Portland before being traded to the Chicago Bulls.
Rick Adelman Biography 2025 Details
| Born | June 16, 1946 (age 78) Lynwood, California, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| High school | St. Pius X (Downey, California) |
| College | Loyola Marymount (1965–1968) |
| NBA draft | 1968: 7th round, 79th overall pick |
| Drafted by | San Diego Rockets |
| Playing career | 1968–1975 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Number | 12, 21, 5 |
| Coaching career | 1977–2014 |
| Category | Football Biographies |
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About Rick Adelman
Richard Leonard Adelman is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He coached 23 seasons in the National Basketball Association. Adelman served as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rick Adelman Wiki
- Born: 16 June 1946 (age 78 years), Lynwood, California, United States
- Coaching career: 1977–2014
- Children: David Adelman, R.J. Adelman, Kathryn Adelman Naro
- Career end: 1975
- Spouse: Mary Kay Adelman (m. 1973)
- Siblings: Clete Adelman
- Height: 85 m
Early Life and Playing Career
Born in Lynwood, California, Adelman is the son of Gladys (née Olsen) and Leonard Joseph “L.J.” Adelman, who were originally from North Dakota and worked as teachers and farmers. He began playing basketball at Pius X High School in Downey, California, and continued his career at Loyola University of Los Angeles, now known as Loyola Marymount University. Adelman entered the NBA when he was selected in the seventh round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets (now Houston Rockets).
He spent two seasons with the Rockets before being picked up by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1970 expansion draft, where he played for three seasons. He also had stints with the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Jazz (now Utah Jazz), and Kansas City/Omaha Kings (now Sacramento Kings), retiring from professional play in 1975.
Trivia
Rick Adelman was the head coach of the Sacramento Kings during the infamous 7-game playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002—a series that later drew controversy when former NBA referee Tim Donaghy alleged it was partially manipulated by the league.
Coaching Career
Rick Adelman began his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, where he served as head coach from 1977 to 1983. Following his time at Chemeketa, Adelman joined the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant coach under Jack Ramsay. When Ramsay was replaced by Mike Schuler in 1986, Adelman remained on the coaching staff. During the 1988–89 season, Schuler was dismissed, and Adelman was named interim head coach. Despite finishing that season with a 39–43 record, he led the team to the playoffs and was officially named head coach during the 1989 off-season.
Adelman’s first three full seasons at the helm were highly successful. He guided the Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, where they fell to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, respectively. In 1991, Portland made it to the Western Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers. Adelman coached two additional seasons with the team but was let go following the 1993–94 campaign.
Golden State Warriors
After a year away from coaching, Adelman was hired as head coach of the Golden State Warriors on May 19, 1995, taking over a team that had just finished an injury-plagued 26-win season. His first year saw some improvement, but the team struggled down the stretch, winning only 10 of its final 28 games to finish 36–46. The following season was more difficult, with the Warriors finishing last in their division with just 30 wins. Adelman and his coaching staff were dismissed on April 28, 1997. Reflecting on his tenure, Adelman noted that by February of that season, he had sensed his dismissal was inevitable.
Personal life
After retiring in 2014, Rick Adelman and his wife Mary Kay chose to settle in Portland to be closer to their family. They have six children and are grandparents to eleven grandchildren. One of their children, David Adelman, has followed in his father’s footsteps and is also a professional basketball coach.
Rick Adelman Net Worth 2025
Rick Adelman’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. Adelman is a well-known basketball coach, who has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He is known for his coaching career with various NBA teams.
FAQs
Where did Rick Adelman begin his coaching career?
Rick Adelman started his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, where he coached from 1977 to 1983.
How did Rick Adelman become head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers?
Adelman was promoted to interim head coach during the 1988–89 season after Mike Schuler was fired. After leading the team to the playoffs, he was named the full-time head coach in the 1989 off-season.
How successful was Rick Adelman with the Portland Trail Blazers?
Adelman had a highly successful run with the Trail Blazers, leading the team to two NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992, and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 1991.
Why was Rick Adelman fired from the Golden State Warriors?
Despite some improvements, Adelman was unable to produce a winning season with the Warriors. After two underwhelming years, he and his coaching staff were dismissed in April 1997.
What was controversial about the 2002 Kings vs. Lakers playoff series?
The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and Lakers, coached by Rick Adelman, became controversial after former referee Tim Donaghy claimed the series was partly manipulated by the NBA.
Did Rick Adelman ever play in the NBA?
Yes, Rick Adelman played in the NBA as a 6’2″ guard, spending time with several teams including the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Jazz, and Kansas City-Omaha Kings before retiring in 1975.