Former Sacramento Kings coach and hall of famer Rick Adelman died, the NBA Coaches Association announced Monday. He was 79 years old. Adelman coached in the NBA for 29 years and was a head coach for 23 of them. He spent eight seasons in Sacramento where he led the Kings during its golden era in the late ’90s and early 2000s. The Kings had their most successful years under Adelman from 1998 to 2006.“The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world,” the Kings said in a statement. “During his eight seasons in Sacramento, he led the team to unprecedented success and helped create some of the most memorable moments in franchise history.” Adelman led the Kings to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2002. The Kings lost in seven games to eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in a series that became infamous among local fans. Other teams he coached for were the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. The hall of famer is 10th in all-time wins at 1,042 games. Before his coaching career, Adelman played eight seasons in the NBA for the San Diego Rockets, Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Jazz and the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. “For an entire generation of Kings fans, Coach Adelman represented the very best of Sacramento basketball, and he will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him – with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork,” the Kings said. “His leadership helped establish a culture that continues to resonate throughout our organization today. Our thoughts are with Mary Kay, his family, friends, former players, and all who loved him.”In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Adelman “was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches” in the league’s history. “Following his NBA playing Rick turned to coaching where his leadership, innovation and genuine love for basketball left a lasting impression on generations of players and fellow coaches over his nearly 30-year run,” Silver said. “He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person. I send my deepest condolences to Rick’s family and many friends throughout the league.” See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Former Sacramento Kings coach and hall of famer Rick Adelman died, the NBA Coaches Association announced Monday.
He was 79 years old.
Adelman coached in the NBA for 29 years and was a head coach for 23 of them.
He spent eight seasons in Sacramento where he led the Kings during its golden era in the late ’90s and early 2000s. The Kings had their most successful years under Adelman from 1998 to 2006.
“The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world,” the Kings said in a statement. “During his eight seasons in Sacramento, he led the team to unprecedented success and helped create some of the most memorable moments in franchise history.”
Adelman led the Kings to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2002. The Kings lost in seven games to eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in a series that became infamous among local fans.
Other teams he coached for were the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The hall of famer is 10th in all-time wins at 1,042 games.
Before his coaching career, Adelman played eight seasons in the NBA for the San Diego Rockets, Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Jazz and the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.
He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
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“For an entire generation of Kings fans, Coach Adelman represented the very best of Sacramento basketball, and he will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him – with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork,” the Kings said. “His leadership helped establish a culture that continues to resonate throughout our organization today. Our thoughts are with Mary Kay, his family, friends, former players, and all who loved him.”
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Adelman “was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches” in the league’s history.
“Following his NBA playing Rick turned to coaching where his leadership, innovation and genuine love for basketball left a lasting impression on generations of players and fellow coaches over his nearly 30-year run,” Silver said. “He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person. I send my deepest condolences to Rick’s family and many friends throughout the league.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel