Rick Adelman, Coaching Legend, Passes Away at 79
Apr 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Rick Adelman on the sideline against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA is in mourning. Rick Adelman, one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in league history, passed away on Monday, June 1st. He was 79 years old. The National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) announced the news, stating « our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Adelman family during this difficult time ». The cause of death was not disclosed.
Adelman spent 29 seasons on NBA benches, successively coaching the Portland Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. In total, he posted a record of 1,042 wins and 749 losses, placing him 10th in league history. He is one of eleven coaches to have surpassed 1,000 regular season wins.
Rick Adelman 1946-2026 https://t.co/Lz1QlQzOMN
— Kevin John (@heykevinjohn) June 1, 2026
An Exceptional Journey, from Portland to Sacramento
Before becoming a coach, Adelman had himself played seven seasons in the NBA as a point guard, after being drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1968. He began his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College, before joining the Trail Blazers staff in 1983. Named head coach in 1989, he led Portland to the NBA Finals twice: in 1990, against the Detroit Pistons, and again in 1992, against the Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan.
It is in Sacramento, however, that his legacy is strongest. Over eight seasons with the Kings, from 1998 to 2006, Adelman led the team to the playoffs every year, recorded five consecutive 50-win seasons, and guided the franchise to the Western Conference Finals in 2002. With players such as Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby, he developed a fluid and innovative offense that revolutionized the game. His 395 wins remain to this day the all-time franchise record.
« The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision defined an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world », the California franchise said in a statement.
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.
During his eight seasons in… pic.twitter.com/nX0848kCW9
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) June 1, 2026
In Houston, he orchestrated a 22-game winning streak in 2008, the fourth-longest in NBA history. The Rockets honored « his role in that winning streak, one of the most remarkable achievements in franchise history ».
A Legacy That Goes Beyond Basketball
Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute to both the man and the coach: « He was a brilliant strategist, a developer of players, and an even better person. » Former point guard Kyle Lowry expressed personal gratitude: « He believed in me. He could have done otherwise, played other guys, but he trusted me. Without him, I don’t know what kind of career I would have had. »
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former NBA player, head coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Adelman:
« Rick Adelman was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA. Following… pic.twitter.com/O8ciXfIg7R
— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2026
Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, Adelman had also received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award from the NBCA in 2023. His son David continues his legacy today as head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Rick is survived by his wife Mary Kay and six children.
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