Eric Piatkowski
Encyclopedia
Eric Todd Piatkowski (icon; born September 30, 1970, in Steubenville, Ohio
) is a former American
professional basketball player. He most recently played for the National Basketball Association
's Phoenix Suns
. He is the son of former ABA player Walt Piatkowski
.
. He averaged over 20 points per game his senior season as he led the Cornhuskers to the sixth seed in the NCAA Tournament
. However Piatkowski's team lost to the Penn Quakers
in the opening round. His jersey at Nebraska (No. 52) was retired in 2006.
with the 15th pick of the 1994 NBA Draft
. The Pacers immediately dealt his draft rights, along with Jerome Richardson
and Malik Sealy
, to the Los Angeles Clippers
for Mark Jackson
and the draft rights to Greg Minor
. He ended his Clipper career as the franchise leader in games played (616), 3-point field goals made (738) and 3-point field goal attempts (1,835).
After nine seasons with the Clippers he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Houston Rockets
before the 2003-04 season. Piatkowski became a Bull on September 8, 2004, when Houston sent him, Adrian Griffin
and Mike Wilks
to Chicago in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo
.
On July 13, 2006, Piatkowski officially signed with the Phoenix Suns, agreeing on a two-year, $2.4 million deal.
| align="left" | 1994–95
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 81 || 11 || 14.9 || .441 || .374 || .783 || 1.6 || 1.0 || .5 || .2 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 1995–96
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 65 || 1 || 12.1 || .405 || .333 || .817 || 1.6 || .7 || .4 || .2 || 4.6
|-
| align="left" | 1996–97
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 65 || 0 || 11.5 || .450 || .425 || .821 || 1.6 || .8 || .5 || .2 || 6.0
|-
| align="left" | 1997–98
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 67 || 35 || 26.0 || .452 || .409 || .824 || 3.5 || 1.3 || .8 || .2 || 11.3
|-
| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 49 || 38 || 25.3 || .432 || .394 || .863 || 2.9 || 1.1 || .9 || .1 || 10.5
|-
| align="left" | 1999–00
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 75 || 23 || 22.8 || .415 || .383 || .850 || 3.0 || 1.1 || .6 || .2 || 8.7
|-
| align="left" | 2000–01
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 81 || 40 || 26.5 || .433 || .404 || .873 || 3.0 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 10.6
|-
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 71 || 64 || 24.2 || .439 || .466 || .894 || 2.6 || 1.6 || .6 || .2 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 62 || 26 || 21.9 || .471 || .398 || .828 || 2.5 || 1.1 || .5 || .2 || 9.7
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
| 49 || 0 || 14.3 || .377 || .352 || .875 || 1.5 || .5 || .3 || .1 || 4.1
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Chicago
| 68 || 11 || 12.4 || .430 || .425 || .804 || 1.2 || .8 || .4 || .0 || 4.8
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Chicago
| 29 || 1 || 7.9 || .393 || .273 || .400 || .8 || .4 || .2 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 11 || 0 || 6.6 || .360 || .389 || 1.000 || .8 || .4 || .0 || .1 || 2.5
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 16 || 0 || 7.1 || .364 || .423 || 1.000 || .8 || .6 || .0 || .1 || 2.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 789 || 250 || 18.5 || .434 || .399 || .839 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || .1 || 7.5
| align="left" | 1996–97
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 3 || 0 || 12.7 || .364 || .400 || .857 || .7 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 5.3
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
| 1 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Chicago
| 5 || 0 || 13.2 || .316 || .385 || .857 || 1.8 || .6 || .8 || .2 || 4.6
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Chicago
| 6 || 0 || 4.7 || .500 || .400 || 1.000 || .8 || .2 || .0 || .2 || 1.7
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 1 || 0 || 3.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 1 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 17 || 0 || 8.3 || .368 || .391 || .875 || 1.0 || .2 || .3 || .1 || 3.0
Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville is a city located along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Ohio on the Ohio-West Virginia border in the United States. It is the political county seat of Jefferson County. It is also a principal city of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area...
) is a former American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. He most recently played for the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. He is the son of former ABA player Walt Piatkowski
Walt Piatkowski
Walter Piatkowski, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward, Piatkowski began his career at Toledo Woodward High School then starred at Bowling Green State University, where he was a Converse Honorable Mention All-American in 1968. He then played in the American...
.
High school career
Piatkowski attended Rapid City Stevens High School and was a student and a standout in basketball. In basketball, as a senior, he led his team to the 1989 South Dakota Class AA State Championship, was an All-State selection, and was named the Mr. Basketball for the State of South Dakota.College career
Piatkowski played four years at the University of Nebraska for coach Danny NeeDanny Nee
Danny Nee is the current Head Men's Basketball Coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. His career head coaching record as an NCAA Men's Basketball coach stands at 410-381.-Ohio University:...
. He averaged over 20 points per game his senior season as he led the Cornhuskers to the sixth seed in the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. However Piatkowski's team lost to the Penn Quakers
Penn Quakers
The Penn Quakers are the athletic teams of the University of Pennsylvania. The school sponsors 27 varsity sports. The school has won three NCAA national championships in men's fencing and one in women's fencing.-Men's crew:-Football:...
in the opening round. His jersey at Nebraska (No. 52) was retired in 2006.
NBA career
After completing his eligibility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Piatkowski was drafted by the Indiana PacersIndiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
with the 15th pick of the 1994 NBA Draft
1994 NBA Draft
The 1994 NBA Draft took place on June 29, 1994 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is notable for the fact that two NBA rookies of the year were picked in the first round, as Jason Kidd and Grant Hill were co-winners of the award for the 1994–95 NBA season...
. The Pacers immediately dealt his draft rights, along with Jerome Richardson
Pooh Richardson
Jerome "Pooh" Richardson is an American former National Basketball Association player. he was selected in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, their first draft pick in franchise history...
and Malik Sealy
Malik Sealy
Malik Sealy was an American professional basketball player, active from 1992 until his death in an automobile accident at the age of 30...
, to the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
for Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson (basketball)
Mark A. Jackson is a retired American professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He played point guard for the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets in the NBA in a career...
and the draft rights to Greg Minor
Greg Minor
Greg Magado Minor is an American assistant basketball coach with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League. He is a former NBA basketball player with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers...
. He ended his Clipper career as the franchise leader in games played (616), 3-point field goals made (738) and 3-point field goal attempts (1,835).
After nine seasons with the Clippers he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
before the 2003-04 season. Piatkowski became a Bull on September 8, 2004, when Houston sent him, Adrian Griffin
Adrian Griffin
Adrian Darnell Griffin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:Griffin attended Seton Hall University and was a three-year starter...
and Mike Wilks
Mike Wilks (basketball)
Michael Sharod Wilks, Jr. is an American professional basketball point guard who is currently a free agent.- College career :...
to Chicago in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo , commonly referred to as Dikembe Mutombo, is a retired Congolese American professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the NBA...
.
On July 13, 2006, Piatkowski officially signed with the Phoenix Suns, agreeing on a two-year, $2.4 million deal.
Career highlights and trivia
- He played for the US in the World Basketball games in 1993.
- On February 16, 2002, he set a career high of 36 points against the Dallas MavericksDallas MavericksThe Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
. - He set the Clippers individual season record for three-point percentage at .466 which ranked him third in the NBA that season. (2001-022001-02 NBA season-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs*Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies*Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons...
) - As of 2006, with a .399 percentage, he holds 26th place in NBA history and for career 3-point field goal percentage.
- Nicknamed "Pike" and "The Polish Rifle" for his surname and three-point shooting accuracy.
- Beginning in the 2008-2009 season, Piatkowski became the color analyst on Fox Sports Midwest for the Nebraska men's basketball team. He teams up with Greg Sharpe to call the action for the Cornhuskers.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 1994–95
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 81 || 11 || 14.9 || .441 || .374 || .783 || 1.6 || 1.0 || .5 || .2 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | 1995–96
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 65 || 1 || 12.1 || .405 || .333 || .817 || 1.6 || .7 || .4 || .2 || 4.6
|-
| align="left" | 1996–97
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 65 || 0 || 11.5 || .450 || .425 || .821 || 1.6 || .8 || .5 || .2 || 6.0
|-
| align="left" | 1997–98
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 67 || 35 || 26.0 || .452 || .409 || .824 || 3.5 || 1.3 || .8 || .2 || 11.3
|-
| align="left" | 1998–99
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 49 || 38 || 25.3 || .432 || .394 || .863 || 2.9 || 1.1 || .9 || .1 || 10.5
|-
| align="left" | 1999–00
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 75 || 23 || 22.8 || .415 || .383 || .850 || 3.0 || 1.1 || .6 || .2 || 8.7
|-
| align="left" | 2000–01
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 81 || 40 || 26.5 || .433 || .404 || .873 || 3.0 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 10.6
|-
| align="left" | 2001–02
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 71 || 64 || 24.2 || .439 || .466 || .894 || 2.6 || 1.6 || .6 || .2 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 62 || 26 || 21.9 || .471 || .398 || .828 || 2.5 || 1.1 || .5 || .2 || 9.7
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 49 || 0 || 14.3 || .377 || .352 || .875 || 1.5 || .5 || .3 || .1 || 4.1
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 68 || 11 || 12.4 || .430 || .425 || .804 || 1.2 || .8 || .4 || .0 || 4.8
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Chicago
| 29 || 1 || 7.9 || .393 || .273 || .400 || .8 || .4 || .2 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 11 || 0 || 6.6 || .360 || .389 || 1.000 || .8 || .4 || .0 || .1 || 2.5
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 16 || 0 || 7.1 || .364 || .423 || 1.000 || .8 || .6 || .0 || .1 || 2.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 789 || 250 || 18.5 || .434 || .399 || .839 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || .1 || 7.5
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 1996–97
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 3 || 0 || 12.7 || .364 || .400 || .857 || .7 || .0 || .3 || .0 || 5.3
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 1 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 5 || 0 || 13.2 || .316 || .385 || .857 || 1.8 || .6 || .8 || .2 || 4.6
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 6 || 0 || 4.7 || .500 || .400 || 1.000 || .8 || .2 || .0 || .2 || 1.7
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 1 || 0 || 3.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 1 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 17 || 0 || 8.3 || .368 || .391 || .875 || 1.0 || .2 || .3 || .1 || 3.0