Kevin Pritchard
Encyclopedia
Kevin Lee Pritchard is a retired American professional basketball
player.
, where he was the starting point guard
on the Jayhawks team that defeated the Oklahoma Sooners
for the 1988 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship. While at KU, he played under head men's basketball coach Larry Brown
, assistants R.C. Buford and Alvin Gentry
, and one year under then-volunteer assistant coach Gregg Popovich
, now the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs
.
Pritchard holds the distinction of being the first player to make a 3-point shot at Allen Fieldhouse
in 1986. During his time at University of Kansas
, Pritchard became a member of the Sigma Chi
Fraternity. He was also named three times on the Academic All-Big Eight.
of the National Basketball Association
as the 34th overall pick 1990. He had a six-year NBA career spanning five teams—the Warriors, the Boston Celtics
, the Philadelphia 76ers
, the Miami Heat
, and the Washington Bullets. He also holds the distinction of being the first player signed in the history of the Vancouver Grizzlies
in 1995, although he was released before getting an opportunity to play a game for them. Pritchard's playing career also included a stint with Caceres C.B. in Spain, Pfizer Reggio Calabria
in Italy
in 1993-1994 and Bayer Leverkusen
in Germany
1996-1997. He retired from playing in 1998.
of the ABA, which he led to a championship in 2001. Later, he was hired by San Antonio Spurs
general manager R. C. Buford to be a scout in the Spurs' organization, and two years later was hired by the Portland Trail Blazers
as director of player personnel.
Pritchard would return to public prominence in 2005, when the Trail Blazers fired then head coach Maurice Cheeks
and named Pritchard as his interim replacement. Pritchard, who made it clear at the outset that he had little intent of being the team's coach on a long-term basis, used the remainder of the season to evaluate talent.
with the #1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft
, Pritchard orchestrated two more draft-day trades of significance:
In 2008, Pritchard orchestrated several draft day trades that netted the Blazers their future starting small forward Nicolas Batum
with the 25th pick, and also added Jerryd Bayless
with the 11th pick. Pritchard has gained a reputation of an astute evaluator of NBA talent who has been able to select stars at the top of the draft (Brandon Roy
, LaMarcus Aldridge
) as well as top level talent towards the bottom of the first rung (Rudy Fernandez
, Nicolas Batum
), plus solid contributors and role players in the second round (Dante Cunningham
, Patty Mills, Jeff Pendergraph
). The 2008-09 Blazers were the second youngest team in the league, yet they finished the season with 54 wins, tied for second most in the Western Conference.
In December 2008, the Blazers attempted to block other NBA teams from signing Darius Miles
solely for the purpose of negatively impacting the Blazers' salary cap situation. Miles ended up signing with the Memphis Grizzlies
.
In the summer of 2009, the Blazers added to their core of young talent by signing veterans Andre Miller
and Juwan Howard
to free agent contracts. The 2009-10 Blazers suffered an historic level of injuries to key players, yet the team was deep and talented enough to still win 50 games and advance to the playoffs.
, Kevin Pritchard was notified by Paul Allen
that he had been fired, but wanted to make it clear that he needed to stay for the draft. Pritchard made a trade and two draft selections, which satisfied Trail Blazer team officials.
Many people expected the release of Pritchard to take place, as they felt the firing of Tom Penn, who was the assistant general manager, was a "drive-by" warning for Pritchard.
Joe Freeman, of The Oregonian
newspaper, broke this story early in the four o'clock hour of draft day to "Trail Blazers Courtside", an official Trail Blazer show offering live draft day coverage. It was reported that the Trail Blazers officials told the show's hosts to stop talking about Pritchard immediately. Allen's plan was thought to be to announce the firing the next day, as the team was not ready to deal with the news being released prior to the draft.
In a press conference after, Trail Blazer's President Larry Miller fielded all questions. No reasons were given as to why Pritchard was fired.
Pritchard authored an open letter to Blazers' fans in which he thanked Paul Allen and the Blazers for the opportunity to help turn around the team.
The New Orleans Hornets reached out to Pritchard's agent, Warren LeGarie, on July 15, after the Hornets and GM Jeff Bower mutually agreed to part ways on July 13.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
College career
Pritchard played college basketball for the University of KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, where he was the starting point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
on the Jayhawks team that defeated the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners
The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
for the 1988 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship. While at KU, he played under head men's basketball coach Larry Brown
Larry Brown (basketball)
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
, assistants R.C. Buford and Alvin Gentry
Alvin Gentry
Alvin Gentry is an American professional basketball coach, and college basketball player, who has led four different NBA teams. He served as an interim coach for the Miami Heat at the end of the 1995 season, and later coached the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Clippers...
, and one year under then-volunteer assistant coach Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich is an American basketball coach, and is currently the head coach of the National Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs. With the resignation of Jerry Sloan as head coach of the Utah Jazz on February 10, 2011, Popovich is the longest tenured coach in the NBA and also the...
, now the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
.
Pritchard holds the distinction of being the first player to make a 3-point shot at Allen Fieldhouse
Allen Fieldhouse
Allen Fieldhouse is an indoor arena at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The arena, named in honor of Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, who coached the university's men's basketball team for 39 years, is one of college basketball's most historically significant and prestigious buildings...
in 1986. During his time at University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, Pritchard became a member of the Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
Fraternity. He was also named three times on the Academic All-Big Eight.
Professional career
Pritchard was drafted by the Golden State WarriorsGolden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
of 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...
as the 34th overall pick 1990. He had a six-year NBA career spanning five teams—the Warriors, the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, and the Washington Bullets. He also holds the distinction of being the first player signed in the history of the Vancouver Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
in 1995, although he was released before getting an opportunity to play a game for them. Pritchard's playing career also included a stint with Caceres C.B. in Spain, Pfizer Reggio Calabria
Viola Reggio Calabria
Viola Reggio Calabria is the name traditionally given to the main men's professional basketball team from the city Reggio Calabria, Italy. The team colors are black and orange....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1993-1994 and Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Giants Leverkusen
Bayer Giants Leverkusen is a professional basketball club, part of the Bayer Leverkusen sports club based in Leverkusen, Germany. Based on the number of titles, Leverkusen is the most successful team in the history of German Basketball. In 2009, the Bayer company cut down sponsorship and the club...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
1996-1997. He retired from playing in 1998.
Early coaching and management career
After a year working outside of basketball, Pritchard became the coach and general manager of the Kansas City KnightsKansas City Knights
The Kansas City Knights was the name of an American Basketball Association minor league basketball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They have not played since the 2004/2005 season....
of the ABA, which he led to a championship in 2001. Later, he was hired by San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
general manager R. C. Buford to be a scout in the Spurs' organization, and two years later was hired by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
as director of player personnel.
Pritchard would return to public prominence in 2005, when the Trail Blazers fired then head coach Maurice Cheeks
Maurice Cheeks
Maurice Edward "Mo" Cheeks is a retired American professional basketball player and assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association from May 23, 2005 to December 13, 2008...
and named Pritchard as his interim replacement. Pritchard, who made it clear at the outset that he had little intent of being the team's coach on a long-term basis, used the remainder of the season to evaluate talent.
Assistant general manager
In the 2006 off-season, the team fired Nash, giving Patterson the dual role of GM and president; Pritchard was promoted to assistant general manager where he was involved in the decision making for four significant trades which have been held to be favorable to the Blazers:- A deal prior to the 2006 NBA Draft2006 NBA DraftThe 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,...
which sent Sebastian TelfairSebastian TelfairSebastian Telfair is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Telfair was the 13th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers out of Abraham Lincoln High School...
and Theo RatliffTheo RatliffTheophilus Curtis Ratliff , better known as Theo Ratliff, is an American professional basketball player who last played with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Primarily a center, he was an excellent shot-blocker who has led the league three times in blocks per game...
to the Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in exchange for the #7 pick in that year's draft and Raef LaFrentzRaef LaFrentzRaef Andrew LaFrentz is a retired American professional basketball power forward and center who played in the NBA from 1998 to 2009. Born and raised in Iowa, LaFrentz attended the University of Kansas and was drafted in 1998 by the Denver Nuggets...
. - A draft-day deal which sent Tyrus ThomasTyrus ThomasTyrus Wayne Thomas is an American professional basketball player who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State University and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.-High school career:...
(the team's draft choice at #4) and Viktor KhryapaViktor KhryapaViktor Vladimirovich Khryapa is a Russian professional basketball player.-Pro career:Khryapa played for Khimik Engels in 1999-00, and for Avtodor Saratov in 2000-02...
to the Chicago BullsChicago BullsThe 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...
in exchange for the #2 pick, LaMarcus AldridgeLaMarcus AldridgeLaMarcus Nurae Aldridge is an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. He is a , 240-pound power forward/center and is one of Portland's two team captains, with the other being Brandon Roy.... - A second draft-day deal which sent the #7 pick in the draft, Randy FoyeRandy FoyeRandy Foye is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He played collegiately at Villanova University. He was selected seventh overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, and later traded to...
, along with cash considerations, to the Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TimberwolvesThe Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
in exchange for the #6 pick, Brandon RoyBrandon RoyBrandon Dawayne Roy is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association. He was selected sixth in the 2006 NBA Draft, having completed four years playing for the Washington Huskies. In 2009, he served as the team's co-captain, along...
. Roy would end up being named Rookie of the Year, and would be selected as an All-Star the following three seasons (2008, 2009, 2010). - A third draft-day deal in which the team acquired the rights to the #27 pick in the draft, Sergio RodriguezSergio RodríguezSergio Rodriguez Gomez is a Spanish professional basketball player. He is currently playing for Real Madrid...
, from the Phoenix SunsPhoenix SunsThe 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...
in exchange for cash.
Promotion to general manager
In 2007, Steve Patterson resigned, and on March 29, Pritchard was named as the team's general manager. In addition to the selection of Greg OdenGreg Oden
Gregory Wayne Oden, Jr. is an American basketball player at the center position. Oden is a member of the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA....
with the #1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft
2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
, Pritchard orchestrated two more draft-day trades of significance:
- The Blazers sent forward Zach RandolphZach RandolphZachary Randolph , nicknamed Z-Bo, is an American professional basketball player currently with the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA...
to the New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, along with guards Fred Jones and Dan DickauDan DickauDaniel David "Dan" Dickau is an American professional basketball player.-Early life and college:Born in Portland, Oregon, Dickau graduated from Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, Washington. He played for the University of Washington Huskies prior to transferring to, and becoming a standout...
, in exchange for Steve FrancisSteve FrancisSteven D'Shawn Francis is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He had also played for the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and New York Knicks...
, Channing FryeChanning FryeChanning Thomas Frye is an American professional basketball player and currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. His positions are center and power forward. He attended the University of Arizona...
, and a trade exception. - The team subsequently used the trade exception to acquire forward James JonesJames Jones (basketball player)James Andrew Jones is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Miami Heat.The 6'8" , 215 lb small forward who attended American Senior High in Miami was picked 49th by the Indiana Pacers in the 2003 NBA Draft out of the University of Miami...
and the rights to the #24 pick in the draft, Rudy FernándezRudy Fernández (basketball)Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernández y Farrés is a Spanish professional basketball player. He is a 6'6" tall shooting guard/small forward who is currently signed to the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, though he will play for Real Madrid until the current NBA lockout ends...
from the Suns, in exchange for cash.
In 2008, Pritchard orchestrated several draft day trades that netted the Blazers their future starting small forward Nicolas Batum
Nicolas Batum
Nicolas Batum is a French basketball player with SLUC Nancy of the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. He is also under contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, and is expected to return to that team once the 2011 NBA lockout ends. The Blazers acquired his rights during the 2008 NBA Draft for the...
with the 25th pick, and also added Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless is an American basketball player for the Toronto Raptors. He played a year of college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats after playing high school basketball at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, where he scored a career high of 52 points in a loss to eventual state champions,...
with the 11th pick. Pritchard has gained a reputation of an astute evaluator of NBA talent who has been able to select stars at the top of the draft (Brandon Roy
Brandon Roy
Brandon Dawayne Roy is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association. He was selected sixth in the 2006 NBA Draft, having completed four years playing for the Washington Huskies. In 2009, he served as the team's co-captain, along...
, LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge is an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. He is a , 240-pound power forward/center and is one of Portland's two team captains, with the other being Brandon Roy....
) as well as top level talent towards the bottom of the first rung (Rudy Fernandez
Rudy Fernandez
Rodolfo Fernandez commonly known as Rudy and referred as the "Iron Man of Asia", is a multi-awarded, one-legged Filipino triathlete who had finished a degree in Physical Education at the University of Baguio.-Sports career:Fernandez had competed in running, swimming and cycling, and prides himself...
, Nicolas Batum
Nicolas Batum
Nicolas Batum is a French basketball player with SLUC Nancy of the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. He is also under contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, and is expected to return to that team once the 2011 NBA lockout ends. The Blazers acquired his rights during the 2008 NBA Draft for the...
), plus solid contributors and role players in the second round (Dante Cunningham
Dante Cunningham
Dante Cunningham is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Charlotte Bobcats. Dante was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA...
, Patty Mills, Jeff Pendergraph
Jeff Pendergraph
Jeff Curtis Pendergraph is an American professional basketball player who was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft whose draft rights were later traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He attended Etiwanda High School in Ontario and college basketball at Arizona...
). The 2008-09 Blazers were the second youngest team in the league, yet they finished the season with 54 wins, tied for second most in the Western Conference.
In December 2008, the Blazers attempted to block other NBA teams from signing Darius Miles
Darius Miles
Darius LaVar Miles is an American professional basketball player.The , small forward was selected directly out of high school by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 3rd overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft...
solely for the purpose of negatively impacting the Blazers' salary cap situation. Miles ended up signing with the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
.
In the summer of 2009, the Blazers added to their core of young talent by signing veterans Andre Miller
Andre Miller
Andre Lloyd Miller is an American professional basketball player, currently with the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association.- College career :...
and Juwan Howard
Juwan Howard
Juwan Antonio Howard is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . The Heat were his eighth different NBA team. He was drafted fifth overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets...
to free agent contracts. The 2009-10 Blazers suffered an historic level of injuries to key players, yet the team was deep and talented enough to still win 50 games and advance to the playoffs.
Leaving the Portland Trail Blazers
Pritchard was relieved of his general manager duties on June 24, 2010. About one hour before the 2010 NBA Draft2010 NBA Draft
The 2010 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2010 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The draft, which started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur...
, Kevin Pritchard was notified by Paul Allen
Paul Allen
Paul Gardner Allen is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates...
that he had been fired, but wanted to make it clear that he needed to stay for the draft. Pritchard made a trade and two draft selections, which satisfied Trail Blazer team officials.
Many people expected the release of Pritchard to take place, as they felt the firing of Tom Penn, who was the assistant general manager, was a "drive-by" warning for Pritchard.
Joe Freeman, of The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
newspaper, broke this story early in the four o'clock hour of draft day to "Trail Blazers Courtside", an official Trail Blazer show offering live draft day coverage. It was reported that the Trail Blazers officials told the show's hosts to stop talking about Pritchard immediately. Allen's plan was thought to be to announce the firing the next day, as the team was not ready to deal with the news being released prior to the draft.
In a press conference after, Trail Blazer's President Larry Miller fielded all questions. No reasons were given as to why Pritchard was fired.
Pritchard authored an open letter to Blazers' fans in which he thanked Paul Allen and the Blazers for the opportunity to help turn around the team.
The New Orleans Hornets reached out to Pritchard's agent, Warren LeGarie, on July 15, after the Hornets and GM Jeff Bower mutually agreed to part ways on July 13.
Indiana Pacers
In July 2011, Pritchard joined the Indiana Pacers to become their Director of Player Personnel.Global Sports Summit
Kevin Pritchard is a co-founder of the Global Sports Summit.Charity work
Kevin Pritchard is an active member of the Friends of the Children charity. He currently is on the board of directors.External links
- NBA stats @ basketballreference.com
- Kevin Pritchard's Kansas Jayhawks 1988 NCAA Champions Basketball Pennant