Rick Brunson
Encyclopedia
Eric Daniel Brunson (born June 14, 1972, in Syracuse
, New York
), is a retired American
professional basketball
player, who is currently an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls
.
. Not drafted
by any NBA team in 1995, he played for the Adelaide 36ers
in Australia in 1995-96 for whom he was their season MVP, and in the CBA
next season. He was signed as a free agent by the Portland Trail Blazers
in 1997–98, playing again in the CBA at the start of the 1998–99 season. Brunson then signed with the New York Knicks
, and was a member of the 1999 Eastern Conference championship team. In 2000–01, he started off with the Boston Celtics
, but finished the season with the Knicks again. He rejoined the Trail Blazers in 2001–02. He then signed with the Chicago Bulls
the next season, splitting between the Bulls and the Toronto Raptors
in 2003–04, before moving on to the Los Angeles Clippers
in 2004–05. A breakout season in which he averaged a career-high 5.5 points per game landed him a 2005–06 contract with the Seattle SuperSonics
, but only appeared in four games due to injury. On February 28, 2006, the Sonics waived Brunson. He was subsequently signed by the Houston Rockets
, with whom finished his ninth and final season as a professional basketball player.
, focusing on player development. From 2007 to 2009, he was with the University of Virginia
as the Cavaliers
' director of basketball operations. In May 2009, Brunson was hired as assistant coach for the Hartford Hawks
men's basketball team. On September 9, 2010, Brunson was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls
.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
), is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
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, who is currently an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls
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...
.
Professional playing career
Brunson graduated from Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
. Not drafted
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
by any NBA team in 1995, he played for the Adelaide 36ers
Adelaide 36ers
The Adelaide 36ers are Adelaide's men's professional basketball team, established as the Adelaide City Eagles when they joined the National Basketball League in 1982. The Adelaide 36ers tally of four championships is equal with the Melbourne Tigers and second behind the Perth Wildcats as the most...
in Australia in 1995-96 for whom he was their season MVP, and in the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
next season. He was signed as a free agent 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...
in 1997–98, playing again in the CBA at the start of the 1998–99 season. Brunson then signed with the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The 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...
, and was a member of the 1999 Eastern Conference championship team. In 2000–01, he started off with 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...
, but finished the season with the Knicks again. He rejoined the Trail Blazers in 2001–02. He then signed with the Chicago Bulls
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...
the next season, splitting between the Bulls and the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
in 2003–04, before moving on 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...
in 2004–05. A breakout season in which he averaged a career-high 5.5 points per game landed him a 2005–06 contract with the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, but only appeared in four games due to injury. On February 28, 2006, the Sonics waived Brunson. He was subsequently signed by 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...
, with whom finished his ninth and final season as a professional basketball player.
Coaching career
From January to April 2007, Brunson worked as an assistant coach with the Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
, focusing on player development. From 2007 to 2009, he was with the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
as the Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
' director of basketball operations. In May 2009, Brunson was hired as assistant coach for the Hartford Hawks
Hartford Hawks
The Hartford Hawks are the athletic teams of the University of Hartford. The school sponsors 18 varsity sports , all of which compete in the Division I America East Conference. The Hawks' colors are scarlet and white.-Teams:...
men's basketball team. On September 9, 2010, Brunson was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls
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...
.
Career highlights
- Career Scoring Average
- 3.2
- Scoring Average - Career High
- 5.5 (04-05)
- Most Points in a Season
- 437 (04-05)
- Most Points in a Game
- 19 (for Portland against the L.A. Lakers 02/04/98)
- Career Points Scored
- 1,090
- Average Minutes Per Game (Career)
- 13.5
- Most Blocks in a Season
- 7 (04-05)
- Most Offensive Rebounds in a Season
- 23 (01-02 and 04-05)
- Most Free Throws Made - Game
- 7 (Twice)