Stu Inman
Encyclopedia
Stu Inman was an American
executive and interim coach in the National Basketball Association
. He was selected in the 6th round of the 1950 NBA Draft
from San Jose State University
by the Chicago Stags
; however, he did not play in the NBA.
In 1970, Inman was one of several people who started the expansion Portland Trail Blazers
NBA franchise, and initially served as chief scout. He also served as interim coach at the end of the 1971-1972 season, after Rolland Todd
was fired midway through the season. Inman played a significant role in the building of Portland Trail Blazers' 1976-77
NBA championship team.
He drafted Bill Walton
, Geoff Petrie
, Larry Steele
, Lloyd Neal
, Lionel Hollins
, Bobby Gross
, Wally Walker
and Johnny Davis
, signed Dave Twardzik
after the American Basketball Association folded, and selected Maurice Lucas
in the ABA dispersal draft. Inman later served as the team's general manager from 1981 through 1986.
Inman is probably best known for being the GM who selected oft-injured Kentucky
center Sam Bowie
with the #2 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft
, one spot ahead of the Chicago Bulls
who selected Michael Jordan
at #3.
Inman also served in the front office of the Milwaukee Bucks
and the Miami Heat
. He later served as an assistant coach at Lake Oswego High School
.
Inman died in Lake Oswego, Oregon
of a heart attack
, aged 80.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
executive and interim coach in 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...
. He was selected in the 6th round of the 1950 NBA Draft
1950 NBA Draft
The 1950 NBA Draft was the fourth annual draft of the National Basketball Association . This is the first draft after the Basketball Association of America was renamed the NBA. The draft was held on April 25, 1950 before the 1950–51 season. In this draft, 12 remaining NBA teams took turns...
from San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
by the Chicago Stags
Chicago Stags
The Chicago Stags were a National Basketball Association team based in Chicago, Illinois, U.S..- Franchise history :The Chicago Stags were founded in 1946 and folded in 1950. Despite their short history, they were able to acquire the draft rights to a young Bob Cousy in a trade with the Tri-Cities...
; however, he did not play in the NBA.
In 1970, Inman was one of several people who started the expansion 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...
NBA franchise, and initially served as chief scout. He also served as interim coach at the end of the 1971-1972 season, after Rolland Todd
Rolland Todd
Rolland Todd is a former player and coach in the National Basketball Association, and a former player in the American Basketball Association, who also coached basketball at UNLV and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette...
was fired midway through the season. Inman played a significant role in the building of Portland Trail Blazers' 1976-77
1976-77 NBA season
The 1976–77 NBA season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Portland Trail Blazers winning the NBA Championship, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
NBA championship team.
He drafted Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
, Geoff Petrie
Geoff Petrie
Geoffrey Michael Petrie is a former American basketball player and current basketball team executive. A native of Pennsylvania, he played professional basketball in the National Basketball Association for the Portland Trail Blazers where he won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1971...
, Larry Steele
Larry Steele
Larry Nelson Steele is a former professional basketball player, best known for being on the Portland Trail Blazers team that won the 1977 NBA Finals....
, Lloyd Neal
Lloyd Neal
Lloyd Neal is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'7" center/forward from Tennessee State University, Neal spent his entire professional career with the National Basketball Association's Portland Trail Blazers...
, Lionel Hollins
Lionel Hollins
-External links:***...
, Bobby Gross
Bob Gross
Robert Edwin Gross is a retired American basketball player formerly in the NBA. A 6'6" 200 lb forward, he attended Seattle University and California State University, Long Beach, and was selected in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was also selected in the 1975 ABA Draft by...
, Wally Walker
Wally Walker
Walter Frederick Walker is an American former professional basketball player. Walker is best known for his National Basketball Association career - both as a player and as a front office executive - for the Seattle SuperSonics....
and Johnny Davis
Johnny Davis
Johnny Reginald Davis is a retired American professional basketball player, and currently an assistant coach for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. He played in the league with four teams in ten years from 1976-1986, winning an NBA championship in his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers...
, signed Dave Twardzik
Dave Twardzik
David John Twardzik is a former professional basketball player, a player he was a point guard in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association . He is best known for being a starter on the Portland Trail Blazers team that won the 1977 NBA Finals...
after the American Basketball Association folded, and selected Maurice Lucas
Maurice Lucas
Maurice Lucas was an American professional basketball player. The first two years of his postcollegiate career were spent in the American Basketball Association with the Spirits of St. Louis and Kentucky Colonels...
in the ABA dispersal draft. Inman later served as the team's general manager from 1981 through 1986.
Inman is probably best known for being the GM who selected oft-injured Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
center Sam Bowie
Sam Bowie
Samuel Paul "Sam" Bowie is a retired American basketball player. A national sensation in high school and outstanding collegian, Bowie's professional promise was undermined by repeated injury...
with the #2 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft
1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
, one spot ahead of 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...
who selected Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
at #3.
Inman also served in the front office of the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
and 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...
. He later served as an assistant coach at Lake Oswego High School
Lake Oswego High School
Lake Oswego High School is a public high school in Lake Oswego, Oregon. LOHS is accredited through the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.-History:...
.
Inman died in Lake Oswego, Oregon
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Lake Oswego is a city located primarily in Clackamas County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Small portions of the city are also located in neighboring Multnomah and Washington counties. Located south of Portland surrounding the Oswego Lake, the town was founded in 1847 and incorporated as Oswego in...
of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, aged 80.