Look back at the Hall of Fame career of Rick Adelman, member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who played for seven NBA seasons before becoming one of the game’s all-time winningest coaches, has died, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday.
Adelman, the father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman, was 79. The cause of his death was not immediately announced.
Rick Adelman won 1,042 games as an NBA coach, 10th-most in league history. Only four other coaches — Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl — coached more games and had a better winning percentage than Adelman, who took the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and also served as head coach in Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota and Golden State.
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
“Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community,” read a statement from the coaches’ association, which honored Adelman with its Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
“Rick Adelman’s NBA coaching career has been highlighted by innovation, integrity and excellence,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said when the NBCA presented that award three years ago. “His teams always played to their strengths, and Rick always found subtle ways to reinvent NBA basketball to help his players thrive. His quiet, unassuming nature belies his impact as one of the great NBA coaches of all time.”
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
The Rockets, where Adelman coached 2007-11, honored his “professionalism, integrity and deep commitment to the game.”
The Houston Rockets and the Fertitta Family mourn the passing of Rick Adelman, one of the most respected and influential figures in NBA history.
During his four seasons in Houston, Coach Adelman guided the Rockets with professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to the… pic.twitter.com/p3Zdr60y8s
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 2, 2026
The Timberwolves, where Adelman coached from 2011-14, posted that he “exemplified leadership, integrity and professionalism throughout his distinguished career.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman.
Adelman served as head coach of the Timberwolves from 2011-14 and exemplified leadership, integrity and professionalism throughout his distinguished career. Serving as head coach… pic.twitter.com/SCD5EkF9Tt
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) June 2, 2026
The Warriors remembered Adelman for his creativity and ingenuity during two seasons there as a coach (1995-97).
Rick Adelman left an indelible mark on the NBA during his nearly four decades in the league, both as a player for seven seasons and as a coach for 29 seasons, including two seasons with the Warriors (1995-97).
His creativity and ingenuity led his teams to 1,042 wins during his… pic.twitter.com/AFHYvJIT4z
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 1, 2026
