LAMAMIMET

Rick Adelman (June 16, 1946 – June 1, 2026) was born in Lynwood, California, and played seven seasons as an NBA point guard after being drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1968. He spent time with the Rockets, Trail Blazers, Bulls, Jazz, and Kings before retiring as a player in 1975.

Adelman began his coaching career in the late 1970s and rose to prominence as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, guiding them to NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992. He later coached the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves, amassing 1,042 regular‑season victories and earning a reputation as an offensive innovator, especially during his successful eight‑year tenure with the Kings that included a Western Conference Finals run in 2002.

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, Adelman was celebrated for his strategic acumen and mentorship of generations of players and coaches. He died on June 1, 2026, at age 79, survived by his wife Mary Kay, six children, and twelve grandchildren.