Rick Adelman, who played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) before becoming one of the league's all-time winningest coaches, passed away at the age of 79 on Monday (Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Philippine time).
Coaching Legacy
Adelman amassed 1,042 victories as an NBA head coach, ranking 10th on the all-time list. Only four other coaches—Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley, Jerry Sloan, and George Karl—coached more games and maintained a superior winning percentage. His career spanned tenures with the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors.
Trail Blazers Success
Under Adelman's leadership, the Trail Blazers reached the NBA Finals. His ability to develop talent and implement an up-tempo, pass-heavy offense earned him widespread respect across the basketball community.
The National Basketball Coaches Association released a statement: “Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community.”
