Rick Adelman Passes Away at 79
Rick Adelman, the all-time winning coach of the Sacramento Kings and a respected member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 79. The exact cause of his passing has not been disclosed.
Born in Lynwood, California, Adelman earned a total of 395 wins while coaching the Kings, making him the franchise’s winningest coach. His overall tally of 1,042 regular-season victories ranks him 10th among all NBA coaches.
The Sacramento Kings organization expressed their deep sorrow over Adelman’s passing, stating he was a beloved figure whose leadership and vision shaped a significant era in Kings basketball. They mentioned how he connected with fans and inspired the community at large.
During his tenure in Sacramento, which lasted eight seasons, he guided the team to remarkable achievements, creating unforgettable moments in their history. For many Kings fans, Adelman represented the pinnacle of Sacramento basketball. His humility, kindness, and commitment to teamwork left a lasting impact on the organization.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, former players, and all who cherished him,” the statement concluded.
Drafted by the San Diego Rockets out of Loyola Marymount in 1968, Adelman played seven seasons in the NBA, representing teams such as the Rockets, Trail Blazers, Bulls, New Orleans Jazz, and Kansas City-Omaha Kings. After starting his coaching journey at Chemeketa Community College in 1977, he became an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers in 1983 and was promoted to head coach in 1989. Under his leadership, Portland reached the NBA Finals twice but ultimately fell short both times.
Adelman’s stint with the Warriors, beginning in 1995, lasted a couple of seasons before he moved on to coach the Kings in 1998. Unfortunately, since he left the Kings, the team has struggled to make an impact in the playoffs, failing to reach them for 16 years and not winning a playoff series since 2004.
In a tribute, the NBA Coaches Association highlighted that Adelman will be remembered not just as a coach and player, but also as a mentor to many in the basketball community.
