Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings - eurobasket

Born: Nov.24, 1948 in Hamtramck, MI
Full name: Rudolph Tomjanovich Jr.
Tomjanovich was well known for his instinctive managerial style and intensity on the bench. Always self-deprecating, he nonetheless heaped tremendous pressure on himself and his assistants to be prepared for each game, several times being hospitalized for exhaustion. After winning back-to-back titles, Tomjanovich deflected much of the praise and eschewed the "genius" label assigned to other champion coaches like Chuck Daly and Phil Jackson. His hands-off, easy-going manner with his players gave him a reputation as a "players coach", and as such veteran players were eager to play on his teams.
No. 45 retired by Houston Rockets
No. 45 honored by Michigan Wolverines

Player Career (203-PF)

1963-1964: Hamtramck, MI / Hamtramck High School
1964-1965: Hamtramck, MI / Hamtramck High School
1965-1966: Hamtramck, MI / Hamtramck High School
1966-1967: University of Michigan freshman
1967-1968: University of Michigan (NCAA)
1968-1969: University of Michigan (NCAA)
1969-1970: University of Michigan (NCAA)
1970: Drafted by San Diego Rockets (NBA,1rd(2))
1970-1971: San Diego Rockets (NBA)
1971-1972: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1972-1973: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1973-1974: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1974-1975: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1975-1976: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1976-1977: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1977-1978: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five): uring a game on December 9, 1977, Tomjanovich was punched by Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers as Tomjanovich ran to stop a fight at center court. The blow shattered Tomjanovich's face and inflicted life-threatening head and spinal injuries, leaving him sidelined for five months
1978-1979: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1979-1980: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)
1980-1981: Houston Rockets (NBA, starting five)

Player Achievements:

2× First Team All-Big Ten -1969, 70
Second Team NCAA All-American (by AP, UPI) -1970
Third Team NCAA All-American (by NABC) -1970
5× NBA All-Star Game -1974, 75, 76, 77, 79

Coach Career

Coach Assistant:

1983-1984: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1984-1985: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1985-1986: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1986-1987: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1987-1988: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1988-1989: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1989-1990: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1990-1991: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1991-1992: Houston Rockets (NBA)

Head Coach:

1992-1993: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1993-1994: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1994-1995: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1995-1996: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1996-1997: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1997-1998: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1998-1999: Houston Rockets (NBA)
1999-2000: Houston Rockets (NBA)
2000-2001: Houston Rockets (NBA)
2001-2002: Houston Rockets (NBA)
2002-2003: Houston Rockets (NBA)
Consultant:
2003-2004: Houston Rockets (NBA)

Head Coach:

2004-2005: Los Angeles Lakers (NBA): resigned in Feb.'05 due to health problems
Scout and Analyst:
2013-2014: Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Awards/Achievements:

2× NBA champion -1994, 95
NBA All-Star Game head coach -1997
USA National Team -1998, 2000
FIBA World Championship in Athens (Greece) -1998: Bronze
Olympic Games in Sydney (Australia) -2000: Gold
Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award -2024