Jack Haley (basketball)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born |
January 27, 1964 Long Beach, California |
| Died |
March 16, 2015 (aged 51) Los Alamitos, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, California) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 1987 / Round: 4 / Pick: 79th overall |
| Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
| Playing career | 1987–1998 |
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| Number | 15, 44, 54 |
| Career history | |
| 1987–1988 | RCD Espanyol (Spain) |
| 1988–1989 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1989–1991 | New Jersey Nets |
| 1991–1992 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1993 | AEK Athens (Greece) |
| 1993–1995 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1995–1996 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1996–1997 | La Crosse Bobcats (CBA) |
| 1997–1998 | New Jersey Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 1,180 (3.5 ppg) |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Jack Kevin Haley (January 27, 1964 – March 16, 2015) was an American professional basketball player.
Early life and education
Haley was the son of noted surfing pioneer Jack Haley, Sr. A 6'10" forward/center from Huntington Beach High School and UCLA, Haley spent nine seasons (1988–1992; 1993–1998) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs.
Chicago Bulls tenure
Haley was drafted in 1987 by the Chicago Bulls and made his NBA debut on November 9, 1988.[1]
After several years playing elsewhere, Haley returned to the Bulls as a free agent in October 1995 and was a member of the 1995–96 Bulls team which won a league-record 72 games and the NBA Championship.[2] However, Haley spent almost the entire season on the injured list with tendinitis in his left knee.[2][3] As a result, he only played in one game during the regular season and did not participate in the playoffs.[4] At one point, another unidentified team complained to the league office, which sent out a doctor to examine Haley's knee.[2] At the same time, Haley developed a reputation for his enthusiastic cheering of his teammates on the Bulls' bench all season long, compared to what one newspaper described as a more somber Bulls' bench.[5]
On Sunday, April 21, 1996, Haley played in the Bulls' final regular-season game, drawing what the Chicago Tribune called "polite—albeit sarcastic—reception from the crowd." Haley ended up with five points. "It felt good to finally get in a game," he told the paper. "I was real excited and my adrenaline was pumping. I haven't played in a year. I missed some easy shots. I guess I was aggressive. I took almost a shot per minute played."[6]
Haley was mainly known for his friendship with Dennis Rodman, and was sometimes referred to as Rodman's "babysitter". However, Haley bristled at the label, and argued that he had legitimately earned his spot on the team.[7] "I've felt it's important to be a part of the greatest team in history and to get out and show people I'm not Dennis' (Rodman) baby-sitter," Haley told the Chicago Tribune. "I never have been. I've been a basketball player from Day One."[8]
Post playing career
Following his playing career, Haley served as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets and as a television broadcaster for the Lakers, co-hosting the Lakers Live pre-game show with Bill Macdonald for Fox Sports Net West/Prime Ticket. Haley also acted, appearing in the films Eddie and Rebound, as well as the music video for Aerosmith's "Love in an Elevator."
Death
Haley died on March 16, 2015 of heart disease at age 51. Haley was survived by two sons, former wife Stacey Lindholm, mother Jenette, brother Tim, and sister Sondra.[9]
References
- ↑ "Jack Haley NBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
- 1 2 3 "Jester Tag No Joke To Bulls' Haley". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 1996-03-10. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
- ↑ "Haley Insists He's Not Rodman's Baby-sitter". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 1996-01-11. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
- ↑ Dan Bickley. "Haley looks to escape Rodman's shadow". Chicago Sun-Times. December 26, 1996. 104.
- ↑ "Jester Tag No Joke To Bulls' Haley - Page 2". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 1996-03-10. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
- ↑ Armour, Terry (April 22, 1996). "Haley comes out firing in late debut". Chicago Tribune. p. 11.
- ↑ Lacy Banks. "Haley activated, but doesn't get chance to play". Chicago Sun-Times. April 21, 1996. 12.
- ↑ Smith, Sam (April 21, 1996). "Haley finally activated but doesn't play". Chicago Tribune. p. 10.
- ↑ Djanseziang, Kevork (March 17, 2015). "Seal Beach's Jack Haley, who played for UCLA, Chicago Bulls, Lakers, dead at 51". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
External links
- Career statistics at http://www.basketball-reference.com/
- Jack Haley at the Internet Movie Database
- Jack Haley at Find a Grave