American · Trenton, New Jersey · Born 13 May 1961American basketball player renowned for his rebounding prowess, defensive skills, and five NBA championships with Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.
Dennis Keith Rodman was born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1961 and did not play organised basketball until he was 19. Undrafted in 1986, the Detroit Pistons signed him and he became a central figure in his Bad Boy dynasty, winning two championships (1989, 1990). He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1990 and 1991. He led the NBA in rebounding seven consecutive seasons (1992-98) — the only player to do so in the modern era — averaging 13.1 rebounds per game across his career. He joined the Chicago Bulls in 1995 and won three more championships (1996, 1997, 1998), completing the second three-peat with Michael Jordan. His rebounding — built on exceptional positioning, anticipation and relentless effort rather than size — enabled Jordan and Pippen to focus on offence without defensive rebounding responsibility. Away from basketball his colourful persona — multicoloured hair, tattoos, cross-dressing, his memoir, his friendship with North Korea's Kim Jong-un — made him one of sport's most distinctive personalities. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Rebounding, defense, colorful personality
How They Played
Elite rebounder and defender, intense hustle player
Lasting Impact
One of greatest rebounders and defenders in NBA history
Career Honours
- NBA Champion 5x
- Rebounding Champion 7x
- Defensive Player of the Year 2x
- All-Star 2x
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | 1986–1993 | 549 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 1993–1995 | 164 |
| Chicago Bulls | 1995–1998 | 199 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 1999–1999 | 23 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 2000–2000 | 12 |
American Athletes