American · the Bronx, New York · Born 11 July 1966American professional basketball player known for his exceptional passing ability and court vision, leading the NBA in assists per game in 1998
Rod Strickland was born in the Bronx, New York in 1966. New York Knicks selected him 19th overall in the 1988 NBA Draft. His 16-season career produced 13.2 points and 8.8 assists per game — the assists average placing him among the top pure playmakers of his generation. He averaged 10.5 assists per game for the Washington Bullets in 1997-98 — among the highest single-season totals of the 1990s. He was named All-NBA Third Team. He was one of the more confounding cases in NBA history — a player who by every statistical measure was producing at All-Star level year after year but who was never selected to an All-Star game. His personal issues — including multiple off-court incidents — complicated his professional journey. His combination of creativity, vision and the ability to penetrate any defensive scheme made him one of the most technically skilled point guards of his era. He played for nine franchises in 16 seasons — a journeyman career that reflected his talent consistently attracting new teams despite the off-court complications.
Elite passing ability and court vision as point guard
How They Played
Creative passer with excellent ball-handling and court vision
Lasting Impact
One of the most skilled playmakers of the 1990s
Career Honours
- All-NBA Third Team
- Portland and Washington cornerstone PG
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 1988–1990 | 164 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 1990–1992 | 164 |
| Washington Bullets | 1996–1997 | 57 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1997–2001 | 246 |
| Miami Heat | 2001–2002 | 76 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2002–2003 | 54 |
| Orlando Magic | 2003–2004 | 70 |
| Houston Rockets | 2004–2005 | 16 |
American Athletes