Rick Adelman, the veteran NBA coach and Hall of Famer, passed away on Monday at the age of 79, the National Basketball Coaches Association confirmed.

A cause of death has not been announced.

"The membership of the National Basketball Coaches Association joins the NBA family in mourning the passing of legendary Head Coach and Hall of Famer, Rick Adelman," the National Basketball Coaches Association posted on X.

Adelman, the father of David Adelman, won 1,042 regular-season games during his NBA coaching career, ranking 10th on the league's all-time wins list. According to the Associated Press, only four NBA coaches-Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl-finished their careers with both more games coached and a higher winning percentage than Adelman.

He guided the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances and later served as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors during his distinguished coaching career.

Who was Rick Adelman?

Adelman had lived in the Portland area since retiring from coaching in 2014. He was often seen attending high school and college basketball games around the city, remaining closely connected to the sport he loved.

Rick Adelman Career

Rick Adelman was one of the most respected coaches in NBA history, building a career that spanned more than four decades as both a player and coach.

• Adelman began his professional basketball career in 1968 after being selected by the San Diego Rockets in the seventh round of the NBA Draft.
• He played seven NBA seasons with multiple teams, including a three-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers.
• His coaching career began in 1977 at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.
• He joined Portland as an assistant coach in 1983 and became the team's head coach in 1989.
• Under Adelman, the Trail Blazers reached the NBA Finals twice, in 1990 and 1992, and qualified for the playoffs in all six of his full seasons as head coach.
• He led Portland to a franchise-record 63-win season in 1990-91 and compiled a 291-154 coaching record with the franchise.
• After leaving Portland, he coached the Golden State Warriors from 1995 to 1997.
• Adelman revived his coaching career with the Sacramento Kings in 1998, leading the team to eight consecutive playoff appearances and becoming the winningest coach in franchise history.
• He later coached the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves before retiring in 2014.
• Over 23 seasons as an NBA head coach, Adelman recorded 1,042 regular-season victories and 79 postseason wins, cementing his place among the most successful coaches in league history.
• Known for his innovative offensive systems and player-friendly approach, Adelman earned widespread respect throughout the NBA.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and received the NBCA Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

Rick Adelman Death Cause

Adelman is remembered as a legendary "players' coach" whose leadership helped shape several successful NBA teams and left a lasting impact on the game.

Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman passed away on June 1, 2026, at the age of 79. As of now, the specific cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed by his family or the National Basketball Coaches Association.

Kings Celebrate Rick Adelman's Enduring Influence

The Sacramento Kings, whom Adelman coached for eight seasons, also released a statement mourning the loss of the Hall of Fame coach.

"The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world," the Kings said in a post on X.

Rick Adelman Net Worth

Rick Adelman's estimated net worth was reported to be around $25 million (approximately ₹238 crore), accumulated largely through his successful NBA coaching career with franchises including the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Rick Adelman Family

Rick Adelman was married to Mary Kay Fournier Adelman for 56 years. Together, they raised six children and welcomed 12 grandchildren. In 1993, Rick and Mary Kay took custody of two children after the tragic death of Mary Kay's sister in a car accident, expanding their family.

Rick Adelman Parents

Rick's parents worked as teachers and had roots in North Dakota. His brother, Clete Adelman, was also involved in basketball as a small-college coach.