John Paxson

Chicago Bulls executive and three-time NBA champion guard

John MacBeth Paxson (born September 29, 1960) is an American basketball administrator and former player who was vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2009 to 2020. He was their general manager from 2003 to 2009. Paxson played eleven NBA seasons for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls, winning three championships as a member of the Bulls. He was an All-American college player at the University of Notre Dame.

Quick Facts

Team: Chicago Bulls
Position: Senior advisor
League: NBA
Born: 29 September 1960
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
High school: Archbishop Alter (Kettering, Ohio)
College: Notre Dame (1979–1983)
Draft round: 1

Lore & Background

Paxson attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, and was named to the 1979 McDonald's All-American Team. He played collegiate basketball at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish in assists in 1980–81 and earning All-America recognition in 1981–82 and 1982–83. He graduated in 1983 with a degree in Business Administration and a 3.71 GPA, and was a two-time Academic All-American. He was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame on June 6, 2005.

Reader's Guide

Paxson was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 19th overall pick of the 1983 NBA draft. After two seasons with the Spurs, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls. He is best known for his championship-winning three-point shot in Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals. After retiring, he served as an assistant coach for the Bulls in 1995–96, then joined radio broadcasts. He became general manager of the Bulls in April 2003 and vice president of basketball operations from 2009 to 2020.

Did You Know?

Paxson's younger brother Jim also played in the NBA, for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Paxson was a .526 shooter from the field in his college career at Notre Dame.