B.J. Armstrong

Lore & Background

Armstrong was born in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. He graduated in 1985. He had an illustrious career at the University of Iowa as the Hawkeyes' all-time leader in assists with 517 upon graduation; and is currently ranked sixth all-time. He also ranked sixth on the school's all-time steals list (178) and fourth in total points (1,705).

The 6-foot-2 guard shot .443 (136-of-307) from three-point range over his four-year career and averaged 18.6 points and 5.4 assists as a senior. Armstrong received his bachelor's degree from Iowa in May 1989. Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft, the 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) Armstrong helped the team return to the Eastern Conference Finals after compiling 55 regular season victories in 1990. In 1991, he helped them win their first NBA title against the Los Angeles Lakers after winning 61 games.

In 1992, Armstrong averaged double-digit scoring while coming off the bench behind longtime starter John Paxson to help the Bulls win 67 games and their second straight title. In 1993, he locked down the starting job, contributing to a 57–25 record and the Bulls' third straight title. He also claimed the NBA's three-point field goal percentage crown with a mark of .453 on 63-for-139 shooting. In 1994, he emerged as more of a leader in the wake of Michael Jordan's abrupt retirement, placing third on the team in scoring.

He was voted a starter in the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, finished second in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at .444 while leading the team to a 55–27 record and a second-round exit from the playoffs. Armstrong finished third in scoring again in 1995 as the Bulls posted a 47–35 record, and with Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoč, led the team to the second round again. Armstrong was the first player chosen in the 1995 NBA expansion draft (via Toronto Raptors) but refused to report.

He was traded by the Raptors to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Carlos Rogers and 4 other players and played for the Warriors in 1996 and in 1997. Four games into the 1997–98 season, Armstrong was acquired by the Charlotte Hornets for Tony Delk and Muggsy Bogues, playing 62 games that year. He also played 10 games for the Hornets in the 1999 season before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside J.R.

Reader's Guide

B.J. Armstrong was a key point guard for the Chicago Bulls during their first three-peat (1991–1993). He won the NBA three-point percentage title in 1993 and was an All-Star starter in 1994. After playing for the Warriors, Hornets, Magic, and a second stint with the Bulls, he retired in 2000. He later worked in the Bulls' front office, became a sports agent, and in 2025 became assistant general manager of the Sacramento Kings.

Did You Know?

• Armstrong is the University of Iowa's all-time leader in assists with 517.
• Armstrong served as an agent for Derrick Rose, the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft.