Rusty LaRue

From three-sport star at Wake Forest to NBA champion with the Bulls.

Rusty LaRue (born December 10, 1973) is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He played in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors. He won an NBA championship with the Bulls in 1998.

Quick Facts

Born

10 December 1973

Birthplace

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.

High school

Northwest Guilford (Greensboro, North Carolina)

College

Wake Forest (1992–1996)

Career number

Career position

Point guard

Highlights

NBA champion (1998)
All-CBA Second Team (2000)
CBA assists leader (2000)

Lore & Background

LaRue was a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, football, and baseball at Wake Forest University. He was one of only four players to beat Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium all four years. As a senior quarterback, he broke eight NCAA records for passing, including most completions in one game (55). He finished second in school history in three-point field goals made and first in three-point field goal percentage.

Reader's Guide

LaRue began his coaching career after his playing retirement in 2004. He was an assistant coach for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons under Dino Gaudio and Jeff Bzdelik from 2009 to 2014. He served as head coach at West Forsyth High School from 2015 until retiring from coaching in 2019. He is now Chief Operations Officer of Dairi-O Restaurants.

Did You Know?

He was not drafted by an NBA team but earned a spot on the Chicago Bulls' roster in 1997.
He averaged 3.5 points per game in the 1997–98 season and earned an NBA Championship ring.
He was selected to the All-Continental Basketball Association Second Team while playing for the Idaho Stampede in 2000.