Mark Price Number Two Retirement

Lore & Background

Mark Price played the majority of his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was a four-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection. He is one of only eight players to achieve the 50–40–90 club while meeting the league minimum makes in each category. Price was second in franchise steals (734) and held the Cavaliers' assists record (4,206) until LeBron James surpassed it in 2017. His number 25 was retired by the team after his retirement.

Reader's Guide

Mark Price is a former NBA point guard who played 12 seasons (1986–1998). He spent most of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers before finishing with the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic. He was a four-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, and his number 25 is retired by the Cavaliers. He also coached as an assistant for several NBA teams, most recently with the 2018–19 Denver Nuggets.

Did You Know?

• Mark Price was the third player after Larry Bird and Steve Nash to join the NBA's 50–40–90 club.
• He won the NBA Three-Point Contest in 1993 and 1994.
• Price is an all-time Georgia Tech leader in 3-point field goal percentage (.440), steals (240), and consecutive games started (126).
• He represented the United States in the 1983 Pan American Games and the 1994 FIBA World Championship (Dream Team II), winning gold medals both times.

College Dominance at Georgia Tech

Before entering the professional ranks, William Mark Price established himself as an elite point guard during his collegiate tenure at Georgia Tech. Standing six feet tall, he defied size expectations to become a three-time All-American and a four-time selection for the All-ACC team. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the Yellow Jackets to an ACC Championship title in his junior year, where they defeated North Carolina in the tournament final.

His impact was so profound that the university retired his jersey number and later inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1991, followed by an induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Academically, he balanced this athletic success by graduating with a degree in Industrial Management. Statistically, Price remains the school's all-time leader in several categories, including steals, minutes played, consecutive games started, and three-point field goal percentage.

Revolutionary Playstyle and Shooting Prowess

Drafted second overall in the second round of 1986 by Dallas but immediately traded to Cleveland, Price silenced critics who doubted his speed and size by becoming one of the league's most consistent offensive threats. He is widely regarded as a pioneer for revolutionizing how point guards attack pick-and-roll situations. By splitting double teams—ducking between defenders to hit short runners in the lane—he changed defensive strategies across the NBA, a technique now ubiquitous among modern players.

His shooting accuracy was historic; he joined the exclusive 50-40-90 club during the 1988–89 season, joining Larry Bird as one of only two players at the time to achieve such efficiency while meeting league minimums in all categories. Over his career, he maintained a remarkable 90.4% free throw percentage and a 40% three-point shooting average. His offensive mastery earned him four All-Star selections, four All-NBA Team honors, and the prestigious First Team nod following the 1992–93 season.

Injury-Plagued Decline and Final Seasons

Despite his early dominance with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Price's career trajectory shifted dramatically due to persistent injuries that began derailing his performance in 1995. These physical setbacks contributed significantly to his trade to the Washington Bullets prior to the 1995–96 season, marking the start of a nomadic final chapter. He spent one season with Washington before signing as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors in July 1996, where he averaged 11.3 points per game over 70 appearances.

His journey continued briefly when he was traded to the Orlando Magic on October 28, 1997, in exchange for David Vaughn III and Brian Shaw. After spending one final season with the Magic, Price was waived on June 30, 1998, effectively bringing an end to his twelve-year professional playing career. This turbulent period contrasted sharply with his earlier years as a cornerstone of an Eastern Conference powerhouse.

Enduring Legacy and Family Connections

Mark Price's influence extends far beyond his final game, cementing his status through numerous honors and family achievements. The Cleveland Cavaliers retired his number 25 shortly after he hung up his sneakers, recognizing him as one of the franchise's greatest offensive players. His hometown of Enid, Oklahoma, honored him by naming their basketball arena Mark Price Arena in tribute to his high school success and professional accomplishments. He is a member of the Sports Halls of Fame for Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

Basketball runs deep in his family; his father Denny was a college coach and former pro, while his younger brother Brent also enjoyed a ten-season NBA career. His children followed athletic paths as well, with daughter Caroline playing professional tennis after college and son Josh competing in collegiate basketball. Price transitioned into coaching shortly after retirement, eventually serving as an assistant for the Denver Nuggets through the 2018–19 season.