Rudy Tomjanovich

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Lore & Background

Tomjanovich played his entire NBA career (1970–1981) with the San Diego / Houston Rockets. He was a 5-time NBA All-Star forward (1974–1977, 1979) and made the playoffs five times (1975, 1977, 1979–1981). On December 9, 1977, he was punched by Kermit Washington, ending his season after 23 games; he fully recovered and played three more seasons. After about eight years as an assistant coach, he served as Rockets head coach from 1992 to 2003, leading them to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. He also coached the Los Angeles Lakers during part of the 2004–05 season before resigning, then served as a consultant for 14 years. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on May 16, 2021. In 2024, he was scheduled to be included in the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

The arena fell silent as Rudy Tomjanovich crumpled to the court on December 9, 1977, after being punched by Lakers forward Kermit Washington. The blow shattered his face and inflicted life-threatening head and spinal injuries, ending his season after just 23 games. But Tomjanovich made a full recovery and returned to the NBA, playing three more seasons and earning an All-Star selection in the 1978–79 season. Years later, as head coach, he led the Rockets to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. In 1995, his Rockets became the lowest seed (sixth) to ever win an NBA title, and the only team to defeat the four teams with the best regular-season records in a single playoff run. After his coaching tenure, Tomjanovich signed a five-year, $30 million contract to coach the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, but resigned after 43 games citing exhaustion, later staying with the Lakers as a consultant for 14 years.

Reader's Guide

Tomjanovich was selected second overall in the 1970 NBA draft by the San Diego Rockets. He averaged 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds over 11 seasons. His jersey number 45 was retired by the Rockets and the University of Michigan. As head coach, he posted a 503–397 regular-season record and a 51–39 playoff mark, both Rockets franchise records. He had only two losing seasons as a head coach.

Did You Know?

• Tomjanovich was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on May 16, 2021.
• He was a 5-time NBA All-Star, with four consecutive selections from 1974 to 1977 and another in 1979.
• He is the fourth-leading scorer in Rockets history behind James Harden, Calvin Murphy, and Hakeem Olajuwon.
• Tomjanovich's jersey read 'RUDY T.' because his last name was too long.
• He coached the U.S. men's basketball team to a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.