Dan Majerle

Thunder Dan: Suns sharpshooter and Heat veteran.

Dan Majerle, nicknamed "Thunder Dan," is an American former professional basketball player who played 14 years in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He won a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics and a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.

Quick Facts

Born: 9 September 1965
Birthplace: Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
High school: Traverse City (Traverse City, Michigan)
College: Central Michigan (1984–1988)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 14
Drafted by: Phoenix Suns
Career position: Shooting guard; small forward

Lore & Background

Majerle was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. He starred for Traverse City High School and Central Michigan University, where he averaged 21.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. In 1987, he helped lead the Chippewas to the NCAA Tournament. He held the school season record for points until Marcus Keene broke it in 2016–17. His great-grandfather Frank Majerle Sr. emigrated from what is now Slovenia in 1901.

Reader's Guide

Majerle was selected 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1988 NBA draft. He played for the Suns from 1988 to 1995, making two All-Star Games and two All-Defensive Second Teams. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 1995–96 season, then signed with the Miami Heat, where he played from 1996 to 2001. He returned to the Suns for the 2001–02 season and retired on April 17, 2002.

Did You Know?

Majerle led the NBA in three-point field goals made and attempted in the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons.
He scored 28 points in Game 3 of the 1993 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls.
On December 7, 1996, he made a game-winning three-pointer with one second left to beat the Bulls 83–80.