John Salley

The first to win NBA titles with three franchises and the only player to do so in three different decades.

John Thomas Salley ( SAL-ee; born May 16, 1964) is an American former professional basketball player. He was the first player in NBA history to win championships with three franchises (a feat later matched by Robert Horry), and remains the only player to win a championship in three different decades (1980s, 1990s, and 2000s).

Quick Facts

Born: 16 May 1964
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
High school: Canarsie (Brooklyn, New York)
College: Georgia Tech (1982–1986)
Draft round: 1
Drafted by: Detroit Pistons
Career position: Power forward; center
Career number: 22, 16, 14

Lore & Background

After being drafted in the first round out of Georgia Tech in the 1986 NBA draft, the 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)-tall Salley played both power forward and center for the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Panathinaikos, and Los Angeles Lakers. He was a long-time host of the former Fox Sports Net show The Best Damn Sports Show Period. He is a vegan activist, chef, and wellness entrepreneur.

Reader's Guide

Salley was traded to the Miami Heat in 1992. In the 1995 NBA expansion draft he was selected by the inaugural Toronto Raptors team after being made available by the Heat.