Scott Skiles

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Skiles led Plymouth High School to the Indiana State Championship in 1982, scoring 39 points in double overtime. He set several school records, including most points in a home game (53) and most points in an away game (56), and left as the school's all-time career scoring leader (1,788 points). At Michigan State, he was a First Team All-America selection, Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, and scoring champion in his senior season. He left MSU as its all-time career scoring leader (2,145 points) and still holds the Spartans' record for most points scored in a season (850). During his college years, he was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana; the cocaine charge was dropped, and he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession. He was later arrested for drunken driving and served 15 days in jail, and during his senior season served a brief jail sentence for a parole violation on an earlier marijuana conviction.

In Their Own Story

On December 30, 1990, at Orlando Arena, Scott Skiles orchestrated a historic offensive display against the Denver Nuggets. In a 155–116 victory, he recorded 30 assists, shattering the previous NBA single-game record of 29 held by Kevin Porter. This feat was part of a breakout season where Skiles averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 assists, earning him the NBA Most Improved Player Award. His tenure with the Magic continued through the 1993–1994 season, where he started 46 games before Penny Hardaway took over the starting role in the second half. Skiles played his final NBA campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1995–1996, appearing in only 10 games and averaging 6.3 points. Nursing a serious shoulder injury, he left the U.S. for the Greek League in 1996, signing a $1 million contract with PAOK Thessaloniki. Amidst injuries and conflict with coach Michel Gomez, Skiles was offered the head coaching job by club president Lakis Alexopoulos. Despite missing three top players, he led PAOK to a winning record and an unexpected third-place finish in the Greek League.

Reader's Guide

Skiles was selected 22nd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 NBA draft. He played for the Bucks (1986–87), Indiana Pacers (1987–89), Orlando Magic (1989–94), Washington Bullets (1994–95), and Philadelphia 76ers (1995–96). He made his NBA debut on November 11, 1986, against the Indiana Pacers. On June 21, 1987, he was traded by the Bucks to the Pacers for a 1989 second-round pick. With the Magic, he set the NBA single-game assists record with 30 on December 30, 1990, and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award after the 1990–91 season. He played his final NBA season with the 76ers in 1995–96, then joined PAOK Thessaloniki of the Greek League for the 1996–97 season. After retiring as a player, he became an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns in 1997–98 and was elevated to head coach in 1999. He later served as head coach for the Chicago Bulls (2003–2007) and Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2013).

Did You Know?

• Scott Skiles holds the NBA record for most assists in a single game with 30, set on December 30, 1990.
• He was the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and scoring champion in his senior season at Michigan State.
• Skiles led the Chicago Bulls to a sweep of the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2007 playoffs.
• He served as head coach for the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Orlando Magic.