Derek Fisher

Five-time NBA champion and former Oklahoma City Thunder guard.

Derek Lamar Fisher (born August 9, 1974) is an American professional basketball coach and former player. He played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 18 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom Fisher won five NBA championships. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dallas Mavericks. Fisher has also served as president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Quick Facts

Position: Head coach
Born: 9 August 1974
Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
High school: Parkview Arts and Science Magnet (Little Rock, Arkansas)
College: Little Rock (1992–1996)
Draft pick: 24
Drafted by: Los Angeles Lakers
Career number: 2, 4, 37, 6

Lore & Background

Fisher played college basketball for the Arkansas–Little Rock Trojans, earning the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 1996. Selected by the Lakers with the 24th pick in the 1996 NBA draft, he spent his first eight seasons with the franchise, winning three consecutive league championships (2000–2002) with teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal and coach Phil Jackson. After the 2003–04 NBA season, Fisher signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, later being traded to the Utah Jazz, whom he helped lead to the Western Conference finals.

Due to his daughter's health, Fisher asked to be released from his contract in 2007. He rejoined the Lakers and won two more NBA titles with Bryant and Jackson. In 2012, Fisher was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he bought out his contract and was waived at his request. Fisher then joined the Oklahoma City Thunder for the rest of the season, playing for the 2012 NBA championship in his eighth Finals appearance.

After signing with the 2012–13 Dallas Mavericks Fisher played only nine games before being injured and asking to be released from his contract. Fisher later rejoined the Oklahoma City Thunder for another late-season push. He re-signed with them in the off-season and played in a team-high 81 regular-season games for the team in 2013–14. The following season, Fisher was hired as the head coach of the New York Knicks by Jackson, who had become the team's president.

Fisher was fired in 2016 and has since been featured as a broadcast television analyst on Turner Sports' NBA programming. He also joined Spectrum SportsNet for the 2016–17 NBA season to work as an in-studio analyst for the Los Angeles Lakers. On January 19, 2017, Fisher was announced as one of the analysts for Turner Sports' new Players Only programming slate. He was the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 2019 to 2022. On August 7, 2023, Fisher was hired as the head coach for Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California.

Did You Know?

Fisher was first in career postseason games played with 259 at the time of his retirement, a record later broken by LeBron James.
Fisher made a game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds left in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Derek Fisher during his time with Oklahoma City?

He served as a veteran point guard who joined the franchise for his final professional seasons. His tenure included a brief stint in 2013 and a full campaign during the 2013–14 season.

How many regular-season games did he play in 2013-14?

During that specific campaign, Fisher appeared in a team-high of 81 regular-season games. This marked his most significant statistical contribution to the Thunder roster.

Did Derek Fisher ever coach the Oklahoma City Thunder?

No, despite being listed under coaches elsewhere, his head coaching tenure was with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Sparks. His direct involvement with Oklahoma City remained strictly as a player.

What prompted his arrival in Oklahoma City?

He signed after being waived by Houston to finish out the remainder of the 2012 season before re-signing for the full year. This move served as a final professional push before he eventually retired from basketball.