Jack Haley (basketball)

Jack Kevin Haley (January 27, 1964 – March 16, 2015) was an American professional basketball player.

Jack Haley
Personal information
Born(1964-01-27)January 27, 1964
Long Beach, California
DiedMarch 16, 2015(2015-03-16) (aged 51)
Los Alamitos, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolHuntington Beach
(Huntington Beach, California)
College
NBA draft1987 / Round: 4 / Pick: 79th overall
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Playing career1987–1998
PositionPower forward / Center
Number15, 44, 54
Career history
1987–1988RCD Espanyol
1988–1989Chicago Bulls
1989–1991New Jersey Nets
1991–1992Los Angeles Lakers
1993AEK Athens
1993–1995San Antonio Spurs
1995–1996Chicago Bulls
1996–1997La Crosse Bobcats
1997–1998New Jersey Nets
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points1,180 (3.5 ppg)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Early life and education

Haley was the son of noted surfing pioneer Jack Haley, Sr. A 6'10" forward/center from Huntington Beach High School and UCLA, Haley spent nine seasons (1988–1992; 1993–1998) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Chicago Bulls tenure

Haley was drafted in 1987 by the Chicago Bulls and made his NBA debut on November 9, 1988.[1]

After several years playing elsewhere, Haley returned to the Bulls as a free agent in October 1995 and was a member of the 1995–96 Bulls team that won a league record 72 games and the NBA Championship.[2] However, Haley spent almost the entire season on the injured list with tendinitis in his left knee.[2][3] As a result, he only played in one game during the regular season and did not participate in the playoffs.[4] At one point, another unidentified team complained to the league office, which sent out a doctor to examine Haley's knee.[2] At the same time, Haley developed a reputation for his enthusiastic cheering of his teammates on the Bulls' bench all season long, compared to what one newspaper described as a more somber Bulls' bench.[2]

On Sunday, April 21, 1996, Haley played in the Bulls' final regular-season game, drawing what the Chicago Tribune called "polite—albeit sarcastic—reception from the crowd." Haley ended up with five points. "It felt good to finally get in a game," he told the paper. "I was real excited and my adrenaline was pumping. I haven't played in a year. I missed some easy shots. I guess I was aggressive. I took almost a shot per minute played."[5]

Haley was mainly known for his friendship with Dennis Rodman, and was sometimes referred to as Rodman's "babysitter". However, Haley bristled at the label, and argued that he had legitimately earned his spot on the team.[6][7]

Post-playing career

Following his playing career, Haley served as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets and as a television broadcaster for the Lakers, co-hosting the Lakers Live pre-game show with Bill Macdonald for Fox Sports Net West/Prime Ticket. Haley also acted, appearing in the films Eddie and Rebound, as well as the music video for Aerosmith's "Love in an Elevator."

Death

Haley died on March 16, 2015, of heart disease at age 51.[8][9] On April 16, 2015, a memorial service at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach was attended by family and friends, including notable NBA players and coaches.[10]

References
  1. "Jack Haley NBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  2. Isaacson, Melissa (March 10, 1996). "Jester Tag No Joke To Bulls' Haley". Chicago Tribune. 149 (70). sec. 3, p. 1. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  3. Mitchell, Fred (January 11, 1996). "Haley Insists He's Not Rodman's Baby-sitter". Chicago Tribune. 149 (11). sec. 4, p. 2. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  4. Bickley, Dan (December 26, 1996). "Haley looks to escape Rodman's shadow". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 104.
  5. Armour, Terry (April 22, 1996). "Haley comes out firing in late debut". Chicago Tribune. 149 (113). sec. 3, p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Banks, Lacy (April 21, 1996). "Haley activated, but doesn't get chance to play". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 12.
  7. Smith, Sam (April 21, 1996). "Haley finally activated but doesn't play". Chicago Tribune. 149 (112). sec. 3, p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Harmonson, Todd (March 17, 2015). "Seal Beach's Jack Haley, who played for UCLA, Chicago Bulls, Lakers, dead at 51". The Orange County Register. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  9. Foster, Chris (March 18, 2015). "Jack Haley dies at 51; O.C. surfer played basketball at UCLA and in NBA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. Kartje, Ryan (April 16, 2015). "Be it on surfboard or NBA court, Haley had a good time". Orange County Register. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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