Rod Thorn Hall of Fame NBA

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Rod Thorn

Inducted:
2018

Rod Thorn NBA Hall of Fame

Player Stats:

6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
195 lb (88 kg)

Born: 
May 23, 1941
Princeton, West Virginia, U.S.

Position:
Point guard
Shooting guard
Coach
Executive

College:
West Virginia (1960–1963)

Rod Thorn’s NBA legacy stretches far beyond his solid playing career. Drafted second overall in 1963, he played eight seasons as a guard-forward, known for his reliable shooting and smart play. But it was after retirement that Thorn truly shaped the league’s future. As a front office executive, he became one of the most influential figures in NBA history.

Thorn drafted Michael Jordan as the Bulls’ GM in 1984, later served as NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, and helped define modern league policy, discipline, and rule evolution. He also rebuilt the New Jersey Nets into a title contender in the early 2000s.

Thorn was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 for his far-reaching contributions as a player, executive, and league architect.

Thorn's Awards & Records: 

  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (1964)
  • 2× Consensus second-team All-American (1962, 1963)
  • SoCon Player of the Year (1962)
  • 44 retired by West Virginia Mountaineers
  • Third-team Parade All-American (1959)
  • NBA Executive of the Year (2002)

NBA Records:

  • Drafted 2nd overall in the 1963 NBA Draft – behind only Art Heyman
  • Scored over 5,000 career points across eight NBA seasons
  • Drafted Michael Jordan with the 3rd overall pick in 1984 as Chicago Bulls GM
  • Led NBA Basketball Operations (2000–2011) – oversaw rules, discipline, and competition integrity
  • Played key role in implementing modern rules like hand-checking limitations and instant replay
  • Served as President of the New Jersey Nets during back-to-back NBA Finals runs (2002, 2003)
  • One of few individuals to significantly impact the league as a player, GM, and league executive

    Career Teams:

    As a player:
    Baltimore Bullets 1963–1964
    Detroit Pistons 1964–1965
    St. Louis Hawks 1965–1967
    Seattle SuperSonics 1967–1971

    As a coach:
    Seattle SuperSonics (assistant) 1971–1972
    New York Nets (assistant) 1973–1975
    Spirits of St. Louis 1975–1976
    New York / New Jersey Nets (assistant) 1976–1978
    Chicago Bulls (interim) 1981–1982

    NBA Executive:
    Vice President of Basketball Operations (2000-2011)

    NBA Draft:
    1963: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
    Baltimore Bullets

    Number Worn:
    44, 10, 22

    NBA Stats:

    Seasons:
    8 (1963–1971)
    Games Played:
    466
    Points:
    5,012
    Rebounds:
    1,463
    Assists:
    1,214
    Points Per Game:
    10.8
    Rebounds Per Game:
    3.1
    Assists Per Game:
    2.6
    FG(%):
    .433
    FT(%):
    .723