Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers

Rivers during a Clippers game in 2015
Los Angeles Clippers
Position	Head coach / President of Basketball Operations
Personal information
Born	October 13, 1961 (1961-10-13) Chicago, Illinois
Nationality	American
Coaching career
Best record	66-16 (2008-09)
Titles	1 (2008)
Coaching career	1999-present (25 years)
Career information
High school	Proviso East (Maywood, Illinois)
College	Marquette (1980-1983)
NBA Draft	1983 / Round: 1 / Pick: 31st overall
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career	1983-1996 (13 years)
Career history
As player:
1983–1991	Atlanta Hawks
1991–1992	Los Angeles Clippers
1992–1994	New York Knicks
1994–1996	San Antonio Spurs
As coach
1999-2004	Orlando Magic
2004-2013	Boston Celtics
2013-present	Los Angeles Clippers
Career highlights and awards

Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers (born October 13, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois), is a retired American professional basketball player and the current head coach of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Rivers was known for his defense while playing in the NBA. His skills as floor general and point guard helped him transition into a coach following his playing career.

Biography

Playing career

After representing the United States with the national team in the 1982 FIBA World Championship, in which he was selected as the tournament MVP, and graduating from Marquette University, Rivers was drafted in the second round (31st overall) of the 1983 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, moving into the starting lineup due to injury during his rookie season. He spent the next seven seasons as a starter in Atlanta, assisting star Dominique Wilkins as the team found great regular season success. He averaged a double-double for the 1986-87 season, scoring 12.4 points and helping out with 10.0 assists per game. Rivers later spent one year as a starter for the Los Angeles Clippers and two more for the New York Knicks, before finishing out his career as a solid bench player for the San Antonio Spurs.

Coaching career

Rivers began his coaching career with the Orlando Magic in 1999, where he coached for more than four NBA seasons. Rivers won the Coach of the Year award in 2000 after his first year with the Magic. That season, he led the team that was picked to finish last in the league to a near playoff berth. He made the post season in his next three years as coach, but was fired in 2003 after a disastrous start to the season. After spending a year working as a commentator for The NBA on ABC (calling the 2004 Finals with Al Michaels), he took over the Boston Celtics coaching position in 2004.

As a result of the Celtics' 109-93 victory over the New York Knicks on January 21, 2008, Rivers, as the coach of the team with the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference, earned the honor to coach the East for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. On June 17, 2008, Rivers won his first NBA Championship as a head coach.

Personal

Rivers is the nephew of former NBA player Jim Brewer. He lives in Orlando Florida with his wife Kristen Rivers and their four children. His oldest son Jeremiah played basketball for Georgetown University before transferring to play for Indiana University, while his daughter Callie plays volleyball for the University of Florida. Rivers also has a younger son, Austin, who at 6'3" plays guard, and has verbally committed to the University of Florida men's basketball team. Austin Rivers is considered a top 10 basketball prospect in the class of 2011. Doc Rivers is the cousin of former NBA guard Byron Irvin and former MLB outfielder Ken Singleton.

Rivers was given his nickname by then-Marquette assistant coach Rick Majerus. Rivers attended a summer basketball camp wearing "Dr. J" T-shirt. Majerus immediately called him "Doc" and the players at camp followed suit. The name has stuck ever since.Template:Fact

Gallery

External links

• Doc Rivers Coaching Info at NBA.com
• databaseBasketball.com: Doc Rivers (as coach)
• databaseBasketball.com: Doc Rivers (as player)