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Don Nelson

American basketball player and coach (1940–2026) Don NelsonNelson in 2012Personal informationBorn(1940-05-15)May 15, 1940Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.DiedAugust 9, 2026(2026-08-09) (aged 86)Frisco, Texas, U.S.Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)Career informationHigh schoolRock Island (Rock Island, Illinois)CollegeIowa (1959–1962)NBA draft1962: 3rd round, 17th overall pickDrafted byChicago ZephyrsPlaying career1962–1976PositionSmall forwardNumber44, 20, 19Coaching career1976–2010Career historyPlaying1962–1963Chicago Zephyrs1963–1965Los Angeles Lakers1965–1976Boston CelticsCoaching1976Milwaukee Bucks (assistant)1976–1988Milwaukee Bucks1988–1995Golden State Warriors1995–1996New York Knicks1997–2005Dallas Mavericks2006–2010Golden State Warriors Career highlightsAs player: 5× NBA champion (1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) No. 19 retired by Boston Celtics Third-team All-American – AP, NABC, UPI (1962) As coach: 3× NBA Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1992) 2× NBA All-Star Game head coach (1992, 2002) Top 10 Coaches in NBA History Top 15 Coaches in NBA History Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) Career playing statisticsPoints10,898 (10.3 ppg)Rebounds5,192 (4.9 rpg)Assists1,526 (1.4 apg) Stats at NBA.com Stats at Basketball Reference Career coaching recordNBA1335–1063 (.557)Record at Basketball Reference Basketball Hall of Fame Medals Head Coach for United States Representing United States FIBA World Championship 1994 Toronto Team competition Donald Arvid Nelson (May 15, 1940 – August 9, 2026) was an American professional basketball player and head coach.

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