Dennis Rodman

Dennis Keith Rodman (May 13, 1961-) was perhaps one of the most high-profile players in NBA history, often for the wrong reasons, but was also one of the fiercest rebounders the NBA has ever seen. Dennis overcame a difficult childhood and upbringing, after his father left at age three, and earned a basketball scholarship to Southeastern Oklahoma Star University, having already starred with Cooke County Community College. Rodman honed his skills at the Southeast Oklahoma where he averaged 25.7 points and 15.7 rebounds per game over three seasons and was named a NAIA All-American in each season. The Detroit Pistons then took Dennis in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft. His defensive prowess fit right in with the “Bad Boys” of the NBA who valued defense under the guidance of Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Daly. At 6’8” and 210 lbs, Dennis Rodman was not the atypical rebound threat, but his study of the game and specifically, the carom of the ball off the rim and understanding where it will end up made him the best in the game. Dennis led the NBA in rebounds in seven straight seasons (1992-1998), was named to the NBA All-Defensive First team seven times and earned the 1990 and 1991 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. The Worm, as he was dubbed, was an outrageous character on the court, often dying his hair and sporting body piercing, but helped lead his teams to five NBA Finals championships – 1989-1990 with Detroit and 1996-1998 with the Chicago Bulls. Dennis played 14 years in the NBA as a power forward with the Pistons (1986-1993), the San Antonio Spurs (1993-1995), the Chicago Bulls (1996-1998), the Los Angeles Lakers (1998-1999) and the Dallas Mavericks (1999-2000). Dennis was a two-time NBA All-Star and finished playing professionally in 2006 having played in the ABA and Europe to close out his career. The Worm retired from the NBA with 6,683 points, 11,954 total rebounds and 1,600 assists. Dennis Rodman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. Rodman famously released his autobiography Bad As I Wanna Be dressed in drag at his book signing in 1996. He also had high-profile relationships with legendary singer Madonna and enjoyed a short-lived marriage to actress/model Carmen Electra.