Richard Charles Pierce (born August 19, 1959) is an American former professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player. Nicknamed "Deuces" and "Big Paper Daddy", he was selected as an

NBA All-Star The National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game. It is the main event of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Traditionally, the All-Star Game featured a conference-based format, featuring a team composed of ...

(1991) and was twice the NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1987, 1990) while with the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

(NBA).

Career beginnings

Pierce graduated from Garland High School in Dallas County, Texas. He later played basketball at Walla Walla Community College and

Rice University William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University, is a Private university, private research university in Houston, Houston, Texas, United States. Established in 1912, the university spans 300 acres. Rice University comp ...

. Pierce is first in Rice history in career scoring average at 22.5 points per game, while he is third all time in total points scored and second in total field goals made. His 1981–82 season of 26.8 points, 314 field goals made, and 614 field goals attempted are also school single season records.Pierce Named to Southwest Conference Hall of Fame
/ref>

NBA

Detroit Pistons

Pierce was drafted by the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

in the 1st round (18th pick) of the 1982 NBA draft. Used sparingly in his rookie season, he was traded to the San Diego Clippers immediately prior to the 1983-84 NBA season for two future 2nd round draft picks.

San Diego Clippers

Pierce became a rotation regular during his one season with the Clippers, averaging 9.9 points and 18.6 minutes per game. He started 35 games during the season, highlighted by a then-career-high 30-point performance against San Antonio in his first start as a Clipper.

Milwaukee Bucks

Pierce was traded by the San Diego Clippers before the 1984–85 season along with Terry Cummings to the

. The trade, which also brought

Craig Hodges Craig Anthony Hodges (born June 27, 1960)
''basketball-reference.com''. Retrieved March 19, 2011 is an ...

to Milwaukee, while sending veterans Junior Bridgeman and

Marques Johnson Marques Kevin Johnson (born February 8, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player and character actor who is a basketball analyst for the Milwaukee Bucks on Bally Sports Wisconsin. He played as a small forward in the National B ...

(both would eventually have their jerseys retired in Milwaukee) to the Clippers, is viewed as having worked much better for the Bucks than the Clippers. Pierce was reunited with his coach at Rice, Mike Schuler, who was then an assistant coach for the Bucks. Pierce would go on to average 17 points per game over the next 6 full seasons in Milwaukee, despite starting only 46 games in that time. On March 13, 1985, Pierce scored 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and recorded 6 assists in a win against the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Divis ...

. Pierce and the Bucks would go on to beat

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player, who is currently a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Ass ...

and the Bulls 3–1 in the first round of the playoffs, before being upset by the lower seeded

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...

in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Pierce won the

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award The National Basketball Association's Sixth Man of the Year (colloquially known as the 6MOY) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1982–83 NBA season to the league's best performing player for his team coming ...

for 1986–87 for averaging 19.5 points per game with a 53.4% shooting percentage in his third season with the Bucks. That same postseason, on May 8, 1987, Pierce led the Bucks with 29 points off the bench in a Game 3 victory against

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

, however, Boston would ultimately win the series. During the 1989 NBA Playoffs, on May 2, Pierce led the Bucks to 117-113 Game 3 victory over the

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Easte ...

with a team-high 35 points. The Bucks would win the series 3–2, before being eliminated in the next round by the eventual-champion

Pistons A piston is an engineering component of engines and pumps. Piston(s) may also refer to: Science and technology * Misnomer for a hydraulic cylinder * Piston (optics) * Piston (subcellular structure) * Piston valve * Fire piston, an ancient device ...

. The following season, Pierce earned the Sixth Man award again, averaging 23.0 points per game without starting a single one (an NBA record) in 1989–90. That season, on November 9, 1989, Pierce played a key role in the longest game in the shot clock era, at four hours and 17 minutes, scoring a team leading 36 points on 15 of 21 shooting, during a 155-154 5OT win. On December 5, Pierce scored a career-high 45 points in a loss against the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

. In the week preceding the 1991 trade deadline, the Bucks traded Pierce to the Seattle SuperSonics for Dale Ellis. When asked about referring to himself as a “hired gun” in relation to being a designated scorer who bounced around on several teams, Pierce said “The teams would let you know that you were hired to play a certain role. That was the role that I took on, my strength, my scoring ability. That was what I focused on. One time, in the middle of a game, I was passing the ball a lot. Coach Don Nelson called a timeout. He told me ‘I have Paul Pressey to pass. Your job is to score the ball.’ I thought that was kind of cool. I really liked that.”

Seattle Supersonics

Pierce became a regular starter in the 1991–92 season, his first full season with the Sonics. He made 75 consecutive free throws through several games in November–December 1991, the second-longest such streak at that time. The same year, in

1992 1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General. * January 6 ** The Republ ...

, Pierce led Seattle in scoring during both the regular and post seasons. In the 1993 NBA playoffs, Pierce led the Sonics to 103-100 Game 7 win in the conference semifinals over the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

with a game-leading 25 points. In the next round, Pierce, alongside teammates

Gary Payton Gary Dwayne Payton Sr. (born July 23, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player who was a point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely considered one of the greatest point guards of all time, he is best know ...

and

Shawn Kemp Shawn Travis Kemp Sr. (born November 26, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association ( ...

, lost in seven games to the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

, narrowly missing an NBA Finals appearance. Pierce returned to the bench for 1993–94 following Seattle's off-season acquisition of Kendall Gill.

Golden State Warriors

On July 18, 1994, Pierce was traded along with Carlos Rogers and two draft picks to the

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1946 i ...

in exchange for Byron Houston and Sarunas Marciulionis. Pierce battled foot and back injuries during the season and was only able to see action in 27 games.

Indiana Pacers

Prior to the 1995–96 season, Pierce signed with the

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

as an unrestricted free agent. Healthy once more, Pierce appeared in 76 games, and after starting only 2 games all season, he started 4 of the Pacers' 5 first round playoff games, contributing 10.2 points and 3.0 assists per game.

Denver Nuggets

Indiana traded Pierce to the

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...

before the start of 1996–97 season, sending Mark Jackson and a 1st round draft pick to the Nuggets in exchange for

Jalen Rose Jalen Anthony Rose (born January 30, 1973) is an American sports analyst and former professional basketball player. In college, he was a member of the University of Michigan Michigan Wolverines, Wolverines' "Fab Five (University of Michigan), Fa ...

, Reggie Williams, and the Nuggets' 1st round pick. In February, with the Nuggets out of the playoff picture, Pierce was traded to the

Charlotte Hornets The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team ...

for Anthony Goldwire and George Zidek.

Charlotte Hornets

Pierce played an expanded role with the playoff-bound Hornets, starting 17 of the final 29 games and averaging 12 points per game. In the playoffs, Pierce started the first 2 games of the Hornets' series with the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

and contributed 11 points off the bench in the third, which would be his final playoff game as a player.

AEK BC Athens, return to the Bucks and retirement

Without a contract for the 1997–98 season, Pierce signed to play with AEK B.C. Athens, a Greek professional team and one of the best in the country. Pierce played five games with AEK before signing as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks in December 1997. On December 19, Pierce scored 13 points in a 92–91 loss against the

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), E ...

. He retired from basketball at the end of the season.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

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Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, 39 , , 1 , , 6.8 , , .375 , , .143 , , .563 , , .9 , , .4 , , .2 , , .1 , , 2.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

San Diego San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...

, 69 , , 35 , , 18.6 , , .470 , , .000 , , .861 , , 2.0 , , .9 , , .4 , , .2 , , 9.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, 44 , , 3 , , 20.0 , , .537 , , .250 , , .823 , , 2.7 , , 2.1 , , .8 , , .1 , , 9.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 81 , , 8 , , 26.5 , , .538 , , .130 , , .858 , , 2.9 , , 2.2 , , 1.0 , , .1 , , 13.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 79 , , 31 , , 31.7 , , .534 , , .107 , , .880 , , 3.4 , , 1.8 , , .8 , , .3 , , 19.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 37 , , 0 , , 26.1 , , .510 , , .214 , , .877 , , 2.2 , , 2.0 , , .6 , , .2 , , 16.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 75 , , 4 , , 27.7 , , .518 , , .222 , , .859 , , 2.6 , , 2.1 , , 1.0 , , .3 , , 17.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 59 , , 0 , , 29.0 , , .510 , , .346 , , .839 , , 2.8 , , 2.3 , , .8 , , .1 , , 23.0 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2, , style="text-align:left;",

, 46 , , 0 , , 28.8 , , .499 , , .398 , , .907 , , 2.5 , , 2.1 , , .8 , , .2 , , 22.5 , - , style="text-align:left;",

Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...

, 32 , , 0 , , 26.3 , , .463 , , .391 , , .925 , , 2.3 , , 2.3 , , .7 , , .1 , , 17.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 78 , , 78 , , 34.1 , , .475 , , .268 , , .916 , , 3.0 , , 3.1 , , 1.1 , , .3 , , 21.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 77 , , 72 , , 28.8 , , .489 , , .372 , , .889 , , 2.5 , , 2.9 , , 1.3 , , .1 , , 18.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 51 , , 0 , , 20.0 , , .471 , , .188 , , .896 , , 1.6 , , 1.8 , , .8 , , .1 , , 14.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 27 , , 6 , , 24.9 , , .437 , , .329 , , .877 , , 2.4 , , 1.5 , , .8 , , .1 , , 12.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

, 76 , , 2 , , 18.5 , , .447 , , .337 , , .849 , , 1.8 , , 1.3 , , .8 , , .1 , , 9.7 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2, , style="text-align:left;",

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

, 33 , , 10 , , 18.2 , , .462 , , .308 , , .902 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , .4 , , .2 , , 10.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 27 , , 17 , , 24.1 , , .502 , , .536 , , .889 , , 2.5 , , 1.8 , , .5 , , .1 , , 12.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 39 , , 0 , , 11.3 , , .364 , , .308 , , .827 , , 1.2 , , .9 , , .2 , , .0 , , 3.9 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 969 , , 269 , , 24.4 , , .493 , , .322 , , .875 , , 2.4 , , 1.9 , , .8 , , .2 , , 14.9 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", All-Star , 1 , , 0 , , 19.0 , , .500 , , – , , 1.000 , , 2.0 , , 2.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 9.0

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;",

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a n ...

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, 8, , 1, , 24.8, , .493, , .000, , .778, , 2.3, , 1.9, , .4, , .1, , 9.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", 1986 , style="text-align:left;",

, 13, , 0, , 24.8, , .460, , .000, , .889, , 2.8, , 1.5, , .6, , .2, , 11.1 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1987 Events January * January 1 – Bolivia reintroduces the Boliviano currency. * January 2 – Chadian–Libyan conflict – Battle of Fada: The Military of Chad, Chadian army destroys a Libyan armoured brigade. * January 3 – Afghan leader ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 12, , 2, , 26.4, , .479, , –, , .821, , 2.3, , 1.3, , .8, , .4, , 15.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", 1988 , style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 0, , 21.0, , .472, , .200, , .889, , 2.8, , 1.8, , .2, , .4, , 11.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1989 1989 was a turning point in political history with the "Revolutions of 1989" which ended communism in Eastern Bloc of Europe, starting in Poland and Hungary, with experiments in power-sharing coming to a head with the opening of the Berlin W ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 9, , 0, , 32.4, , .546, , .750, , .872, , 2.8, , 2.8, , 1.2, , .2, , 22.3 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1990 Important events of 1990 include the Reunification of Germany and the unification of Yemen, the formal beginning of the Human Genome Project (finished in 2003), the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation of Namibia from South ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 4, , 0, , 30.5, , .467, , .500, , .903, , 2.3, , 1.5, , 1.3, , .0, , 22.3 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 0, , 22.4, , .333, , .300, , .941, , 2.8, , .8, , .8, , .2, , 11.4 , - , style="text-align:left;",

, style="text-align:left;",

, 9, , 9, , 35.1, , .481, , .273, , .870, , 2.4, , 3.1, , .6, , .1, , 19.6 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1993 The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as: * International Year for the World's Indigenous People The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...

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, 19, , 19, , 30.4, , .456, , .400, , .898, , 2.4, , 2.2, , .6, , .2, , 17.7 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1994 The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations. In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 0, , 14.8, , .452, , –, , .706, , 1.0, , .6, , .2, , .0, , 8.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1996 1996 was designated as: * International Year for the Eradication of Poverty Events January * January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 4, , 26.6, , .340, , .250, , .850, , .8, , 3.0, , 1.6, , .2, , 10.2 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...

, style="text-align:left;", Charlotte , 3, , 2, , 29.0, , .458, , .143, , –, , 2.7, , 1.3, , .7, , .0, , 7.7 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 97 , , 37 , , 27.4 , , .466 , , .355 , , .866 , , 2.4 , , 1.9 , , .7 , , .2 , , 14.9

Post playing career

Since retiring, Pierce has developed his own basketball system that assists with shooting accuracy with specially designed fingertip-placement markers. Pierce developed the idea after watching his son, Aron, playing basketball at the

YMCA YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It has nearly 90,000 staff, some 920,000 volunteers and 12,000 branches w ...

. Pierce was giving advice to parents on how to teach their kids the perfect jump shot.''Sports Illustrated'', July 2, 2007, p. 118. A product would later be developed known as the Accushot22, a specially designed basketball with 10 oval indentations. The product sells for $37.95, although hundreds are given away free to underprivileged children. In 2015, Pierce was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, becoming only the third Rice basketball player to be inducted.

Personal life

Pierce is a

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

. Pierce is married to Joyce Pierce. They have three children. Pierce returned to Rice University to complete his degree, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in

kinesiology Kinesiology () is the scientific study of human body movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, anatomical, Biomechanics, biomechanical, Pathology, pathological, neuropsychological principles and mechanisms of movement. Applications of kines ...

in May 2012.Rice's 99th Commencement Included Over 100 Student-Athletes
riceowls.com, May 12, 2012

Notes

External links

* (selected season stats and career highs)
Ricky Pierce biography
by the NBA {{DEFAULTSORT:Pierce, Ricky 1959 births Living people 20th-century African-American sportsmen 21st-century African-American sportsmen 21st-century American inventors AEK B.C. players African-American inventors All-American college men's basketball players American expatriate basketball people in Greece American men's basketball players Basketball players from Dallas Charlotte Hornets players Denver Nuggets players Detroit Pistons draft picks Detroit Pistons players Garland High School alumni Golden State Warriors players Greek Basket League players Indiana Pacers players Junior college men's basketball players in the United States Milwaukee Bucks players NBA All-Stars Basketball players from Garland, Texas Rice Owls men's basketball players San Diego Clippers players Seattle SuperSonics players Shooting guards Walla Walla Community College alumni

Career beginnings

NBA

Detroit Pistons

San Diego Clippers

Milwaukee Bucks

Seattle Supersonics

Golden State Warriors

Indiana Pacers

Denver Nuggets

Charlotte Hornets

AEK BC Athens, return to the Bucks and retirement

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Post playing career

Personal life

See also

Notes

External links