 Haley in 1998 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1964-01-27)January 27, 1964 |
| Died | March 16, 2015(2015-03-16) (aged 51) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, California) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 1987: 4th round, 79th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Chicago Bulls |
| Playing career | 1987–1998 |
| Position | Power forward /center |
| Number | 15, 44, 54 |
| Career history | |
| 1987–1988 | RCD Espanyol |
| 1988–1989 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1989–1991 | New Jersey Nets |
| 1991–1992 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1993 | AEK Athens |
| 1993–1995 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1995–1996 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1996–1997 | La Crosse Bobcats |
| 1997–1998 | New Jersey Nets |
| Career highlights | |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 1,180 (3.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 922 (2.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 82 (0.2 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Jack Kevin Haley (January 27, 1964 – March 16, 2015) was an American professionalbasketball player.
A 6'10"forward/center fromHuntington Beach High School andUCLA, Haley spent nine seasons (1988–1992; 1993–1998) in theNational Basketball Association as a member of theChicago Bulls,New Jersey Nets,Los Angeles Lakers, andSan Antonio Spurs.
Haley was the son of noted surfing pioneer Jack Haley Sr. He attendedHuntington Beach High School andUCLA.
Haley was drafted in 1987 by the Chicago Bulls and made his NBA debut on November 9, 1988.[1]
After several years playing elsewhere, Haley returned to the Bulls as a free agent in October 1995 and was a member of the1995–96 Bulls team that won a league record 72 games and theNBA Championship.[2] However, Haley spent almost the entire season on the injured list with tendinitis in his left knee.[2][3] As a result, he only played in one game during the regular season and did not participate in the playoffs.[4] At one point, another unidentified team complained to the league office, which sent out a doctor to examine Haley's knee.[2] At the same time, Haley developed a reputation for his enthusiastic cheering of his teammates on the Bulls' bench all season long, compared to what one newspaper described as a more somber Bulls' bench.[2]
On Sunday, April 21, 1996, Haley played in the Bulls' final regular-season game, drawing what theChicago Tribune called "polite—albeit sarcastic—reception from the crowd." Haley ended up with five points. "It felt good to finally get in a game," he told the paper. "I was real excited and my adrenaline was pumping. I haven't played in a year. I missed some easy shots. I guess I was aggressive. I took almost a shot per minute played."[5]
Haley was mainly known for his friendship withDennis Rodman, and was sometimes referred to as Rodman's "babysitter". However, Haley bristled at the label, and argued that he had legitimately earned his spot on the team.[6][7]
Following his playing career, Haley served as an assistant coach for theNew Jersey Nets and as a television broadcaster for the Lakers, co-hosting theLakers Live pre-game show withBill Macdonald forFox Sports Net West/Prime Ticket. Haley also acted, appearing in the filmsEddie andRebound, as well as themusic video forAerosmith's "Love in an Elevator."
Haley died on March 16, 2015, of heart disease at age 51.[8][9] On April 16, 2015, a memorial service at theWalter Pyramid in Long Beach was attended by family and friends, including notable NBA players and coaches.[10]