A 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 m) forward from The Bronx, New York,[2] Pinckney led regional eight-seed Villanova Wildcats to the NCAA title over the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas in 1985.

He also played with the Sacramento Kings (1987–89), Boston Celtics (1989–94), Milwaukee Bucks (1994–95), Toronto Raptors (1995–96), Philadelphia 76ers (1995–96) and Miami Heat (1996–97).

As a Celtic, on April 19, 1994, Pinckney grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds and scored 21 points during a win against the Bucks.

[7][8] He participated in the first tip-off in Toronto Raptors franchise history, facing off against Yinka Dare of the New Jersey Nets on November 3, 1995.

Memphis Tigers men's basketball Pinckney was a radio and television analyst for the Miami Heat from 1997 through 2003.