Rod Strickland

[2] Strickland played college basketball for the DePaul Blue Demons, earning All-American honors.

A 1987 and 1988 All-America pick, Strickland helped lead the Blue Demons to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1985–86 to 1987–88, including Sweet Sixteen showings in 1986 and 1987.

The Knicks dealt Strickland to the San Antonio Spurs for veteran Maurice Cheeks in the middle of the 1989–1990 season.

In the 58 games he played, Strickland averaged 13.8 points and 8.0 assists, shooting .482 from the field and .763 from the free throw line.

In a four-game series loss to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, he posted 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 2.25 steals in 42.0 minutes per game.

Strickland started two playoff games against the Phoenix Suns before missing the third with a broken bone in his left hand.

On April 5, 1994, Strickland set a Trail Blazers record with 20 assists in a single game, during a 135–113 win over the Phoenix Suns.

[7][8] On January 24, 1995, Strickland set a career high with 36 points scored, on 15-21 shooting from the field, in a 105–99 loss to the Knicks.

Strickland and teammate Harvey Grant were traded to the Washington Bullets for Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler in 1996.

He finished his playing career with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, and the Houston Rockets.

[14] In September 2008, Strickland was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame along with NBA stars Kenny Anderson and Sam Perkins, coach Pete Gillen and pioneers Lou Bender and Eddie Younger.

[15] Strickland started his coaching career as director of basketball operations at the University of Memphis, taking over the job held by former NBA player Milt Wagner.

Conference tournament champion Strickland is the godfather of the 2011 NBA draft first overall pick and 2012 Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving.

[21][22] On September 11, 2001, Strickland and singer Chico DeBarge had criminal complaints for assault filed against them after a fight outside a TGI Friday's in Maryland.