Bill Hanzlik is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for nine seasons. He was born on December 8, 1957, in Denver, Colorado, and attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college basketball.
Hanzlik was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 1980 NBA draft but was traded to the Denver Nuggets before the start of the season. He played for the Nuggets for six seasons, from 1980 to 1986, and was known for his defensive skills and his ability to guard some of the league's top players.
In 1986, Hanzlik was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 1988. He played for the Jazz for one season before retiring from the NBA in 1989.
During his NBA career, Hanzlik played in 557 games, averaging 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He was known for his tough defense and his ability to guard some of the league's top players, including Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson.
After retiring from the NBA, Hanzlik became a coach and worked as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets from 1994 to 1997. He then became the head coach of the Nuggets in 1997 but was fired after one season. He later worked as a television analyst for the Nuggets and the Altitude Sports and Entertainment network.
Hanzlik is also known for his philanthropic work and his involvement in the community. He founded the Bill Hanzlik Foundation, which provides scholarships and other support to underprivileged children in the Denver area. He has also been involved in various other charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.
In conclusion, Bill Hanzlik was a talented basketball player known for his defensive skills and his ability to guard some of the league's top players. He played in the NBA for nine seasons and later became a coach and a television analyst. He is also known for his philanthropic work and his involvement in the community.
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