Ed Pinckney is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 seasons. He was born on March 27, 1963, in The Bronx, New York City, and attended Villanova University, where he played college basketball.
Pinckney was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 1985 NBA draft, but he was immediately traded to the Sacramento Kings. He played for the Kings for two seasons before being traded to the Boston Celtics in 1988. Pinckney played for the Celtics for three seasons and was a key player on the team that reached the NBA Finals in 1991. He was known for his tough defense and rebounding, and he was a fan favorite in Boston.
After his time with the Celtics, Pinckney played for several other NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and New Jersey Nets. He was a solid role player throughout his career, known for his hard work and professionalism.
Pinckney's best season statistically was in 1991-92, when he averaged 10.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Celtics. He also had a strong playoff performance that year, averaging 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 17 playoff games.
Pinckney retired from the NBA in 1997 and began a career in coaching. He served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks. He also coached in college, serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Villanova, from 2003 to 2007.
In 2011, Pinckney was hired as an assistant coach for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. He spent two seasons with the team before being hired as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets in 2013. He was with the Nuggets for four seasons before being hired as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.
Throughout his basketball career, Pinckney was known for his hard work, dedication, and professionalism. He was a solid player and a respected coach, and he made a lasting impact on the game of basketball.
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