Mario Elie is a retired American professional basketball player who played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during his career. He was born on November 26, 1963, in New York City, and grew up in the Bronx. Elie attended American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he played college basketball for four years.
After college, Elie played for several teams in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the World Basketball League (WBL) before finally making it to the NBA. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Golden State Warriors in 1990 and played for them for two seasons. Elie then played for the Philadelphia 76ers for one season before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played for two seasons.
Elie's best years in the NBA came when he played for the Houston Rockets from 1993 to 1998. He was a key player on the Rockets' championship teams in 1994 and 1995, and was known for his clutch shooting and tough defense. Elie was also a fan favorite in Houston, where he was known as "Junkyard Dog" for his tenacity on the court.
After leaving the Rockets, Elie played for the San Antonio Spurs for two seasons, where he won another championship in 1999. He then played for the Phoenix Suns for one season before finishing his career with the Dallas Mavericks in 2001.
Throughout his career, Elie was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. He was a solid defender and a reliable three-point shooter, and was often called upon to guard the opposing team's best player. Elie was also known for his leadership and toughness, and was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from basketball, Elie went on to become a coach. He served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Orlando Magic. Elie was also the head coach of the Dominican Republic national basketball team from 2011 to 2013.
In conclusion, Mario Elie was a talented and versatile basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA. He was a key player on several championship teams and was known for his clutch shooting and tough defense. Elie's leadership and toughness made him a fan favorite and a respected player in the league. After retiring from basketball, Elie went on to become a coach and continued to contribute to the sport he loved.
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