Mitch Kupchak is a former professional basketball player and current executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina and was a member of the 1976 United States Olympic team that won the gold medal in Montreal.
Kupchak was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1976 and played for them for six seasons, winning an NBA championship in 1978. He then played for the Los Angeles Lakers for five seasons, winning two more NBA championships in 1982 and 1985. Kupchak retired from playing in 1986 and began his career as a basketball executive.
Kupchak started as an assistant coach for the Lakers in 1986 and was promoted to assistant general manager in 1987. He left the Lakers in 1994 to become the general manager of the Charlotte Hornets, where he served for ten years. In 2005, Kupchak returned to the Lakers as the general manager, where he helped build championship teams around Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
Kupchak was promoted to vice president of basketball operations in 2017 and became the team's general manager in 2018. He has been instrumental in the Lakers' recent success, including their 2020 NBA championship. Kupchak is known for his ability to identify and acquire talented players, as well as his strong relationships with players and coaches.
Throughout his career, Kupchak has been recognized for his contributions to the sport of basketball. He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2019, he was named the NBA Executive of the Year by Sporting News.
Overall, Mitch Kupchak has had a successful career in basketball as both a player and executive. He has won multiple championships and has been recognized for his contributions to the sport. Kupchak's legacy in the NBA will continue to be felt for years to come.
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