Rolando Blackman is a retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. He was born on February 26, 1959, in Panama City, Panama, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Blackman attended Kansas State University, where he played college basketball for four years and was named an All-American in his senior year.
Blackman was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft. He played for the Mavericks for 11 seasons and was a key player on the team during the 1980s. Blackman was known for his scoring ability, shooting accuracy, and clutch performances in important games. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1984 and 1985.
In 1992, Blackman was traded to the New York Knicks, where he played for two seasons. He helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals in 1994, where they lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games. Blackman retired from the NBA after the 1993-94 season with career averages of 18.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
After retiring from basketball, Blackman became a coach and worked as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks. He also coached the Dominican Republic national basketball team in 2011 and 2012.
Blackman was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. He is also a member of the Mavericks' Ring of Honor, which recognizes the team's all-time great players and coaches.
In addition to his basketball career, Blackman is known for his philanthropic work. He has been involved with several charitable organizations, including the American Heart Association, the Special Olympics, and the United Way. Blackman has also established the Rolando Blackman Foundation, which provides scholarships and educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
Overall, Rolando Blackman had a successful basketball career and is considered one of the greatest players in Mavericks' history. He was a skilled scorer and a clutch performer who helped lead his teams to success. After retiring from basketball, Blackman continued to make a positive impact through his coaching and philanthropic work.
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