Jeff Ruland

Last updated

Jeff Ruland
Personal information
Born (1958-12-16) December 16, 1958 (age 65)
Bay Shore, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school Sachem
(Lake Ronkonkoma, New York)
College Iona (1977–1980)
NBA draft 1980: 2nd round, 25th overall pick
Selected by the Golden State Warriors
Playing career1980–1993
Position Center
Number43, 50
Coaching career1993–2013
Career history
As player:
1980–1981 FC Barcelona
1981–1986 Washington Bullets
1986–1987;
1992 		Philadelphia 76ers
1992–1993 Detroit Pistons
As coach:
1993–1994 Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
1995–1998 Iona (assistant)
1998–2007Iona
2007–2008 Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2008–2009Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
2009–2013 UDC
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As head coach:

Career NBA playing statistics
Points 5,763 (17.4 ppg)
Rebounds 3,378 (10.2 rpg)
Assists 1,002 (3.0 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com
Career coaching record
College184–196 (.484)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Universiade
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1979 Mexico City Men's basketball

Jeffrey George Ruland (born December 16, 1958) is an American former professional basketball player and coach, best known for his tenure as a player in the NBA which saw him selected to two All-Star games. After playing college basketball for Iona, he started his professional career with FC Barcelona in the Liga ACB.

Contents

Following his playing career, he coached the Iona Gaels men's basketball team and the UDC Firebirds men's college basketball team.

Early life and collegiate career

A 6-foot-11-inch (2.11 m), 280 lb center, Ruland went from Sachem High School in Suffolk County, New York. He was named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team, which played in the 1977 Capital Classic. [1] [2] He attended Iona College on a basketball scholarship and played for coach Jim Valvano before Valvano left for North Carolina State University. Ruland played on the Gaels' 1979–1980 team that beat eventual national champion Louisville, 77–60, at Madison Square Garden during the regular season and compiled a 29–5 record en route to a number 19 national ranking, the best in the school's history. However, Ruland was found in violation of NCAA rules by hiring an agent, Paul Corvino, [3] at International Management Inc. and was ruled ineligible to play his senior year at Iona. [4]

Professional career

FC Barcelona

Ruland was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 1980 NBA draft with the 25th overall pick but was traded to the Washington Bullets for a second round pick in the 1981 NBA draft. Due to not being likely to get the playing time he wanted with the crowded Bullets frontcourt, he opted to sign with FC Barcelona of the Liga ACB instead for the 1980–81 season [5] although he left the team before the end of the season. [6]

Washington Bullets (1981-1986)

Joining the Bullets for the 1981–82 NBA season, [7] [8] Ruland played behind 32-year-old Spencer Haywood but had greater per-game averages than him during the same number of minutes. [9] Seeing time at both forward and center, Ruland showed muscle at both ends of the floor and an accurate jump shot good from as far as 20 feet. A 56% shooter from the floor, Ruland registered as having the 10th-best field goal percentage in the league. [10] That postseason, the Bullets swept the New Jersey Nets, before losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Ruland's playoff averages were 17 points and 9.4 rebounds per game off the bench. [11]

Ruland took over the starting power forward spot for the 1982–83 NBA season, and continued to back up at center for Washington. His 55% shooting and 11 rebounds per game ranked him, respectively, 10th and 8th place league-wide. [12] Leading coach Gene Shue's balanced team in scoring as well, Ruland earned a spot in the NBA All-Star Game that year. Despite finishing with the same record as the year before, the Bullets did not make the playoffs. [13]

In the 1983–84 season, Ruland’s averages surged to 22 points and four assists per game. On November 25 of that season, Ruland scored a career-high 38 points, and also grabbed 16 rebounds, in a win over the Detroit Pistons. [14] By the end of the season, Ruland was third in the NBA in total rebounds and fifth in shooting percentage from the floor. The Bullets returned to the playoffs and again lost to Boston. In the series, Ruland averaged 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 52% from the floor and 81% from the foul line against the eventual NBA champions. [15]

For the 1984–85 NBA season, Ruland was moved to the center for the Bullets. His stats dipped slightly. He remained among the rebounding and shooting leaders, but suffered a broken bone in his foot and played just 37 games. Ruland played through the pain in the playoffs, but the Bullets lost to the Philadelphia 76ers to end a disappointing season. [16]

The brittle feet, though, like Bill Walton before him, were now a condition. He played 30 games during the 1985–86 NBA season, usually in considerable pain. In the playoffs, the Bullets opted to start towering Manute Bol at the center. Ruland added 14 points and five assists per game off the bench, but the Bullets fell to Philadelphia for the second consecutive season.

As of the 2023-24 season, Ruland has the highest field goal percentage (minimum 2000 field goals made) by any player in Washington Wizards history, at 56.4%. [17]

Philadelphia 76ers (1986-1987)

Traded to Philadelphia for Moses Malone the following season, Ruland played in five games before getting injured and subsequently retiring.

Second stint with 76ers (1992)

Five years later Ruland made a comeback with the Sixers, playing in 13 games during the 1991–92 NBA season before sustaining an Achilles injury involving a luggage cart which was allegedly slammed into his leg by a Boston Celtics employee outside Boston Garden. [18]

Detroit Pistons (1992-1993)

He managed to play an additional 11 games with the Detroit Pistons the following season before retiring for good in January 1993.

National team career

In 1979, Ruland played for the United States national team at the 1979 Summer Spartakiad games. [19] In September, he helped Team USA win gold at the 1979 Summer Universiade. [20]

Coaching career

After his playing days, Ruland became an assistant coach under the Sixers' Fred Carter during the 1993–94 NBA season. He then returned to coach at his alma mater. [21] He was fired from Iona on March 21, 2007, after a 2–28 record for the 2006–2007 season. Yet during his tenure as head coach, he guided the Gaels to three 20-win seasons, three MAAC Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Recruiting and injuries were blamed for the team's abysmal record during his final season. A factor for the 2–28 season was that the administration fired Ruland's assistant coaches. Ruland could not recruit for that season. Ruland's termination as a head coach came from Iona College president James Liguori while he was on a cruise. [22]

On July 16, 2007, Ruland was hired to replace Michael Cooper as the head coach of the NBA D-League's Albuquerque Thunderbirds. [23] After coaching the Thunderbirds for the 2007–08 season, Ruland was hired as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers on August 23, 2008. [24] New 76ers head Coach Eddie Jordan decided not to retain Ruland for the 2009–10 season.

On August 18, 2009, Ruland announced that he would be the new men's basketball head coach at the University of the District of Columbia. After a late September hiring and the first season with only one win, his third year saw a 22-win season. [25] He was fired in 2013. [26]

In 2015, Ruland was hired as an advance scout for the Washington Wizards. [27]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Iona Gaels (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)(1998–2007)
1998–99 Iona 16–1412–62nd
1999–00 Iona 20–1113–52nd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2000–01 Iona 22–1112–6T–1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
2001–02 Iona 13–178–85th
2002–03 Iona 17–1211–75th
2003–04 Iona 11–188–107th
2004–05 Iona 15–169–95th
2005–06 Iona 23–813–52nd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2006–07 Iona 2–281–1710th
Iona:144–135 (.516)
UDC Firebirds (East Coast Conference)(2009–2013)
2009–10UDC 1–20
2010–11UDC 11–15
2011–12UDC 22–6
2012–13UDC 6–20
UDC:40–61 (.396)
Total:184–196 (.484)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Wizards</span> National Basketball Association team in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Capital One Arena, in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. an arena they share with the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Georgetown University men's basketball team. The team is owned by Ted Leonsis through Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Monroe</span> American basketball player (born 1944)

Vernon Earl Monroe is an American former professional basketball player. He played for two teams, the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks, during his career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Both teams have retired Monroe's number. Due to his on-court success and flashy style of play, Monroe was given the nicknames "Black Jesus" and "Earl the Pearl". Monroe was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990 and the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. In 1996, Monroe was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, Monroe was named as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Cassell</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1969)

Samuel James Cassell Sr. is an American professional basketball coach and former point guard who serves as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Drafted 24th overall in the 1993 NBA draft out of Florida State, Cassell played for eight different teams during his 15-year career. He was selected to the NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Team once, both in the 2003–04 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caron Butler</span> American basketball player (born 1980)

James Caron Butler is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During a 14-year career he played for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Butler is a two-time NBA All-Star and was the 2002 Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, while playing for the Connecticut Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Malone</span> American basketball player (1955–2015)

Moses Eugene Malone Sr. was an American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1974 through 1995. A center, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA Team selection. Malone led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA championship in 1983, winning both the league and Finals MVP. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history, Malone is also seen as one of the most underrated NBA players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Unseld</span> American basketball player and coach (1946–2020)

Westley Sissel Unseld Sr. was an American professional basketball player, coach and executive. He spent his entire National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets. Unseld played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected with the second overall pick by the Bullets in the 1968 NBA draft. He was named the NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Rookie of the Year during his rookie season and joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only two players in NBA history to accomplish the feat. Unseld won an NBA championship with the Bullets in 1978, and the Finals MVP award to go with it. After retiring from playing in 1981, he worked with the Bullets/Wizards as a vice president, head coach, and general manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doc Rivers</span> American basketball coach and player (born 1961)

Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). An NBA player for 14 seasons, he was an NBA All-Star and was named one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History.

Jeffrey Nigel Malone is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Mississippi State, and is mostly known for his time with the Washington Bullets (1983–1990) of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was an NBA All-Star twice, playing the shooting guard position. He also played for the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Shue</span> American basketball player and coach (1931–2022)

Eugene William Shue was an American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Shue was one of the top guards of the early days of the NBA and an influential figure in the development of basketball. He is credited with having invented the "spin move" while being an early harbinger of other plays and strategies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvin Hayes</span> American basketball player (born 1945)

Elvin Ernest Hayes, nicknamed "the Big E", is an American former professional basketball player and radio analyst for his alma mater Houston Cougars. He is a member of the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, and an inductee in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Known for both his offensive and defensive prowess, Hayes is often regarded as one of the best power forwards in NBA history. Hayes is also known for his longevity, being third all-time in NBA minutes played, and missing only nine games during his 16-season career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caldwell Jones</span> American basketball player (1950–2014)

Caldwell "Pops" Jones Jr. was an American professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcin Gortat</span> Polish basketball player (born 1984)

Marcin Janusz Gortat also known as "The Polish Hammer" is a Polish former professional basketball player, and current player development and assistant coach at the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), 240 pounds (110 kg) center is the son of boxer Janusz Gortat. He was drafted in the second round by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. He retired from professional basketball in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Snow</span> American basketball player and coach

Eric Snow is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He played the point guard position in the National Basketball Association from 1995 to 2008 and appeared in three NBA Finals. Known for his defense, Snow was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2003. Following his playing career, Snow served as an assistant coach at Florida Atlantic for two years (2014-2016) after having worked two seasons at SMU (2012–14) as the director of player development under Larry Brown, his former coach.

Gregory Ballard was an American professional basketball player and NBA assistant coach. A collegiate All-American at Oregon, Ballard averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds over an eleven-season NBA career with the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors and briefly, the Seattle SuperSonics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Thorn</span> American basketball player (born 1941)

Rodney King Thorn is an American basketball executive and a former professional player and coach, Olympic Committee Chairman, with a career spanning over 50 years. In 2018, Thorn was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Clifford Trent Robinson is an American former professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey Howell</span> American basketball player (born 1937)

Bailey E. Howell is an American former professional basketball player. After playing college basketball at Mississippi State, Howell played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Howell was a six-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA champion and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 NBA playoffs</span> Postseason tournament

The 1982 NBA playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1981–82 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. Magic Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time.

The 1979 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association’s 1978–79 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. The Sonics earned their only NBA title. Dennis Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Simmons</span> Australian basketball player (born 1996)

Benjamin David Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for one season with the LSU Tigers, after which he was named a consensus first-team All-American and the USBWA National Freshman of the Year. Simmons was selected with the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. After sitting out a year due to an injured right foot, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and was selected three times to the NBA All-Star Game. As the result of a holdout from the 76ers following the 2020–21 season, which led him to be traded to the Nets, Simmons is the most-fined player in NBA history, in terms of total financial loss.

References

  1. ↑ "The Origin of the McDonalds All American Game". ESPN. February 26, 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Prep Al-America revealed". The Herald Journal. March 20, 1977. p. 14. Retrieved April 3, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Waicukauski, Ronald J. (March 16, 1982). Law & Amateur Sports. Indiana University Press. ISBN   0253137306 . Retrieved March 16, 2019– via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Jeff Ruland was bitter just over a year ago..." UPI. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Ruland to Play in Spain, Foregoes Bullets, NBA". The Washington Post . August 26, 1980. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Ángel Mustienes (August 14, 2014). "Jeff Ruland: la huraña estrella que pasó por Barcelona para ser All-Star". hispanosnba.com (in Spanish). Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ Don Cronin (May 31, 1981). "Jeff Ruland was bitter just over a year ago..." UPI . Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ Sam Goldaper (January 14, 1982). "Jeff Ruland: Surprising rookie". New York Times . Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  9. ↑ "1981-82 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  10. ↑ "1981-82 NBA Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Jeff Ruland 1981-82 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  12. ↑ "1982-83 NBA Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Jeff Ruland 1982-83 Game Log". StatMuse. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Washington Bullets at Detroit Pistons Box Score, November 25, 1983".
  15. ↑ "1983-84 Washington Bullets Player Stats - Regular Season". www.landofbasketball.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  16. ↑ ""The Sixers Six": The Most Unfortunate Injuries in Sixers History". phlsportsnation.com. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Highest Career Fg% For The Washington Wizards In Franchise History, Minimum Of 2000 Field Goals Made". StatMuse . Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  18. ↑ Banks, Kerry (2005). The Unofficial Guide to Basketball's Nastiest and Most Unusual Records. Greystone Books. Excerpt quoted at ESPN.com, articled entitled Vinsanity, Helicopter, Tree blaze NBA record book.
  19. ↑ "Ruland going to Russia". The Herald Statesman . July 18, 1979. p. D7. Retrieved July 11, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  20. ↑ "U.S. leads own cheers". The Bee . Associated Press. September 13, 1979. p. 4B. Retrieved July 11, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  21. ↑ "AT IONA, RULAND HAS MADE THE TRANSITION - The Washington Post". The Washington Post .
  22. ↑ Robbins, Lenn (March 22, 2007). "1 MORE LOSS FOR RULAND: HIS JOB". NYPost.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Ex-Iona coach Ruland lands with D-League team". ESPN.com. July 17, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  24. ↑ Jasner, Phil. "Jeff Ruland hired as Sixers' assistant". Philly.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  25. ↑ Ruland takes college coaching job at UDC August 18, 2009
  26. ↑ Jeff Ruland Will Not Return as Firebirds Head Men's Basketball Coach Archived April 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ↑ "Jeff Ruland hired by Wizards as scout". sachemreport.com. November 27, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.