Bob McAdoo wins 2026 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award

LAS VEGAS — Bob McAdoo, a longtime NBA Assistant Coach and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, is the recipient of the 2026 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) introduced at this time.

“Bob McAdoo is one of the true giants of our game,” stated J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons Head Coach and NBCA President. “A Hall of Fame player, a champion, and an exceptional Coach, Bob has impacted generations of players through his knowledge, humility, and passion for teaching. His influence can be seen in the many players, coaches, and the Heat organization that he helped elevate throughout his coaching career. Congratulations to Coach McAdoo on this well-deserved recognition.”

“I am grateful, honored and humbled to have been selected by the NBCA Selection Committee for the 2026 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award,” stated Coach Bob McAdoo. “One never receives this type of award by oneself. I’d like to thank my wife Patrizia and family for all their love and support. I will be forever grateful to Pat Riley who took me on as an assistant coach for a fantastic NBA journey together. Thanks also to the Arison Family and the HEAT organization who have made an impact on my life both professionally and personally.”

Bob McAdoo’s affect on the NBA extends far past his Hall of Fame taking part in profession. Following his retirement as one of many sport’s best scorers, McAdoo started his teaching journey with the Miami Heat in 1995. McAdoo served as an Assistant Coach for 19 years with the Miami Heat working with Head Coaches Pat Riley, Stan Van Gundy, and Erik Spoelstra. Widely revered for his work with frontcourt gamers and his capacity to show offensive effectivity, McAdoo performed a key function within the growth of quite a few All-Stars and Hall of Fame gamers, together with Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen. During his tenure on the Miami bench, the Heat reached the NBA Finals 5 instances and gained three NBA Championships (2006, 2012, and 2013).

The NBCA want to congratulate longtime @NBA Assistant Coach Bob McAdoo on being awarded the 2026 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award!

Click the hyperlink under for the complete press launch: pic.twitter.com/QC5XJUnnDm

— NBA Coaches Assoc. (@NBA_Coaches) July 11, 2026

Prior to teaching, McAdoo was chosen second total within the 1972 NBA Draft by the Buffalo Braves, with whom he performed 4 of his 14 NBA seasons. As a participant, McAdoo authored probably the most achieved careers in skilled basketball historical past. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973 earlier than rising as one of many league’s most dominant offensive forces and one of many first true stretch large males in NBA historical past. Bob would later win three consecutive NBA scoring titles from 1974-1976, earned 5 straight NBA All-Star picks, and gained the 1975 NBA Most Valuable Player Award. McAdoo additionally gained NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982 and 1985, gained Euro-League Championships with Olimpia Milano in 1987, and 1988 and was later named one of many 50 best Euro-League Contributors in 2008.

“Behind every successful team are countless Assistant Coaches whose contributions often go unseen but are deeply valued by the players and organizations they serve,” stated David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel. “Throughout his coaching career, Coach McAdoo served as a teacher, mentor, and trusted advisor to generations of players and coaches while helping build championship teams. His career embodies the excellence, integrity, and commitment to the game that the Tex Winter Award represents. Congratulations to Coach McAdoo on this well-deserved honor.”

In 19 seasons of NBA teaching, McAdoo went to the playoffs 16 instances, gained 50 or extra video games 9 instances, and reached the NBA Finals 5 instances. In whole, he coached over 1,500 NBA video games with a file of 880-630 (.583).

McAdoo’s contributions to basketball have been acknowledged on the highest ranges of the game. He was enshrined by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2000), elected to the NBA’s 75^th Anniversary Team (2021), and was additionally inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (1993); the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (1993); the College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006); and the Olimpia Milano Hall of Fame (2013).

The NBCA Tex Winter Lifetime Impact Award honors the large achievements and dedication of Hall of Famer Tex Winter. During his excellent NBA teaching profession, Winter set an ordinary of innovation, integrity, aggressive excellence, loyalty, and tireless promotion of NBA basketball.

The award is chosen yearly by the NBCA Selection Committee, comprising a few of the most revered coaches and executives within the sport, together with, Hubie Brown, Rick Carlisle, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry, Danny Ferry, Mike Fratello, George Karl, Doc Rivers, and Rod Thorn.

This 12 months’s nominees included Assistant Coaches Bob Beyer, Dan Burke, Jeff Bzdelik, Gordon Chiesa, Jim Eyen, Brian Hill, Jim Lynam, Brendan Suhr, Bob Weiss, and John Wetzel.

Prior recipients are Maurice Cheeks (2025), Hank Egan (2024), Brendan Malone (2023), Ron Adams (2022), Dick Helm (2021), Bill Bertka (2019), Tim Grgurich (2018), Ron Rothstein (2017), and Phil Johnson (2016).