Al Bianchi
Encyclopedia
Alfred A. “Al” Bianchi was born on March 26, 1932 in Long Island City, New York. He was an NBA professional basketball player, coach and general manager as well as consultant and NBA scout.
Bianchi attended P.S. 4 elementary school, and he graduated from Long Island City High School
in 1950. A Korean War
veteran and a 1954 graduate of Bowling Green State University
, he was voted on the “All Ohio Team” and received honorable mention on the All American Basketball team. Beginning in 1956, Bianchi played for the Syracuse Nationals
of the NBA. He moved with the team to Philadelphia as the 76ers
in 1963.
On May 1, 1966, Bianchi was selected by the Chicago Bulls
in the NBA expansion draft, but he never played in a game for the Bulls and retired from play. Following Bianchi’s retirement, he became assistant coach under Johnny "Red" Kerr for the Bulls. After a year in Chicago, Bianchi became head coach of the expansion team, Seattle SuperSonics
, compiling a 53-111 record.
Bianchi coached the Washington Caps
/Virginia Squires
of the American Basketball Association
from 1969 through 1975. Bianchi also served as the Squires general manager. In 1971, Bianchi was named ABA Coach of the Year for guiding the Squires to the ABA’s Eastern Division championship with a record of 55-29 (.655). The Squires lost to the New York Nets in the Eastern Division finals and the Indiana Pacers
defeated the Nets in the Eastern finals.
In 1976, Bianchi joined John MacLeod serving as Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns
from 1976-1987.
This tenure was highlighted with the Suns legendary third overtime loss in the NBA finals against the Boston Celtics
in 1976.
Bianchi went on from Phoenix to serve as general manager for the New York Knicks from 1987 to 1991. With a return to Phoenix in 1991, he commenced college scouting for the Phoenix Suns. In 2004, he became a consultant-scout for the Golden State Warriors
through the 2008-2009 season.
In September 2007, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, Inc. as “Player” by the New York City Athletic Club.
Bianchi now resides full time in Phoenix, Arizona and does independent consulting and scouting for teams desirous of his experience in both the NBA and college basketball.
Bianchi attended P.S. 4 elementary school, and he graduated from Long Island City High School
Long Island City High School
Long Island City High School, commonly abbreviated L.I.C. or LICHS, is a public high school in New York City, located in Long Island City in the borough of Queens. The present building was built in 1995...
in 1950. A Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
veteran and a 1954 graduate of Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
, he was voted on the “All Ohio Team” and received honorable mention on the All American Basketball team. Beginning in 1956, Bianchi played for the Syracuse Nationals
Syracuse Nationals
The Syracuse Nationals were an American professional basketball team that existed from 1946 to 1963 as part of the National Basketball League and National Basketball Association . They are currently known as the Philadelphia 76ers, and are the NBA's oldest continued franchise.The team began in...
of the NBA. He moved with the team to Philadelphia as the 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in 1963.
On May 1, 1966, Bianchi was selected by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in the NBA expansion draft, but he never played in a game for the Bulls and retired from play. Following Bianchi’s retirement, he became assistant coach under Johnny "Red" Kerr for the Bulls. After a year in Chicago, Bianchi became head coach of the expansion team, Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, compiling a 53-111 record.
Bianchi coached the Washington Caps
Washington Caps
The Washington Caps were an American Basketball Association team from 1969 through 1970. The franchise had previously been the Oakland Oaks. From 1970 through 1976 the team played as the Virginia Squires.-Origins:...
/Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
from 1969 through 1975. Bianchi also served as the Squires general manager. In 1971, Bianchi was named ABA Coach of the Year for guiding the Squires to the ABA’s Eastern Division championship with a record of 55-29 (.655). The Squires lost to the New York Nets in the Eastern Division finals and the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
defeated the Nets in the Eastern finals.
In 1976, Bianchi joined John MacLeod serving as Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
from 1976-1987.
This tenure was highlighted with the Suns legendary third overtime loss in the NBA finals against the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in 1976.
Bianchi went on from Phoenix to serve as general manager for the New York Knicks from 1987 to 1991. With a return to Phoenix in 1991, he commenced college scouting for the Phoenix Suns. In 2004, he became a consultant-scout for the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
through the 2008-2009 season.
In September 2007, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, Inc. as “Player” by the New York City Athletic Club.
Bianchi now resides full time in Phoenix, Arizona and does independent consulting and scouting for teams desirous of his experience in both the NBA and college basketball.