Bill Hanzlik
Encyclopedia
William Henry Hanzlik (born December 6, 1957 in Middletown, Ohio
) is a retired American professional basketball
player and coach. A 6'7" guard, Hanzlik played college basketball
at the University of Notre Dame
. He was selected for the 1980 US Mens Olympic Team which never was afforded the chance to compete due to the US's boycott of the Moscow Games. He was selected with the 20th pick of the 1980 NBA Draft
by the Seattle SuperSonics
. A defense specialist, at the time of his selection Hanzlik had the lowest college scoring average (7.2 ppg) for any player selected in the first round of the draft. Hanzlik played in the NBA for ten years - two with the Sonics and eight with the Denver Nuggets
. He was a 1986 All-Defense second team selection. He worked as an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks in the late 1980s and 1990s.
In 1997, Hanzlik (then an assistant with Atlanta) was tabbed to replace Dick Motta
as the head coach. He coached the severely injury depleted Nuggets for one year, posting an 11-71 record (only two games better than the all-time worst team, the 1972-1973
Philadelphia 76ers
). He was fired at the end of the season and replaced with Mike D'Antoni
. To date, Hanzlik owns the worst full-season record for a rookie coach in NBA history.
He attended Beloit Memorial High School
in Beloit, Wisconsin
.
Middletown, Ohio
Middletown is an All-America City located in Butler and Warren counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Formerly in Lemon, Turtlecreek, and Franklin townships, Middletown was incorporated by the Ohio General Assembly on February 11, 1833, and became a city in 1886...
) is a retired American professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and coach. A 6'7" guard, Hanzlik played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. He was selected for the 1980 US Mens Olympic Team which never was afforded the chance to compete due to the US's boycott of the Moscow Games. He was selected with the 20th pick of the 1980 NBA Draft
1980 NBA Draft
The 1980 NBA Draft was the 34th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 10, 1980, before the 1980–81 season. In this draft, 23 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
by the 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...
. A defense specialist, at the time of his selection Hanzlik had the lowest college scoring average (7.2 ppg) for any player selected in the first round of the draft. Hanzlik played in the NBA for ten years - two with the Sonics and eight with the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
. He was a 1986 All-Defense second team selection. He worked as an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks in the late 1980s and 1990s.
In 1997, Hanzlik (then an assistant with Atlanta) was tabbed to replace Dick Motta
Dick Motta
John Richard "Dick" Motta is a former basketball coach whose career in the National Basketball Association spanned 25 years, and he continues to rank among the NBA's all-time top 10 in coaching victories....
as the head coach. He coached the severely injury depleted Nuggets for one year, posting an 11-71 record (only two games better than the all-time worst team, the 1972-1973
1972-73 NBA season
The 1972–73 NBA season was the 27th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the New York Knicks winning the NBA Championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.- Notable occurrences :...
Philadelphia 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...
). He was fired at the end of the season and replaced with Mike D'Antoni
Mike D'Antoni
Michael Andrew "Mike" D'Antoni is an Italian-American former basketball player and is currently the head coach of the NBA's New York Knicks. While head coach of the Phoenix Suns, he won NBA Coach of the Year honors for the 2004–05 NBA season after the Suns posted 33 more wins than the previous...
. To date, Hanzlik owns the worst full-season record for a rookie coach in NBA history.
He attended Beloit Memorial High School
Beloit Memorial High School
Beloit Memorial High School is a public, four-year comprehensive high school in Beloit, Wisconsin. The average class size is 28 students with an enrollment of approximately 1,700 students and 130 full-time certified staff. 80% of the students continue their education after graduation.The school's...
in Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, Beloit had a population of 36,966. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents.-Claim to fame:...
.