Dennis Keith Rodman is a five-time NBA Champion, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer [2011].
So, who is Dennis Rodman? Here are some fast facts on an integral part of the Chicago Bulls' second 3-peat in the 1990s:
Background
Rodman was born in Trenton, New Jersey on May 13th, 1961.
After attending high school at South Oak Cliff High School, he played college basketball at Cooke County College (now North Central Texas College) in Gainesville, Texas. However, after just one semester, he transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) school.
There, he played for three seasons averaging 25.7 points and 15.7 rebounds, led the NAIA in rebounding twice, registered a .637 field goal percentage and was a three-time NAIA All-American.
Pre-Bulls NBA career
After declaring for the Draft, Rodman was picked third in the second round (27th overall) of the 1986 Draft.
He grew and matured as part of the "Bad Boys" Pistons of the late 1980s. Providing a spark off the bench with his tough defense, Rodman was an integral part of the franchise's two championships - as a reserve forward in 1989 and in 1990 as a starter (43 of 82 games) and the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
However, as the Pistons dynasty declined, so did Rodman. Finally, in 1993, after demanding a trade, he was shipped to San Antonio. He made first-round playoff appearance with the Spurs and helped them register 50+ win seasons in both his years with the franchise.
Bulls career
Prior to the start of the 1995-96 season, Rodman was traded to the Bulls to join Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in Chicago. He played a huge role and was an integral member of the second 3-peat squad including the one that registered a then-NBA record 72 wins in the 1996 season.
All through the 1990s, from the championships and decline in Detroit to San Antonio and right up until 1996 with the Bulls, Rodman was a monster on the boards. He won seven consecutive rebounding titles (1992-98), received seven selections in eight years to the All-Defensive First Team and in 1994 he was part of the All-Defensive Second Team.
Short post-Bulls career
After the 1998 season, Rodman, who was released by the Bulls, signed with the Lakers but that partnership only lasted a season as he only ended up playing 23 games for the team. The following season (1999-2000), he was signed by the Dallas Mavericks but was waived after just 12 games due to erratic behavior (six technical fouls, two ejections and one-game suspension).
Post the 12-game stint with the Mavericks, Rodman never played in the NBA again.
He did play a couple of years in the American Basketball Association after a four-year break. He helped the Long Beach Jam to the championship and in the season after, he signed with the Orange County Crush. After that, until 2008, Rodman played game(s) in Finland, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, but the hope of an NBA return never materialized.
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