J. B. Bickerstaff facts for kids
.jpg)
Bickerstaff in 2021
|
|
| Detroit Pistons | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 10, 1979 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| High school | East (Denver, Colorado) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA Draft | 2001 / Undrafted |
| Coaching career | 2004–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 2004–2007 | Charlotte Bobcats (assistant) |
| 2007–2011 | Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant) |
| 2011–2015 | Houston Rockets (assistant) |
| 2015–2016 | Houston Rockets (interim) |
| 2016–2017 | Memphis Grizzlies (associate) |
| 2017–2019 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2019–2020 | Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant/assoc. HC) |
| 2020–2024 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2024–present | Detroit Pistons |
John-Blair Bickerstaff (born March 10, 1979) is a well-known American basketball coach. He is currently the head coach for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the Pistons, he was the head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also worked as an assistant coach for several other NBA teams.
Contents
Playing College Basketball
J. B. Bickerstaff started his college basketball journey at Oregon State. He played there for two seasons. Later, he moved to the University of Minnesota to finish his college career. In his final year with the Golden Gophers, he averaged about 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Starting His Coaching Career
Early Assistant Roles (2004–2016)
Bickerstaff began his coaching career as an assistant coach. He spent three seasons, from 2004 to 2007, with the Charlotte Bobcats. After that, he worked for four seasons, from 2007 to 2011, as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In 2011, the Houston Rockets hired Bickerstaff as an assistant coach. He became their interim head coach on November 18, 2015, after the previous coach, Kevin McHale, was let go. His first game as interim coach was a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. After that season, Bickerstaff decided not to apply for the permanent head coach position with the Rockets, ending his time there.
Leading the Memphis Grizzlies (2016–2019)
On June 8, 2016, Bickerstaff joined the Memphis Grizzlies as their associate head coach. He was promoted to interim head coach on November 27, 2017, after David Fizdale was fired.
On May 1, 2018, the Grizzlies officially named him their permanent head coach. However, on April 11, 2019, the Grizzlies fired Bickerstaff because the team did not make it to the playoffs.
Coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2024)
On May 19, 2019, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Bickerstaff as an assistant and associate head coach. He became the new head coach on February 19, 2020, when John Beilein resigned.
The Cavaliers signed Bickerstaff to a multi-year contract on March 10, 2020. They extended his contract again on December 25, 2021. Bickerstaff coached the Cavaliers until May 23, 2024, when he was fired by the team.
Joining the Detroit Pistons (2024–Present)
On July 3, 2024, J. B. Bickerstaff became the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons. He quickly made a positive impact on the team. By December 23, 2024, he had led the Pistons to their 15th win of the season. This was already more wins than the Pistons had in their entire 2023-24 season.
On March 28, 2025, Bickerstaff helped the Pistons reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season. A few days later, on March 31, 2025, Bickerstaff was ejected from a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after a fight broke out on the court. Several players, including Ron Holland, Marcus Sasser, and Donte DiVincenzo, were also ejected. At the end of the 2024-2025 season, Bickerstaff finished in second place for the Coach of the Year award.
J. B. Bickerstaff's Family Life
J. B. Bickerstaff's father is Bernie Bickerstaff, who was also an NBA coach. His father now works for the Cavaliers as a senior basketball advisor. J. B. Bickerstaff is married and has three children. He has been a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles football team since he was a kid.
See also
In Spanish: J. B. Bickerstaff para niños
