Nick Van Exel

Nick Van Exel is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He has played for teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks, and the San Antonio Spurs. As of 2022, he is an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks. In 1998, he was named an NBA All-Star.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Nickey Maxwell Van Exel was born on November 27, 1971, in Kenosha, Wisconsin in the United States. He stands 185 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 86 kg. He was mostly raised by a single mother.

His son Nickey Van Exel was convicted of murdering his best friend.

High School and College Career

Van Exel attended St. Joseph High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. For college, he attended the Trinity Valley Community College from 1989 to 1991. He then moved to play collegiate basketball for the University of Cincinnati. In 1993, he was named to the Third-Team All-American – AP, NABC. He was also almost awarded the Wooden Award for that year.

Playing Career

He joined the NBA in 1993, drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. Van Exel played for the Lakers from 1993 to 1998. In his first year with the team, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In 1998, he was named an NBA All-Star.

In 1998, he signed with the Denver Nuggets. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks for the 2002-2003 season. From 2003-2006, he played for three teams, the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs.

Coaching Career

In 2009, he was the assistant coach for Texas Southern. From 2013 to 2014, he was an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Then in 2014-2015, he was hired by the Texas Legends as an assistant coach. He became their main coach in the 2015-2016 season.

From the 2016-2019 season, he was hired as an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2021, he started as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks. As of 2022, he is still an assistant coach for the team.

Career Highlights

• 1998 - NBA All-Star
• 1994 - NBA All-Rookie Second Team
• 1993 - Third-team All-American – AP,

NABC

Team History:

As a Coach:

• 2009–2010 - Texas Southern

(Assistant)

• 2013–2014 - Milwaukee Bucks

(Assistant)

• 2014–2015 - Texas Legends

(Assistant)

• 2015–2016 - Texas Legends
• 2016–2019 - Memphis Grizzlies

(Assistant)

• 2021–present - Atlanta Hawks

(Assistant)