David Adelman’s success in basketball reflects the powerful influence of his parents’ deep-rooted passion for the sport.
David Leonard Adelman, born May 15, 1981, has established himself as a rising talent in the NBA coaching world.
Currently serving as the interim head coach for the Denver Nuggets, Adelman has steadily built his reputation through dedication and hard work.
His coaching journey began at his alma mater, Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon, where he volunteered as an assistant coach under Gene Potter from 2002 to 2006.
Adelman then took the helm at Lincoln High School, leading the Cardinals to three city championships and reaching the 6A state finals.
Adelman’s NBA career started in 2011 when he joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as a player development coach under his father, Rick Adelman.
After his father’s retirement in 2014, David continued with the Timberwolves, becoming their NBA Summer League head coach for three seasons.
His coaching journey then took him to the Orlando Magic as an assistant coach under Frank Vogel before joining the Denver Nuggets in 2017 under Michael Malone.
Adelman’s career reached a significant milestone when the Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship against the Miami Heat.
His dedication and basketball acumen were recognized when he was named interim head coach of the Nuggets on April 8, 2025, after Malone’s dismissal.
David Adelman’s Success Started With His Parents’ Basketball Legacy
David Adelman’s success in basketball can be traced back to his upbringing in a family deeply rooted in the sport.
Born to Rick and Mary Kay Adelman in Salem, Oregon, David grew up in a household where basketball was more than just a game—it was a way of life.
Rick Adelman, David’s father, is a Basketball Hall of Fame coach who enjoyed a distinguished 23-season career in the NBA.
Born on June 16, 1946, in Lynwood, California, Rick played professionally for several teams, including the San Diego Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Jazz, and Kansas City/Omaha Kings before retiring as a player in 1975.
His coaching career included successful stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rick’s coaching philosophy emphasized player development and offensive creativity, aspects that have clearly influenced his son’s approach to coaching.
Mary Kay Adelman, David’s mother, has been the cornerstone of the Adelman family.
While Rick traveled the country coaching various teams, Mary Kay raised their six children across four different cities.
Rick has often credited her as “the rock of our family,” acknowledging that his successful coaching career wouldn’t have been possible without her support.
The Adelmans have been married for over 50 years, with Rick once telling a reporter,
“I couldn’t have done it without Mary Kay. While I was traveling and coaching, she was home raising six children in four different cities. Without her, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
kerryeggers
David is one of six Adelman siblings, with three others also pursuing careers in basketball coaching.
Kathy Adelman Naro became a respected girls’ high school coach in Oregon, Pat Adelman led Lincoln High School’s boys team to impressive results, and R.J. Adelman worked in various coaching and scouting roles in the NBA before his tragic death in 2018 after being struck by a car.
The other Adelman daughters, Laura and Caitlin, have maintained their residence in Oregon.
The Adelmans have made Portland their permanent home since Rick began working as an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers in 1984.
Their family has expanded to include twelve grandchildren, creating a lasting legacy that extends beyond basketball courts and championship trophies.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- David Adelman has been arrested twice for DUI – once in 2005 and again in 2009.
- He worked under Flip Saunders (who died in 2015) and Sam Mitchell during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Summer League team.
- David coached under his father, Rick, for two seasons in Minnesota before continuing his coaching career elsewhere.
