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Mark Price
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William Mark Price (born February 15, 1964) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. The last coaching job he held was as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers. As a four-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA Team member, he played for 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), from 1986 to 1998. Numerous players and analysts have cited Price as one of the greatest and most underrated offensive players of all time.[1][2][3][4]

Key Information

Spending the majority of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his last three years consisted of one season each with the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic.

College career

[edit]

Standing at 6 feet (183 cm) tall, Price played college basketball at Georgia Tech. During his time playing on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team, he was a three-time All American and four-time All ACC basketball player who helped lead the Yellow Jackets to an ACC Championship his junior year by defeating North Carolina in the ACC Tournament championship game. He was named the ACC Player of the Year for the 1984–85 season and his jersey was retired.[5] He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1991 and into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Price graduated in four years with a degree in Industrial Management.

College records

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  • All-time Georgia Tech leader in 3-point field goal percentage (.440, 1983–86)
  • All-time Georgia Tech leader in steals (240, 1983–86)
  • All-time Georgia Tech leader in consecutive games started (126, 1983–86)
  • All-time Georgia Tech leader in minutes played (4,604, 1983–86)[6]

Professional career

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A point guard, he mystified critics who said he was too slow, too small and too deliberate for a high-level game. Selected first in the second round (25th overall) by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1986 NBA draft, he was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a draft day trade that helped turn the team into an Eastern Conference powerhouse.

Cleveland Cavaliers

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Price was known as one of the league's most consistent shooters. He finished his career with a 90.4% free throw shooting percentage[7] and a 40% three-point field goal shooting percentage.[8] During the 1988–89 season, Price became the second player, after Larry Bird, to join the NBA's 50–40–90 club for those who shot at least 40% from three-point range, at least 50% from the field and at least 90% from the free throw line in a single season, and is still one of only eight players to have ever done this while also achieving the NBA league minimum number of makes in each category. Price ranked consistently among the assist leaders (as of March 11, 2015, LeBron James surpassed Price's Cavs record of 4,206 assists, taking over 1st place[9]),[10] twice won the Three Point Contest (in 1993 and 1994), and was a four-time All-Star. Price was named to the All-NBA First Team after the 1992–93 season.[11] Price was second in franchise steals with 734, a Cavaliers record that stood until December 9, 2008, when LeBron James surpassed him.[12]

Another one of Price's distinguishing traits on the court was his pioneering of the splitting of the double team. As former teammate Steve Kerr explains, "Mark really revolutionized the way that people attack the screen and roll. To me, he was the first guy in the NBA who really split the screen and roll. A lot of teams started blitzing the pick and roll and jumping two guys at it to take the ball out of the hands of the point guard. He’d duck right between them and shoot that little runner in the lane. Nobody was doing that at that time. You watch an NBA game now and almost everybody does that. Mark was a pioneer in that regard."[13]

Later career

[edit]

Price was plagued by injuries late in his career, a factor in his trade to the Washington Bullets prior to the 1995–96 season. He played one season for Washington before moving on to the Golden State Warriors, signing with the Warriors as a free agent in July 1996. Price played 70 games for Golden State and averaged 11.3 points per game. On October 28, 1997, Price was traded to the Orlando Magic for David Vaughn III and Brian Shaw. He spent one season with the Magic before being waived on June 30, 1998, effectively ending his career.

National team career

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During his career Price represented the United States national team. He played for them in the 1983 Pan American Games where the team won gold medals, and also represented the national team in the 1994 FIBA World Championship, where they were known as Dream Team II, and won gold medals.[14]

Legacy

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Not long after retirement, Price's number, 25, was retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is a member of the Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma Sports Halls of Fame.

The city of Enid, Oklahoma, renamed the basketball arena Mark Price Arena, as a tribute to the NBA player's accomplishments, since he was one of the best basketball athletes in Enid High School history.[15]

Personal life

[edit]

Price's father Denny was a successful player at Oklahoma and for the Phillips 66ers, before becoming a college coach for Sam Houston State and Phillips University.[16] His younger brother Brent played ten seasons in the NBA. His daughter Caroline had a short stint in professional tennis after playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels. His son Josh played college basketball for Trevecca (2021–2022), after attending and playing two years for Liberty Flames. Price is a Christian and attends church.[17]

Coaching career

[edit]

Mark Price began his coaching career during the 1998–99 basketball season as a community coach under head coach and friend Joe Marelle at Duluth High School for the varsity boys team. After Marelle discovered he had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Price became a primary factor in the team's return trip to the final four of the class 5A GHSA state tournament. It was the first time Duluth High School returned to this point in the state tournament in 16 years. Price then went on to be an assistant coach to Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech during the 1999–2000 season.[18]

After Cremins retired from coaching at Georgia Tech, Price then went on the following year to be the head coach at Whitefield Academy in Atlanta for the 2000–01 season leading the team to a 27–5 record and the final eight teams of the state Class A tournament, a 20 win improvement over the prior season and 27 win improvement two seasons before Price arrived.[19] NBA player Josh Smith also played at Whitefield Academy the same season Price was coach.[20][21]

In 2002, Price won the Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award.[22]

In 2003, Price was a consultant for the NBA's Denver Nuggets. He then became an NBA television analyst and color commentator for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks.

In March 2006, Price was named the inaugural head coach of the Australian NBL's South Dragons, a new franchise for the 2006–07 season.[23] Despite the Dragons featuring NBL Rookie of the Year Joe Ingles and four time Olympian Shane Heal they began the season 0-5 and Price was fired.[24] Price and Heal exchanged criticisms in the Australian press after Heal was named as his successor.[25]

Price was the shooting consultant for the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2007–08 season and named the shooting coach for the Atlanta Hawks for the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons.[26] Price helped to improve the Hawks offensive output in their first return to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in nearly 10 years during the 2009 NBA Playoffs.[27]

Price is credited with helping Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo improve his jump shot. Rondo's scoring was a key factor in the Celtics reaching the 2010 NBA Finals, where they pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to a full seven-game series.[28] For the 2010–2011 season, Price joined the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach with the primary task of improving the Warriors shooting and free throw percentages.[29]

In December 2011, Price was hired as a player development coach for the Orlando Magic.[30] In July 2012, Price served as the head coach of the Orlando Magic's Summer League team.[31]

On July 1, 2013, Price was hired as an assistant coach by the Charlotte Bobcats, joining the staff of head coach Steve Clifford and associate head coach Patrick Ewing for the 2013–14 season.[32]

On March 25, 2015, Price was introduced as the head coach of the Charlotte 49ers.[33] He replaced Coach Alan Major, who parted ways with Charlotte after two medical leaves during the past season.[34] On December 14, 2017, it was announced that Mark Price was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers basketball program.[35]

In September 2018, he joined the Denver Nuggets coaching staff as a shooting consultant for the 2018–19 season.[36]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league  ‡  NBA record

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1982–83 Georgia Tech 28 28 36.4 .435 .440 .877 3.8 3.3 2.0 .1 20.3
1983–84 Georgia Tech 29 29 37.2 .509 – .824 2.1 4.2 1.9 – 15.6
1984–85 Georgia Tech 35 35 37.2 .483 – .840 2.0 4.3 1.9 .1 16.7
1985–86 Georgia Tech 34 34 35.4 .528 – .855 2.8 4.4 1.9 .1 17.4
Career 126 126 36.5 .487 .440 .850 2.6 4.0 1.9 .1 17.4

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1986–87 Cleveland 67 0 18.2 .408 .329 .833 1.7 3.0 .6 .1 6.9
1987–88 Cleveland 80 79 32.8 .506 .486 .877 2.3 6.0 1.2 .2 16.0
1988–89 Cleveland 75 74 36.4 .526 .441 .901 3.0 8.4 1.5 .1 18.9
1989–90 Cleveland 73 73 37.1 .459 .406 .888 3.4 9.1 1.6 .1 19.6
1990–91 Cleveland 16 16 35.7 .497 .340 .952 2.8 10.4 2.6 .1 16.9
1991–92 Cleveland 72 72 29.7 .488 .387 .947* 2.4 7.4 1.3 .2 17.3
1992–93 Cleveland 75 74 31.7 .484 .416 .948* 2.7 8.0 1.2 .1 18.2
1993–94 Cleveland 76 73 31.4 .478 .397 .888 3.0 7.8 1.4 .1 17.3
1994–95 Cleveland 48 34 28.6 .413 .407 .914 2.3 7.0 .7 .1 15.8
1995–96 Washington 7 1 18.1 .300 .333 1.000 1.0 2.6 .9 .0 8.0
1996–97 Golden State 70 49 26.8 .447 .396 .906* 2.6 4.9 1.0 .0 11.3
1997–98 Orlando 63 33 22.7 .431 .335 .845 2.0 4.7 .8 .1 9.5
Career 722 578 29.9 .472 .402 .904 2.6 6.7 1.2 .1 15.2
All-Star 4 0 20.0 .514 .474 .900 1.5 3.3 1.3 .3 13.5

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1988 Cleveland 5 5 41.0 .567 .417 .960 3.6 7.6 .6 .0 21.0
1989 Cleveland 4 4 39.5 .386 .375 .933 3.3 5.5 .8 .0 16.0
1990 Cleveland 5 5 38.4 .525 .353 1.000 2.8 8.8 1.8 .2 20.0
1992 Cleveland 17 17 35.5 .496 .362 .904 2.5 7.5 1.4 .2 19.2
1993 Cleveland 9 9 32.0 .443 .308 .958 2.1 6.1 1.7 .0 13.0
1994 Cleveland 3 3 34.0 .349 .222 .929 2.0 4.7 1.3 .0 15.0
1995 Cleveland 4 4 35.8 .300 .235 .970 3.0 6.5 1.5 .0 15.0
Career 47 47 36.0 .464 .337 .944‡ 2.6 7.0 1.4 .1 17.4

Head coaching record

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Charlotte 49ers (Conference USA) (2015–2017)
2015–16 Charlotte 14–19 9–9 7th
2016–17 Charlotte 13–17 7–11 10th
2017–18 Charlotte 3–6 0–0
Charlotte: 30–42 (.417) 16–20 (.444)
Total: 30–42 (.417)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Price

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from Grokipedia
William Mark Price (born February 15, 1964) is an American former professional basketball player and coach renowned for his sharpshooting prowess as a in the (NBA). Price played for the from 1982 to 1986, where he averaged 17.4 points per game over 126 appearances and earned three First Team All-ACC selections along with Second Team All-American honors in 1985 and Third Team All-American in 1986. Selected 25th overall in the second round of the by the , his rights were immediately traded to the , marking the start of a 12-season professional career that spanned the Cavaliers (1986–1995), Washington Bullets (1995–1996), (1996–1997), and (1997–1998). In 722 regular-season games, Price compiled career averages of 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game, while establishing himself as one of the league's premier shooters with a 40.2% and a 90.4% free-throw that ranks third all-time in NBA history. A four-time NBA , he received All-NBA Third Team recognition in , 1992, and 1994 and All-NBA First Team in 1993, and also won the at the NBA All-Star Weekend in both 1993 and 1994. In his rookie season, Price averaged 6.9 points and 3.0 assists per game. Following his playing retirement in 1998, Price entered coaching, beginning as an assistant at his in 1999–2000 before serving in various player development and assistant roles with NBA teams including the , , and Charlotte Hornets. He later became head coach of the program from 2015 to 2017, compiling a 30–42 record over three seasons. In recent years, Price has focused on youth instruction, hosting annual camps in and contributing to the sport's development at the grassroots level.

Early life and education

Early life

Mark Price was born William Mark Price on February 15, 1964, in , to parents Denny Price and Ann Price. His father, Denny, was a celebrated Oklahoma basketball figure who had starred as a player at , the , and professionally with the Phillips 66ers AAU team before transitioning to coaching roles at the high school and college levels. The family later settled in , where Denny coached and the Prices hosted annual family basketball camps focused on skill-building and fundamentals. As the eldest of three brothers—alongside Matt and Brent—Price was immersed in basketball from childhood, with his father personally instructing him in shooting mechanics and ball-handling techniques that would define his playing style.

High school career

Mark Price attended Enid High School in Enid, Oklahoma, where he starred as a guard for the Plainsmen basketball team. Born in nearby Bartlesville, he developed his skills in a basketball-oriented family, with his father having set a state tournament scoring record in 1955. As a senior in the 1981–82 season, Price emerged as one of the top players in the state, showcasing exceptional shooting accuracy and playmaking ability despite his 6-foot-0 stature. During his senior year, Price led all Oklahoma high school players in scoring, averaging 31.3 points per game across all classifications. He earned recognition as 's high school player of the year from the Daily Oklahoman. Under his leadership, the Plainsmen advanced to the Class 5A state tournament, securing a memorable first-round upset with a 68–63 victory over the heavily favored Tulsa Washington team led by future NBA star . In the semifinals against Jenks, Price delivered a signature performance, scoring 42 points to tie his father's 27-year-old state tournament single-game record and propel to a 73–69 win. The team reached the championship game but fell to Northwest, 81–69, with Price contributing 35 points in the final. Price's high school achievements were later honored when his jersey number 25 was retired by Enid High School. His senior season performance, including the state scoring title and tournament heroics, established him as an "unsurpassed" talent in Oklahoma basketball history.

College career

Georgia Tech

Mark Price played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1982 to 1986, where he established himself as one of the program's all-time greats. As a freshman in 1982–83, he led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in scoring with a 20.3 points per game average, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors and second-team All-ACC recognition. Over his four seasons, Price led the Yellow Jackets in scoring each year, a feat unmatched by any other player in school history, and helped transform the program from a 14–40 record in the two prior seasons to an 85–41 mark during his tenure. Price's contributions were pivotal in Georgia Tech's postseason successes, including an NIT appearance in 1984, back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 1985 and 1986, and the program's first ACC Tournament championship in 1985. In the 1985 NCAA Tournament, the Yellow Jackets advanced to the East Regional finals, while in 1986 they reached the Southeast Regional semifinals. He was named to the second-team All-ACC in 1983 and first-team All-ACC in 1984, 1985, and 1986, and received three-time All-American honors, including consensus second-team in 1985 and third-team in 1986. Additionally, Price won the Award as the 1985 ACC Tournament MVP. Statistically, Price finished his Georgia Tech career with 2,193 points (17.4 per game), ranking third all-time in school scoring at the time, along with 510 assists (4.0 per game) and 240 steals (1.9 per game), the latter setting the program's all-time record. He also holds the Georgia Tech record for career percentage at .440. These accomplishments underscored his elite shooting and playmaking ability, paving the way for his selection in the second round of the by the (25th overall), after which his rights were traded to the .

Records and achievements

During his four seasons at from 1982 to 1986, Mark Price earned widespread recognition as one of the Atlantic Coast Conference's top players, highlighted by four consecutive All-ACC selections. As a in 1982–83, he led the conference in scoring average (20.3 points per game) and was named ACC Rookie of the Year while receiving second-team All-ACC honors. In each of the next three seasons (1983–84, 1984–85, and 1985–86), Price garnered first-team All-ACC honors, joining an elite group as one of only four players in ACC history to earn first- or second-team recognition in all four collegiate seasons. Price's individual excellence extended to national accolades, as he became a three-time All-American: third-team United Press International in 1984, consensus second-team (including second-team Associated Press) in 1985, and third-team Associated Press with second-team National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1986. He also received two NCAA All-Region honors during his career. In the 1985 ACC Tournament, Price was named the Everett Case Award winner as Most Outstanding Player, averaging standout performances to guide Georgia Tech to its first conference tournament title in school history. Price's contributions were instrumental in elevating 's program, as the Yellow Jackets compiled an 85–41 record over his four years—a significant turnaround from prior seasons. The team achieved its first No. 1 national ranking during the 1985–86 season and finished ranked No. 6 in the final polls that year and in 1984–85. Off the court, Price was honored with the inaugural Georgia Tech Total Person Award for exemplifying excellence in athletics, academics, and leadership. Among his statistical records at , Price graduated as the program's third all-time leading scorer with 2,193 points over 126 games (17.4 points per game average). He set school benchmarks that endure, including the all-time record for three-point field-goal percentage (.440 on 70-of-159 attempts) and career steals (240). Additionally, his 510 career assists ranked among the program's elite marks upon his departure.

Professional playing career

Cleveland Cavaliers

Mark Price was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers on draft day in 1986, when the Dallas Mavericks traded his rights to Cleveland in exchange for the Cavaliers' 1987 first-round draft pick (used to select Reggie Williams) and a 1988 second-round pick. Over nine seasons from 1986–87 to 1994–95, Price emerged as the franchise's premier point guard, anchoring a backcourt that transformed the Cavaliers from a perennial lottery team into consistent playoff contenders, alongside teammates Brad Daugherty and Ron Harper from the same pivotal 1986 draft class. Known for his elite shooting precision and floor leadership, Price helped elevate the team's offensive efficiency, particularly through his ability to space the floor and facilitate plays in a pick-and-roll heavy system under coaches Lenny Wilkens and Mike Fratello. In 582 regular-season games with , Price averaged 16.4 points, 7.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 48.0% from the field, 40.6% from three-point range, and an NBA-leading 90.4% from the free-throw line during his tenure. His career totals with the Cavaliers include 9,543 points, 4,206 assists (a franchise record until surpassed by in 2015), 734 steals (second all-time in team history), 802 three-pointers made (fourth all-time), and a 90.6% free-throw percentage (the highest in franchise history). Price's efficiency stood out in an era of physical defenses; he became one of 13 players in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 shooting club (50% FG, 40% 3P, 90% FT) in a season, achieving it in 1988–89. Price's individual accolades during his Cavaliers years underscored his impact: he earned four NBA All-Star selections (1989, 1992–94), All-NBA First Team honors in 1993 after averaging 18.2 points and 8.0 assists, and three All-NBA Third Team nods (1989, 1992, 1994). He also won consecutive titles in 1993 and 1994, setting a then-record 24 points in the 1994 final round. These honors came amid Cleveland's rise to Eastern Conference prominence, as Price's playmaking and shooting opened driving lanes for big men like Daugherty, contributing to four straight 50-win seasons from 1991–92 to 1994–95. In the playoffs, Price appeared in eight postseason runs with the Cavaliers, averaging 17.4 points and 7.0 assists across 47 games. The team qualified for the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons, defeating the Nets 3–2 in the first round and the 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in —where Price averaged 21.3 points and 8.0 assists against the —before falling to Michael Jordan's 2–4 in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the 1993 playoffs, he averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 assists per game in the second-round loss to the , though Cleveland lost in a dramatic Game 7 on John Paxson's buzzer-beater. Price's postseason consistency highlighted his clutch shooting, including a 41.7% three-point mark in the 1992 playoffs, but the Cavaliers' runs were often halted by the dominant dynasty. Price's tenure ended abruptly on September 27, 1995, when the Cavaliers traded him to the Washington Bullets for a 1996 first-round draft pick (used to select ), amid front-office shifts and the team's transition to a new arena. His No. 25 jersey was retired by on February 27, 2014, recognizing his role as the franchise's greatest and a key architect of its resurgence.

Later teams

After nine seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mark Price was traded to the Washington Bullets on September 27, 1995, in exchange for a 1996 first-round draft pick, which the Cavaliers later used to select center Vitaly Potapenko. His time with the Bullets was severely limited by a left plantar fascia injury sustained early in the 1995–96 season, allowing him to appear in only seven games. In those contests, Price averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 three-pointers made per game while shooting 30.0% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. The injury effectively sidelined him for the remainder of the season, marking a challenging transition after his productive years in Cleveland. Following his release from the Bullets, Price signed with the as a on August 12, 1996, reuniting him with former Cavaliers teammate . In the 1996–97 season, he enjoyed a solid resurgence, playing in 70 games (49 starts) and averaging 11.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game. Price shot efficiently at 44.7% from the field, 39.6% from three-point range, and a league-leading 90.6% from the free-throw line, earning him the NBA free-throw percentage title for the season. His contributions helped the Warriors improve to 48 wins and a playoff appearance, though they fell in the first round to the ; Price added 10.3 points and 5.0 assists across five postseason games. Price joined the for the 1997–98 season after signing as a in the offseason, providing veteran leadership to a team featuring young stars like and Nick Anderson. Appearing in 63 games (33 starts), he averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists in 22.7 minutes per game, shooting 43.1% from the field and 33.5% from beyond the arc while maintaining an 84.5% free-throw rate. The finished with a 41-41 record and reached the playoffs, where Price contributed 8.5 points and 3.8 assists in six games against the before their elimination. Nagging injuries persisted, and after the season, Price retired from the NBA at age 34, concluding a 12-year professional career that showcased his elite shooting and playmaking abilities.

International career

Pan American Games

As a freshman at , Mark Price represented the at the in , . The U.S. team, composed of college players, won the gold medal, defeating 84-74 in the final. Price contributed off the bench, including key scoring in earlier games, averaging around 10 points per game in the tournament.

Olympic team

Mark Price, as a standout sophomore guard at Georgia Tech, earned a spot on the preliminary 20-man roster for the 1984 U.S. men's Olympic basketball team trials held in . The selection process, overseen by head coach , featured intense competition among top collegiate talents, including future NBA stars like and . Price showcased his skills during the tryouts, but he was ultimately not selected for the final 12-man roster. The team, composed of players such as , , , and , dominated the Los Angeles Olympics, winning gold with an undefeated 8-0 record while averaging 95.4 points per game. Price's participation in the trials highlighted his early promise on the national stage, though his Olympic involvement was limited to this preparatory phase.

FIBA competitions

Mark Price represented the in the , held in , , as a member of the national team known as Dream Team II. The team, coached by and featuring prominent NBA players including , , and , went undefeated with an 8-0 record, securing the gold medal by defeating 137-91 in the final. The dominated the tournament, winning their games by an average margin of 36.5 points, showcasing superior talent and depth in international competition. As the backup point guard behind Kevin Johnson, Price played in all eight games, averaging 19.6 minutes per contest. He contributed 9.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, shooting efficiently from the field and free-throw line in line with his NBA reputation as a sharpshooter. His scoring ranked 54th overall in the tournament, while his per-36-minute scoring of approximately 17.6 points placed him third among participants. Price's standout performance came against in the quarterfinals, where he scored 17 points to help the U.S. advance with a 130-74 victory. His role emphasized playmaking and perimeter shooting, providing crucial support to the star-laden roster and helping maintain the team's offensive rhythm against international defenses. This appearance marked Price's primary involvement in FIBA-sanctioned senior international play, contributing to the U.S. reclaiming dominance in global basketball following the professional era's debut at the 1992 Olympics.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring from professional basketball following the 1997–98 season, Price began his coaching career at the high school level. In the 1998–99 season, he served as a community coach and assistant at in Georgia, stepping in when the head coach fell ill. He then became at Whitefield Academy, a in Georgia, where he led the boys' team starting in the 2000–01 season. During this period, Price also returned to his alma mater as a non-recruiting assistant coach under for the 1999–2000 season at , focusing on player development. Price transitioned to NBA roles in the mid-2000s, emphasizing his expertise in shooting mechanics. He joined the as a shooting consultant for the 2007–08 season. The following two seasons (2008–09 and 2009–10), he served as shooting coach and assistant for the , contributing to their back-to-back playoff appearances. In 2010–11, Price was hired as an assistant coach by the , where he worked on improving the team's shooting and free-throw percentages, particularly for young players like and . He continued in player development with the as a coach during the 2011–12 season, helping the playoff team refine skills. From 2013 to 2015, Price was an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets under Steve Clifford, specializing in shooting instruction and offensive development. In March 2015, he was named head coach of the Charlotte 49ers men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, replacing Alan Major. Over three seasons (2015–17), Price compiled a 30–42 record, with the team finishing 13–17 in Conference USA play in his final year before he was dismissed nine games into the 2017–18 season. His tenure emphasized fundamentals and discipline, though the program struggled with consistency. Price returned to the NBA as a shooting consultant and assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets in the 2018–19 season, aiding in player development during their Western Conference Finals run. This marked his most recent NBA coaching position as of 2025.

Shooting consultant and camps

After retiring from professional basketball following the 1997–98 season, Mark Price transitioned into roles as a shooting consultant for several NBA teams, leveraging his reputation as one of the league's most accurate shooters with a career free-throw percentage of 90.4% and three-point percentage of 40.2%. In 2003, he served as a consultant for the Denver Nuggets, working with rookies and free agents during the summer and returning for training camp under head coach Jeff Bzdelik. He later consulted for the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2007–08 season, focusing on player shooting development. Price continued this work with the Atlanta Hawks for the 2009 and 2010 seasons as a shooting consultant, contributing to playoff runs by refining players' perimeter shooting techniques. In 2011, he joined the Golden State Warriors' staff as a shooting coach during the regular season. That same year, Price was hired by the Orlando Magic as a player development coach, where his primary emphasis remained on shooting instruction to enhance team accuracy. In addition to his NBA consulting, Price established Mark Price Basketball Camps to share his expertise with young players, emphasizing fundamental skills with a strong focus on shooting mechanics. The camps, which began as a way to give back to the community that supported his early career with the , target boys and girls aged 10–16 and feature drills in shooting form, ball-handling, and passing. Held annually since the early , these three-day sessions typically occur in summer at locations such as North Olmsted High School, Avon Lake High School, and Grace Church in Bath, , and continue as of 2025. Price personally leads sessions, drawing from his NBA experience to teach techniques like consistent follow-through and balance, which helped him achieve elite shooting efficiency. The camps have grown in popularity, attracting hundreds of participants each year and fostering a competitive yet instructional environment inspired by Price's four-time career.

Legacy and honors

Awards and recognitions

During his NBA career, Mark Price earned four selections, appearing in the game in 1989, 1992, 1993, and 1994. He was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1993 after averaging 18.2 points, 8.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, leading the league in free-throw percentage at 94.8%. Additionally, he received All-NBA Third Team honors in 1989, 1992, and 1994, recognizing his consistent performance as one of the league's premier point guards. Price excelled in shooting competitions, winning the NBA in consecutive years, 1993 and 1994, during Weekend in Charlotte and , respectively. His career free-throw percentage of 90.4% ranks among the highest in NBA , underscoring his as an shooter. The retired his No. 25 jersey on November 13, 1999, honoring his franchise records in three-point field goals made (802), free-throw percentage (89.7%), and assists (4,206). At the college level with , Price was named ACC Player of the Year in 1985, ACC Rookie of the Year in 1983, and earned All-ACC honors four times, including three first-team selections. He led the Yellow Jackets to the 1985 ACC Tournament championship, earning MVP honors with 24 points in the final against . Price received second-team All-American recognition in 1985 and third-team in 1986 from the . retired his No. 25 jersey and inducted him into its Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Internationally, Price contributed to the ' gold medal at the as part of the select team, often referred to as Dream Team II. Price has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Impact on basketball

Mark Price's impact on is most evident in his pioneering role as one of the first elite three-point shooters at the point guard position during an era when the long-range shot was not yet central to the game's . His career three-point percentage of 40.2% over 722 games demonstrated exceptional accuracy from deep, particularly off the dribble and in pick-and-roll situations, which helped shift perceptions of what point guards could contribute offensively beyond traditional playmaking. Teammate described Price as "Steph Curry before Curry," highlighting how his ability to weaponize the three-pointer as a primary guard influenced the evolution toward space-and-pace offenses in the modern NBA. Price's shooting efficiency extended to the free-throw line, where his career of 90.4% ranks third all-time in NBA history as of November 2025, and he led the league four times, underscoring his mastery of fundamentals that emphasized repetition and . He became the second player after to join the 50/40/90 shooting club during the 1988–89 season, a rare feat that combined field-goal, three-point, and free-throw efficiency above those thresholds, setting a standard for well-rounded scoring guards. This precision not only elevated the ' offense—where he ranks first in franchise history for three-pointers made and free-throw —but also inspired a generation of shooters to prioritize daily mechanics and consistency. Beyond statistics, Price's back-to-back wins in the NBA All-Star (1993 and 1994) showcased his skill under pressure and contributed to popularizing , drawing attention to as an art form requiring dedicated practice. Fellow Hall of Famer Brad Daugherty, his longtime center, called him "probably the greatest shooter in NBA history," crediting Price's quick release and off-balance accuracy for redefining guard versatility in the and . His influence persists in how contemporary point guards like and integrate high-volume three-point into their games, building on Price's foundational example of efficiency over volume.

Personal life

Price has been married to Laura since December 24, 1986. They have four children: Brittany, Caroline, Hudson, and Josh. Caroline played college tennis for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned All-American honors, and briefly competed professionally before becoming an assistant women's tennis coach at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Hudson transferred to the Charlotte 49ers in 2015 and played under his father's coaching from 2017 to 2018. Josh played college basketball at Liberty University and other institutions. As of 2023, Price resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Career statistics

College

Mark Price played for the from 1982 to 1986, appearing in all 126 games during his career and starting every one, a school record. He scored a total of 2,193 points, ranking third all-time at , while averaging 17.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Price led the team in scoring all four seasons and earned four consecutive All-ACC selections, including ACC Rookie of the Year honors as a . He holds records for career steals (240) and consecutive games started (126). Although the three-point line was not officially introduced in NCAA basketball until the 1986–87 season, retroactive calculations credit Price with the school record for career percentage at .440 over his four seasons. | Season | Team | G | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | |--------|------|---|----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----| | 1982–83 | | 28 | 28 | - | - | .440 | - | 3.8 | 3.3 | - | - | 20.3 | | 1983–84 | | 29 | 29 | - | - | - | - | 2.1 | 4.2 | - | - | 15.6 | | 1984–85 | | 35 | 35 | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | 4.3 | - | - | 16.7 | | 1985–86 | | 34 | 34 | 35.4 | - | - | - | 2.8 | 4.4 | - | - | 17.4 | | Career | | 126 | 126 | - | - | .440 | - | 2.7 | 4.0 | 1.9 | - | 17.4 | Notes: Minutes per game (MPG), field goal percentage (FG%), three-point percentage (3P%), and free throw percentage (FT%) data are incomplete for historical reasons, as advanced tracking was limited prior to the late 1980s. Three-point percentages are retroactively calculated based on estimated long-range attempts. Data sourced from official team records and statistical databases.

Regular season

Mark Price's NBA regular season career lasted 12 seasons from 1986–87 to 1997–98, primarily with the , where he established himself as a premier known for his shooting accuracy and playmaking. He appeared in 722 games, starting 578, while averaging 29.9 minutes per game across stints with the (drafted but traded before debut), (1986–1995), Washington Bullets (1995–96), (1996–97), and (1997–98). Price's offensive efficiency defined his game, as he became the second player in NBA history—after —to achieve a 50–40–90 shooting season in 1988–89, shooting 50.0% from the field, 40.0% from three-point range, and 90.8% from the free-throw line. He repeated the feat in 1991–92 and 1992–93. His career free-throw of 90.4% ranks third all-time among players with at least 1,250 attempts, while his 40.2% three-point shooting highlighted his role in popularizing perimeter shooting for guards. Defensively, he contributed steadily with 1.2 steals per game, though his 6-foot-0 frame limited him to 0.1 blocks per game. Price peaked during the early 1990s, earning four selections (1989, 1992–1994) and All-NBA honors four times: Third Team in 1989 and 1992, First Team in 1993, and Third Team in 1994. In his breakout 1988–89 season with , he averaged 18.9 points and 8.4 assists per game over 75 appearances, leading the Cavaliers to a 46–36 record and helping them reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The following year, 1989–90, he posted career highs of 19.0 points, 8.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in 78 games, solidifying his status as one of the league's top facilitators. Injuries hampered his later years, limiting him to 35 games in 1990–91 and causing him to miss the entire 1991–92 season, but he rebounded strongly in 1992–93 with 18.2 points, 8.0 assists, and a league-leading 94.9% free-throw rate over 75 games, earning All-NBA First Team recognition. His 1993–94 campaign featured 17.3 points and 7.1 assists in 76 games, though fell in the playoffs. Price's production declined post-1995 due to issues, averaging 9.4 points and 4.5 assists in his final three seasons across three teams, but he remained a reliable shooter, hitting 33.5% from three in 1997–98 with Orlando.

Career Regular Season Statistics

Per Game Averages

Season SpanGamesMinutesPointsReboundsAssistsStealsBlocksFG%3P%FT%
Career (1986–98)72229.915.22.66.71.20.1.472.402.904

Career Totals

CategoryValue
Points10,989
Rebounds1,848
Assists4,863
Steals860
Blocks76
Field Goals Made3,939
Three-Pointers Made976
Free Throws Made2,135
These figures underscore Price's impact as a high-efficiency scorer and distributor, particularly in an era emphasizing inside play, where his perimeter prowess helped transform roles.

Mark Price appeared in the seven times during his 12-year career, primarily with the from 1988 to 1994, compiling a 19-28 record across 47 games. His playoff averages were 17.4 points, 7.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range, showcasing his efficiency as a sharpshooting in high-stakes environments. Price's postseason contributions often elevated the Cavaliers' offense, though the team frequently fell short against dominant opponents like the . Price's earliest playoff experience came in the 1987-88 season with the Cavaliers, where they lost 2-3 to the Bulls in the first round (then a best-of-five series). He averaged 15.0 points and 6.8 assists over five games, providing steady playmaking despite the series defeat. The following year, 1988-89, again exited in the first round, falling 2-3 to the ; Price contributed 18.0 points and 8.5 assists in four games, highlighting his growing role as the team's floor general. In 1989-90, the Cavaliers lost another first-round series 2-3 to the , with Price posting 16.6 points, 7.4 assists, and a playoff-career-high 41.7% from three in five games, though injuries began to impact team depth. The pinnacle of Price's playoff success occurred during the 1991-92 season, when the Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history since 1978. They defeated the 3-2 in the first round and the Knicks 4-3 in the second round, with Price averaging 20.4 points and 8.2 assists over the 17-game run, including a 28-point, 11-assist performance in Game 7 against New York. In the Conference Finals, Cleveland pushed the Bulls to six games before losing 2-4, as Price averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds, often facing intense defensive pressure from and company. This run marked the deepest playoff penetration of Price's career and solidified his reputation for clutch performances. Subsequent postseasons were shorter. In 1992-93, the Cavaliers upset the Nets 3-2 in the first round, where Price averaged 19.6 points and 7.4 assists, but were swept 0-4 by the Bulls in the second round; he had a standout 30-point, 13-assist game in the series opener against . The 1993-94 playoffs ended abruptly with a 0-3 first-round sweep by the Bulls, limited by Price's rib injury that restricted him to three games and 12.7 points per outing. Later stints with the Washington Bullets (1995-96) and (1996-97) did not result in playoff appearances, nor did his brief time with the in 1997-98. Price's playoff tenure underscored his ability to perform under pressure, though chronic injuries and tough matchups prevented deeper runs.
SeasonTeamSeries ResultsGPPPGAPGFG%3P%
1987-88CLELost 2-3 (1st Rd vs. CHI)515.06.843.5%25.0%
1988-89CLELost 2-3 (1st Rd vs. NYK)418.08.547.1%50.0%
1989-90CLELost 2-3 (1st Rd vs. )516.67.441.9%41.7%
1991-92CLEWon 3-2 (1st Rd vs. MIA); Won 4-3 (2nd Rd vs. NYK); Lost 2-4 (ECF vs. CHI)1720.48.248.1%41.2%
1992-93CLEWon 3-2 (1st Rd vs. NJN); Lost 0-4 (2nd Rd vs. CHI)919.37.147.6%40.0%
1993-94CLELost 0-3 (1st Rd vs. CHI)312.74.338.5%33.3%
Career-19-284717.47.045.6%39.6%

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