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Ricky Pierce
Ricky Pierce
Ricky Pierce
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Richard Charles Pierce (born August 19, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Deuces" and "Big Paper Daddy",[1][2] he was selected as an NBA All-Star (1991) and was twice the NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1987, 1990) while with the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Key Information

Career beginnings

[edit]

Pierce graduated from Garland High School in Dallas County, Texas. He later played basketball at Walla Walla Community College and Rice University.[3]

Pierce is first in Rice history in career scoring average at 22.5 points per game, while he is third all time in total points scored and second in total field goals made. His 1981–82 season of 26.8 points, 314 field goals made, and 614 field goals attempted are also school single season records.[4]

NBA

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Detroit Pistons

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Pierce was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round (18th pick) of the 1982 NBA draft. Used sparingly in his rookie season, he was traded to the San Diego Clippers immediately prior to the 1983-84 NBA season for two future 2nd round draft picks.

San Diego Clippers

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Pierce became a rotation regular during his one season with the Clippers, averaging 9.9 points and 18.6 minutes per game. He started 35 games during the season, highlighted by a then-career-high 30-point performance against San Antonio in his first start as a Clipper.

Milwaukee Bucks

[edit]

Pierce was traded by the San Diego Clippers before the 1984–85 season along with Terry Cummings to the Milwaukee Bucks. The trade, which also brought Craig Hodges to Milwaukee, while sending veterans Junior Bridgeman and Marques Johnson (both would eventually have their jerseys retired in Milwaukee) to the Clippers, is viewed as having worked much better for the Bucks than the Clippers.[5]

Pierce was reunited with his coach at Rice, Mike Schuler, who was then an assistant coach for the Bucks. Pierce would go on to average 17 points per game over the next 6 full seasons in Milwaukee, despite starting only 46 games in that time.

On March 13, 1985, Pierce scored 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and recorded 6 assists in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[6] Pierce and the Bucks would go on to beat Michael Jordan and the Bulls 3–1 in the first round of the playoffs, before being upset by the lower seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.[7]

Pierce won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award for 1986–87 for averaging 19.5 points per game with a 53.4% shooting percentage in his third season with the Bucks. That same postseason, on May 8, 1987, Pierce led the Bucks with 29 points off the bench in a Game 3 victory against Boston Celtics, however, Boston would ultimately win the series.[8] During the 1989 NBA Playoffs, on May 2, Pierce led the Bucks to 117-113 Game 3 victory over the Atlanta Hawks with a team-high 35 points.[9] The Bucks would win the series 3–2, before being eliminated in the next round by the eventual-champion Pistons.

The following season, Pierce earned the Sixth Man award again, averaging 23.0 points per game without starting a single one (an NBA record)[10] in 1989–90. That season, on November 9, 1989, Pierce played a key role in the longest game in the shot clock era, at four hours and 17 minutes, scoring a team leading 36 points on 15 of 21 shooting, during a 155-154 5OT win.[11][12][13] On December 5, Pierce scored a career-high 45 points in a loss against the Sacramento Kings.[14] In the week preceding the 1991 trade deadline, the Bucks traded Pierce to the Seattle SuperSonics for Dale Ellis.

When asked about referring to himself as a “hired gun” in relation to being a designated scorer who bounced around on several teams, Pierce said “The teams would let you know that you were hired to play a certain role. That was the role that I took on, my strength, my scoring ability. That was what I focused on. One time, in the middle of a game, I was passing the ball a lot. Coach Don Nelson called a timeout. He told me ‘I have Paul Pressey to pass. Your job is to score the ball.’ I thought that was kind of cool. I really liked that.”[15]

Seattle Supersonics

[edit]

Pierce became a regular starter in the 1991–92 season, his first full season with the Sonics. He made 75 consecutive free throws over several games in November and December 1991, the second-longest such streak at that time. The same year, in 1992, Pierce led Seattle in scoring during both the regular and postseason.[16] In the 1993 NBA playoffs, Pierce led the Sonics to a 103-100 Game 7 win in the conference semifinals over the Houston Rockets with a game-leading 25 points.[17] In the next round, Pierce, alongside teammates Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns, narrowly missing an NBA Finals appearance. Pierce returned to the bench for 1993–94 following Seattle's off-season acquisition of Kendall Gill.

Golden State Warriors

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On July 18, 1994, Pierce was traded along with Carlos Rogers and two draft picks to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Byron Houston and Sarunas Marciulionis. Pierce battled foot and back injuries during the season and was only able to see action in 27 games.

Indiana Pacers

[edit]

Prior to the 1995–96 season, Pierce signed with the Indiana Pacers as an unrestricted free agent. Healthy once more, Pierce appeared in 76 games, and after starting only 2 games all season, he started 4 of the Pacers' 5 first round playoff games, contributing 10.2 points and 3.0 assists per game.

Denver Nuggets

[edit]

Indiana traded Pierce to the Denver Nuggets before the start of 1996–97 season, sending Mark Jackson and a 1st round draft pick to the Nuggets in exchange for Jalen Rose, Reggie Williams, and the Nuggets' 1st round pick. In February, with the Nuggets out of the playoff picture, Pierce was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Anthony Goldwire and George Zidek.

Charlotte Hornets

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Pierce played an expanded role with the playoff-bound Hornets, starting 17 of the final 29 games and averaging 12 points per game. In the playoffs, Pierce started the first 2 games of the Hornets' series with the New York Knicks and contributed 11 points off the bench in the third, which would be his final playoff game as a player.

AEK BC Athens, return to the Bucks and retirement

[edit]

Without a contract for the 1997–98 season, Pierce signed to play with AEK B.C. Athens, a Greek professional team and one of the best in the country. Pierce played five games with AEK before signing as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks in December 1997. On December 19, Pierce scored 13 points in a 92–91 loss against the Toronto Raptors.[18] He retired from basketball at the end of the season.

NBA 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

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1982–83 Detroit 39 1 6.8 .375 .143 .563 .9 .4 .2 .1 2.2
1983–84 San Diego 69 35 18.6 .470 .000 .861 2.0 .9 .4 .2 9.9
1984–85 Milwaukee 44 3 20.0 .537 .250 .823 2.7 2.1 .8 .1 9.8
1985–86 Milwaukee 81 8 26.5 .538 .130 .858 2.9 2.2 1.0 .1 13.9
1986–87 Milwaukee 79 31 31.7 .534 .107 .880 3.4 1.8 .8 .3 19.5
1987–88 Milwaukee 37 0 26.1 .510 .214 .877 2.2 2.0 .6 .2 16.4
1988–89 Milwaukee 75 4 27.7 .518 .222 .859 2.6 2.1 1.0 .3 17.6
1989–90 Milwaukee 59 0 29.0 .510 .346 .839 2.8 2.3 .8 .1 23.0
1990–91 Milwaukee 46 0 28.8 .499 .398 .907 2.5 2.1 .8 .2 22.5
Seattle 32 0 26.3 .463 .391 .925 2.3 2.3 .7 .1 17.5
1991–92 Seattle 78 78 34.1 .475 .268 .916 3.0 3.1 1.1 .3 21.7
1992–93 Seattle 77 72 28.8 .489 .372 .889 2.5 2.9 1.3 .1 18.2
1993–94 Seattle 51 0 20.0 .471 .188 .896 1.6 1.8 .8 .1 14.5
1994–95 Golden State 27 6 24.9 .437 .329 .877 2.4 1.5 .8 .1 12.5
1995–96 Indiana 76 2 18.5 .447 .337 .849 1.8 1.3 .8 .1 9.7
1996–97 Denver 33 10 18.2 .462 .308 .902 1.6 .9 .4 .2 10.2
Charlotte 27 17 24.1 .502 .536 .889 2.5 1.8 .5 .1 12.0
1997–98 Milwaukee 39 0 11.3 .364 .308 .827 1.2 .9 .2 .0 3.9
Career 969 269 24.4 .493 .322 .875 2.4 1.9 .8 .2 14.9
All-Star 1 0 19.0 .500 – 1.000 2.0 2.0 .0 .0 9.0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1985 Milwaukee 8 1 24.8 .493 .000 .778 2.3 1.9 .4 .1 9.9
1986 Milwaukee 13 0 24.8 .460 .000 .889 2.8 1.5 .6 .2 11.1
1987 Milwaukee 12 2 26.4 .479 – .821 2.3 1.3 .8 .4 15.9
1988 Milwaukee 5 0 21.0 .472 .200 .889 2.8 1.8 .2 .4 11.8
1989 Milwaukee 9 0 32.4 .546 .750 .872 2.8 2.8 1.2 .2 22.3
1990 Milwaukee 4 0 30.5 .467 .500 .903 2.3 1.5 1.3 .0 22.3
1991 Seattle 5 0 22.4 .333 .300 .941 2.8 .8 .8 .2 11.4
1992 Seattle 9 9 35.1 .481 .273 .870 2.4 3.1 .6 .1 19.6
1993 Seattle 19 19 30.4 .456 .400 .898 2.4 2.2 .6 .2 17.7
1994 Seattle 5 0 14.8 .452 – .706 1.0 .6 .2 .0 8.0
1996 Indiana 5 4 26.6 .340 .250 .850 .8 3.0 1.6 .2 10.2
1997 Charlotte 3 2 29.0 .458 .143 – 2.7 1.3 .7 .0 7.7
Career 97 37 27.4 .466 .355 .866 2.4 1.9 .7 .2 14.9

Post playing career

[edit]

Since retiring, Pierce has developed his own basketball system that assists with shooting accuracy with specially designed fingertip-placement markers.[19] Pierce developed the idea after watching his son, Aron, playing basketball at the YMCA. Pierce was giving advice to parents on how to teach their kids the perfect jump shot.[20] A product would later be developed known as the Accushot22, a specially designed basketball with 10 oval indentations.[20] The product sells for $37.95, although hundreds are given away free to underprivileged children.[20]

In 2015, Pierce was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, becoming only the third Rice basketball player to be inducted.[4]

Personal life

[edit]

Pierce is a Christian.[21] Pierce is married to Joyce Pierce.[22] They have three children.[23]

Pierce returned to Rice University to complete his degree, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology in May 2012.[24]

See also

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Notes

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ricky Pierce

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ricky Charles Pierce (born August 19, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player who primarily played as a shooting guard in the (NBA) for 16 seasons from 1982 to 1998, renowned for his scoring prowess off the bench and earning the nickname "Big Paper Daddy." Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 205 pounds (93 kg), Pierce was known for his mid-range shooting efficiency and ability to contribute as a , amassing 14,467 points over his career with an average of 14.9 across 969 regular-season appearances. Pierce began his basketball journey at Garland High School in Garland, Texas, before attending Walla Walla Community College and transferring to Rice University, where he starred from 1979 to 1982. At Rice, he became the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,847 points, a record that stood until 1993, and earned All-Southwest Conference honors while shooting over 50% from the field in his senior year. Selected 18th overall in the first round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, Pierce quickly transitioned to the professional level after a standout college career that highlighted his scoring versatility. Throughout his NBA tenure, Pierce played for eight teams, including the , San Diego/Los Angeles , , , , , , and Charlotte Hornets, with significant stints at the Bucks and SuperSonics. His most notable achievements came with the Bucks, where he won the NBA of the Year Award in 1987 and 1990 after averaging 19.5 and 23.0 off the bench, respectively, and finished second in voting in 1984. Pierce also earned his lone NBA selection in 1991 with the SuperSonics. Retiring in 1998, Pierce's legacy endures as one of the league's premier reserve scorers, with career highs including 45 points in a single game and consistent efficiency that influenced sixth-man roles in subsequent eras.

Early life and education

High school career

Ricky Pierce was born on August 19, 1959, in , , the seventh of nine children in a family where both parents, Carl and Dorothy Pierce, worked multiple jobs to support them. Growing up in the nearby suburb of Garland, Pierce developed an early interest in , influenced by his father's encouragement and the competitive environment of local youth sports, which helped him hone his skills on outdoor courts despite limited resources. Pierce attended in , where he emerged as a standout player under coach Goree Johnson, competing alongside future athletes like winner Herkie Walls. As a , he faced a significant challenge when he was suspended for the remainder of the semester after striking a classmate, an incident that stemmed from academic struggles and a low GPA of around 1.9, prompting a period of reflection and improved discipline. By his senior year, Pierce had transformed into a model student-athlete, earning high-school All-American recognition for his scoring prowess and athleticism, including outjumping Relays long-jump champion Freddy Page in local competitions. These high school achievements, particularly his All-American status, drew attention from college recruiters, positioning Pierce as a promising prospect despite his earlier setbacks. However, his subpar grades prevented him from directly attending a four-year university like his preferred Washington State, motivating him to enroll at Walla Walla Community College in Washington to rebuild his academic standing and continue developing his game.

College career

Pierce began his college basketball career at Walla Walla Community College in Washington, where he played during the 1978–79 season. Averaging 19 points per game, he contributed to the team's Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) conference championship and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. After one season at Walla Walla, Pierce transferred to Rice University in Houston, Texas, arriving ahead of the 1979–80 campaign. Over three seasons with the Rice Owls, he established himself as a prolific scorer, averaging 22.5 points per game across 82 appearances and totaling 1,847 points, a school record that stood until 1993. His performance showed steady progression: 19.2 points per game as a sophomore in 1979–80, 20.9 as a junior in 1980–81, and a breakout senior year in 1981–82 when he averaged 26.8 points per game while ranking second in the NCAA in field goals made with 314. That final season also saw him set Rice single-season records with 805 points scored and 314 field goals made, topping the Southwest Conference (SWC) in scoring. Pierce's collegiate dominance at elevated his draft stock, leading to his selection by the as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the . As a student-athlete, he balanced rigorous demands with academic pursuits in , though he completed his in 2012 after returning to the university post-NBA career; his time at fostered personal maturation, transforming him from a junior college transfer into a confident, high-volume shooter ready for professional .

Professional career

Early NBA years (1982–1985)

Ricky Pierce entered the NBA as the 18th overall pick in the 1982 draft by the , following a standout college career at where he averaged 18.3 points per game as a senior. In his rookie season of 1982–83, Pierce struggled to secure consistent playing time, appearing in just 39 games off the bench for a Pistons team that finished 30–52 and missed the playoffs. He averaged 2.2 points and 6.8 minutes per game, often adjusting to the league's intense physicality as a 6-foot-4 shooting guard in a roster crowded with veterans like and . On October 17, 1983, Pierce was traded to the Clippers in exchange for a future second-round draft pick, providing him an opportunity for a larger role on a franchise enduring ongoing struggles. During the 1983–84 season, he became a key rotation player, starting 35 games and averaging 9.9 points and 18.6 minutes per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. The Clippers, however, posted a 30–52 record, highlighting their persistent challenges in the competitive Pacific Division amid frequent roster changes and injuries to stars like . Pierce's bench and starting duties helped him adapt to the demands of extensive travel and physical defense, though the team again failed to reach the postseason. Pierce's growth continued into the 1984–85 season after his September 29 trade to the in a blockbuster deal that also sent and to Milwaukee while acquiring and others for the Clippers. Limited to 44 games due to minor injuries and role adjustments, he averaged 9.8 points and 20.0 minutes per game off the bench for a Bucks squad that improved dramatically to 59–23. This marked Pierce's first playoff appearance, where he contributed 9.9 points per game across eight contests in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the , gaining valuable experience in high-stakes games despite the series loss.

Milwaukee Bucks tenure (1985–1991)

Ricky Pierce was traded to the from the on September 29, , as part of a multi-player deal that also sent to Milwaukee in exchange for , , and others. After appearing in 44 games during the 1984–85 season with an average of 9.8 , Pierce solidified his role as a key reserve in the 1985–86 season, averaging 13.9 points over 81 games while helping the Bucks secure the Central Division title with a 57–25 record. His efficient mid-range scoring and ability to stretch defenses off the bench provided crucial support to stars like and , marking a turning point from his earlier adjustment challenges with the and Clippers. Pierce reached his peak as a scorer during the late 1980s with the Bucks, emerging as one of the league's premier sixth men. In the 1986–87 season, he averaged 19.5 points per game on 53.4% shooting efficiency across 79 games, earning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award for the first time. He repeated the feat in 1989–90, leading all reserves with 23.0 points per game without starting a single contest—an NBA record for non-starters—while shooting 51.0% from the field, securing his second Sixth Man honor. During this era, Pierce earned the nicknames "Deuces" for his consistent double-digit scoring outbursts and "Big Paper Daddy" for his reliable production that "filled the stat sheet," reflecting his emergence as Milwaukee's go-to offensive spark. Pierce played a pivotal role in the Bucks' postseason success during the mid-1980s, contributing to deep Eastern Conference runs. In the 1986 playoffs, he averaged 17.3 as Milwaukee advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the New Jersey Nets and before falling 4–0 to the . The following year, in 1987, Pierce elevated his game to 16.6 through the Eastern Conference Semifinals, including a 29-point performance in Game 3 against , though the Bucks again lost to the Celtics in seven games after upsetting the 76ers in the first round. Pierce's tenure with the Bucks culminated in his lone All-Star selection during the 1990–91 season, where he averaged 22.5 points per game before the February 15 trade deadline. On that date, Milwaukee dealt him to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for guard Dale Ellis, ending his six-year stint in which he became a cornerstone of the team's high-octane offense under coach Don Nelson.

Seattle SuperSonics era (1991–1994)

Ricky Pierce joined the Seattle SuperSonics via trade from the Milwaukee Bucks on February 15, 1991, in exchange for Dale Ellis, bringing his recent All-Star experience—where he scored 9 points off the bench for the East in the 1991 game—to bolster the team's scoring depth. In his partial 1990-91 season with Seattle, Pierce averaged 17.5 points per game over 32 appearances, quickly integrating into the rotation alongside emerging stars Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. During the 1991-92 season, Pierce emerged as a primary scoring option, averaging 21.7 across 78 contests while 47.5% from the field, helping the SuperSonics secure a 47-35 record and the fourth seed in the Western Conference Pacific Division. The team advanced past the in the first round but fell in seven games to the in the conference semifinals, with Pierce contributing 20.3 in the postseason. His consistent and ability to create off the dribble complemented the athleticism of Kemp and Payton, fostering a dynamic fast-break style under coach , though occasional tensions in the backcourt tested team chemistry. Pierce maintained his scoring efficiency in the 1992-93 campaign, averaging 18.2 points per game as the SuperSonics improved to 55-27 and earned the second seed in the Pacific. The squad's synergy propelled them to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1987, defeating the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets before a hard-fought seven-game loss to the Phoenix Suns; Pierce averaged 17.7 points across 19 playoff games, including a playoff-career-high 34 points in Game 2 of the conference finals. In the 1993-94 season, he posted 14.5 points per game in 51 outings amid minor injuries, supporting Seattle's league-best 63-19 regular-season mark, though the team suffered a stunning first-round upset to the Nuggets. Amid roster adjustments following the playoff disappointment, the SuperSonics traded Pierce to the on July 19, 1994, along with the rights to Carlos Rogers and two future second-round picks, in exchange for Sarunas Marciulionis and . This move marked the end of his three-and-a-half-year stint in , where he tallied over 5,000 points and solidified his reputation as a reliable turned starter.

Later NBA stints (1994–1997)

Following his tenure with the , Pierce was traded to the on July 19, 1994, in exchange for , , and a 1995 second-round draft pick. In the 1994–95 season, the 35-year-old Pierce served primarily as a reserve, appearing in 27 games and averaging 12.5 points per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. His scoring efficiency from prior years helped provide instant offense off the bench for a Warriors team that finished with a 26–56 record. Prior to the 1995–96 season, Pierce signed with the as an unrestricted free agent, reuniting with in the backcourt. Playing a supporting role as a , he appeared in 76 games, averaging 9.7 points in 18.5 minutes per game and contributing to the Pacers' 52–30 campaign that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Pierce's veteran presence helped stabilize the bench, though his minutes were limited compared to his starting role in . On June 13, 1996, the Pacers traded Pierce and to the in exchange for and Reggie Williams, part of Denver's effort to bolster its guard rotation amid a rebuilding phase. In the 1996–97 season with the Nuggets, the 37-year-old Pierce saw a reduced role, playing 33 games and averaging 10.2 points in 18.2 minutes per game as the team struggled to a 21–61 record. Age and team dynamics contributed to his diminished usage, marking a shift to more sporadic bench contributions during Denver's transitional year. Midway through the season, on February 20, 1997, Pierce was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Anthony Goldwire and George Zídek, joining a playoff-contending squad in need of scoring depth. With Charlotte, he revitalized his production in a larger role, appearing in 27 games and averaging 12.0 points in 24.1 minutes per game while starting 17 contests. This stint highlighted Pierce's adaptability as a veteran reserve, though his overall arc reflected the challenges of maintaining prominence in his mid-30s across frequent team changes.

International play and retirement (1997–1998)

Following his release from the Charlotte Hornets in 1997, Pierce signed with AEK B.C. of the Greek A1 League, marking his only professional basketball experience outside the NBA. His tenure with AEK was brief, spanning just a handful of games in the early part of the 1997–98 season, where he provided veteran scoring off the bench amid limited playing time due to the short contract duration. In December 1997, Pierce returned to the NBA by signing as a with the , the team where he had spent much of his prime years. Appearing in 39 games primarily as a reserve, he averaged 3.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 11.3 minutes per game, contributing steady veteran presence to a Bucks squad that finished with a 36–46 record. His role emphasized spot-up shooting and leadership, drawing on his experience from earlier stints with the franchise. At age 38, Pierce retired from professional on November 1, 1998, after 16 NBA seasons across eight teams, having amassed 14,467 career points. Financially secure after a productive career highlighted by two of the Year awards, he chose to step away to focus on family life with his , Joyce, and their three children—Justin, Jaryn, and Jordyn—reflecting on the physical demands of and the value of longevity in sustaining a balanced .

Career achievements and statistics

Awards and honors

Ricky Pierce earned widespread recognition for his scoring prowess as a reserve player during his NBA career, most notably winning the NBA of the Year Award twice with the . In the 1986–87 season, he captured the honor after leading all non-starters with a 19.5 average while shooting 53.4% from the field in 79 games off the bench. His performance underscored the value of bench contributors in the mid-1980s NBA, where efficient scoring from reserves became increasingly vital to team success. Pierce repeated as Sixth Man of the Year in 1989–90, securing 77 of 92 first-place votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. That season, he averaged 23.0 points per game—the highest among sixth men—without starting a single contest, establishing an NBA record for points by a non-starter. This achievement highlighted his elite efficiency and adaptability, making him one of only two players in league history to win the award multiple times at that point. In 1991, Pierce was selected to his lone as a reserve for the Eastern Conference, contributing 9 points on 4-of-8 shooting and 2 rebounds in 19 minutes during the East's 116–114 victory. His selection reflected peak form following his second win, as he remained a key scoring option for . Beyond his professional accolades, Pierce's collegiate impact was honored with induction into the Hall of Fame in 2015, recognizing his standout career at where he was a three-time All-SWC selection. These honors cemented Pierce's legacy as one of the most prolific sixth men of the and , known for his mid-range scoring and role in elevating bench production during an era of star-driven lineups.

Regular season statistics

Ricky Pierce compiled a 16-season NBA career, appearing in 969 regular season games and accumulating 14,467 points, 2,296 rebounds, and 1,826 assists. His career per-game averages stood at 14.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, reflecting his role as a prolific scorer off the bench during his prime. Overall, he shot 49.3% from the field and 32.2% from three-point range across his tenure. The following table summarizes Pierce's regular season per-game statistics by season, including points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage. Data accounts for multi-team seasons with combined totals where applicable.
SeasonTeam(s)GPPPGRPGAPGFG%3P%
1982-83DET392.20.90.437.5%14.3%
1983-84SDC699.92.00.947.0%0.0%
1984-85MIL449.82.72.153.7%25.0%
1985-86MIL8113.92.92.253.8%13.0%
1986-87MIL7919.53.41.853.4%10.7%
1987-88MIL3716.42.22.051.0%21.4%
1988-89MIL7517.62.62.151.8%22.2%
1989-90MIL5923.02.82.351.0%34.6%
1990-91MIL/SEA7820.52.42.248.5%39.7%
1991-92SEA7821.73.03.147.5%26.8%
1992-93SEA7718.22.52.948.9%37.2%
1993-94SEA5114.51.61.847.1%18.8%
1994-95GSW2712.52.41.543.7%32.9%
1995-96IND769.71.81.344.7%33.7%
1996-97IND/CHA6011.02.01.348.1%44.2%
1997-98MIL393.91.20.936.4%30.8%
Pierce's single-game career high was 45 points, achieved on December 5, 1989, against the while with the . His seasonal peak reached 53.8% in 1985-86, and his best three-point shooting came at 53.6% during his 27 games with the Charlotte Hornets in 1996-97. Scoring trends show Pierce peaking in the late 1980s with a high of 23.0 in 1989-90, before a gradual decline in the as his role diminished, ending at 3.9 in his final 1997-98 season.

Playoff statistics

Ricky Pierce appeared in 97 NBA playoff games across 12 postseason appearances, accumulating 1,447 points at an average of 14.9 points per game while securing 229 rebounds for 2.4 per game. His scoring prowess often shone in high-stakes matchups, where he provided efficient bench production, particularly during elimination games, shooting over 50% from the field in several critical series contests. In the 1987 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the , Pierce averaged 16.6 points per game over seven games, including a 29-point performance in Game 3 to help the Bucks take a 2-1 series lead. Similarly, during the 1993 Western Conference Finals versus the , he delivered 19.6 points per game in seven outings, highlighted by 34 points in Game 2 and 27 in Game 6, both Seattle victories that extended the series. Pierce contributed to notable deep playoff runs, including the Milwaukee Bucks' advancement to the 1986 Eastern Conference Finals, where they were swept 4-0 by the Boston Celtics after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the first round; he averaged 11.1 points across 13 games that postseason. In 1987, the Bucks reached the conference semifinals again, upsetting the Philadelphia 76ers before falling to the Celtics in seven games, with Pierce posting 15.9 points per game overall. His most extensive playoff campaign came in 1993 with the Seattle SuperSonics, who progressed to the Western Conference Finals after series wins over the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets; Pierce averaged 17.7 points over 19 games.
SeasonTeamGPTSPPGREBRPG
1984-85MIL8799.9182.3
1985-86MIL1314411.1362.8
1986-87MIL1219115.9282.3
1987-88MIL55911.8142.8
1988-89MIL920122.3252.8
1989-90MIL48922.392.3
1990-9155711.4142.8
1991-92917619.6222.4
1992-931933717.7462.4
1993-945408.051.0
1995-96IND55110.240.8
1996-97CHH3237.782.7
Career playoff totals: 97 games, 1,447 points (14.9 ppg), 229 rebounds (2.4 rpg).

Post-playing career

Business ventures

After retiring from the NBA in 1998, Ricky Pierce created the Accushot22 basketball training system, inspired by watching his son struggle with shooting form. The system centers on a specially designed aimed at enhancing shooting accuracy through tactile guidance for proper hand positioning. The Accushot22 features a patented regulation-size with ten indentations that allow users to feel the optimal finger placement without visual reference, promoting consistent technique and confidence in shots. Pierce partnered with Spalding for the manufacturing and distribution of the product, enabling wider market availability. Pierce has actively promoted the Accushot22 through channels such as and X (formerly ), alongside personal appearances at events and endorsements from NBA peers including and . These efforts have continued into 2025, with ongoing posts and sales via the official website. The training system has gained adoption among youth athletes and professional players, attributing its effectiveness to Pierce's background as an NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner and 1991 All-Star known for his sharpshooting.

Coaching and mentorship

Following his NBA retirement in 1998, Ricky Pierce engaged in informal mentoring of young players by offering shooting advice. This hands-on guidance focused on foundational shooting mechanics, drawing from his experience as an NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner known for mid-range proficiency. Pierce has contributed to youth basketball programs in Texas, particularly emphasizing shooting fundamentals through demonstrations and interactive sessions. In March 2024, he hosted an event at Dick's House of Sport in , where attendees learned proper shooting form using his patented Accushot22 training as a teaching tool. As a member of the National Retired Players Association, Pierce participates in NBA events, sharing insights from his 16-year professional career with aspiring players and fans. In a 2021 appearance on the Sports Spectrum , he reflected on his NBA experiences, including lessons in perseverance and skill development applicable to younger athletes. By 2025, Pierce continues occasional clinic appearances and provides shooting tips via , posting training drills and motivational content on platforms like to support player development.

Personal life

Family and faith

Ricky Pierce has been married to his , Joyce, for over 35 years, during which time they raised three children together. Their son Aron showed early interest in , playing at the , which inspired Pierce to develop the AccuShot22 training basketball to improve youth shooting accuracy. Pierce has emphasized the importance of family as a foundation for personal growth, often crediting his household's emphasis on integrity and support throughout his professional journey. Pierce's Christian has served as a central guiding force in his life and career, evolving significantly since his playing days. In a 2021 appearance on the Sports Spectrum podcast, he shared public testimony about how he and Joyce grew in their together through daily study and devotions, with her consistently encouraging spiritual focus even amid the demands of his NBA schedule. He described relying on to overcome the physical and tempting pressures of professional , such as maintaining restraint during intense games and avoiding off-court pitfalls that plagued some peers. This helped him navigate 16 seasons across nine teams. Family played a pivotal role in Pierce's decision to retire after the 1997–98 season, providing the emotional and spiritual stability needed for the transition from professional athletics. Financially secure upon hanging up his shoes, Pierce credited his family's support for enabling a smooth post-career life centered on mentoring young athletes and sharing his beliefs through programs like after-school basketball initiatives rooted in Christian principles. This foundation has allowed him to prioritize legacy-building over the spotlight, avoiding the instability that affects many retired players.

Later education and interests

After retiring from professional , Pierce returned to to complete his undergraduate education, earning a in in May 2012—thirty years after his initial enrollment as a student-athlete from 1978 to 1982. Supported by his family, this accomplishment allowed him to fulfill a long-standing personal goal amid his post-NBA commitments. Pierce has pursued interests in youth basketball development, often sharing shooting techniques with young players and parents at community venues like the . He created the Accushot22 training , a patented tool designed to improve shooting accuracy through oval indentations that guide hand placement, drawing from observations of games. In the Dallas area, where he grew up and attended , Pierce remains active in local circles, highlighted by his 2015 induction into the Hall of Fame as one of only three representatives. As of 2025, Pierce leads a balanced lifestyle centered on family time with his children and grandchildren, maintaining through regular training, and making occasional media appearances to discuss the 1980s and 1990s NBA era.

References

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