32 Facts About Robert Parish

Robert Lee Parish was born on August 30,1953 and is an American former professional basketball player.

Robert Parish went on to play two more seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and one with the Chicago Bulls, winning an NBA championship with the Bulls in 1997 before retiring from the NBA at age 43.

Robert Parish played in 21 NBA seasons, a 4-way tie for third-most in league history.

Robert Parish is a nine-time NBA All-Star and a four-time NBA champion, and he was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Robert Parish was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Coleman would come to the Parish family home if Robert missed a practice and gave Parish a basketball to practice with.

Robert Parish attended Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he played for Coach Ken Ivy.

Robert Parish had previously attended Union High School until it was closed due to desegregation.

Shortly before Robert Parish was to enroll, the NCAA notified Centenary that he and four other basketball players whose test scores had been converted were ineligible to play varsity basketball.

All five, including Robert Parish, sued the NCAA to challenge its eligibility decision, but lost.

Between his junior and senior years at Centenary, Robert Parish played for Team USA at the 1975 Pan American Games.

Robert Parish made the team, was unanimously elected captain, and led the team to a gold medal.

Robert Parish had been drafted by the Utah Stars in the 1973 ABA Special Circumstances draft and by the Spurs in the 1975 ABA draft.

However, when Robert Parish joined the Warriors, their decline had begun, and they missed the playoffs completely from 1978 to 1980.

In 307 games over four seasons, Robert Parish averaged 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks with the Warriors.

Robert Parish was nicknamed "the Chief" after the fictitious Chief Bromden, a silent, giant Native American character in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Robert Parish is the Celtics' all-time leader in blocked shots, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds.

Robert Parish spent two seasons with the Hornets, playing as a backup to Alonzo Mourning.

On September 25,1996, Robert Parish signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls after his release from Charlotte.

Robert Parish remained in the NBA until the age of 43.

Robert Parish is known for his defense, his rebounding, and his ability to run the fast break.

Robert Parish's trademark was his jump shot, which traversed a very high arc before falling.

Robert Parish was inducted into the Centenary College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Robert Parish was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

In 2001, Robert Parish served as the head coach of the Maryland Mustangs, an expansion team in the United States Basketball League.

Robert Parish was named the USBL Coach of the Year, but the Mustangs folded after one season.

Unlike his Celtics teammates Larry Bird, Danny Ainge, and Kevin McHale, Robert Parish has not attained a coaching, executive, or commentary position in the NBA.

In 2013, Robert Parish said that he considered himself a potential NBA coach; he added that his role during the final three years of his playing career was essentially a coaching role.

Robert Parish was divorced from his wife, Nancy Saad, in 1990.

In 1990, Saad sued Robert Parish, accusing him of having physically abused her throughout their marriage.

Robert Parish denied Saad's accusations; in 2013 he admitted to having pushed Saad on June 2,1987.

Later that month, Robert Parish pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug possession charge and was given six months' probation.