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Scott Skiles is a basketball legend, known for his tenacious playing style and strategic coaching abilities. His career began at Plymouth High School, where he led his team to the Indiana State Championship in 1982 with an impressive 39-point performance in the final game. Skiles then attended Michigan State University, where he continued to excel and was named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. He was drafted into the NBA in 1986 by the Milwaukee Bucks and went on to play for several teams, including the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Washington Bullets. As a point guard, he broke records and earned the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1991. Skiles later transitioned into a successful coaching career, becoming the head coach for teams like the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks. He was frequently mentioned in NBA Coach of the Year talks and was inducted into the Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jersey Number | 22 |
| High School | Plymouth High School |
| High School Career Points | 1,788 |
| University | Michigan State University |
| University Career Points | 2,145 |
| NBA Draft Year | 1986 |
| NBA Draft Position | 22nd |
| NBA Teams Played For | Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Washington Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers |
| NBA Coaching Teams | Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic |
| NBA Single-Game Assists Record | 30 |
| Michigan State Hall of Fame Induction | 2007 |
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What You'll Learn
Scott Skiles' playing career
Scott Skiles had a decorated playing career in the NBA. He attended Michigan State University, where he excelled as a basketball player, becoming the university's all-time career scoring leader with 2,145 points and holding the single-season record with 850 points. During his senior year, he was named First Team All-America, Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, and scoring champion.
Skiles was drafted in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1986, marking the beginning of his NBA career. He played for several teams throughout his professional career, including the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Washington Bullets, and Philadelphia 76ers. One of his most notable achievements was setting the NBA single-game assists record with 30 assists for the Orlando Magic in 1990, breaking Kevin Porter's previous record of 29. That same year, he was named the Orlando Magic MVP, and his impressive performance earned him the NBA Most Improved Player Award.
During the 1988–89 season, Skiles played in 80 games, starting in 13 and averaging 6.8 points and 4.9 assists in under 20 minutes per game. The following season, 1989–90, he transitioned to a starting role with the newly formed Orlando Magic, significantly improving his statistics. He averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 assists in 34.4 minutes over 79 games, with 66 starts.
The 1992–93 season saw Skiles' numbers bounce back after a drop-off the previous year. His scoring increased to 15.4 points, and he achieved a career-high in assists with 9.4 per game. He also set career-highs in shooting percentage and 2-point shooting percentage, playing in 78 games, all starts, with increased playing time of 39.6 minutes per game. In the 1993–94 season, Skiles played in all 82 games but started only 46, seeing a reduction in his minutes, field goals, and scoring. However, the following season, after being traded to the Washington Bullets, his numbers improved once again, with averages of 13.0 points and 7.3 assists in 33.5 minutes per game over 62 starts.
Throughout his playing career, Skiles established himself as a talented point guard, known for his passing abilities and scoring prowess. He accumulated numerous accolades and records, including being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Coaching career
Scott Skiles' coaching career began in Greece. Nursing a serious shoulder injury in 1996, Skiles signed a 1-year contract worth over $1 million with PAOK in Thessaloniki. However, midway through the season, injuries and contract problems with key players threatened the season for both PAOK and French coach Michel Gomez. After falling out with Gomez, Skiles asked to be released from his contract. Instead, president Lakis Alexopoulos fired Gomez and offered Skiles the head coaching job. Despite lacking three of their top players due to injury, Skiles led PAOK to a winning record and an unexpected 3rd-place finish in the Greek League, thus qualifying for the following year's Euroleague.
Skiles returned to the NBA for the 1997–98 season as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns, being promoted to head coach in 1999. Under Skiles, the Phoenix Suns compiled a .595 win-loss record and made the playoffs in two of his three years as head coach, including a first-round win over the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in 2000.
After a two-year absence from the game, Skiles became the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in 2003. He immediately focused on improving the young Bulls' defense and developing greater consistency in a talented but underachieving team. In the first full year under his direction, Chicago limited its opposition to an NBA-best .422 field goal percentage and held their opponents to a franchise-record and league-high 26 straight games below 100 points. An NBA-best 13–3 mark in January 2005 earned Skiles the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honor. The 2006 Bulls went 41–41, earning a 7th seed in the playoffs but ultimately falling to the 2nd-seeded Miami Heat in six games.
On April 21, 2008, the Milwaukee Bucks signed Skiles as their new head coach. He led the Bucks to a 34–48 record in the 2008–09 season, which was marred by injuries to key players Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut. The next season, Skiles found success with an improving core led by Bogut at center and Brandon Jennings at point guard. A mid-season trade for John Salmons and the pick-up of Jerry Stackhouse gave Skiles both a reliable shooter and a veteran presence on the Bucks' bench. Most NBA prognosticators picked the Bucks to finish last in the Eastern Conference, but the team's defense helped them beat several of the top teams in the NBA. After a gruesome injury to Bogut's right arm on April 3, 2010, Skiles coached his team to a decisive victory over the heavily favored Phoenix Suns. Skiles' five-year stint in Milwaukee ended on January 8, 2013, when he and the Bucks mutually agreed to part ways.
On May 29, 2015, Skiles joined the Orlando Magic as the franchise's 12th head coach. However, on May 12, 2016, after head coaching the team for one season, Skiles stepped down, claiming he was "not the right head coach" for the Magic.
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Awards and accolades
Scott Skiles is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame. However, he has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career as a player and coach in the NBA.
During his senior season at Michigan State University, Skiles was a First Team All-America selection, the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, and the scoring champion. He left MSU as its all-time career scoring leader (2,145 points) and still holds the Spartans' single-season scoring record (850 points). He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1986 NBA Draft and made his NBA debut on November 11, 1986.
Skiles's most notable achievement came on December 30, 1990, when he broke the NBA single-game assists record with 30 assists in the Orlando Magic's victory over the Denver Nuggets. This outstanding performance earned him the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 1990-91 season. He also had a successful stint with the Indiana Pacers from 1987 to 1989, increasing his scoring to 6.8 points and averaging 4.9 assists in 80 games.
As a coach, Skiles found success with the Milwaukee Bucks, leading them to their first winning record in seven years during the 2009-10 season. He received frequent mentions in NBA Coach of the Year talks and finished as the runner-up to Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Skiles also served as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 1999 to 2002 and the Chicago Bulls from 2003 to 2008.
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Early life and education
Scott Skiles, born on March 5, 1964, grew up in Plymouth, Indiana, and attended Plymouth High School. He led the Plymouth High School basketball team to the Indiana State Championship in 1982, scoring 39 points in the final game against the Gary Roosevelt Panthers. During that season, he led the state in scoring, averaging 29.3 points per game. Skiles set several school records, including most points in a home game (53) and most points in an away game (56).
Skiles then went on to attend Michigan State University, where he continued to excel at basketball. In his senior year, he was named a First Team All-America selection and the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. He graduated as the Spartans' all-time leading scorer with 2,145 points, a record that stood for years. He also holds the Spartans' record for most points scored in a season (850).
While at Michigan State University, Skiles had several run-ins with the law. He was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The cocaine charge was dropped, but Skiles pleaded guilty to the marijuana possession charge. He was also arrested and charged with drunken driving a year later and served 15 days in jail. During his senior year, he committed a parole violation on an earlier marijuana conviction and served another brief jail sentence.
In 1986, Skiles was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 22nd overall pick in the NBA draft, beginning his decade-long career in the NBA. He played for several teams, including the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Washington Bullets, and Philadelphia 76ers. Skiles is well-known for holding the NBA record for assists in a single game, with 30 assists, set during his time with the Orlando Magic.
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Personal life
Scott Skiles, born on March 5, 1964, in La Porte, Indiana, is a celebrated basketball figure known for his tenacious playing style and coaching acumen. His passion for basketball began in his hometown of Plymouth, Indiana, where he led Plymouth High School to the Indiana State Championship in 1982 with an impressive 39-point performance in the final game.
During his senior year at Michigan State University, Skiles was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The cocaine charge was eventually dropped, and he pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge. He faced legal trouble again the following year when he was arrested for drunken driving and served a brief jail term.
Skiles has been married to Kim Skiles, and the couple has maintained a private family life, focusing on their roles as spouses and parents to their three children. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $10 million and $15 million, accumulated from his NBA salaries, coaching roles, and investments in real estate and business ventures.
Despite stepping down as head coach of the Orlando Magic in 2016, Skiles' legacy in basketball continues to inspire. His journey from a high school basketball star to an NBA record-holder and respected coach exemplifies his dedication and passion for the sport. Skiles was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, recognizing his outstanding contributions to basketball in his home state.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Scott Skiles is not in the NBA Hall of Fame. However, he is in the Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Skiles is a distinguished figure in basketball known for his tenacious playing style. He is Michigan State's all-time career free throw percentage leader (85%) and career assist leader (645). He also led his team to the Indiana State Championship in 1982 with a 39-point performance in the final game. In 1990, he broke Kevin Porter's NBA single-game assists record by racking up 30 assists.
Skiles was frequently mentioned in NBA Coach of the Year talks and has coached several NBA teams, including the Phoenix Suns (1999-2002), Chicago Bulls (2003-2008), Milwaukee Bucks (2007-2013), and Orlando Magic (2015-2016).
Skiles played for the Milwaukee Bucks (1986-1987), Indiana Pacers (1987-1989), Orlando Magic (1989-1994), Washington Bullets (1994-1995), and Philadelphia 76ers (1995-1996).
