WEST HARTFORD, CT - University of Hartford Director of Athletics Patricia H. Meiser and Head Men's Basketball Coach Dan Leibovitz announced the hiring of Rick Brunson as assistant men's basketball coach. Brunson comes to Hartford after two seasons with the University of Virginia Cavaliers as the Director of Basketball Operations.
“We are fortunate to welcome Rick Brunson to our coaching staff at the University of Hartford,” said Leibovitz. “Rick brings a passion for the game and for young people. He will be a tremendous asset in the development of our program, and our student-athletes will benefit greatly from his work ethic, expertise and vast experience in our sport.”
Brunson played nine seasons in the National Basketball Association. Among the teams he played for were the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics.
He also worked with the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach, involved in player development, from January through April of 2007.
Brunson played his college basketball at Temple, under Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney, before embarking on a professional basketball career. He lettered four times as a guard for the Owls (1992-95) and was a three-year starter. Temple compiled an overall record of 79-45 during his career and played in the NCAA Tournament four times. He had career totals of 1,493 points, 481 rebounds, 470 assists and 253 steals. Brunson led Temple in assists his last three seasons, in steals his last two seasons and in scoring as a senior when he averaged 16.7 points a game. He was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection as a senior and earned second-team All-Atlantic 10 honors as a junior.
Brunson started his professional basketball career playing in Australia with the Adelaide 36ers from February through October of 1996. He also played with the Quad City Thunder and the Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association from November of 1996 through November of 1998.
Since 2003, he has also worked as a counselor and coach during the summer at the Academic Basketball Awareness Camp in North Andover, Mass.
