ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Hamtramck community honored basketball legend Rudy Tomjanovich during a hall of fame celebration that included renaming the high school basketball court in his honor.
Tomjanovich, a Hamtramck native and high school graduate, played college basketball at the University of Michigan before joining the NBA and playing for the Houston Rockets.
With the Wolverines, Tomjanovich was one of the greatest players in school history, setting career records for rebounds (1,039) while averaging 30 points and 15 rebounds during the 1970 season, where he was named an All-American.
He later coached the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994-1995, coining the phrase, Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion."
Reflecting on the event, Tomjanovich said it was great to be back home at the place where his basketball journey began.
In addition to his NBA career, Tomjanovich coached Team USA to Olympic gold in 2000 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
When asked how it felt to be back, Tomjanovich said, “I am really excited to be back here in Hamtramck for this wonderful event. It’s almost like a fairy tale to me.”
He recalled playing on the playground courts where the building now stands and competing against great players like Spencer Haywood and Mel Daniels.
“It was the number one factor in me becoming an NBA basketball player,” Tomjanovich said.
Asked what he would say to his younger self, Tomjanovich replied, “Well, you know, I’m not really comfortable with egotistical things, just not part of my makeup, but I would think that when you think about a skinny, shy kid who grew up on Nagel Street here, we were poor, that he makes his way to a playground, gets off the street, doesn’t get in trouble, and then one day they are naming the court after you. It’s a fairy tale, in real life it’s a fairytale.”
Tomjanovich expressed gratitude to the city of Hamtramck for its support of youth sports, noting its small size and rich history of athletic success, including Little League World Champions and notable athletes like Peaches Barkowitz.
When asked about the No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines basketball team, Tomjanovich praised their size, speed, and coaching.
“I love the coach (Dusty May). I’ve talked to him, thinking maybe I could get somebody to help him. He already knows everything. He plays modern basketball. He knows what he’s doing, and I think there’s a lot of wonderful days in the future for the Wolverines."
Regarding the Detroit Pistons, who as of Friday (Feb. 20) had the best record in the National Basketball Association, Tomjanovich said, “I’m very happy for Detroit. The Pistons were always my favorite team growing up. I do have a connection to them now. In fact, the guy who is a consultant to them, Dennis Lindsay, he started in Houston. And he’s a great basketball mind. And everywhere he’s gone, those teams have improved. Same thing here in Detroit. So I’m happy for Detroit. I’m happy for Dennis.”
Watch the full interview below