Maurice Cheeks has transitioned from a Hall of Fame NBA player to an esteemed assistant coach, influencing generations of basketball talent across multiple teams. After a distinguished collegiate career at West Texas A&M University, where he was a four-year starter and a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference player, Maurice Cheeks was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, 36th overall, of the 1978 NBA Draft. He embarked on an illustrious 15-year playing career in the NBA, spending 11 seasons as the starting point guard for the 76ers. Cheeks was a pivotal contributor to three NBA Finals appearances between 1980 and 1983, culminating in an NBA championship victory in 1983.
Most recently, he was an integral part of the Chicago Bulls’ coaching staff from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, Cheeks joined the New York Knicks as an assistant coach, bringing his extensive experience and championship pedigree to a new team. His profound and ongoing dedication to the sport will be further recognized with the prestigious Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award in 2025, underscoring his lasting contributions to the game.