Joe Kopicki

Joe Kopicki
Personal information
Born	June 12, 1960 (age 64); Warren, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school	Fitzgerald (Warren, Michigan)
College	Detroit Mercy (1978–1982)
NBA draft	1982: 3rd round, 56th overall pick
	Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career	1982–1993
Position	Power forward
Number	31, 35
Career history
1982–1983	Wisconsin Flyers
1982–1984	Washington Bullets
1984–1985	Denver Nuggets
1985–1986	Benetton Treviso
1985–1988	Cajabilbao
1988–1991	Pallacanestro Torino
1991–1992	Cajabilbao
1992–1993	Joventut Badalona
	Stats at NBA.com
	Stats at Basketball Reference

Joseph Gerard Kopicki (born 12 June 1960) is an American former basketball player. At 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) and 240 pounds (110 kg), he played the power forward position.

Biography

Kopicki played basketball at Fitzgerald High School in his hometown of Warren, Michigan. He was named to the First Team Class A All-State squad and selected as Macomb County Player of the Year in 1978.^[1] During his career at the University of Detroit, Kopicki tallied 1,410 points and 771 rebounds.

Kopicki was drafted in the third round of the 1982 NBA draft (56th pick overall) by the Atlanta Hawks. However, he was waived by the Hawks on October 19. He signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers three days later, but was again waived on October 27 before the start of the 1982–83 season. After a season with the Wisconsin Flyers of the CBA, he signed with the Washington Bullets on March 9, 1983, and finally played in the NBA. Kopicki played with the Bullets for the remainder of the 1982–83 and all of the 1983–84 seasons, averaging 3.8 points per game off the bench, but did not make the final roster for the 1984–85 season. He then started negotiations with the Kansas City Kings, but was convinced by the Denver Nuggets to sign on October 31, 1984, just days into the 1984–85 season. Kopicki replaced Russell Cross, who had a weak left knee, on the Nuggets roster.^[2] His playing time increased when Bill Hanzlik suffered an injury. After the season, he then decided to play in Europe, where he spent the rest of his career on teams in Italy and Spain. In Europe he was a seven-time All-Star.^[3]

Kopicki is now the head coach of the boys' basketball team at his high school alma mater, Fitzgerald.^[1]

Honors

Kopicki's number 34 has since been retired by his high school. He was inducted into the Detroit Titans Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Kopicki received the 2011 Matt Dobek Special Recognition Award from the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.^[1]

Personal

Kopicki has been married to his wife Jennifer since 1986. They have raised three children, Jessica, Joseph and Matthew. Kopicki is of Polish descent.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Joe Kopicki 2011 Special Recognition Award Winner" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
^ Kiszla, Mark (November 1, 1984). "Nuggets sign 'The Body'". The Denver Post. p. E14.
^ This article incorporates information from the corresponding article in the Spanish Wikipedia

External links

[Award-1] "Joe Kopicki 2011 Special Recognition Award Winner" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.

[Denver_Post-2] Kiszla, Mark (November 1, 1984). "Nuggets sign 'The Body'". The Denver Post. p. E14.

[trans-3] This article incorporates information from the corresponding article in the Spanish Wikipedia

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