Michigan High School Dedicates Basketball Court to NBA Champion Coach Rudy Tomjanovich

Hamtramck High School honors its famous alumnus, who went on to star in the NBA and win two championships as a head coach.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 7:37pm

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Hamtramck High School in Michigan has renamed its basketball court "Rudy T's Court" to honor alumnus Rudy Tomjanovich, a former NBA All-Star player and two-time NBA championship-winning head coach. Tomjanovich, now 77 years old, attended the ceremony where the court was dedicated, signing autographs and addressing the crowd.

Why it matters

Tomjanovich's journey from being initially cut from his high school basketball team to becoming an NBA star and championship-winning coach is an inspiring story. Honoring him at his alma mater recognizes his accomplishments and the impact he had on the sport of basketball.

The details

Before becoming an NBA standout, Tomjanovich was a basketball standout at Hamtramck High School in Michigan. After initially being cut from the team, he dedicated himself to improving and eventually earned a spot on the squad. He went on to star at the University of Michigan and was selected 2nd overall in the 1970 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets. Tomjanovich played 12 seasons in the NBA, making 5 All-Star teams. He later became the head coach of the Houston Rockets, leading them to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

  • Hamtramck High School dedicated the basketball court to Rudy Tomjanovich on February 20, 2026.
  • Tomjanovich played for Hamtramck High School in the 1960s.
  • Tomjanovich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

The players

Rudy Tomjanovich

A former NBA All-Star player who went on to become a two-time NBA championship-winning head coach. He is being honored by his high school alma mater, Hamtramck High School, by having their basketball court named after him.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The dedication ceremony featured Tomjanovich signing autographs and addressing the crowd. It's unclear if there are any further events or activities planned to celebrate the court naming.

The takeaway

Honoring Rudy Tomjanovich's basketball legacy at his high school alma mater is a fitting tribute to his inspiring journey from being initially cut from the team to becoming an NBA champion coach. This recognition highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving one's dreams.