Luc Longley is an Australian former NBA center (born 1969) who became the league’s first Australian player and its first Australian champion. Drafted No. 7 overall in 1991 by the Minnesota Timberwolves after starring at the University of New Mexico, he played a decade in the NBA with Minnesota, the Chicago Bulls, the Phoenix Suns, and the New York Knicks. As the starting center in Chicago’s 1996–1998 three-peat, Luc Longley added size, screening, passing, and interior defense to the 72–10 1995–96 team. Across his NBA career he averaged roughly 7 points and 5 rebounds per game, and he represented Australia at the 1988, 1992, and 2000 Olympics.
Early Life and Path to the NBA (1969–1991)
- Melbourne-born and raised in Western Australia, Luc Longley developed into a 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) center with skill and touch.
- Played college Basketball at the University of New Mexico (1988–1991) before entering the 1991 NBA Draft.
- Selected No. 7 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first Australian to play in the NBA.
NBA Career Timeline (1991–2001)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 1991–1994
- Chicago Bulls: 1994–1998
- Phoenix Suns: 1998–2000
- New York Knicks: 2000–2001
Role in the Chicago Bulls Dynasty (1994–1998)
- Starting center during the three-peat (1996, 1997, 1998) alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
- Key connector in the triangle offense: handoffs, high-post passing, and screen-setting that freed shooters and wings.
- Provided rim protection and size, stabilizing lineups during the 72–10 1995–96 season.
Playing Style and Triangle Fit
- Offense: soft touch from mid-range, strong screens, quick reads as a passer, reliable finishes around the rim.
- Defense: positional rim protection and space occupation in the paint; dropped coverage responsibilities.
- Ideal “keep-the-machine-running” big—prioritized team flow over individual Stats, enhancing overall NBA efficiency.
Stats Snapshot and Milestones
- Draft: No. 7 overall (1991)
- Championships: 3× NBA champion (1996, 1997, 1998)
- Height/weight: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
- Career production: roughly 7 PPG, 5 RPG, ~1 BPG across regular seasons
- Signature team mark: part of the 72–10 Bulls (1995–96), an enduring NBA benchmark
International Career with the Boomers
- Represented Australia at the Olympics in 1988 (Seoul), 1992 (Barcelona), and 2000 (Sydney).
- Long-time presence for the Boomers, bringing NBA experience to international Basketball.
Injuries and Durability Notes
- Foot and ankle issues limited minutes and availability later in his career.
- Health challenges contributed to a 2001 retirement after 10 NBA seasons.
Post-Playing Contributions and Coaching
- Served as an assistant with the Australian Boomers, helping mentor bigs and program culture.
- Part of the Boomers’ broader staff era that culminated in the team’s first Olympic medal (bronze) at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021).
Legacy, Comparisons, and Modern Fit (2025)
- Luc Longley’s Legacy is anchored in winning basketball: a three-time champion whose value often exceeded box-score Stats.
- Comparable archetype to modern screen-setting, passing hubs who thrive in structured offenses.
- In 2025, his size, touch, and decision-making would translate as a rotation center in drop coverage with high-post facilitation.
Discussion Questions
- How should Luc Longley’s Legacy be evaluated beyond traditional Stats on those 1996–1998 Bulls teams?
- Would Chicago’s triangle offense have been as efficient without his screening and high-post passing?
- As of 2025, where does Luc Longley rank among Australian NBA centers in terms of impact and team success?
- What is the fairest way to credit role players on dynasties when the spotlight is on superstars?
- In today’s NBA, which teams or systems would maximize his skill set?
Share your take: add your Stats, context, and memories to this Discussion—how do you assess Luc Longley’s true impact on the Bulls and on Australian Basketball?