When you think of Michael Dunleavy Sr., chances are you picture him on the sidelines. Yes, there is no denying he has an impressive coaching resume with teams like the LA Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and LA Clippers. But did you know Dunleavy had a solid NBA playing career before all that?

Yep, he spent over a decade in the league during the ’70s and ’80s, suiting up for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Bucks. He even shared the court with the great Moses Malone in Houston! Intrigued? Let’s take a closer look at Dunleavy’s stats, his college days, and the legacy he left on the hardwood.

A closer look at Mike Dunleavy Sr.’s college basketball stats

Michael’s college basketball career with the South Carolina Gamecocks started in 1973. And while his freshman season didn’t set the world on fire, it certainly had its moments. Averaging 10.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, Mike showed flashes of potential. What really stood out, though, was his efficiency. Shooting 51.7 percent from the field as a freshman is no small feat, especially in a debut season.

But things surely started to heat up in his sophomore year. Dunleavy’s scoring average took a big leap to 16 points per game, a jump that must have made Gamecocks fans sit up and take notice. His rebounding and assists improved as well, reaching 3.1 and 3.5 respectively. While those numbers were not earth-shattering, they showed a player steadily growing into his role.

And through it all, his scoring efficiency remained a highlight. By his junior season, Michael Dunleavy Sr. was a model of consistency. Once again, he averaged over 16 points per game, proving he could deliver night in and night out. Even with a slight dip, his shooting percentage was still an impressive 49.5 percent.

Finally, in his senior year, Dunleavy wrapped up his college career with averages of 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, shooting 48.4 percent from the field. His steady, efficient play over four years left a legacy that not only cemented his place in the Gamecocks’ history but also earned him a spot in the big league in the 1976 draft.

Dunleavy Sr.’s journey and stats through the NBA

Mike might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of NBA legends, but his career tells an interesting story of resilience and adaptation. Drafted 99th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the sixth round of the 1976 NBA Draft, Dunleavy entered the league as a promising talent after a stellar college career. However, his early years in the NBA were anything but smooth.

In his rookie season, Dunleavy struggled to find his rhythm. Averaging just 4.6 points per game, his contributions on the court were minimal. His rebounding and playmaking numbers, at 1.1 and 1.8 per game respectively, barely moved the needle. And the second season wasn’t any better. Despite the potential he carried, Mike couldn’t break past the 5-point scoring mark, and his performances fell below expectations.

The 76ers, losing patience, decided to trade him to the Houston Rockets midway through the 1977-78 season. Now, here’s where things started to shift. Something about the Rockets seemed to work for Dunleavy. By his first full season in Houston, he finally cracked the elusive 5-point barrier, averaging 8 points per game. His rebounding remained modest at 1.7 per game, but his playmaking showed real improvement, jumping to 4.4 assists per game.

Perhaps the most impressive part of his game during this time was his efficiency—his field goal percentage soared to an impressive 50.6 percent, a callback to his college days. And then came the 1979-80 season, a pivotal year for the NBA with the introduction of the three-point line. It was a game-changer for the league, but not immediately for Mike Dunleavy Sr. His three-point shooting percentage was a mere 15 percent, suggesting he needed more time to adjust.

Still, he mirrored his previous season’s scoring numbers and continued to refine his skills. By the 1980-81 season, Michael hit a career milestone with the Rockets, averaging 10.5 points per game—the highest of his time in Houston. Although his scoring dipped below 8 points in the following season, he made up for it with a remarkable improvement in three-point shooting, jumping to 38.4 percent.

The next chapter saw Dunleavy traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the 1982-83 season. He didn’t stay long, but he made his mark by leading the team in the three-point shooting percentage. Still, the Spurs decided to let him go after just one season.

Let’s say it was a fortunate turn of events, as it was with the Milwaukee Bucks, that Dunleavy truly found his stride. In his first season with the team, he posted career highs in scoring with 11.2 points per game and an exceptional 42.2 percent from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, chronic back pain began to take its toll, and after two more seasons with the Bucks, he retired in 1985.

He, however, was not yet done with his basketball career. After a three-season break, Mike Dunleavy Sr. made a brief comeback. But his performance was not even a shadow of what it once was. Averaging 1.5 and 3.4 points per game in his final two seasons, he retired for good. His career averages of 8 points and 3.8 assists may not jump off the page, but his shooting percentages—46.7 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from three—highlight his efficiency and adaptability.

Clearly, Mike Dunleavy Sr.’s NBA career wasn’t about flashy numbers or headline-grabbing performances but about perseverance, evolution, and finding ways to stay relevant in a league that’s always moving forward.