Pat Riley was born on March 20, 1945 in Rome, New York. He attended Linton High School, where he played basketball and excelled on the court. After high school, Riley went on to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he was a standout player for the Wildcats.
After his college career, Riley was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 1967 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets. He went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns over the course of his professional basketball career, which spanned from 1967 to 1976.
After retiring as a player, Riley transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach for the Lakers in 1979. He soon moved up to head coach and led the team to four NBA Championships in the 1980s. His success with the Lakers cemented his reputation as one of the top coaches in the league.
In 1995, Riley took on a new challenge as the head coach of the Miami Heat. He led the team to their first NBA Championship in 2006, solidifying his legacy as a successful coach in the league.
Throughout his career, Riley has been recognized for his coaching prowess. He won the NBA Coach of the Year award three times and the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2011. His ability to lead teams to multiple championships has earned him a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Off the court, Riley is a family man. He married Christine Riley in 1970, and together they have a daughter named Elisabeth and a son named James. Riley's dedication to his family is matched only by his dedication to his coaching career.
Throughout his life, Pat Riley has been a trailblazer in the world of basketball. His success as both a player and a coach has solidified his place as one of the greatest figures in the history of the sport.