Professional Basketball Coach, Executive. As general manager of the Detroit Pistons from 1979 until 1992, he will be remembered for constructing the teams which captured two consecutive NBA Titles (1989 and 1990). He earned the nickname "Trader Jack" from all of the numerous deals made during his career as a general manager. Born John William McCloskey, he served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Following his return home, he played collegiate basketball (at the guard position) at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to appear in one game professionally with the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1952-1953 season. He began his coaching career on the collegiate level, initially at the University of Pennsylvania (1956 to 1966) and in 1966, he guided the Quakers to the Regular Season Conference Title. He went on to serve as head coach at Wake Forest from 1966 until 1972. He joined the professional ranks as head coach of the Portland Trailblazers (1972 to 1974) and served as an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers. During his tenure as general manager of the Detroit Pistons, he drafted Hall of Fame players Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars and hired Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly. The result was Detroit's reaching of the NBA Finals three consecutive years (1988 to 1990), of which included winning two NBA Championships (1989 and 1990). He would go on to have stints as general manager with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors. He was honored by the Detroit Pistons in 2008, when his name was placed in the rafters at their arena. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Professional Basketball Coach, Executive. As general manager of the Detroit Pistons from 1979 until 1992, he will be remembered for constructing the teams which captured two consecutive NBA Titles (1989 and 1990). He earned the nickname "Trader Jack" from all of the numerous deals made during his career as a general manager. Born John William McCloskey, he served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Following his return home, he played collegiate basketball (at the guard position) at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to appear in one game professionally with the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1952-1953 season. He began his coaching career on the collegiate level, initially at the University of Pennsylvania (1956 to 1966) and in 1966, he guided the Quakers to the Regular Season Conference Title. He went on to serve as head coach at Wake Forest from 1966 until 1972. He joined the professional ranks as head coach of the Portland Trailblazers (1972 to 1974) and served as an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers. During his tenure as general manager of the Detroit Pistons, he drafted Hall of Fame players Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars and hired Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly. The result was Detroit's reaching of the NBA Finals three consecutive years (1988 to 1990), of which included winning two NBA Championships (1989 and 1990). He would go on to have stints as general manager with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors. He was honored by the Detroit Pistons in 2008, when his name was placed in the rafters at their arena. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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