Darvin Ham Sr. is an American professional basketball coach and former NBA player. He played college basketball at Texas Tech and then played nine seasons in the NBA (1996-2005), winning a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. He also played briefly overseas and in the NBA Development League. As an assistant coach, he won a second championship in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks. He most recently served as head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
1971: The Milwaukee Bucks win their first NBA Championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA Championship in 1971.
1972: The Milwaukee Bucks have their best record since 1972.
During the 2018–2019 season, the Milwaukee Bucks, coached by Mike Budenholzer, had their best record since 1972.
July 23, 1973: Darvin Ham was born.
On July 23, 1973, Darvin Ham was born.
1988: Darvin Ham Survives Gunshot Wound
In 1988, at the age of 14, Darvin Ham survived a gunshot wound to his face and neck.
1993: Darvin Ham attends Texas Tech University.
In 1993, Darvin Ham started at Texas Tech University.
1995: Darvin Ham's teammate, Lance Hughes, wins the NCAA slam dunk contest.
Lance Hughes won the NCAA slam dunk contest in 1995.
October 1, 1996: Darvin Ham signs with the Denver Nuggets.
Darvin Ham signed with the Denver Nuggets on October 1, 1996, as a free agent.
1996: Darvin Ham's NBA Career Begins.
Darvin Ham began his nine-season NBA career, playing from 1996 to 2005.
1996: Darvin Ham wins the NCAA slam dunk contest.
Darvin Ham won the NCAA slam dunk contest in 1996.
1996: Darvin Ham shatters the backboard during the NCAA Tournament.
In 1996, Darvin Ham gained national attention when he shattered the backboard on a slam dunk during the 1996 NCAA Tournament against North Carolina. This dunk propelled Texas Tech to their first Sweet Sixteen in school history.
February 1997: Darvin Ham is traded to the Indiana Pacers.
The Denver Nuggets traded Darvin Ham to the Indiana Pacers in February of 1997 in exchange for Jerome Allen.
1997: Darvin Ham competes in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Darvin Ham was a participant in the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
1999: Darvin Ham signs with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Darvin Ham signed with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent in 1999.
2001: Wilmer Jones-Ham Becomes First Female Mayor of Saginaw
In 2001, Darvin Ham's mother, Wilmer Jones-Ham, became the first female mayor of Saginaw.
2002: Darvin Ham signs with the Atlanta Hawks.
Darvin Ham signed with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in 2002.
2003: Darvin Ham signs with the Detroit Pistons.
Darvin Ham signed with the Detroit Pistons as a free agent in 2003.
2004: Darvin Ham is a member of the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons.
Darvin Ham was a member of the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons.
2004: Darvin Ham wins his first NBA Championship as a Player.
Darvin Ham won an NBA championship playing for the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
2005: Darvin Ham participates in the Basketball Without Borders program in South Africa.
In 2005, Darvin Ham participated in the Basketball Without Borders program in Johannesburg, South Africa.
2005: Wilmer Jones-Ham's Tenure as Mayor Ends
In 2005, Wilmer Jones-Ham's term as mayor of Saginaw came to an end.
2005: Darvin Ham's NBA Career Ends.
In 2005, after nine seasons, Darvin Ham's NBA playing career ended.
January 17, 2006: Darvin Ham plays for the Philippine Basketball Association team Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
On January 17, 2006, the Philippine Basketball Association team Talk 'N Text Phone Pals brought in Darvin Ham as a replacement player for Damian Cantrell. He only played three games before the Phone Pals lost to Air21 Express.
2006: Darvin Ham works as a studio analyst for Fox Sports Southwest.
In 2006, Darvin Ham served as a studio analyst for Fox Sports Southwest's coverage of the Dallas Mavericks' playoff run.
October 24, 2007: Darvin Ham is waived by the Dallas Mavericks.
Darvin Ham had a preseason stint with the Dallas Mavericks but was waived on October 24, 2007.
2007: Darvin Ham is drafted by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
In 2007, Darvin Ham was drafted third overall in the NBA D-League draft by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
April 4, 2008: The Albuquerque Thunderbirds trade Darvin Ham to the Austin Toros.
On April 4, 2008, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds traded Darvin Ham to the Austin Toros.
October 2008: Darvin Ham becomes an assistant coach for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
In October 2008, Darvin Ham was named an assistant coach for the Thunderbirds, and would later serve as their head coach.
2008: Darvin Ham is traded to the Austin Toros.
On April 4, 2008, Darvin Ham was traded from the Albuquerque Thunderbirds to the Austin Toros.
June 2011: Darvin Ham Serves as SportsUnited Sports Envoy
In June 2011, Darvin Ham traveled to Venezuela as a SportsUnited Sports Envoy for the U.S. Department of State. He conducted basketball clinics for youth and met with Venezuelan sports officials, contributing to SportsUnited's mission of promoting international understanding through sport. He later conducted similar clinics in Myanmar.
October 2011: Darvin Ham joins the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach.
In October 2011, Darvin Ham joined the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff as an assistant coach to Mike Brown.
2013: Darvin Ham joins the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff.
Darvin Ham joined the Atlanta Hawks' coaching staff in 2013.
2014: Darvin Ham helps coach the Atlanta Hawks to a divisional title.
In 2014, Darvin Ham was part of the coaching staff that led the Atlanta Hawks to a divisional title.
2015: Darvin Ham participates in the Basketball Without Borders program in the Dominican Republic.
In 2015, Darvin Ham participated in the Basketball Without Borders program in the Dominican Republic.
2015: Darvin Ham helps coach the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference finals.
Darvin Ham helped the Hawks reach the playoffs for four consecutive seasons including making it to the Eastern Conference finals in 2015.
June 7, 2018: Darvin Ham joins the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff.
On June 7, 2018, Darvin Ham joined the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff.
2019: Mike Budenholzer wins the NBA's Coach of the Year award.
During the 2018–2019 season, Mike Budenholzer won the NBA's Coach of the Year award while coaching the Milwaukee Bucks.
2021: Darvin Ham Jr. Concludes Tenure as Assistant Coach at Northwood University
Darvin Ham Jr., son of Darvin Ham, concluded his four-year tenure as assistant coach at Northwood University in 2021.
2021: Darvin Ham wins his second NBA Championship, this time as an Assistant Coach.
Darvin Ham won a second championship in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach.
2021: The Milwaukee Bucks win their second NBA Championship.
In 2020–21, Darvin Ham helped coach Milwaukee to its second NBA title in franchise history, beating the Phoenix Suns in six games in the 2021 NBA Finals.
June 3, 2022: Darvin Ham Hired as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers
On June 3, 2022, Darvin Ham was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
2022: Darvin Ham Jr. Joins Cleveland Charge as Assistant Coach
In 2022, Darvin Ham Jr. began his role as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League.
December 9, 2023: Lakers Win Inaugural In-Season Tournament
On December 9, 2023, Darvin Ham led the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the inaugural season of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
May 3, 2024: Darvin Ham Dismissed as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers
After two seasons with the team, Darvin Ham was dismissed as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on May 3, 2024.