Career Timeline of Dennis Rodman: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Dennis Rodman, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Dennis Rodman, nicknamed "the Worm," is a retired American professional basketball player celebrated for his exceptional rebounding and defensive skills. Often considered among the best rebounding forwards in NBA history, Rodman played for several teams, including the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks. He initially played as a small forward before transitioning to power forward. His career is defined by his defensive prowess and rebounding dominance.
1983: Played at Southeastern Oklahoma State University
In 1983, Dennis Rodman began playing basketball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
1985: Led NAIA in Rebounding
In 1985, Dennis Rodman led the NAIA in rebounding for the first time while playing for Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
1986: Led NAIA in Rebounding Again and Reached NAIA Semifinals
In 1986, Dennis Rodman led the NAIA in rebounding for the second time and led his team to the NAIA semifinals, finishing the season with the highest ranking in school history.
1986: Drafted by Detroit Pistons
In 1986, Dennis Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the third pick in the second round (27th overall).
1987: Improved Stats
During the 1987-88 season, Dennis Rodman steadily improved his stats, averaging 11.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
1987: Pistons entered Playoffs
In 1987, the Detroit Pistons entered the playoffs after winning 52 games, and Dennis Rodman feuded with Celtics guard Dennis Johnson during their series.
1988: Remained a Bench Player
During the 1988-89 season, Dennis Rodman remained a bench player.
1988: Reached NBA Finals and Birth of Daughter
In 1988, the Detroit Pistons reached the NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Dennis Rodman and his girlfriend Annie had a daughter named Alexis.
1989: Loss of Rick Mahorn
During the 1989-90 season, the Detroit Pistons lost Rick Mahorn in the expansion draft.
1989: Won NBA Championship with the Pistons
In 1989, Dennis Rodman and the Detroit Pistons won the NBA Championship, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
1990: Established Himself as Starting Small Forward
During the 1990-91 season, Dennis Rodman finally established himself as the starting small forward for the Detroit Pistons.
1990: Won NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and Second NBA Title
In 1990, Dennis Rodman won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and claimed his second NBA title after the Detroit Pistons beat the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1990 NBA Finals.
1991: Established as one of the best rebounders
From 1991 on, Dennis Rodman established himself as one of the best rebounders of all time, averaging at least 15 rebounds per game in six of the next seven years.
1991: Won Second Defensive Player of the Year Award
In 1991, Dennis Rodman won his second Defensive Player of the Year Award while averaging 8.2 points and 12.5 rebounds.
1991: Made First All-NBA Team
In the 1991-92 season, Dennis Rodman made his first All-NBA Team.
March 4, 1992: Career-High Rebound Game
On March 4, 1992, Dennis Rodman had a career-high 34-rebound game.
March 1992: Grabbed Career-High Rebounds
In March 1992, Dennis Rodman grabbed a career-high 34 rebounds in a single game.
1992: Loss of Coach and Fined
In 1992, Dennis Rodman experienced a tough loss when coach Chuck Daly resigned, and Rodman was fined $68,000 for skipping the preseason camp.
October 1, 1993: Traded to the San Antonio Spurs
On October 1, 1993, the Detroit Pistons traded Dennis Rodman to the San Antonio Spurs.
1993: Rodman joins the Spurs
In 1993, Dennis Rodman joined the San Antonio Spurs, a team featuring All-Star center David Robinson and other supporting players. He played as a power forward, earning his third consecutive rebounding title with an average of 17.3 rebounds per game and another All-Defensive Team selection.
1994: Horace Grant leaves Bulls
Before the 1995-96 season, Horace Grant left the Chicago Bulls before the 1994-95 season which created the need for a power forward that Rodman would fill.
1994: Clashes, suspensions, and rebounding title
During the 1994 season, Dennis Rodman faced clashes with the Spurs front office, resulting in suspensions. He took a leave of absence on November 11 and faced another suspension on December 7. He eventually returned on December 10 after missing 19 games. After joining the team, he was involved in a motorcycle accident, limiting his season to 49 games. Despite the challenges, he secured his fourth straight rebounding title by averaging 16.8 rebounds per game and made the All-NBA Team.
1995: Trade to the Chicago Bulls
Before the 1995 season, Dennis Rodman was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Will Perdue. Rodman chose the number 91 jersey. Despite concerns about his age and volatility, Rodman quickly adapted to the team and played a key role alongside Jordan and Pippen, averaging 5.5 points and 14.9 rebounds per game and securing another rebounding title. The Bulls achieved a record of 72 wins in the regular season.
1995: Appearance on Double Rush
In 1995, Dennis Rodman appeared as himself in an episode of the CBS situation comedy Double Rush.
January 16, 1996: First Triple-Double Against Philadelphia 76ers
On January 16, 1996, Dennis Rodman achieved his first triple-double against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 10 points, grabbing 21 rebounds, and adding 10 assists. He was also named to the All-NBA Defense First Team alongside Jordan and Pippen.
1996: Historical Outburst in the 1996 NBA Finals
Dennis Rodman, playing power forward as a member of the Spurs and the Bulls, had a historical outburst in the 1996 NBA Finals, twice snaring 11 offensive rebounds, equalling an all-time NBA record.
1996: The Rodman World Tour and Pearl Jam Appearances
In 1996, Dennis Rodman had his own MTV reality talk show called The Rodman World Tour. That same year, he had two appearances in releases by rock band Pearl Jam, including a Polaroid picture of Rodman's eyeball on the cover of the album No Code, and had a voice message contribution for the song "Black, Red, Yellow".
1996: Key Role in 1996 NBA Finals Victory
In the 1996 playoffs, Dennis Rodman played a key role in the Chicago Bulls' victory against the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals. In Game Two, he grabbed 20 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, tying an NBA Finals record. In Game Six, he secured 19 rebounds, again with 11 offensive boards, contributing to a Bulls' run. His performance led to praise from Seattle's coach, George Karl, who stated that Rodman won two games for the Bulls.
1996: Sixth Rebounding Title and Notorious Behavior
In the 1996-97 season, Dennis Rodman won his sixth rebounding title in a row, averaging 16.7 boards per game. He also made headlines for his behavior. He did not make the All-Defensive Team that year.
March 1997: WCW Appearance on Monday Nitro
In March 1997, Dennis Rodman appeared on the edition of March 10 of Monday Nitro with Hollywood Hulk Hogan in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Later in March 1997, at the Uncensored event, he appeared as a member of the nWo.
July 1997: First WCW Match at Bash at the Beach
In July 1997, Dennis Rodman had his first WCW match at the Bash at the Beach event, where he teamed with Hollywood Hulk Hogan in a loss to Lex Luger and The Giant.
August 1997: Road Wild Appearance as Impostor Sting
In August 1997, at the Road Wild event, Dennis Rodman appeared as the Impostor Sting, hitting Lex Luger with a baseball bat to help Hulk Hogan win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
December 29, 1997: Intentional Fouls by Bubba Wells
On December 29, 1997, Bubba Wells of the Dallas Mavericks intentionally fouled Dennis Rodman six times in only three minutes. This set the record for the fastest foul out in NBA history, an attempt to exploit Rodman's poor free-throw shooting, but Rodman made 9 of 12 free throw attempts. This tactic presaged the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy.
1997: Seventh Consecutive Rebounding Title
During the regular season of 1997-98, Dennis Rodman won his seventh consecutive rebounding title.
1997: Starred in Double Team
In 1997, Dennis Rodman had a starring role in the action film Double Team.
July 1998: WCW Tag Team Match at Bash at the Beach
In July 1998, Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone squared off again, this time in a tag team match at the Bash at the Beach event. Rodman fought alongside Hulk Hogan, while Malone teamed with Diamond Dallas Page. Rodman and Hogan won the match.
1998: Joins the Los Angeles Lakers
After being released by the Bulls, Dennis Rodman joined the Los Angeles Lakers for a pro-rated salary for the remainder of the 1998–1999 season.
1998: Bulls Rebuilding Phase
After the 1997–98 season, the Bulls started a massive rebuilding phase at the behest of general manager Jerry Krause. Head coach Phil Jackson and several members of the team left.
1998: Joining Special Ops Force
In 1998, Dennis Rodman joined the cast of the syndicated TV show Special Ops Force, playing 'Deke' Reynolds.
1998: NBA Finals and Wrestling Stint
In the 1998 NBA Finals, Dennis Rodman played strong defense on Karl Malone. Before Game Four, he left his team to go wrestling with Hulk Hogan, resulting in a $20,000 fine. Despite this, his on-court performance remained top-notch, contributing to the Bulls' victory and his fifth ring.
January 21, 1999: Release from the Chicago Bulls
On January 21, 1999, Dennis Rodman was released by the Bulls before the start of the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season.
1999: Starred in Simon Sez
In 1999, Dennis Rodman had a starring role in the action film Simon Sez.
1999: WCW Feud with Randy Savage
In 1999, Dennis Rodman returned to WCW and feuded with Randy Savage, culminating in a match at Road Wild which Rodman lost.
1999: Release from the Lakers
In 1999, after playing only 23 games with the Lakers, averaging 2 points and 11 rebounds per game, Dennis Rodman was released in the offseason.
1999: Signed by the Dallas Mavericks
In the 1999–2000 season, Dennis Rodman was signed by the Dallas Mavericks, returning to his hometown. A player vote narrowly approved his joining the team.
July 30, 2000: i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling
On July 30, 2000, Dennis Rodman competed at the i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling pay-per-view event. He fought against i-Generation champion Curt Hennig in an Australian Outback match, which Hennig won by disqualification. Following the match, Rodman refrained from wrestling at the top level and retired.
2000: Co-starring in Cutaway
In 2000, Dennis Rodman co-starred with Tom Berenger in Cutaway, an action film about skydiving.
2000: Erratic behavior leads to being waived
In 2000, Dennis Rodman's time with the Dallas Mavericks was marked by erratic behavior. He wanted to wear jersey number 69, but the league forbade it. He lived in team owner Mark Cuban's guest house until the league intervened. After playing 12 games and alienating the franchise, he was waived by the Mavericks. Dallas had won 10 of 13 before his arrival but went just 4–9 until he was waived. Guard Steve Nash commented that Rodman "never wanted to be [a Maverick]" and therefore was unmotivated.
2003: Plays for the Long Beach Jam
After a hiatus, Dennis Rodman returned to basketball with the Long Beach Jam of the American Basketball Association during the 2003–04 season, hoping for an NBA call-up. He helped the Jam win the ABA championship in their inaugural season.
2004: Plays in Mexico
In 2004, Dennis Rodman played in Mexico with Fuerza Regia.
2004: Won Celebrity Mole
In 2004, Dennis Rodman won the $222,000 main prize of the Celebrity Mole reality TV series.
2004: Signs with Orange County Crush
In the 2004–05 season, Dennis Rodman signed with the ABA's Orange County Crush.
November 2005: Plays in Finland
In November 2005, Dennis Rodman played one match for Torpan Pojat of Finland's basketball league, Korisliiga.
2005: Commissioner of Lingerie Football League
In 2005, Dennis Rodman became Commissioner of the Lingerie Football League.
January 2006: Celebrity Big Brother UK Appearance
In January 2006, Dennis Rodman appeared on the fourth version of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK.
January 26, 2006: Signs with Brighton Bears
On January 26, 2006, Dennis Rodman signed a one-game "experiment" deal for the UK basketball team Brighton Bears of the British Basketball League to play Guildford Heat on January 28.
May 1, 2006: Plays exhibition game in the Philippines
On May 1, 2006, Dennis Rodman's team lost to the Philippine national basketball team 110–102 at the Araneta Coliseum, where he scored three points and recorded 16 rebounds.
July 26, 2006: Love Island Appearance
On July 26, 2006, Dennis Rodman appeared on the UK series Love Island as a houseguest contracted to stay for a week.
2008: Spokesman for OPENSports.com
In 2008, Dennis Rodman became a spokesman for the sports website OPENSports.com.
March 29, 2009: Elimination from Celebrity Apprentice
On March 29, 2009, Dennis Rodman was the fifth contestant eliminated from Celebrity Apprentice, where he was raising money for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Orleans.
April 1, 2011: Rodman's Jersey Retired
On April 1, 2011, the Detroit Pistons retired Dennis Rodman's No. 10 jersey.
April 7, 2013: Elimination from Celebrity Apprentice
On April 7, 2013, Dennis Rodman was the sixth contestant eliminated from Celebrity Apprentice, where he had raised $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
July 2013: Launch and Promotion of Bad Boy Vodka
In July 2013, Dennis Rodman joined Premier Brands to launch and promote Bad Boy Vodka.
2015: Release of Dennis Rodman's Big Bang in Pyongyang
In 2015, Dennis Rodman's visits to North Korea were depicted in the documentary film Dennis Rodman's Big Bang in Pyongyang.
2017: Featured on Mansionz's self-titled Album
In 2017, Dennis Rodman was featured on the alternative R&B/hip-hop duo Mansionz's self-titled album Mansionz. He provided vocals on the single "Dennis Rodman" and uncredited vocals on "I'm Thinking About Horses".
2020: Featured on ASAP Ferg's Floor Seats II Mixtape
In 2020, Dennis Rodman featured on a track named after him, on rapper ASAP Ferg's Floor Seats II mixtape.
September 3, 2023: AEW Collision Appearance
On September 3, 2023, Dennis Rodman accompanied The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn to the ring during All Out.
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