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. Considered one of the best rebounding forwards in NBA history, he played for several prominent teams, including the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls. Initially playing as a small forward, he transitioned to the power forward position, leaving a lasting impact on the sport with his unique style and contributions.
1983: Rodman begins playing at Southeastern Oklahoma State University
In 1983, Dennis Rodman began playing basketball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, marking the beginning of his three-season stint there.
1985: Rodman leads NAIA in rebounding
In 1985, Dennis Rodman led the NAIA in rebounding while playing at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
1986: Rodman's college achievements
In 1986, Dennis Rodman led the NAIA in rebounding for the second time. He also led his team to the NAIA semifinals, scoring 46 points and grabbing 32 rebounds in a single game and helped his team reach their highest ranking in school history.
1986: Rodman drafted by the Detroit Pistons
In 1986, Dennis Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the third pick in the second round (27th overall), marking the beginning of his NBA career.
1988: Rodman improves his stats with Pistons
During the 1988-89 season, Dennis Rodman steadily improved his stats, averaging 11.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.
1988: NBA Finals appearance (loss)
In 1988, Dennis Rodman made an appearance in the NBA Finals where he suffered a loss.
1989: NBA Finals appearance
In 1989, Dennis Rodman made an appearance in the NBA Finals and led the league in field goal percentage.
1989: Mahorn leaves the Pistons
In 1989, Detroit lost defensive forward Rick Mahorn due to the expansion draft, but Rodman took over his role.
1990: Rodman establishes himself as starting small forward
During the 1990-91 season, Dennis Rodman established himself as the starting small forward for the Detroit Pistons.
1990: NBA Finals appearance
In 1990, Dennis Rodman made an appearance in the NBA Finals and was crowned NBA Defensive Player of the Year and selected for the NBA All-Star Team.
1990: Rodman wins Defensive Player of the Year
In 1990, Dennis Rodman won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and lead the league with .595 field goal percentage. That same year, the Pistons beat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games to win their second title.
1991: Becoming 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: NBA Defensive Player of the Year
In 1991, Dennis Rodman was crowned NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
1991: Rodman wins second Defensive Player of the Year
In 1991, Dennis Rodman won his second Defensive Player of the Year Award, averaging 8.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. In the playoffs that same year, the Pistons were swept by the Chicago Bulls.
1991: Rodman makes All-NBA Team
In the 1991-92 season, Dennis Rodman made his first All-NBA Team, collecting an astounding 18.7 rebounds per game.
March 4, 1992: Career-High Rebound Game
On March 4, 1992, Dennis Rodman had a career-high 34-rebound game.
March 1992: Rodman grabs career high rebounds
In March 1992, Dennis Rodman grabbed a career-high 34 rebounds in a single game.
1992: All-NBA Third Team
In 1992, Dennis Rodman made the All-NBA Third Team and was selected for the NBA All-Star Team and won a rebounding crown.
October 1, 1993: Rodman traded to San Antonio Spurs
On October 1, 1993, Dennis Rodman was traded by the Detroit Pistons to the San Antonio Spurs after demanding a trade.
1993: NBA All-Defensive First Team
In 1993, Dennis Rodman made the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
1994: Trade to the Chicago Bulls
Before the 1995-96 season, Dennis Rodman was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Will Perdue to fill the power forward void left by Horace Grant, who had left the team before the 1994-95 season. Rodman chose the number 91 after his request for number 10 was denied due to it being retired. Rodman, alongside his best friend Jack Haley, quickly adapted to his new environment, averaging 5.5 points and 14.9 rebounds per game, winning another rebounding title, and contributing to the Bulls' record-breaking 72-win season under coach Phil Jackson.
1994: Joining the Spurs
In 1994, Dennis Rodman continued with the Spurs, playing alongside David Robinson and other players. Rodman won his third straight rebounding title, averaging 17.3 rebounds per game, and earned another All-Defensive Team call-up. Rodman also began displaying unconventional behavior, such as dyeing his hair in various colors. He headbutted Stacey King and John Stockton, refused to leave the court after being ejected, and had an affair with Madonna.
1994: NBA All-Defensive Second Team
In 1994, Dennis Rodman made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
1994: Rodman's clashes with the Spurs
In 1994, Rodman's clashes with the Spurs front office led to multiple suspensions and a leave of absence. He eventually returned after missing 19 games and suffered a shoulder separation in a motorcycle accident, limiting his season to 49 games. Despite missing many games, he managed to grab enough rebounds to qualify for season records and won his fourth straight rebounding title, averaging 16.8 rebounds per game, and made the All-NBA Team.
1995: Trade to the Chicago Bulls
Before the 1995-96 season, Dennis Rodman was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Will Perdue to fill the power forward void. Rodman chose the number 91 after his request for number 10 was denied due to it being retired. Rodman, alongside his best friend Jack Haley, quickly adapted to his new environment, averaging 5.5 points and 14.9 rebounds per game, winning another rebounding title, and contributing to the Bulls' record-breaking 72-win season under coach Phil Jackson.
1995: Appearance on Double Rush
In 1995, Dennis Rodman appeared as himself in an episode of the CBS situation comedy Double Rush.
1995: NBA All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team
In 1995, Dennis Rodman made the NBA All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA Third Team.
January 16, 1996: First Triple-Double Against the Philadelphia 76ers
On January 16, 1996, Dennis Rodman had his first triple-double against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 10 points, adding 21 rebounds, and providing 10 assists. Rodman joined Jordan and Pippen in the All-NBA Defense First Team.
1996: Historical NBA Finals Outburst
As a member of the Spurs and Bulls playing as power forward, Dennis Rodman twice snared 11 offensive rebounds in the 1996 NBA Finals, equalling an all-time NBA record.
1996: The Rodman World Tour
In 1996, Dennis Rodman had his own MTV reality talk show called The Rodman World Tour, which featured him in a series of odd-ball situations. That same year, Rodman had two appearances in releases by rock band Pearl Jam.
1996: NBA Finals appearance
In 1996, Dennis Rodman made an appearance in the NBA Finals.
1996: 1996 NBA Finals Victory
In the 1996 playoffs and NBA Finals, Dennis Rodman contributed significantly to the Chicago Bulls' victory against the Seattle SuperSonics. He grabbed 20 rebounds in Game Two and secured 19 rebounds in Game Six, with 11 offensive boards in both games. Rodman's performance caused Seattle coach George Karl to acknowledge his impact, stating that Rodman won two basketball games for the Bulls.
1996: Sixth Rebounding Title
In the 1996-97 season, Dennis Rodman won his sixth rebounding title in a row with 16.7 boards per game, along with 5.7 points per game.
March 1997: Appearance on Monday Nitro and at Uncensored event
In March 1997, Dennis Rodman appeared on the edition of March 10 of Monday Nitro with Hollywood Hulk Hogan in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). At the March 1997 Uncensored event, he appeared as a member of the nWo.
July 1997: First wrestling match at Bash at the Beach
In July 1997, Dennis Rodman had his first wrestling match at the Bash at the Beach event, where he teamed with Hulk Hogan and lost to Lex Luger and The Giant.
August 1997: Appearance at Road Wild event
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, and then afterwards made an appearance without the Sting attire where he joined other NWO members backstage and spray painted the "NWO" initials on the WCW Heavyweight Championship belt.
1997: Seventh Consecutive Rebounding Title
During the regular season of the 1997-98 season, Dennis Rodman won his seventh consecutive rebounding title with 15.0 boards per game, along with 4.7 points per game.
1997: Bulls Rebuilding Phase Begins
Following the 1997-98 season, the Bulls started a massive rebuilding phase.
1997: Rodman stars in Double Team
In 1997, Dennis Rodman had a starring role in the action film "Double Team".
1997: NBA Finals win
In the 1997–98 season, Dennis Rodman and the Chicago Bulls defeated Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals.
July 1998: Tag team match at Bash at the Beach
In July 1998, Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone squared off again in a tag team match at the Bash at the Beach event. Rodman fought alongside Hulk Hogan, and Malone tagged along with Diamond Dallas Page. Rodman and Hogan picked up the win.
1998: Bulls Rebuilding Phase Begins
Following the 1997-98 season, the Bulls started a massive rebuilding phase.
1998: 1998 NBA Finals and Wrestling Stint
In 1998, Dennis Rodman caused controversy when he left his team prior to Game Four of the NBA Finals to go wrestling with Hulk Hogan. He was fined $20,000. The Bulls won their third title in a row, and Rodman secured his fifth ring.
1998: Cast member of Special Ops Force
In 1998, Dennis Rodman joined the cast of the syndicated TV show Special Ops Force, playing 'Deke' Reynolds.
1998: NBA Finals appearance
In 1998, Dennis Rodman made an appearance in the NBA Finals.
1998: Signing with the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1998, Rodman signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing in 23 games and averaging 2 points and 11 rebounds per game.
January 21, 1999: Release from the Chicago Bulls
On January 21, 1999, Dennis Rodman was released by the Chicago Bulls before the start of the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season.
1999: Rodman stars in Simon Sez
In 1999, Dennis Rodman had a starring role in the action film "Simon Sez".
1999: 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: Signing with the Dallas Mavericks
In 1999, Dennis Rodman signed with the Dallas Mavericks, returning to his hometown. The Mavericks held a player vote to decide whether Rodman should join. Rodman wanted the jersey number 69, but the league forbid him from wearing it. Rodman lived in team owner Mark Cuban's guest house until the league intervened.
1999: Signing with the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1999, Rodman's sister acted as his agent and he joined the Los Angeles Lakers for a pro-rated salary for the remainder of the 1998-1999 season, then he was released in the offseason.
July 30, 2000: Wrestling match against Curt Hennig
On July 30, 2000, Dennis Rodman competed on the i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling pay-per-view event. He fought against i-Generation champion Curt Hennig in an Australian Outback match; Hennig won the match by disqualification. Following the match, Rodman refrained from wrestling at the top level and retired.
2000: Co-starring role in Cutaway
In 2000, Dennis Rodman co-starred with Tom Berenger in an action film about skydiving titled Cutaway.
2000: Erratic Behavior and Release from Mavericks
In 2000, Dennis Rodman's erratic behavior with the Dallas Mavericks led to his release. He played 12 games, received six technical fouls, was ejected twice, and served a one-game suspension. Rodman refused to speak to teammates or participate in defensive schemes. He averaged 14.3 rebounds per game but alienated the franchise.
2003: Return to Basketball with the Long Beach Jam
After a hiatus, in 2003, Dennis Rodman returned to basketball for the Long Beach Jam of the American Basketball Association, hoping for an NBA call-up. He helped the Jam win the ABA championship in their inaugural season.
2004: Playing in Mexico
In 2004, Dennis Rodman played in Mexico with Fuerza Regia.
2004: Signing with the Orange County Crush
In the 2004-05 season, Dennis Rodman signed with the ABA's Orange County Crush.
November 2005: Playing for Torpan Pojat in Finland
In November 2005, Dennis Rodman played one match for Torpan Pojat of Finland's basketball league, Korisliiga.
2005: Commissioner of the Lingerie Football League
In 2005, Dennis Rodman became Commissioner of the Lingerie Football League.
2005: Naked PETA ad and other appearances
In 2005, Dennis Rodman became the first man to pose naked for PETA's advertisement campaign "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur". That same year, Rodman traveled to Finland and published his second autobiography, I Should Be Dead By Now; he promoted the book by sitting in a coffin.
January 2006: Appearance on Celebrity Big Brother
In January 2006, Dennis Rodman appeared on the fourth version of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK.
January 26, 2006: Signing with the 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 and played three games for the Bears.
May 1, 2006: Exhibition Game Loss to Philippine National Team
On May 1, 2006, Dennis Rodman's team played their second exhibition game and 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: Appearance on Love Island
On July 26, 2006, Dennis Rodman appeared in the UK series Love Island as a houseguest contracted to stay for a week.
2008: Spokesman for OPENSports.com
In 2008, Dennis Rodman joined as a spokesman for a sports website OPENSports.com and began writing a blog for OPEN Sports.
March 29, 2009: Elimination from Celebrity Apprentice
On March 29, 2009, Dennis Rodman was the fifth contestant eliminated from Celebrity Apprentice. Throughout the season, he raised money for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Orleans.
April 1, 2011: Pistons retire Rodman's jersey
On April 1, 2011, the Detroit Pistons retired Dennis Rodman's No. 10 jersey, honoring his contributions to the team.
April 7, 2013: Elimination from Celebrity Apprentice
On April 7, 2013, Dennis Rodman was the sixth contestant eliminated from Celebrity Apprentice. He raised $20,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
July 2013: Launch of Bad Boy Vodka
In July 2013, Dennis Rodman joined Premier Brands to launch and promote Bad Boy Vodka.
January 10, 2014: Exhibition Game in North Korea
On January 10, 2014, Dennis Rodman and a team of former NBA players played an exhibition game in North Korea, coinciding with Kim Jong Un's birthday.
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 provides vocals on the single "Dennis Rodman" and uncredited vocals on "I'm Thinking About Horses".
2020: Featured on ASAP Ferg's Floor Sears II mixtape
In 2020, Dennis Rodman again featured on a track named after him, on rapper ASAP Ferg's Floor Sears II mixtape.
September 3, 2023: Appearance at All Out
On September 3, 2023, Dennis Rodman accompanied The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn to the ring during All Out after aligning with them the previous day on AEW Collision.
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