Mitch Kupchak, a renowned American basketball executive, previously played the sport professionally. He served as the president of basketball operations and general manager for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association.
Who is Mitch Kupchak?
Mitchell Kupchak was born in Brentwood, New York on May 24, 1954. He attended Brentwood High School and demonstrated exceptional skills in basketball.
In college, he was a standout player on the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team and received the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year award in his final year. Kupchak also represented the United States and won a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
Career
Upon graduating from college, Kupchak joined the National Basketball Association and was chosen by the Washington Bullets in the 1976 draft.
In his debut season, Mitch Kupchak was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. Despite a brief four-year tenure with the team, he played a crucial role in their 1978 NBA Championship victory. Kupchak’s early success in the NBA solidified his status as a top-tier basketball player and contributed to his overall financial worth.
Mitch Kupchak joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1981 after his time with the Washington Bullets, signing a lengthy contract. He remained with the team for 26 consecutive seasons, serving as a player and manager. In 1982, he sustained an injury that affected his knee ligament, cartilage, and bone. As a result, he was unable to play in the game. However, he recovered and returned to the team in 1983.
Despite being absent from the sport for nearly two years, Kupchak contributed to the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory in the 1985 NBA Championship. However, just one year later, he chose to end his career and retire. Despite his brief stint in the NBA, it greatly benefited his career and significantly increased his wealth.
Mitch Kupchak had already foreseen a move to the managerial aspect of the NBA during his time as a player for the Lakers. After retiring, he seamlessly transitioned into a mentorship role, working under General Manager and former NBA athlete Jerry West.
While finishing his MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, he also shadowed then General Manager Jerry West and learned the business.
In 1986, Kupchak was officially named the Assistant General Manager for the Lakers and eventually took over for Jerry West. However, he did not have complete control as the Lakers’ GM until 2000 when West left to join the Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite facing criticism from Kobe Bryant, former Laker legend, Kupchak developed a strong bond with team owner Jerry Buss.
With Mitch Kupchak‘s contributions, the Lakers secured victory in the 2009 and 2010 championships. Kupchak served as the Lakers’ GM during the transition of ownership from Jerry Buss to his daughter Jeanie after Jerry’s passing in 2013.
However, Jeanie later decided to terminate Kupchak in 2017 and bring in Magic Johnson, completing a full circle as Johnson took charge of all basketball operations for the Lakers.
Kupchak took on the role of president and general manager for the Charlotte Hornets on April 8, 2018. As general manager, he made his first draft pick on June 21, 2018, choosing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the 11th overall pick.
Gilgeous-Alexander was later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Miles Bridges, who had been selected as the 12th overall pick.
Personal Life
Mitch Kupchak and his wife Claire are no longer married. They had two children together. Unfortunately, their daughter Alina Claire Kupchak passed away on January 5, 2015, after a long illness. His son Maxwell was a forward on the basketball team at UC Santa Barbara.
Net Worth
Mitch Kupchak, a former professional basketball player from Hicksville, New York, has a net worth of $10 million. He gained recognition through his successful college basketball career and accumulated his fortune from his involvement in the sport as both a player and administrator.
