| No. 16, 24 | |
|---|---|
| Guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Date of birth | March 26, 1932 |
| Place of birth | Long Island, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Bowling Green State |
| NBA Draft | 1954 / Round: 2 / Pick: 18th overall |
| Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers | |
| Pro career | 1956–1966 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1956–1963 | Syracuse Nationals |
| 1963–1966 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| As coach: | |
| 1967–1969 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1969–1970 | Washington Caps (ABA) |
| 1970–1975 | Virginia Squires (ABA) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 5,550 (8.1 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,722 (2.5 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,497 (2.2 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Alfred A. “Al” Bianchi was born on March 26, 1932 in Long Island City, New York. He was an NBA professional basketball player, coach and general manager as well as consultant and NBA scout.
Bianchi attended P.S. 4 elementary school, and he graduated from Long Island City High School in 1950. A Korean War veteran and a 1954 graduate of Bowling Green State University, he was voted on the “All Ohio Team” and received honorable mention on the All American Basketball team. Beginning in 1956, Bianchi played for the Syracuse Nationals of the NBA. He moved with the team to Philadelphia as the 76ers in 1963.
On May 1, 1966, Bianchi was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA expansion draft, but he never played in a game for the Bulls and retired from play. Following Bianchi’s retirement, he became assistant coach under Johnny "Red" Kerr for the Bulls. After a year in Chicago, Bianchi became head coach of the expansion team, Seattle SuperSonics, compiling a 53-111 record.
Bianchi coached the Washington Caps/Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association from 1969 through 1975. Bianchi also served as the Squires general manager. In 1971, Bianchi was named ABA Coach of the Year for guiding the Squires to the ABA’s Eastern Division championship with a record of 55-29 (.655). The Squires lost to the New York Nets in the Eastern Division finals and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Nets in the Eastern finals.
In 1976, Bianchi joined John MacLeod serving as Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns from 1976-1987.
This tenure was highlighted with the Suns legendary third overtime loss in the NBA finals against the Boston Celtics in 1976.
Bianchi went on from Phoenix to serve as general manager for the New York Knicks from 1987 to 1991. With a return to Phoenix in 1991, he commenced college scouting for the Phoenix Suns. In 2004, he became a consultant-scout for the Golden State Warriors through the 2008-2009 season.
In September 2007, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, Inc. as “Player” by the New York City Athletic Club.
Bianchi now resides full time in Phoenix, Arizona and does independent consulting and scouting for teams desirous of his experience in both the NBA and college basketball.
| Preceded by Initial coach |
Seattle SuperSonics head coach 1967–1969 |
Succeeded by Lenny Wilkens |
| Preceded by Initial coach |
Virginia Squires Head Coach 1970–1975 |
Succeeded by Bill Musselman |
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