By Josip Bogovic
A detailed account in the assent of accomplished people highlights numerous what may seem unimportant circumstances and foolish decisions that turn out to be the most important factors of their success. The life story of Rudy Tomjanovich has many such twists and turns, but what is consistent in every positive outcome is the focused passion, determination to succeed and the love in Rudy’s case for the game of basketball. Rudy Tomjanovich was inducted into the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame on October 26, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Rudy Tomjanovich Jr. was born on November 24, 1948 in Hamtramck, Michigan. His father Rudolf Sr. was born in Kostanje, Croatia and came to the US in the early 1900’s. His mother Catharine (Modich) was born in Detroit to Croatian immigrant parents.
“I owe so much to my uncle Joe Modich who was a guiding star in my life. My family was very poor, and we could not afford to buy even a baseball glove which my uncle bought for me when I was playing baseball in a little league. My uncle Joe had a plan for me and that was a college education. Since my family could not afford to pay for my education, a sports scholarship was the way for me. I did well playing baseball and was an Allstar in my age group. All was going well until I ran into a degrading, horrible coach. It was then that I decided to no longer play baseball. When I announced this to my uncle Joe, he was shocked and said that I was not sticking to the plan of a baseball scholarship. I told him that my new love was basketball so much, so that I carved this feeling into the headboard of my bed. You see, Hamtramck was a small town contained in one square mile. It was when my older cousin Mark’s (Joe’s son) little league team won the national title (1959), that our town was highlighted on the map. This allowed my town to get certain upgrades including a new Madison Square Garden looking basketball court that included an arched base. Every time I played there, I imagined playing at Madison Square Garden even though it was an outdoor court. What made a very significant impression on me was that even though my cousin and his team accomplished this great feat Mark remained levelheaded, so I said to myself I want to be like him, he was now my role model. I joined the Jr. high school basketball team (13-year-old), and my results were dismal. I was benched and did not play 1 minute in any game. I was playing my friend, the starter of the team, and beat him every time, yet there I was on the bench. When came time to play for the high school team, the word was that I was cut from the team. I decided to make the coach an offer that if I beat him in a one-on-one game, I would be on the team, so I beat him. At the time I was a skinny 13-year-old and he was a burly football bodied guy, I was much faster. I became obsessed with basketball; my mom bought me secondhand books on college basketball. Our high school basketball team did not have good results, but what made a significant difference for me was the new outdoor basketball court. It was there that all the players of Detroit showed up and the competition was at a super high level. Professional NBA players would come to play there including Indiana Pacers, Mel Daniels, also the well-known player Spencer Haywood. This substantially improved my game so much that I made the Varsity basketball team. It was then that I was sought by colleges. I ended up at the University of Michigan,” said the eloquent, thoughtful star. Rudy Tomjanovich was a standout player at the University of Michigan. In 1968, he was All-Big Ten second team and All-Big Ten team in 1969 and 1970. In 1970 he was named All American. His college jersey #45 was retired in 2003 at UM.
“In my junior year at Michigan we were up against tough competition including the likes of Duke and Kentucky. While we were playing Kentucky, I had 27 rebounds at the Crysler Arena, though we lost the game. It was at these games that I was exposed to NBA scouts which is a necessary aspect in one’s higher aspirations. During the pro draft my phone was ringing, attorney agents were calling. One told me that if I signed now that I would be in the NBA. My family turned to my coach at UM and he got us in touch with a corporate lawyer. He got me a deal that was almost twice as good,” said the eloquent, concise, All-Star.
Rudy Tomjanovich was selected in the 1970 NBA draft as the second overall pick by the Houston Rockets. During his 11-year NBA career with Houston Rudy averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds per game. He was a 5-time NBA All-Star forward. Mr. Tomjanovich scored over 13,000 points and grabbed over 6 thousand rebounds. Rudy Tomjanovich was named head coach of the Houston Rockets in 1992. He led the Rockets to two consecutive NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. In addition, he coached the USA Olympic Basketball Team to a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“I worked hard for everything I achieved. I value hard work in players and expect them to give their best. In coaching you must know what hand you are given and position your strategy accordingly. All aspects of human nature come to play in coaching, psychology and personalities of players, knowing the combination that works best, being aware of team leaders, all of these aspects are important in coaching,” said the successful high performing coach.
When you speak to Rudy Tomjanovich eyes are continuously locked on you and the words keep streaming out in an uninterrupted, thoughtful, eloquent fashion. One of the take aways of this interview is that you are dealing with a man of high emotional intelligence from who there is no ambiguity or escape. His players must have experienced the same clear Rudy vibe.
Rudy Tomjanovich went to Croatia to trace his roots which took him to Krivi Put near Senj. It was when his relative, a short woman (Tomjanovic last name), took him from her hilltop home to the nearby cemetery. The snow was so deep that Rudy carried her halfway to the grave where her husband and son are buried, (victims of the war of aggression of the early 1990’s). It was this experience that clarified for Rudy Tomjanovich the meaning of what it means to be Croatian.
In 2024 Rudy Tomjanovich received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to basketball. He has two daughters – Nicole and Melissa, and a son – Trey. He presently lives with his wife Lisa, who was on hand for the inaugural ceremony, in California.
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