Richard Hamilton

Richard "Rip" Hamilton, born February 14, 1978, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, is one of the most creative and elusive scoring guards in NBA history. The quintessential movement scorer, Hamilton used relentless off-ball running, precise footwork, and an unguardable mid-range game to exhaust defenders and create layered scoring opportunities game after game. Hamilton starred at UConn under coach Jim Calhoun, winning the 1999 national championship and earning Big East Player of the Year before being drafted seventh overall by Washington. Traded to Detroit in 2002, he became the offensive centerpiece of Larry Brown's championship system. His constant movement off screens — the corkscrewing routes through staggered double screens that became a Pistons trademark — made him one of the most difficult players to guard in his era. His signature protective face mask, worn after a 2003 nasal fracture, became as iconic as the player himself. Hamilton averaged 20+ points per game for five consecutive seasons in Detroit, earning three All-Star selections and contributing 21.4 PPG in the 2004 championship run. His jersey #32 was retired by the Pistons.