John Paxson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Paxson's journey began at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, where he led his team to a state championship in 1978. At Notre Dame, he developed into a premier guard, finishing with 1,366 points (19th all-time) and a career field goal percentage of .526. He earned Academic All-America honors twice, joining an elite group of four players in school history to achieve this feat more than once. His college success translated to the pros when he signed with the Chicago Bulls after two seasons with the Spurs. In Chicago, Paxson became the quintessential role player, valued for his clutch shooting and basketball IQ. His tenure as a player ended with him having started 369 games in his career.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Paxson's career occurred on June 20, 1993, during Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at America West Arena. The Bulls trailed by two points with seconds remaining. Michael Jordan drove into the lane, drawing the defense before kicking the ball out to a wide-open Paxson in the corner. With 3.9 seconds left on the clock, Paxson caught and released a three-point shot that gave Chicago a 99–98 lead. The shot was sealed by Horace Grant's last-second block on Kevin Johnson. This moment secured the Bulls' third consecutive NBA title. Following his playing days, Paxson immediately transitioned to coaching as an assistant under Phil Jackson for the 1995–96 season, winning another championship before resigning to prioritize his family. His executive career began in April 2003 when he replaced Jerry Krause as general manager, a role he held until May 2009.

Reader's Guide

Fans should understand that Paxson's impact extended far beyond his playing days. As General Manager from 2003 to 2009, he oversaw the team's return to relevance after a long drought, drafting key contributors like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Derrick Rose. He made bold moves such as signing Scottie Pippen back to Chicago and trading Eddy Curry for Michael Sweetney and draft picks that eventually yielded Tyrus Thomas. Paxson navigated the team through rebuilding phases, firing coach Bill Cartwright in 2003 and later replacing Vinny Del Negro after a reported physical altercation in March 2010. He was promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations in May 2009 before being reassigned as a senior advisor in April 2020 when Artūras Karnišovas took over the executive role.

Did You Know?

• Paxson was inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame on June 6, 2005, for his academic and athletic achievements.
• He is one of only four Notre Dame basketball players to earn Academic All-America accolades more than once.
• During Game 6 of the 1993 Finals, Paxson's shot was taken with exactly 3.9 seconds remaining on the clock.
• As a college player at Notre Dame, he finished his career as the school's 7th all-time leader in assists with 411.
• Paxson declined an offer to become the head coach of the Washington Wizards after Michael Jordan joined the team because he wanted to prioritize time with his family.