The National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) has announced that Don Nelson will be honored with the prestigious 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, as revealed in an official press release shared on Twitter.
This award recognizes Nelson’s remarkable contributions to the game of basketball over his extensive career.
Nelson is already enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is one of only two coaches in NBA history to guide three different teams to at least 250 wins each – a testament to his enduring success.
Rick Carlisle, the current head coach of the Indiana Pacers and NBCA president, praised Nelson not only for his impressive coaching accomplishments but also for his innovative approach to the game.
Carlisle stated: “History has already reflected Don Nelson’s staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA game. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, he made teams adjust to historic pace, liberal 3-point shooting, inverted offense, and disruptive defensive schemes.
“All this while establishing himself as one of the most compelling personalities in all of professional sports. I’m certain that Chuck Daly would agree that our beloved ‘Nellie’ is most deserving of this prestigious recognition.”
Nelson’s coaching career spanned an incredible 31 seasons, during which he led the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks.
Over that time, he accumulated a career record of 1,335 wins and 1,063 losses, equating to a winning percentage of .557. He ranks second all-time in both total wins and games coached, having led teams in 2,398 games.
Reflecting on the honor, Nelson expressed deep gratitude and respect for the award and the man it commemorates:
“I’m extremely grateful and humbled to receive this incredible honor and join the exclusive list of coaches who have preceded me,” Nelson said.
“Chuck Daly was a dear friend of mine and someone I respected immensely due to his class, character, and of course, his coaching ability. He may not have influenced my wardrobe, but Chuck certainly had a lasting impact on my coaching philosophy, style, and most importantly, how I managed the personalities on a roster. Chuck was an absolute genius in all facets of the game and life. I’m glad I had the opportunity to coach against him, learn from him, and benefit from his knowledge. To say that I’m deeply touched to receive an award that bears his name would be an understatement. This is special.”
Before his coaching career, Nelson was a durable and successful player, winning five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics (1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976).
Known for his toughness and reliability, he played in 465 consecutive games during his career. Nelson began coaching in 1976 and concluded his tenure in 2010 with the Warriors.
In addition to his NBA achievements, Nelson also served as head coach of the 1994 U.S. National Team, famously known as Dream Team II, during the FIBA World Championship.
His impact on the sport was further recognized in 2012 when he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.
The Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award is decided each year by a selection committee, celebrating individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to basketball coaching.
Last year’s recipient was Rudy Tomjanovich. Nelson’s selection for the 2025 honor continues a tradition of celebrating legendary coaches who have shaped the game.
Don Nelson Chosen For Lifetime Achievement Award By NBCA https://t.co/IZ4EQyQdy8 pic.twitter.com/rDIL16A92s
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 8, 2025
