Joe Kleine

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJoseph William "Joe"•Kleine
Used nameJoe•Kleine
Born4 January 1962 in Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA)
Measurements211 cm / 122 kg
AffiliationsArkansas Razorbacks, Fayetteville (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

It was said of Joe Kleine by sportswriter Jon Goode that “… he was never a star, but what made [him] great was that he accepted his role and was ready to play every night.” A big man who usually played the 5 spot, Kleine started college at Notre Dame but transferred to the University of Arkansas after his freshman year. Kleine won a silver medal at the 1982 World Championships and a gold at the 1984 Olympics, on what is often considered the greatest ever amateur basketball team. He went on to a 16-year career in the NBA with seven different teams, almost always as a journeyman. Kleine was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft, and played for them from 1985-89. He then played successively for the Boston Celtics (1989-93), Phoenix Suns (1993-97 and 1999), Los Angeles Lakers (1997), New Jersey Nets (1997), Chicago Bulls (1997-99), and the Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2000). In 1998 he played for the Bulls when they won the NBA Championship. He ended his NBA career with averages of 4.8 points/game and 4.1 rebounds/game. After his professional career ended Kleine became a coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) USA Joe Kleine
Basketball, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Special Notes