Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information on Derrick Coleman:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Derrick Demetrius Coleman
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born June 21, 1967
  • Hometown: Mobile, Alabama, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters)
  • Weight: 230 pounds (104 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: Approximately 7 feet (213 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly available
  • Number: Wore #44 and #34
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Northern High School (Detroit, Michigan)
  • College: Syracuse University (1986–1990)
  • NBA Draft: 1990 NBA Draft, 1st overall pick by the New Jersey Nets
  • Teams Played For:
    • New Jersey Nets (1990–1995)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1995–1999, 2001–2004)
    • Charlotte Hornets (1999–2001)
    • Detroit Pistons (2004–2005)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Known to have children, though specific details are private
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Derrick Coleman’s player archetype was that of a skilled point-forward big, a rare frontcourt talent who combined power size with real passing touch and face-up scoring ability. Defensively, he worked as a strong interior presence who could rebound, body up in the post, and provide secondary rim protection, while offensively he operated as a versatile low-post and mid-range threat who could score with either finesse or strength, facilitate from the elbows or block, and punish mismatches without needing every play built for him. At 6-foot-10 and 270 pounds, with a left-handed game and advanced ball skill for a big man, Coleman played with a mix of bruising interior force and smooth offensive feel, making his overall style one of the more talented and multi-dimensional power-forward profiles of his era.

Sources:

NBA.com — Derrick Coleman | Forward | NBA.com
Basketball-Reference.com — Derrick Coleman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Brooklyn Nets — Catching Up With Derrick Coleman