Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of Mike Dunleavy:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Michael Joseph Dunleavy Sr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: March 21, 1954
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
  • Weight: 180 lbs (81.6 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 4 inch
  • Shoe Size: Size 13 (US)
  • Jersey Numbers: 10 (Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks), 31 (Houston Rockets)
  • Position: Guard (Point Guard / Shooting Guard)
  • High School: Nazareth Regional High School (Brooklyn, New York)
  • College: University of South Carolina (1972–1976)
  • NBA Draft: 1976, 6th Round, 99th Overall by Philadelphia 76ers
  • NBA Debut: December 3, 1976
  • NBA Teams Played For:
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1978)
    • Houston Rockets (1978–1982)
    • San Antonio Spurs (1982–1983)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (1983–1985, brief return in 1988–1990)
  • Championship Rings: None as a player
  • Notable Coaching Career:
    • Head Coach for Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Clippers
    • NBA Coach of the Year (1999)
  • Children:
    • Mike Dunleavy Jr. (former NBA player and current executive)
    • Baker Dunleavy (former college basketball coach)
    • James Dunleavy (NBA player agent)
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Mike Dunleavy Sr. was a steady backcourt organizer whose archetype fit a traditional combo guard with pass-first instincts and secondary scoring ability. Defensively, he filled a standard perimeter role, checking opposing guards with positioning and effort rather than overwhelming size or disruptive length. Offensively, he worked best as a table-setter who could handle the ball, run the offense, and punish defenses when given clean looks, making him more of a stabilizing playmaker than a high-volume scorer. At 6’3″ and 180 pounds, he had adequate size for either guard spot, a lean frame, and solid overall mobility that suited a fundamentally sound style. His play style was controlled and team-oriented: he valued decision-making, kept the ball moving, chipped in as a scorer when needed, and gave lineups a composed guard presence built more on feel and structure than flash.

Sources:
basketball-reference.com — Mike Dunleavy Sr. player page: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dunlemi01.html
basketball.realgm.com — Mike Dunleavy Sr. profile: https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Mike-Dunleavy-Sr/Summary/50435
sports-reference.com — Mike Dunleavy Sr. college profile: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mike-dunleavy-1.html