Last Updated on April 20, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

  • Full Name: Chuck Person (Charles Frederick Person)
  • Nickname: The Rifleman
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: June 27, 1964
  • Hometown: Brantley, Alabama, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: N/A
  • Shoe Size: N/A
  • Jersey Number (College and NBA):
    • #45 — Auburn Tigers
    • #45 — Indiana Pacers
    • #45 — Minnesota Timberwolves
    • #45 — San Antonio Spurs
    • #45 — Charlotte Hornets
    • #45 — Seattle SuperSonics
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: Brantley High School (Alabama)
  • College: Auburn University
  • NBA Draft: 1986 — 1st Round, Pick 4 — Indiana Pacers
  • Player Archetype: High-volume perimeter scorer / catch-and-shoot wing
  • Primary Offensive Role: Floor-spacing scorer; off-ball shooting threat with secondary shot creation
  • Defensive Role: Wing defender; positional coverage with size over elite lateral quickness
  • Play Style: Confident, high-release jump shooter with deep range; thrives in spot-up and transition pull-ups
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Above-average size and strength for a wing; moderate explosiveness; relied more on skill than burst
  • Recruiting Status: N/A
  • Draft Status Detail: Senior prospect; SEC Player of the Year (1986); NBA Rookie of the Year (1987)
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — generally available but career longevity impacted by wear and later-career decline
  • Career Stage: Retired
  • Comparison Style: Shooting-focused forward with volume scoring tendencies
  • Comparable Players:
    • Adrian Dantley — scoring-first forward with shot volume focus
    • Peja Stojaković — elite perimeter shooting wing
    • Michael Porter Jr. — modern scoring forward with shooting gravity
  • Teams Played For:
    • Indiana Pacers (1986–1992)
    • Minnesota Timberwolves (1992–1994)
    • San Antonio Spurs (1994–1998)
    • Charlotte Hornets (1998–1999)
    • Seattle SuperSonics (1999–2000)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents: N/A
  • Children: N/A
  • Siblings: Wesley Person (younger brother)
  • Athlete Relatives: Wesley Person — NBA guard
  • Retirement Age: 35
  • Retirement Year: 2000

Chuck Person’s player archetype was a high-volume perimeter scorer built around shooting gravity, functioning primarily as an off-ball offensive weapon while holding a secondary shot-creation role. Defensively, he operated as a size-based wing stopper rather than a disruptive playmaker, relying on positioning over lateral quickness. At 6’8″ with a sturdy frame, his physical traits supported a physical, upright style that complemented his signature high-release jumper. His play style centered on confident catch-and-shoot execution, deep-range spacing, and rhythm scoring, making him one of the earlier prototypes of the modern floor-spacing forward.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Chuck Person Stats