Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Paul WestphalHere’s a detailed profile of Paul Westphal:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Paul Douglas Westphal
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on November 30, 1950, Paul Westphal passed away on January 2, 2021, at the age of 70.
  • Hometown: Torrance, California, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
  • Weight: 195 pounds (88 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 13 (US).
  • Jersey Numbers: Primarily wore #44 and #25 during his NBA career.
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
  • High School: Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, California
  • College: University of Southern California (USC) (played from 1969 to 1972)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 10th overall in the 1972 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Boston Celtics (1972–1975)
    2. Phoenix Suns (1975–1980, 1983–1984)
    3. Seattle SuperSonics (1980–1981)
    4. New York Knicks (1981–1983)
  • Accolades:
    • Championship Rings:
      • 1× NBA Champion (1974) with the Boston Celtics.
    • NBA Finals Appearances:
      • Led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 1976 during his prime, although they lost to his former team, the Boston Celtics, in a memorable series.
  • Coaching Career: After his playing career, Westphal had a notable coaching career, leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993 as head coach. He also coached the Seattle SuperSonics and Sacramento Kings, among others.
  • Kids:
    • Paul Westphal had two children:
    • Michael Westphal (son)
    • Victoria Westphal (daughter)
  • Siblings: Information about Paul Westphal’s siblings is not widely publicized.

Paul Westphal’s player archetype was that of a scoring combo guard, a polished backcourt creator who could run offense when needed but was most dangerous breaking defenses down with his shot-making, footwork, and off-the-dribble craft. Defensively, he was better suited to a competitive positional role than a shutdown one, using anticipation, balance, and effort to stay attached at the guard line rather than overwhelming opponents with length or power. Offensively, he operated as a lead perimeter scorer and secondary playmaker, blending pull-up shooting, clever passing, and slashing into a fluid attacking game that made him one of the league’s more efficient guards in his prime. Physically, Westphal had solid size for a backcourt scorer at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, and he paired that frame with coordination, body control, and a smooth handle. His play style overall was sharp and composed, built on skill, timing, and versatility, with the kind of all-around guard game that let him score, create, and keep defenders off balance without ever looking rushed. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Paul Westphal Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Paul Westphal