Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed profile of Thurl Bailey:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Thurl Lee Bailey
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born April 7, 1961
  • Hometown: Washington, D.C., USA
  • Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 0 in
  • Shoe Size: Size 18 (US)
  • Number: #41, #6
  • Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
  • High School: Bladensburg High School, Bladensburg, Maryland
  • College: North Carolina State University (1979–1983)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 7th overall in the 1983 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz
  • Teams Played For:
    • Utah Jazz (1983–1991, 1999)
    • Minnesota Timberwolves (1991–1994)
    • Played internationally in Italy and Greece
  • Championship Rings: No NBA Championships, but won an NCAA Championship with NC State (1983)
  • Kids: Thurl Bailey has six children.
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Thurl Bailey’s player archetype was that of a skilled scoring forward who could toggle between featured bench weapon and starting-caliber frontcourt finisher, blending size with touch rather than relying purely on brute force. Defensively, he worked best as a secondary rim protector and positional team defender, using his length and awareness to contest inside, rebound his area, and cover either forward spot in bigger lineups. Offensively, Bailey gave teams a versatile scoring option from the mid-post and elbows, where he could turn over either shoulder, hit face-up jumpers, run the floor, and finish around the basket without needing the offense built entirely around him. At 6-foot-11, he had the physical traits of a long, rangy frontcourt player, and that frame helped him play with a smooth, upright style that was more fluid than explosive. Overall, his play style was that of a polished, low-dribble scorer and reliable support piece who could heat up quickly, stretch defenses with his touch from intermediate range, and supply useful rebounding and shot-blocking alongside star teammates.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Thurl Bailey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More
NBA.com — Thurl Bailey | Forward | Utah Jazz
Sports Reference CBB — Thurl Bailey College Stats
NBA.com — NBA birthdays: Players born on April 7