Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Greg Ballard was a durable NBA small forward whose long career with the Washington Bullets and Seattle SuperSonics featured dependable scoring, tough perimeter defense, and consistent rebounding during the late 1970s and 1980s. His profile highlights a two-way wing archetype, mid-range scoring, physical play, off-ball movement, and reliable production as a high-minute starter on competitive teams.

Here’s the detailed profile of Greg Ballard:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Gregory Ballard
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born January 29, 1955 – Died November 9, 2016 (Lived to 61 years old)
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 8 in
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: #42, #22
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School: Los Angeles Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles, California
  • College: University of Oregon (1973–1977)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 4th overall in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets
  • Teams Played For:
    • Washington Bullets (1977–1985)
    • Golden State Warriors (1985–1987)
    • Seattle SuperSonics (1987–1989)
  • Championship Rings: 1× NBA Champion with the Washington Bullets (1978)
  • Kids: Information on children is not widely available.
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Greg Ballard’s player archetype was that of a sturdy two-way forward, the kind of wing-sized frontcourt piece who could score efficiently, rebound his position, and defend with steadiness rather than flash. Defensively, he functioned as a physical positional defender who used his 6-foot-7, 215-pound frame to battle bigger forwards, hold space on the glass, and generate some takeaway value on the perimeter, which fits with his strong steal numbers for a forward. Offensively, Ballard was a complementary scorer more than a primary creator, thriving on smart cuts, mid-range finishing, work around the lane, and opportunistic transition play instead of high-dribble offense. His physical traits gave him the build to absorb contact and play with balance, while his college production at Oregon points to the rebounding strength and interior efficiency that carried into his pro role. Overall, his play style reads as that of a reliable, well-rounded forward who could slide between wing and power roles, support a winning lineup without dominating the ball, and supply consistent scoring, rebounding, and rugged team defense over a long NBA career.

Scouting Report

Greg Ballard had a knack for making the game feel uncomplicated. He wasn’t the player initiating offence every trip, but he constantly found ways to become part of it by reading where the defence was about to break rather than where it already had. What stands out is how naturally he drifted into scoring areas after the first action. If a guard turned the corner out of a pick-and-roll, Ballard was already sliding along the baseline or lifting into open space, giving the ball handler a clean outlet without disrupting the spacing. He attacked closeouts decisively, using long, controlled strides instead of explosive bursts, and he was comfortable finishing through contact or pulling up when defenders retreated too far. Defensively, his value came from discipline. He handled physical wings without giving ground easily, rotated on time from the weak side and understood how to stunt at a driver before recovering back to his own assignment, often preventing the extra pass from becoming available. I’ve always thought his anticipation was more important than his athletic ability. He rarely chased the spectacular play because he preferred staying connected to the possession, which kept the defence organised behind him. The trade-off was that he wasn’t a player who could consistently manufacture offence against a set defence. If possessions bogged down into late-clock isolations, he lacked the sudden change of pace or advanced handle to create clean separation on demand, making him more dependent on offensive flow than true primary scorers. To me, Ballard fit best as a complementary forward alongside high-usage creators who appreciated intelligent off-ball movement and reliable defensive execution. He brought balance rather than volume, and there is a real skill in that. His game reminds me of Shane Battier before the emphasis on three-point volume became central to the position, while there were elements of Derrick McKey in the way he combined size, positional awareness and understated decision-making to influence games without dominating the ball.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Greg Ballard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More
NBA.com — Greg Ballard | Forward | Washington Bullets
Sports Reference CBB — Greg Ballard College Stats
Sports Reference CBB — 1976-77 Oregon Ducks Men’s Roster and Stats
NBA.com — Top 5 all-time Washington Wizards steals leaders