Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

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.

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