Last Updated on April 20, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

  • Full Name: Craig James Kupec
  • Nickname: C.J.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: July 8, 1956
  • Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
  • Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 9 in
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Jersey Number:
    • #41 — Los Angeles Lakers
    • #24 — Houston Rockets
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: Saginaw High School (Michigan)
  • College: Michigan (1974–1978)
  • NBA Draft:
    • 1978 / Round 2 / Pick 41 — Los Angeles Lakers
  • Player Archetype: Floor-spacing perimeter wing
  • Primary Offensive Role: Spot-up shooter and secondary scorer
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter wing defender (off-ball assignments)
  • Play Style: Off-ball movement, catch-and-shoot efficiency, low-usage complementary play
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Average NBA athlete for a wing; more skill-based than explosive
  • Recruiting Status: Solid regional recruit (pre-modern rankings era)
  • Draft Status Detail: Early second-round selection; valued for shooting and size as a role player
  • Injury Status Category: Durable — no major recurring injuries reported during short NBA tenure
  • Career Stage: Retired (brief NBA career, transitioned out of professional play early)
  • Comparison Style: Off-ball shooting wing with size
  • Comparable Players:
    • Steve Mix — stretch wing scorer in a complementary role
    • Kyle Korver — elite spot-up shooting specialist archetype
    • Duncan Robinson — movement shooter with limited on-ball usage
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1977)
    • Houston Rockets (1977–1978)
    • Played internationally after the NBA
  • Championship Rings: 1 (1980, Los Angeles Lakers — limited role)
  • Children: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented
  • Retirement Age: ~24
  • Retirement Year: 1980

C.J. Kupec’s player archetype was that of a floor-spacing perimeter wing who operated primarily as a low-usage offensive option, relying on catch-and-shoot scoring and off-ball movement to complement star-heavy lineups. Defensively, he functioned as a perimeter wing defender tasked with guarding secondary assignments rather than primary threats, reflecting his role-player status. Offensively, Kupec’s value came from spacing the floor and capitalizing on open looks rather than creating his own shot, supported by his solid size at 6’5″ and fundamentally sound skill set. His overall play style was understated and efficient, fitting seamlessly into team structures that required discipline and shooting over ball dominance.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — C.J. Kupec Stats
Michigan Athletics — Michigan Men’s Basketball All-Time Rosters