Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile for Nick Van Exel:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Nickey Maxwell Van Exel
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born November 27, 1971
  • Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters)
  • Weight: 170 pounds (77 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: Mostly wore 9 during his NBA career
  • Position: Point Guard
  • High School: St. Joseph High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • College:
  • Trinity Valley Community College (1989–1991)
  • University of Cincinnati (1991–1993)
    • Became a standout player and helped lead Cincinnati to the NCAA Final Four in 1992.
  • Draft: 1993 NBA Draft; 37th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • NBA Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1993–1998)
    • Denver Nuggets (1998–2002)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2002–2003)
    • Golden State Warriors (2003–2004)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (2004–2005)
    • San Antonio Spurs (2005–2006)
  • Championships: 0 (Van Exel did not win an NBA championship)
  • Coaching:
  • Assistant Coach:
    • Memphis Grizzlies (2016–2019)
    • Atlanta Hawks (2021–present)
  • Kids: Nick Van Exel has one son, Nickey Van Exel Jr..
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely publicized.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Nick Van Exel’s player archetype was that of a shot-making lead guard: a creative, left-handed floor general who blended streak scoring with live-dribble playmaking and brought flair, pace, and late-clock shot creation to the backcourt. At 6-foot-1 and around 190 pounds, he lacked great size for heavy defensive versatility, but he compensated with quickness, shiftiness, a tight handle, and the kind of balance and confidence that let him get to pull-ups, floaters, and deep jumpers from awkward angles. Offensively, he operated as both table-setter and scorer, pushing tempo, running pick-and-roll, hitting teammates on the move, and punishing defenses when they went under screens, while defensively he was more of a competitive point-of-attack guard than a stopper, using anticipation and activity rather than strength or length. His play style was flashy but functional—part streetball rhythm, part old-school lead guard control—which made him dangerous in broken-floor situations and especially tough when he got hot as a shooter.

Fun Facts

  • Nicknamed: “Nick the Quick” due to his speed, quickness, and flashy style of play.
  • All-Star: Van Exel was named an NBA All-Star in 1998 while playing for the Lakers.
  • Career Highlights: Known for his scoring ability, clutch three-point shooting, and fearless play in big moments. Van Exel was a fan favorite, especially during his time with the Lakers, where he was part of the core that helped turn the team into contenders in the 1990s.
  • College Achievements: Played a major role in bringing the Cincinnati Bearcats back to national prominence in the early ’90s.

Sources:
NBA.com — Nick Van Exel
Basketball Reference — Nick Van Exel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Los Angeles Lakers — Los Angeles Lakers | Season Capsule
Sports Forecaster — Nick Van Exel Stats, Profile, Bio, Analysis and More | Retired
ESPN — Nick Van Exel – San Antonio Spurs Point Guard