Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Rolando Blackman:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Rolando Antonio Blackman
  • Nationality: Panamanian-American
  • Age: Born February 26, 1959
  • Hometown: Born in Panama City, Panama; raised in Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 15 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 22 (Dallas Mavericks), 20 (New York Knicks)
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: William E. Grady High School, Brooklyn, New York
  • College: Kansas State University (1977–1981)
  • NBA Draft: 1981, 1st round, 9th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Dallas Mavericks (1981–1992)
    • New York Knicks (1992–1994)
    • Played internationally in Italy and Greece after his NBA career
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Rolando Blackman has children, but detailed public information is limited.
  • Siblings: Information on his siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Rolando Blackman’s player archetype was that of a polished two-way scoring guard, a smooth shooting wing who could carry offense without sacrificing discipline on the other end. Offensively, he worked as a primary perimeter scorer and secondary creator, with Kansas State highlighting his versatility through both scoring and assists, while NBA historical coverage describes him as a sweet-shooting guard who became one of Dallas’ central offensive pieces during its rise in the 1980s. At 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, he had strong size for a shooting guard, which helped him play through contact, rise comfortably into midrange looks, and defend bigger wings. Defensively, his role was not just cosmetic either: Kansas State’s own historical profile specifically points to his shut-down defender abilities, which fits the broader picture of Blackman as a reliable perimeter stopper as well as a four-time All-Star scorer. Overall, his play style blended shot-making, poise, size, and two-way versatility, making him the kind of guard who could score efficiently, function within a team structure, and still take on hard defensive assignments. (Kansas State University Athletics)

Fun Facts

  • Blackman was a 4-time NBA All-Star (1985, 1986, 1987, 1990) and is regarded as one of the greatest players in Dallas Mavericks history.
  • His jersey number (22) was retired by the Mavericks.
  • He later worked as an assistant coach and in player development roles, contributing to basketball both in the U.S. and internationally.

Sources:

NBA.com — Top 5 all-time Dallas Mavericks scoring leaders
Kansas State Athletics — K-State’s ‘All Sesquicentennial’ Team – Part 1
Kansas State Athletics — SE: Blackman Inducted into College Basketball Hall of Fame