Skip to content

It’s been said that Dan Majerle was one of the hardest working guys to ever play in the NBA.  And he’s instilled that same work ethic and hustle attitude into his business life as owner of Majerle’s Sports Grill.

Selected with the 14th pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 1988 NBA Draft, Dan quickly became a fan favorite while playing eight seasons in Phoenix (1988-95, 2001-02).  The 6-6 swingman, who was a member of the Suns 1993 Western Conference Championship squad, also played one season in Cleveland and five in Miami following his departure from the Suns via trade in 1995.  Dan returned to Phoenix for the 2001-02 season where he sank his 800th and final career three-pointer with 25.3 seconds remaining in the season finale on April 17, 2002 vs. Dallas.

“Thunder Dan” was inducted into the Suns’ Ring of Honor, the team’s highest honor, on March 9, 2003.  At the ceremony, Suns Chairman Jerry Colangelo announced the creation of the Majerle Hustle Award, explaining, “When you think of Dan Majerle, you think of a guy who gave maximum effort in every game, every practice, in everything he did.  It is this work ethic that inspired the creation of the award.”  The Majerle Hustle Award is presented annually to the Suns player who most personified those attributes during the season.

Dan was a three-time All-Star (1992, ’93, ’95) who became the first reserve in NBA history to be voted an All-Star starter in 1995.  The 14-year NBA veteran ranks among the league’s all-time leaders in three-pointers made and at the time held the NBA Finals record for most three-pointers made in a series (1993 vs Chicago).

Following his retirement as a player from the NBA, Dan stepped into the broadcast booth where he served as an analyst for Suns TV broadcasts as well as TNT, ESPN and ABC.

He then served as the associate head coach for the Suns from 2008 – 13 and head coach for Grand Canyon University where he led the men’s basketball program with an impressive 136-89 record over seven seasons.

Born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, Dan starred for Traverse City High School and Central Michigan University where he played for four years and held the school record for most points in a season for 30 years.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

ENTERING THE NBA

EARLY 90S

MICHAEL JORDAN

ALL STAR

CAVS/HEAT

COMMUNITY

SUNS RETURN

MEDIA

HONORS

COACHING SUNS

COACHING GCU

Back To Top