Photo courtesy of the University of Detroit Mercy
John Long
U of D Basketball
University of Detroit Basketball Player (1974 - 1978)
Detroit Mercy Titans Hall of Fame
Number "50" retired by the University of Detroit
Detroit Mercy Titans Hall of Fame
Number "50" retired by the University of Detroit
NBA Player
Detroit Pistons Player (1978 – 1986, 1989, 1991)
Indiana Pacers Player (1986 – 1989)
Atlanta Hawks Player (1989 – 1990)
Toronto Raptors Player (1996 – 1997)
1x NBA Champion
Indiana Pacers Player (1986 – 1989)
Atlanta Hawks Player (1989 – 1990)
Toronto Raptors Player (1996 – 1997)
1x NBA Champion
John Eddie Long
University of Detroit Basketball Player (1974 – 1978)
Detroit Pistons Player (1978 – 1986, 1989, 1991)
Indiana Pacers Player (1986 – 1989)
Atlanta Hawks Player (1989 – 1990)
Toronto Raptors Player (1996 – 1997)
John Long was born in Romulus, Michigan and played basketball at the University of Detroit for coach Dick Vitale. After a very successful four-year college career, Long was selected early in the second round of the 1978 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. Long played eight seasons in the first of three stints for the Pistons. He played on the Pistons 1989 NBA championship team. Long’s 14-year NBA career included playing with the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and finally the Toronto Raptors. At the time of his retirement, Long was the second-oldest player in the NBA ending his career with 12,131 points. His number “50” was retired by the University of Detroit. John Long was inducted into the Detroit Mercy Titans Hall of Fame in 2001 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.