R.J. Adelman, the 44-year-old son of former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Rick Adelman, died after a Feb. 2 auto accident in Houston in which he was struck while crossing the street.
A spokesman from the Houston Police department confirmed Adelman’s death, adding that the driver was an 80-year-old woman who was driving a gold Chrysler Town and Country minivan. The driver was questioned and released without charges, but the accident is still under investigation.
R.J. worked for the Seattle Supersonics, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves in roles that ranged from assistant video coordinator to scout to assistant coach to director of player personnel.
He was an assistant coach during his father’s time as Rockets head coach (2007-2011), then worked with him as director of player personnel during Rick’s time as head coach of the Timberwolves as well (2011-14). He was living in Houston during the time of the accident.
R.J.'s brother, David, is an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets.
Prior to working in the NBA, R.J. practiced law in Portland, Ore. in both a private practice and as a real estate lawyer. He played collegiately at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., and was part of the team that won the NAIA Division II National Championship in 1993. He earned his law degree from the University of Oregon in 2001.
TMZ first reported the news of Adelman’s death.
