Quinn Buckner Net Worth

Quinn Buckner net worth is estimated at $2 million, earned through his career as a professional basketball player, coach, broadcaster, and sports executive. Buckner is widely respected for his achievements at the high school, college, Olympic, and NBA levels, as well as his long service to the game off the court.

Quinn Buckner Net Worth	$2 Million
Date of Birth	August 20, 1954
Place of Birth	Phoenix, Illinois

Table of Contents

Early Life

Quinn Buckner was born on August 20, 1954, in Phoenix, Illinois. He attended Thornridge High School in Dolton, where he excelled in both basketball and football. Buckner remains the only athlete in Chicago-area history to be named Player of the Year in both sports.

Under legendary coach Ron Ferguson, Buckner led Thornridge to back-to-back Illinois state championships in 1971 and 1972. His outstanding performances earned him McDonald’s All-American honors in 1972, marking him as one of the nation’s top high school players.

College Career at Indiana University

Buckner went on to play college basketball at Indiana University under Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight. Known for his leadership, defense, and basketball intelligence, he was a key part of the Hoosiers’ historic 1976 undefeated season, which ended with an NCAA Championship.

That same year, Buckner was named a Consensus First-Team All-American, cementing his place among the best college players of his era.

Olympic

In 1976, Buckner represented the United States at the Montreal Summer Olympics, where he helped lead the team to a gold medal, defeating Yugoslavia in the final. Earlier, he also won a bronze medal at the 1974 FIBA World Championship in Puerto Rico.

His international success added to his reputation as an elite defensive guard and team leader.

NBA Career

Quinn Buckner was selected seventh overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1976 NBA Draft. He played for Milwaukee from 1976 to 1982 before joining the Boston Celtics, where he won an NBA Championship in 1984 alongside Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish.

Quinn Buckner Salary

During the mid-1980s, Buckner earned reported NBA salaries of $239,000 with the Celtics and $223,000 with the Pacers. Adjusted for inflation, those earnings are equivalent to approximately $1.3 million today.

While Buckner does not receive a salary for serving on the Indiana University Board of Trustees, he is reimbursed for approved travel and receives per diem allowances when performing official duties.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, Buckner transitioned into coaching. He served as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks during the 1993–94 NBA season. Although his coaching tenure was brief, his basketball knowledge and leadership continued to earn respect across the league.

Broadcasting

Following coaching, Buckner built a successful career in sports broadcasting. He worked as an analyst for NBC Sports, ESPN, and CBS Sports, covering both college basketball and the NBA, including major Finals matchups.

In 1997, Buckner returned to Indiana as a color commentator for the Indiana Pacers, a role he still holds today. He also serves as Vice President of Communications for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, combining media expertise with executive leadership.

Community Service

Beyond basketball, Buckner is deeply involved in community service. He has supported organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Special Olympics. He has also served on the board of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

As Chair of the Board of Trustees at Indiana University, Buckner continues to shape education and athletics at his alma mater.