How Dennis Rodman went from a homeless, junior college walk-on to one of the most interesting and controversial NBA legends

Scott DavisApr 29, 2020, 21:41 IST

Dennis Rodman sings Happy Birthday to North Korean leader Kim Jong UnKim Kwang Hyon

ESPN's "The Last Dance" has put a spotlight back on Dennis Rodman.
Rodman is one of the most compelling figures in sports thanks to his unique game and enigmatic personality.
Rodman's journey to the NBA was unusual, including being homeless and undergoing a late growth spurt, and his time after the NBA has been rocky.
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While ESPN's docuseries "The Last Dance" focuses on Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman has emerged as a co-star.

From tales of Rodman's unusual journey to the NBA, his rise with the "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons, success with the Chicago Bulls, and off-court antics, Rodman remains one of the most compelling figures in any sport.

Rodman's tale also involved his transformation into an enigmatic figure who pushed the boundaries for an athlete. His journey after the NBA has been up and down, including an unexpected friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Read below how Rodman grew into a fascinating, controversial figure in sports.

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Now, see where other members of the 1997-98 Bulls are today...

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Rodman has said he thinks he would be a drug dealer, in jail, or dead if not for basketball.

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. He gave an emotional speech in which he thanked several of his coaches and teammates for caring for him. He also apologized for not being a better son to his mother or a better father to his kids.

Stephan Savoia/AP Images

Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. He gave an emotional speech in which he thanked several of his coaches and teammates for caring for him. He also apologized for not being a better son to his mother or a better father to his kids.

Rodman has gotten sober several times, though he has also had relapses. His former agent said in December of 2019 that Rodman was four months sober. It's unclear if he still is today.

OGUT/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images

Rodman has gotten sober several times, though he has also had relapses. His former agent said in December of 2019 that Rodman was four months sober. It's unclear if he still is today.

Amid reports that Kim is in poor health following surgery, Rodman told TMZ that he hopes they are just "rumors."

Dennis Rodman sings Happy Birthday to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seated above in the stands, before an exhibition basketball game at an indoor stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon) Kim Kwang Hyon/AP

Rodman also flew to the Donald Trump-Kim summit in Singapore in 2018.

Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images

Rodman has drawn criticism for the friendship, as Kim rules over a totalitarian state with a poor human rights record.

via CNN/YouTube

Arguably, nothing has garnered Rodman as much fame since retiring as his surprising friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Reuters

After retiring, Rodman also struggled with substance abuse.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage for Moet Hennessey/Getty Images

After basketball, Rodman was involved in reality TV, appearing on shows like "Celebrity Big Brother" and "The Apprentice."

Desiree Navarro/WireImage/Getty Images

Rodman played basketball in the ABA, China, Mexico, and Finland, but never stayed long in any of the leagues.

Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

In 1998, Rodman briefly married model and actress Carmen Electra, who was with Rodman during his vacation in Vegas. They divorced after less than a year.

SGranitz/WireImage/Getty Images

Rodman's career fell off quickly after the Bulls championship in 1998.

Paul Buck/AFP/Getty Images

It was revealed in "The Last Dance" that midway during the 1997-98 season, Rodman asked for a vacation and went to Las Vegas for 48 hours. He stayed away from the team for several days until Jordan literally went to his apartment and brought him to practice.

Fred Jewell/AP Images

It was revealed in "The Last Dance" that midway during the 1997-98 season, Rodman asked for a vacation and went to Las Vegas for 48 hours. He stayed away from the team for several days until Jordan literally went to his apartment and brought him to practice.

Rodman played a critical role on the Bulls in 1997-98 as Scottie Pippen was sidelined. Rodman became Jordan's No. 2, lifting the Bulls with his defense and rebounding.

AP Images

In 1996, Rodman promoted the release of his biography, "Bad As I Wanna Be," by dressing in a bride's wedding dress and going to a book store in New York City. The event drew thousands of spectators. The book went to No. 1 on The New York Times Bestsellers list.

Mark Lennihan/AP Images

In 1996, Rodman promoted the release of his biography, "Bad As I Wanna Be," by dressing in a bride's wedding dress and going to a book store in New York City. The event drew thousands of spectators. The book went to No. 1 on The New York Times Bestsellers list.

Rodman became an even bigger celebrity in Chicago thanks to the Bulls dominance and the spotlight on Jordan. He said he was more famous than Jordan from 1996-98.

Beth A. Keiser/AP Images

Rodman proved to be a good fit with the Bulls. His defense and rebounding were valuable skills for a team welcoming back Michael Jordan from a break to play baseball.

Beth A. Keiser/AP Images

Rodman eventually fell out of favor with the Spurs and was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 1995.

Eric Draper/AP Images

Silver's 1995 profile of Rodman also revealed that Rodman liked dressing in drag, partying at gay night clubs, and had sexual fantasies about men, though he denied being gay.

The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Silver's 1995 profile of Rodman also revealed that Rodman liked dressing in drag, partying at gay night clubs, and had sexual fantasies about men, though he denied being gay.

Rodman also began a high-profile relationship with Madonna.

Paul Hurschmann/AP

Rodman described himself as an "entertainer" in San Antonio, frequently changing his hair color, dressing differently, and showing more of his personality.

David J. Phillip/AP Images

In 1993, Rodman was traded from the Pistons to the Spurs, which marked a turning point in his career.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

On February 11, 1993, Rodman was found asleep in his car outside the Pistons arena, with a loaded rifle.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

However, things eventually turned south in Detroit for Rodman.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Rodman became a key cog on the "Bad Boy" Pistons, known for their rough, physical style of play. The Pistons made three straight Finals appearance from 1987-1990, winning the championship in 1989 and 1990.

Bettman/Getty Images

Rodman became a key cog on the "Bad Boy" Pistons, known for their rough, physical style of play. The Pistons made three straight Finals appearance from 1987-1990, winning the championship in 1989 and 1990.

Rodman's dedication to rebounding was historic.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

However, on the court, Rodman wowed teammates and the NBA with his unique style of play. Rodman didn't care about scoring. Instead, he focused on rebounding and defense.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

However, on the court, Rodman wowed teammates and the NBA with his unique style of play. Rodman didn't care about scoring. Instead, he focused on rebounding and defense.

Rodman was 26 when he entered the NBA, far older than most rookies. Former Pistons president Tom Wilson called Rodman "extraordinarily, painfully shy" and hard to get comfortable around.

Doug Pizac/AP Images

Rodman was 26 when he entered the NBA, far older than most rookies. Former Pistons president Tom Wilson called Rodman "extraordinarily, painfully shy" and hard to get comfortable around.

Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 27th pick in the 1986 draft.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

While at Southeastern Oklahoma, Rodman dominated on the court, winning NAIA All-American three times. Rodman was still relatively new to the concepts of basketball but went all-out on the court. He averaged 26 points and 16 rebounds per game for his college career.

via "Rodman: For Better or Worse"/ESPN Films

While at Southeastern Oklahoma, Rodman dominated on the court, winning NAIA All-American three times. Rodman was still relatively new to the concepts of basketball but went all-out on the court. He averaged 26 points and 16 rebounds per game for his college career.

While in Durant, Oklahoma, Rodman worked at a local basketball camp where he befriended a 12-year-old named Bryne Rich. Rodman and Rich eventually grew closer and Rodman moved into the Rich's house, calling them his "surrogate" family.

Dennis Rodman and Bryne Rich. via CBS

While in Durant, Oklahoma, Rodman worked at a local basketball camp where he befriended a 12-year-old named Bryne Rich. Rodman and Rich eventually grew closer and Rodman moved into the Rich's house, calling them his "surrogate" family.

Though Rodman flunked out of junior college and never played a full season of basketball, Lonn Reisman, an assistant coach of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a small NAIA school, noticed Rodman and recruited him.

via "Rodman: For Better or Worse"/ESPN Films

Though Rodman flunked out of junior college and never played a full season of basketball, Lonn Reisman, an assistant coach of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a small NAIA school, noticed Rodman and recruited him.

After graduating high school, Rodman hit a sudden growth spurt, going from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-8 in a little over a year. He began playing basketball at a local rec center when he was noticed by Cooke County, a junior college in Gainesville, Texas.

via "Rodman: For Better or Worse"/ESPN Films

After graduating high school, Rodman hit a sudden growth spurt, going from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-8 in a little over a year. He began playing basketball at a local rec center when he was noticed by Cooke County, a junior college in Gainesville, Texas.

Rodman bounced between jobs, lacking direction until his mother kicked him out of her house two years later.

Focus on Sport/Getty Images

After high school, Rodman got a job at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport as a janitor, which he called "the beginning of the end for me."

Robert Alexander/Getty Images

Rodman said growing up he had "no direction."

Bob Mahoney/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Rodman described himself as "really shy" growing up, saying he'd hide behind his mother and sisters.

via ESPN Films

Rodman was born in 1961 and grew up in the neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas.

Tom Pennington/AP Images

A Hall of Famer and one of the NBA's all-time greatest rebounders and defenders, Rodman's outsized personality and off-court life made him a massive celebrity in the 1990s and has kept him in the spotlight after basketball.

Tim Boyle/AP Images

A Hall of Famer and one of the NBA's all-time greatest rebounders and defenders, Rodman's outsized personality and off-court life made him a massive celebrity in the 1990s and has kept him in the spotlight after basketball.

Dennis Rodman remains one of the most captivating figures in the NBA and all of sports.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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How Dennis Rodman went from a homeless, junior college walk-on to one of the most interesting and controversial NBA legends

Now, see where other members of the 1997-98 Bulls are today...

Rodman has said he thinks he would be a drug dealer, in jail, or dead if not for basketball.

Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. He gave an emotional speech in which he thanked several of his coaches and teammates for caring for him. He also apologized for not being a better son to his mother or a better father to his kids.

Rodman has gotten sober several times, though he has also had relapses. His former agent said in December of 2019 that Rodman was four months sober. It's unclear if he still is today.

Amid reports that Kim is in poor health following surgery, Rodman told TMZ that he hopes they are just "rumors."

Rodman also flew to the Donald Trump-Kim summit in Singapore in 2018.

Rodman has drawn criticism for the friendship, as Kim rules over a totalitarian state with a poor human rights record.

Arguably, nothing has garnered Rodman as much fame since retiring as his surprising friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

After retiring, Rodman also struggled with substance abuse.

After basketball, Rodman was involved in reality TV, appearing on shows like "Celebrity Big Brother" and "The Apprentice."

Rodman played basketball in the ABA, China, Mexico, and Finland, but never stayed long in any of the leagues.

In 1998, Rodman briefly married model and actress Carmen Electra, who was with Rodman during his vacation in Vegas. They divorced after less than a year.

Rodman's career fell off quickly after the Bulls championship in 1998.

It was revealed in "The Last Dance" that midway during the 1997-98 season, Rodman asked for a vacation and went to Las Vegas for 48 hours. He stayed away from the team for several days until Jordan literally went to his apartment and brought him to practice.

Rodman played a critical role on the Bulls in 1997-98 as Scottie Pippen was sidelined. Rodman became Jordan's No. 2, lifting the Bulls with his defense and rebounding.

In 1996, Rodman promoted the release of his biography, "Bad As I Wanna Be," by dressing in a bride's wedding dress and going to a book store in New York City. The event drew thousands of spectators. The book went to No. 1 on The New York Times Bestsellers list.

Rodman became an even bigger celebrity in Chicago thanks to the Bulls dominance and the spotlight on Jordan. He said he was more famous than Jordan from 1996-98.

Rodman proved to be a good fit with the Bulls. His defense and rebounding were valuable skills for a team welcoming back Michael Jordan from a break to play baseball.

Rodman eventually fell out of favor with the Spurs and was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 1995.

Silver's 1995 profile of Rodman also revealed that Rodman liked dressing in drag, partying at gay night clubs, and had sexual fantasies about men, though he denied being gay.

Rodman also began a high-profile relationship with Madonna.

Rodman described himself as an "entertainer" in San Antonio, frequently changing his hair color, dressing differently, and showing more of his personality.

In 1993, Rodman was traded from the Pistons to the Spurs, which marked a turning point in his career.

On February 11, 1993, Rodman was found asleep in his car outside the Pistons arena, with a loaded rifle.

However, things eventually turned south in Detroit for Rodman.

Rodman became a key cog on the "Bad Boy" Pistons, known for their rough, physical style of play. The Pistons made three straight Finals appearance from 1987-1990, winning the championship in 1989 and 1990.

Rodman's dedication to rebounding was historic.

However, on the court, Rodman wowed teammates and the NBA with his unique style of play. Rodman didn't care about scoring. Instead, he focused on rebounding and defense.

Rodman was 26 when he entered the NBA, far older than most rookies. Former Pistons president Tom Wilson called Rodman "extraordinarily, painfully shy" and hard to get comfortable around.

Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 27th pick in the 1986 draft.

While at Southeastern Oklahoma, Rodman dominated on the court, winning NAIA All-American three times. Rodman was still relatively new to the concepts of basketball but went all-out on the court. He averaged 26 points and 16 rebounds per game for his college career.

While in Durant, Oklahoma, Rodman worked at a local basketball camp where he befriended a 12-year-old named Bryne Rich. Rodman and Rich eventually grew closer and Rodman moved into the Rich's house, calling them his "surrogate" family.

Though Rodman flunked out of junior college and never played a full season of basketball, Lonn Reisman, an assistant coach of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a small NAIA school, noticed Rodman and recruited him.

After graduating high school, Rodman hit a sudden growth spurt, going from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-8 in a little over a year. He began playing basketball at a local rec center when he was noticed by Cooke County, a junior college in Gainesville, Texas.

Rodman bounced between jobs, lacking direction until his mother kicked him out of her house two years later.

After high school, Rodman got a job at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport as a janitor, which he called "the beginning of the end for me."

Rodman said growing up he had "no direction."

Rodman described himself as "really shy" growing up, saying he'd hide behind his mother and sisters.

Rodman was born in 1961 and grew up in the neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas.

A Hall of Famer and one of the NBA's all-time greatest rebounders and defenders, Rodman's outsized personality and off-court life made him a massive celebrity in the 1990s and has kept him in the spotlight after basketball.

Dennis Rodman remains one of the most captivating figures in the NBA and all of sports.