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Chuck Person

Position	Small forward
Nickname	The Rifleman
Height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Nationality	United States
Born	June 27, 1964 Brantley, Alabama
College	Auburn University
Draft	4th overall, 1986 Indiana Pacers
Pro career	1986–2000
Former teams	Indiana Pacers (1986-92) Minnesota Timberwolves (1992-94) San Antonio Spurs (1994-98) Charlotte Hornets (1999) Seattle SuperSonics (1999-2000)
Awards	NBA Rookie of the Year (1987)

Chuck Connors Person (born June 27, 1964 in Brantley, Alabama) is an American former professional player in the National Basketball Association.

Selected fourth in the 1986 NBA Draft out of Auburn University by the Indiana Pacers, the small forward won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987 and played six seasons with Indiana. During this time, Person established a reputation as a brash, trash talking antagonist who, for better or worse, brought a competitive spirit to a floundering Pacers franchise. This culminated during the 1991 and 1992 playoffs when Person had an ongoing rivalry with Hall of Famer and future Pacers President Larry Bird.

Person was traded in 1992, along with Micheal Williams, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Sam Mitchell and Pooh Richardson. After his contract expired in 1994, he signed free agent contracts with the San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets and Seattle SuperSonics. He was traded by the Spurs with a conditional first-round draft pick and other considerations to the Chicago Bulls for Steve Kerr on January 22, 1999 but was immediately waived.

Person was nicknamed as "The Rifleman" not only for his prolific long-range shooting but because he shared the same first and middle name with American actor Chuck Connors, star of the TV series The Rifleman. Most likely he was named after him. Over his career, Person played in 943 games, with averages of 14.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, a 45.8 field goal percentage, and 36.2 three point shooting percentage. He ranks 17th all-time in career three-point field goals made.

Chuck Person retired in 2000. He is the older brother of current NBA free agent, Wesley Person, and is currently an Assistant Coach for the Indiana Pacers.

• During one game on Christmas Day against the Indiana Pacers, before the game Larry Bird told Chuck Person that he would give him a Christmas present. During the game, when Person was on the bench, Bird shot a three-pointer on the baseline right in front of Person. Immediately after the shot, Bird said to Person, "Merry fuckin' Christmas!", and then the shot went in!

• Bird, Person Reflect on '91 Pacers-Celtics Series

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