Vinny Del Negro (born Vincent Joseph Del Negro on August 9, 1966, in Springfield, Massachusetts) is a former NBA player, coach, and current analyst who grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Springfield.

Early Life and High School

Del Negro’s father, Vince (“Big Vin”), was a local basketball legend who taught him the game from a young age. Vinny made the varsity team as a freshman at Cathedral High School in Springfield. He later transferred to Suffield Academy in nearby Connecticut, where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,116 points and led the team to two New England championships.

College Career

He played four seasons at North Carolina State under Jim Valvano (1984–88). As a senior he earned All-ACC honors, averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He was also named ACC Tournament MVP in 1987.

NBA Playing Career

Selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round (29th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft, Del Negro played 12 seasons (1988–2001) as a guard. He appeared in 771 games, averaging 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. His teams included the Kings, San Antonio Spurs (where he spent several productive seasons), Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. He also played briefly in Italy.

Coaching Career

Del Negro coached the Chicago Bulls (2008–10), leading them to the playoffs both seasons, and the Los Angeles Clippers (2010–13). With the Clippers he posted a 128-102 regular-season record, including a Pacific Division title in 2012–13, and guided the team to the playoffs twice. Career coaching record: 210-184 (.533).

Later Career and Community Ties

After coaching, he became an analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports. Del Negro has remained closely connected to Springfield, supporting local charities (especially Brightside for Families and Children for decades) and receiving recognition such as the Rotary Club of Springfield’s Service Above Self Award. A street near Mercy Medical Center was named Vinny & Lynn Del Negro Way in honor of his family’s contributions.

A true product of Springfield’s basketball culture, Del Negro has often spoken about never forgetting his roots in the birthplace of the game.