Fred Hoiberg's journey in basketball began long before he stepped onto an NBA court. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and raised in Ames, Iowa, Hoiberg was a standout athlete at Ames High School, where he excelled in multiple sports. His basketball prowess earned him a scholarship to Iowa State University, where he played from 1991 to 1995. During his college career, Hoiberg became a fan favorite, known for his sharpshooting and intelligent play. He finished his collegiate career as one of the top scorers in Iowa State history and earned the nickname "The Mayor" due to his popularity on campus.
In the 1995 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers selected Hoiberg in the second round with the 52nd overall pick. He spent four seasons with the Pacers, where he was primarily used as a role player off the bench. His ability to shoot from long range and his understanding of the game made him a valuable asset to the team. During his time with Indiana, Hoiberg learned from some of the best in the game, including Hall of Fame coach Larry Bird.
In 1999, Hoiberg signed with the Chicago Bulls, where he played for four seasons. With the Bulls, he saw increased playing time and continued to develop his reputation as a reliable shooter. His best statistical season came in 2000-2001 when he averaged 9.1 points per game. Hoiberg's time in Chicago was marked by his professionalism and work ethic, traits that would serve him well in his future endeavors.
Hoiberg's playing career continued with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he signed in 2003. It was with the Timberwolves that he led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage during the 2004-2005 season, hitting 48.3% of his shots from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, his playing career was cut short due to a heart condition that required surgery in 2005. After undergoing successful surgery, Hoiberg decided to retire from playing professional basketball.
Transitioning from player to coach, Hoiberg returned to Iowa State University in 2010 as the head coach of the men's basketball team. His tenure at Iowa State was marked by a revitalization of the program. Under his leadership, the Cyclones made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2012 to 2015 and won two Big 12 Tournament titles. Hoiberg's coaching style emphasized a fast-paced offense and the use of analytics, which earned him praise and respect in the college basketball community.
In 2015, Hoiberg made the leap to the NBA coaching ranks when he was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. His time with the Bulls was a period of transition for the team, as they were in the midst of rebuilding. Hoiberg's NBA coaching career had its challenges, and he was released from his position in December 2018 after three-plus seasons with the team.
In 2019, Hoiberg returned to the college ranks as the head coach of the University of Nebraska men's basketball team. Taking on the challenge of rebuilding the program, he brought his experience and knowledge to the Cornhuskers, aiming to elevate the team's performance in the competitive Big Ten Conference.
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