An aggressive defender, Kirk Hinrich was a standout guard for the University of Kansas basketball team prior to being selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2003 NBA draft. He shows ‘that play to win attitude of Bulls’ coach Scott Skiles.

Since joining the Chicago Bulls in 2003-2004, Hinrich has increased his points total and his assists per game. He was the Bulls playmaker in the reaching the 2006-2007 playoffs, sinking .448 percent of his field goals, .415 pct of 3-point shots and .835 pct of free throws. Hinrich averaged 16.6 points per game and a team high 6.3 assists per game. In Chicago’s sweep of Miami in the opening round of the 2007 playoffs, Hinrich averaged 11.0 ppg.

On May 4, 2007, Detroit Pistons star guard Chauncey Billups said this before a second round playoff against the Bulls, ‘I don’t think they play dirty at all, but they play hard. It starts with Kirk. He’s really a good defender, scrappy, never gives up on a play. There’s nothing dirty about him, he just plays hard and that sets the tone for them.’