Clinton Wheeler (October 27, 1959 – February 14, 2019) was an American professional basketball player. He was a 6'1" (185 cm) 185 lb (84 kg) point guard and played collegiately at Division III's William Paterson University.[1] In his brief NBA career from 1987 to 1989, he played for three teams.
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Neptune Township, New Jersey | October 27, 1959
Died | February 14, 2019 Middletown, New Jersey | (aged 59)
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Long Branch (Long Branch, New Jersey) |
College | William Paterson (1977–1981) |
NBA draft | 1981: 7th round, 150th overall pick |
Selected by the Kansas City Kings | |
Playing career | 1984–1995 |
Position | Point guard |
Number | 5, 10, 11 |
Career history | |
1984–1985 | Albany Patroons |
1985 | Jersey Jammers |
1985–1986 | Albany Patroons |
1986–1987 | Rapid City Thrillers |
1987 | Miami Tropics |
1987–1988 | Indiana Pacers |
1988 | Rapid City Thrillers |
1988 | Miami Heat |
1989 | Portland Trail Blazers |
1989–1993 | Bayer Giants Leverkusen |
1993–1994 | Rochester Renegade |
1994 | Jacksonville Hooters |
1994–1995 | Rapid City Thrillers |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball Reference |
Life
editWheeler played high school basketball at Long Branch High School in Long Branch, New Jersey.[2]
A product of the William Paterson University program where he played four years, Wheeler scored 1,624 points for WP, which put him in third position on the school's all-time list, when he left college in 1981. In the 1979–80 season, he averaged 26.1 points a contest and 22.4 points a game in 1980–81.[3]
During the 1980s, Wheeler played frequently in the Jersey Shore Basketball League which was a Pro-Am league that played outdoors at the Headliner in Neptune, NJ. NBA players and NJ residents like Kelly Tripucka, Roy Hinson, and Mike O'Koren also played. Wheeler's spectacular plays were memorialized by the PA announcer with "Wow Wheeler!" after an impressive basket.
Wheeler was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the 7th round (12th pick) of the 1981 NBA draft.[4] He is ranked eighth on the Albany Patroons' all-time regular season scoring list.[5] From 1989 to 1993, he played for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany's top flight Basketball Bundesliga, where he formed a successful duo with fellow American Kannard Johnson. Wheeler won four German national championship titles with Leverkusen.[6]
He died February 14, 2019, at age 59.[7]
References
edit- ^ Augsburg's Devean George in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks! Archived 2007-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Clinton Wheeler Archived 2009-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, database Basketball. Accessed October 1, 2007.
- ^ "Men's Basketball All-Team Statistical Records". www.wpupioneers.com. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ 1981 NBA Draft Archived 2007-08-24 at the Wayback Machine, basketballreference.com
- ^ Albany Patroons History Archived 2007-09-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "BAYER GIANTS trauern um Clinton Wheeler". www.giants-leverkusen.de. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ Edelson, Stephen (February 21, 2019). "Former Long Branch star Clinton Wheeler, who played in NBA, dies at 59". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
External links
edit- NBA stats @ basketballreference.com