James Worthy

James Ager Worthy (b. February 27, 1961), nicknamed Big Game James, was a college and professional basketball player from Gastonia, North Carolina. Standing 6'9", he played small forward.

Related Topics:
February 27 - 1961 - Nickname - Basketball - Gastonia, North Carolina - Small forward

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Worthy was a stand-out basketball player for the University of North Carolina, winning the 1982 NCAA championship before being drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. As a Laker, he contributed to 3 NBA championships in 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was best known for his one-handed tomahawk slam dunks, as well as his ability to glide seemingly effortlessly through the air to the basket. He was a member of the 1983 NBA all-rookie team (unanimous choice) as well as being voted the 1988 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

Related Topics:
University of North Carolina - 1982 - NCAA championship - Drafted - Los Angeles Lakers - NBA - 1985 - 1987 - 1988 - Tomahawk - Slam dunk - 1983 - Rookie - Unanimous - NBA Finals - Most Valuable Player

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Worthy played in 926 NBA games, had a career field goal percentage of .521, and averaged 17.6 points per game (21.1 points per playoff game). He was a first-ballot inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004. His Jersey (#42) was retired by the Los Angeles Lakers after his retirement. He began wearing eye goggles after suffering a severe eye injury during the 1984-1985 season. Since his retirement from the NBA, Worthy has done color commentary for Lakers pre-game shows on KCAL, a local Los Angeles television station.

Related Topics:
Percent - Ballot - Basketball Hall of Fame - 2004 - Goggles - Eye - 1984 - 1985 - Retirement - KCAL - Los Angeles - Television station

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~