Dwayne Schintzius
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Position | Center |
|---|---|
| Height | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) |
| Weight | 260 lb (120 kg) |
| Born | October 14, 1968 Brandon, Florida |
| Nationality | USA |
| College | University of Florida |
| Draft | 24th overall, 1990 |
| Pro career | 1990–1999 |
| Former teams | San Antonio Spurs (1990–91) Sacramento Kings (1991–92) New Jersey Nets (1992–95) Indiana Pacers (1995–96) Los Angeles Clippers (1996–97) Boston Celtics (1998–99) |
Dwayne Kenneth Schintzius (born October 14, 1968 in Brandon, Florida) is an American basketball player perhaps best known for his role as a Russian player in the 1996 Whoopi Goldberg comedy Eddie, and his mullet. Schintzius testified in the trial of his former New Jersey Nets teammate Jayson Williams that he witnessed Williams killing his own dog with a shotgun[1]
After attending Brandon High School, Schintzius played for the Florida basketball team in the late 1980s. He had several disciplinary problems while in college, including an assault charge for allegedly attacking a car with a tennis racket.[2] In the first game after he returned from that suspension, Florida played Vanderbilt in a crucial Southeastern Conference matchup. Prior to the game, Vanderbilt was notified that if any tennis balls were thrown, there would be a technical foul assessed. There was, however, no announcement made to the crowd of this consequence. With two seconds left, down by two points, Florida turned the ball over. Thinking the game was over, some fans threw tennis balls at Schintzius, and a technical foul was assessed. The identity and school affiliation of the throwers of the balls has never been identified in a public forum. Schintzius himself hit both free throws, and Florida won in overtime. Florida eventually won the SEC by one game over Vanderbilt that season.
He was later suspended indefinitely in 1990 by his coach Don DeVoe for the combination of a fraternity house fight and a stubborn refusal to get a haircut. Schintzius released a statement that he could "no longer sail under the authority of Captain Ahab."
Because of his height and his relatively soft hands, he was regarded as a good prospect. Regardless, he was the 24th pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. His initial team, the San Antonio Spurs, traded him to the Sacramento Kings for Antoine Carr on September 23, 1991. The Kings waived Schintzius during the 1991-92 season, but the New Jersey Nets picked him up on October 1, 1992.
Schintzius played the majority of the balance of the 1990s with a number of teams-three seasons with the Nets, a year with the Indiana Pacers, and then a year with the Clippers. After missing the entire 1997-98 season, he played with the Celtics in 1998-99 before retiring. After several years away from basketball, he attempted a comeback in the USBL with the Brevard Blue Ducks in 2003.[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Former Net renews claim that Williams shot own dog (2004-05-05). Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
- ^ Fanatics at Work: Ten Most Intriguing Things Thrown on the Field (2006-05-04). Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
- ^ Blue Ducks News. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
