Wayne Hightower
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Position | Power forward-Center |
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Height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
Weight | 192 lb (87 kg) |
Born | January 14, 1940 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Nationality | United States |
Died | April 18, 2002 (aged 62) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
College | Kansas |
Draft | 7th overall, 1962 San Francisco Warriors |
Pro career | 1961–1972 |
Former teams | Real Madrid (1961–1962) San Francisco Warriors (1962–1965) Baltimore Bullets (1965–1967) Detroit Pistons (1965–1967) Denver Rockets (1967–1969) Los Angeles Stars (1969–1970) Texas Chaparrals (1970) Utah Stars (1971) Carolina Cougars (1971–1972) |
Awards | ACB top scorer 1961-62 (19.72 PPG) [1] |
Wayne A. Hightower (born January 14, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-died 18 April 2002, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was an American basketball player who had a long and productive career in the NBA and ABA during the 1960s and early 1970s. He was a 6'8" power forward and center.
Hightower went to Kansas, and after graduation moved to Spain and signed for Real Madrid, whom he led to a domestic championship and the final of the European Champions Cup, which the team lost.
He was drafted in the 1962 NBA Draft at the 7th spot overall by the San Francisco Warriors, with whom he played for 3 seasons.
The pinnacle of his NBA career came with the Warriors, together with fellow Philadelphia native Wilt Chamberlain he reached the 1964 NBA Finals. Hightower recorded his best season that year, averaging 13.2 and 7.2 PG.
He later played for several other teams, moving to play in the ABA in 1967 before retiring in 1972.
Hightower died in 18 April 2002, in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2]