Billy Owens facts for kids
Owens ("right") with young fan at 2024 Jr. 76ers Basketball Camp
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | May 1, 1969 Carlisle, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| High school | Carlisle (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | Syracuse (1988–1991) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1991 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the Sacramento Kings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1991–2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2010–2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As player: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991–1994 | Golden State Warriors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | Miami Heat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1998 | Sacramento Kings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Seattle SuperSonics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Philadelphia 76ers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Golden State Warriors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | Detroit Pistons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As coach: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2018 | Rutgers–Camden (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Points | 7,026 (11.7 ppg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 4,016 (6.7 rpg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assists | 1,704 (2.8 apg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Billy Eugene Owens (born May 1, 1969) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he was a star player for Syracuse University. There, he was named an All-American and the top player in the Big East Conference in 1991. Billy Owens was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and played high school basketball at Carlisle High School.
Contents
Billy Owens' Early Basketball Career
High School Success
Billy Owens was an amazing high school player. In his senior year, he scored an average of 34 points in each game! He helped his team at Carlisle High School (Pennsylvania) win four state championships in a row. Many people thought he was the second-best high school player in 1988. He even shared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the McDonald's All-American Game. People sometimes compared his playing style to Magic Johnson because he was so good at many things. He could handle the ball, pass, and play different positions, even though he was tall.
College Years at Syracuse
After high school, Billy Owens played college basketball for Syracuse University. He played for three seasons and was a key player for his team. On average, he scored 17.9 points, grabbed 8.8 rebounds, and made 3.7 assists per game. In his junior year, he was recognized as the Big East Player of the Year. This award goes to the best player in the Big East Conference. His jersey number 30 was later retired by Syracuse, which is a huge honor!
Playing in the NBA
Joining the Golden State Warriors
In 1991, Billy Owens was chosen by the Sacramento Kings in the 1991 NBA draft. He was the third player picked overall! However, he was soon traded to the Golden State Warriors. This trade was a big deal because it meant the Warriors traded away a popular player named Mitch Richmond. The Warriors' coach, Don Nelson, wanted a taller player like Billy Owens to make the team even better.
Playing for Different Teams
Billy Owens played as a small forward and shooting guard in the NBA. He was 6 feet 8 inches tall. In his first year with the Warriors, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. This means he was one of the best new players in the league! The Warriors' team improved a lot in his first season.
Over his ten-year career, Billy Owens played for several NBA teams. These included the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons. He averaged over 15 points and nearly eight rebounds during his time with the Warriors. Unfortunately, a series of injuries affected his career, and he stopped playing in 2001.
Life After Playing: Coaching
After his playing career, Billy Owens decided to share his basketball knowledge. From 2010 to 2018, he worked as an assistant coach. He coached the men's basketball team at Rutgers-Camden, a Division III college. He helped young players learn the game and prepare for their futures. He was honest with them about what it takes to become a professional player.
Representing the United States
Billy Owens also played for the US national team. He helped his country win medals in international competitions.
- In 1990, he won a bronze medal at the 1990 FIBA World Championship.
- In the same year, he earned a silver medal at the Goodwill Games in Seattle. He was the top scorer for the US team at that event.
Images for kids
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Owens ("right") with young fan at 2024 Jr. 76ers Basketball Camp
See also
In Spanish: Billy Owens para niños
