Bo Kimble facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 9, 1966 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| High school | Dobbins Technical (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA Draft | 1990 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8th overall |
| Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers | |
| Pro career | 1990–1998 |
| Coaching career | 2022–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1990–1992 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 1992–1993 | New York Knicks |
| 1993–1994 | CRO Lyon |
| 1994–1995 | Rapid City Thrillers |
| 1995 | Hartford Hellcats |
| 1996–1997 | La Crosse Bobcats |
| 1997 | LUCKIPar |
| 1997–1998 | Yakima Sun Kings |
| As coach: | |
| 2022–present | Overbrook HS |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 574 (5.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 162 (1.5 rpg) |
Gregory Kevin "Bo" Kimble (born April 9, 1966) is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He played college basketball for the Loyola Marymount Lions. In his senior year (1989–90), Kimble was named an All-American. He was also the Player of the Year for the West Coast Conference (WCC).
Kimble helped lead the Lions to the regional finals of the NCAA tournament. This happened after his teammate, Hank Gathers, sadly passed away. The Los Angeles Clippers chose Kimble in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft. He was the eighth player picked overall. He played three seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Clippers and the New York Knicks.
Contents
High School Basketball Career
Bo Kimble played high school basketball with his friend Hank Gathers at Dobbins Technical High School in Philadelphia. Together, they led their team to win the Public League City championship in 1985. This was a big achievement for their school.
College Basketball Journey
Playing for USC
Both Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble were recruited to play for the University of Southern California (USC). They joined other talented players to form a strong group of new students. After their first year, the head coach and his assistant were no longer with the team.
The new coach, George Raveling, made some changes. He decided that Gathers, Kimble, and another player would not keep their scholarships. Because of this, Kimble and Gathers decided to transfer to another university.
Time at Loyola Marymount
After transferring, Kimble and Gathers had to sit out one season. This was a rule for transfer students in the NCAA. When they started playing for Loyola Marymount University (LMU), they became key players. Their coach, Paul Westhead, used a very fast-paced style of play.
The LMU team would often shoot the ball within 10 seconds of getting it. They also used a full-court press defense. This made their games very exciting and high-scoring. In 1990, Kimble was the top scorer in the nation, averaging 35.3 points per game. He was also named an All-American that year.
LMU's teams led Division I in scoring for three years in a row: 1988, 1989, and 1990. Their average of 122.4 points per game in 1990 was a record. Many of the highest-scoring games in college basketball history happened during Kimble's time at LMU.
A Teammate's Passing
During the 1990 WCC tournament, a sad event occurred. Hank Gathers, Bo Kimble's close friend and teammate, collapsed during a game and passed away due to a heart condition. Because of this, the tournament was stopped. Loyola Marymount was given a spot in the NCAA tournament.
During LMU's amazing run in the NCAA tournament, Kimble honored Gathers. Even though Kimble was right-handed, he shot his first free throw of each game left-handed. This was a special way to remember Hank Gathers.
Honoring Their Legacy
In 2000, Loyola Marymount University retired Bo Kimble's No. 30 jersey and Hank Gathers's No. 44 jersey. This means no other player at LMU will wear those numbers. In 2005, the entire 1989–90 team was inducted into Loyola Marymount's Hall of Fame. This recognized their incredible season and teamwork.
NBA Career
Later in 1990, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Bo Kimble as the 8th overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft. He played in the same building where he had played with Gathers at USC. As a rookie, he averaged 6.9 points per game. His NBA career was affected by injuries.
In 1992, Kimble was traded to the New York Knicks. He played only nine games for the Knicks before his NBA career ended. After the NBA, Kimble played for several years in the Continental Basketball Association. He played for teams like the Rapid City Thrillers and the Yakima Sun Kings.
Coaching and Personal Life
Coaching Career Today
In 2022, Bo Kimble became the head coach for the boys' basketball team at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. His brother, Jabbar, works alongside him as an assistant coach.
Life Off the Court
Bo Kimble also acted in the 1991 movie Heaven is a Playground. He played a high school student named Matthew Lockhart. He also helped start the Forty-Four for Life Foundation. This group works to help reduce deaths caused by heart problems.
On July 17, 1990, Los Angeles County declared it "Bo Kimble Day." This was to honor him for his basketball achievements and for being a good role model for young people in Los Angeles.
In 2011, Kimble visited a high school basketball team in Holland, Michigan. This team had just lost their star player, Wes Leonard, who passed away after a game due to a heart condition. Kimble shared his experience and supported the team, as Leonard's death happened almost exactly 21 years after Hank Gathers' passing.
See also
In Spanish: Bo Kimble para niños
