Charlie Ward facts for kids
Ward in 1991, while at Florida State
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| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1970 Thomasville, Georgia, U.S. |
| High school | Thomas County Central (Thomasville, Georgia) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Florida State (1990–1994) |
| NBA Draft | 1994 / Round: 1 / Pick: 26th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1994–2005 |
| Career history | |
| 1994–2004 | New York Knicks |
| 2004 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2004–2005 | Houston Rockets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 3,947 (6.3 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,648 (2.6 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,539 (4.0 apg) |
Charlie Ward Jr. (born October 12, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ward was also an amazing college football player. He won the Heisman Trophy, a top award for college football players. He also helped his team win a national championship.
Ward played for the New York Knicks for nine years. He even started in the 1999 NBA Finals. Later, he played for the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. He retired from basketball in 2005. In 2006, he was added to the College Football Hall of Fame.
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Charlie Ward's College Sports Career
Charlie Ward was a star athlete at Florida State University (FSU). He was great at both football and basketball.
Football Success
In 1993, Ward won the Heisman Trophy. This award goes to the best college football player in the United States. He also won the Maxwell Award and the Davey O'Brien Award. These awards are also for top college football players.
As a quarterback for the Seminoles, Ward led his team to a huge victory. They won their first-ever national championship in 1993. They beat Nebraska 18–16 in the 1994 Orange Bowl.
Ward was the only Heisman winner to also play in the NBA. This shows how talented he was in both sports. In 1993, he also won the James E. Sullivan Award. This award is for the most outstanding amateur athlete in the U.S.
Basketball Talent
Ward also played basketball for four years at Florida State. His teammates included future NBA players like Sam Cassell.
His FSU basketball team did very well. In 1993, they reached the "Elite Eight" in the 1993 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. In 1992, they made it to the "Sweet Sixteen." Ward even made the winning shot in a big tournament game in 1991.
He still holds FSU basketball records for most steals in a career (236). He also holds the record for most steals in one game (9). He is also ranked sixth all-time in assists. In his senior year, he joined the basketball team just 15 days after winning the Heisman Trophy. He still managed to average 10.5 points and 4.9 assists per game.
Professional Basketball Career
After college, Charlie Ward decided to play basketball professionally. He was picked by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 1994 NBA draft. He became a point guard for the team.
Ward quickly became a favorite among Knicks fans. He was known for his hard work and unselfish play. He was a good three-point shooter and a reliable player. In 1998, he was chosen to compete in the NBA All-Star three-point contest.
Ward helped the Knicks reach the 1999 NBA Finals. They played against the San Antonio Spurs. After many years with the Knicks, Ward played short times with the Spurs and the Houston Rockets. He retired in 2005 due to injuries.
During his time with the Knicks, some people called Ward the "best quarterback in New York." This was because the city's football teams were not doing very well.
Life After Playing Sports
After retiring from playing, Charlie Ward continued to be involved in sports.
Coaching
Ward became an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets NBA team. He also coached high school basketball and football teams in Texas. Later, he became the head coach for the boys' basketball team at Florida State University Schools in Florida. He also works as an Ambassador of Football for Florida State University.
Other Activities
Charlie Ward hosts a web series called Chalk Talk with Charlie Ward. In this show, he talks about Florida State Seminole Football. In 2020, he even appeared as himself in an episode of the Netflix show Family Reunion.
Helping Others
Ward is also known for his charity work. He works with groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2011, he received the John Wooden Keys to Life award. This award honors athletes who show excellence and good character on and off the court.
He also started The aWard Foundation. This foundation helps young people through sports mentoring and educational programs.
Personal Life
Charlie Ward is married to Tonja, and they have three children: Caleb, Hope, and Joshua.
In 2018, Ward had a stroke while on a church trip. He has since made a full recovery. To stay healthy, he changed to a vegan diet and started working out more often.
Images for kids
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Ward in 1991, while at Florida State
See also
In Spanish: Charlie Ward para niños
