James Worthy facts for kids
Worthy in 2007
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | February 27, 1961 Gastonia, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| High school | Ashbrook (Gastonia, North Carolina) | |||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | |||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) | |||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||
| College | North Carolina (1979–1982) | |||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1982 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall | |||||||||||||
| Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1982–1994 | |||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||
| 1982–1994 | Los Angeles Lakers | |||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Points | 16,320 (17.6 ppg) | |||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 4,708 (5.1 rpg) | |||||||||||||
| Assists | 2,791 (3.0 apg) | |||||||||||||
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Medals
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James Ager Worthy (born February 27, 1961) is a famous American former professional basketball player. He was known as "Big Game James" because he always played his best in important games. James Worthy spent his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Worthy was a seven-time NBA All-Star, which means he was chosen as one of the best players in the league seven times. He won three NBA championships with the Lakers and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1988. He is considered one of the greatest players ever, being named to both the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Before joining the NBA, James Worthy was an amazing college basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He was a top player in the country and helped lead his team to win the 1982 NCAA championship. After his great college career, the Lakers chose him as the very first player in the 1982 NBA draft.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
James Worthy was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. He was a star player at Ashbrook High School. In his final year, he averaged 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. His excellent play helped his team reach the state championship game.
He was recognized as one of the best high school players in the country. He was chosen to play in the 1979 McDonald's All-American Game. This game featured other future basketball legends like Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, and Ralph Sampson.
College Career at North Carolina
After high school, Worthy went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He quickly showed his talent as a freshman. However, his first year was cut short when he broke his ankle.
In his second year, he was a key player for UNC. His team reached the 1981 NCAA championship game, where they finished as runner-up. He played alongside other future NBA stars like Al Wood and Sam Perkins.
As a junior, Worthy was the top scorer for the Tar Heels. He averaged 15.6 points per game. This team was incredibly talented, including future NBA legends Sam Perkins and Michael Jordan. Worthy was named an All-American and shared the national player of the year award.
He played a huge role in the 1982 championship game against the Georgetown Hoyas. He scored 28 points and helped his team win 63–62. He even made a game-winning play by intercepting a pass in the final seconds. For his amazing performance throughout the tournament, he was named the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player. After this success, Worthy decided to leave college early to join the NBA. He later finished his degree by taking summer classes. His jersey number 52 was retired by the North Carolina Tar Heels, a great honor.
Professional Basketball Career
Becoming the Number 1 Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers got the first pick in the 1982 NBA draft. This was unusual because the Lakers were the reigning NBA champions. They won a coin toss against the San Diego Clippers to get the top pick. With this pick, the Lakers chose James Worthy. He was picked before other great players like Dominique Wilkins.
Rookie Season (1982–1983)
James Worthy quickly made an impact as a rookie. He averaged 13.4 points per game and shot an impressive 57.9% from the field. He fit perfectly into the Lakers' fast-paced "Showtime" offense. He was known for his speed, ability to score with both hands, and exciting dunks.
Worthy was also good at playing close to the basket. He had a quick spin move and a strong mid-range jump shot. His rookie season ended early when he broke his leg in April 1983. Even though he missed the playoffs, he was still named to the 1983 All-Rookie First Team.
Finding His Role (1983–1984)
Worthy returned healthy for the 1983–84 NBA season. He started the season playing power forward. However, his coach, Pat Riley, soon realized Worthy was better suited as a small forward. He was a great offensive player, often coming off the bench as a "sixth man" to provide scoring.
He became one of the best small forwards in the league. In the 1984 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Worthy played a big role. He averaged 22.1 points per game in that series. The Lakers lost the series in seven games, which made them determined to win the next year.
First NBA Championship (1984–1985)
The 1984–85 season saw Worthy become a full-time starter. The Lakers had a strong season and made it back to the NBA Finals. During the playoffs, Worthy became known for his clutch (important) performances. He averaged 21.5 points per game and shot 62.2% from the field.
In the Finals, he averaged 23.7 points per game against the Celtics. His excellent play helped the Lakers win the championship 4–2. This victory confirmed him as one of the league's top players. It was also in 1985 that Worthy started wearing goggles after an eye injury. He wore them for the rest of his career.
Continuing Success (1985–1987)
In the 1985–86 season, Worthy continued to improve. He increased his scoring to 20 points per game and was named an All-Star for the first of seven times in a row. The Lakers were strong, but they lost in the Western Conference finals to the Houston Rockets.
For the 1986–87 season, the Lakers added Mychal Thompson to their team. This made them even stronger. They had an amazing 65–17 record and are considered one of the NBA's all-time great teams. Worthy was at his best, leading the team with 23.6 points per game in the playoffs. He had many huge games, helping the Lakers win another NBA title against the Celtics, 4 games to 2.
Back-to-Back Championships (1987–1988)
The Lakers were pushed hard by Coach Riley in the 1987–88 season. Worthy averaged 19.7 points during the regular season. He led the Lakers in scoring during the 1988 playoffs. In the Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Worthy was outstanding. He averaged 22 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in the series.
In Game 7, the final game of the series, Worthy had an incredible performance. He scored 36 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and had 10 assists, achieving a "triple-double." This amazing game helped the Lakers win the championship. Worthy earned the NBA Finals MVP award, and the Lakers won back-to-back titles.
Later Career and Retirement
The Lakers tried for a "Three-peat" (three championships in a row) in the 1988–89 season. They reached the Finals again against the Pistons. However, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing his last games and Magic Johnson and Byron Scott injured, the Lakers were swept 4–0. Worthy still played great, averaging a career-high 25.5 points per game in the Finals.
In the 1989–90 season, the Lakers had the best record in the NBA. Worthy averaged 21.1 points per game. He was the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 53% in each of his first eight seasons. The Lakers lost in the Conference semifinals to the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers made it to the Finals again in 1991. Worthy led the team with a career-high 21.4 points per game in the playoffs. However, he suffered a high ankle sprain in the Western Conference Finals. This injury limited him in the Finals against the Chicago Bulls, led by his former college teammate Michael Jordan. The Lakers lost in five games.
After Magic Johnson's sudden retirement in November 1991, the Lakers faced challenges. Worthy also started to deal with injuries. A high ankle injury in 1991 and knee surgery in 1992 affected his speed and jumping ability. After struggling with knee pain in the 1994–95 preseason, James Worthy announced his retirement in November 1994. He played 12 seasons in the NBA.
"Big Game James" Legacy
Even on Lakers teams with other Hall of Fame players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, James Worthy was a standout star. He was known as "Big Game James" because he always played his best in important games, especially the playoffs. He led the Lakers in playoff scoring during their championship runs in 1987 and 1988. He also played a huge role in the 1982 NCAA Championship game with Michael Jordan.
Worthy played in 926 regular-season NBA games. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. In 143 playoff games, he averaged 21.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. In 34 NBA Finals games, he averaged 22.2 points per game. He was especially good in Game 7s (winner-take-all games), averaging 27 points and 8.2 rebounds in those contests.
He ranks high in Lakers team history for scoring, steals, and field goal percentage. James Worthy was voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. The Lakers retired his jersey number 42 to honor him.
NBA Career Statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–83 | L.A. Lakers | 77 | 1 | 25.6 | .579 | .250 | .624 | 5.2 | 1.7 | 1.2 | .8 | 13.4 |
| 1983–84 | L.A. Lakers | 82* | 53 | 29.5 | .556 | .000 | .759 | 6.3 | 2.5 | .9 | .9 | 14.5 |
| 1984–85† | L.A. Lakers | 80 | 76 | 33.7 | .572 | .000 | .776 | 6.4 | 2.5 | 1.1 | .8 | 17.6 |
| 1985–86 | L.A. Lakers | 75 | 73 | 32.7 | .579 | .000 | .771 | 5.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 20.0 |
| 1986–87† | L.A. Lakers | 82* | 82 | 34.4 | .539 | .000 | .751 | 5.7 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 19.4 |
| 1987–88† | L.A. Lakers | 75 | 72 | 35.4 | .531 | .125 | .796 | 5.0 | 3.9 | 1.0 | .7 | 19.7 |
| 1988–89 | L.A. Lakers | 81 | 81 | 36.5 | .548 | .087 | .782 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 1.3 | .7 | 20.5 |
| 1989–90 | L.A. Lakers | 80 | 80 | 37.0 | .548 | .306 | .782 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 1.2 | .6 | 21.1 |
| 1990–91 | L.A. Lakers | 78 | 74 | 38.6 | .492 | .289 | .797 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 1.3 | .4 | 21.4 |
| 1991–92 | L.A. Lakers | 54 | 54 | 39.0 | .447 | .209 | .814 | 5.6 | 4.7 | 1.4 | .4 | 19.9 |
| 1992–93 | L.A. Lakers | 82 | 69 | 28.8 | .447 | .270 | .810 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 1.1 | .3 | 14.9 |
| 1993–94 | L.A. Lakers | 80 | 2 | 20.0 | .406 | .288 | .741 | 2.3 | 1.9 | .6 | .2 | 10.2 |
| Career | 926 | 717 | 32.4 | .521 | .241 | .769 | 5.1 | 3.0 | 1.1 | .7 | 17.6 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | L.A. Lakers | 21 | 0 | 33.7 | .599 | .500 | .609 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | .5 | 17.7 |
| 1985† | L.A. Lakers | 19 | 19 | 32.9 | .622 | .500 | .676 | 5.1 | 2.2 | .9 | .7 | 21.5 |
| 1986 | L.A. Lakers | 14 | 14 | 38.5 | .558 | .000 | .681 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 1.1 | .7 | 19.6 |
| 1987† | L.A. Lakers | 18 | 18 | 37.8 | .591 | .000 | .753 | 5.6 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 23.6 |
| 1988† | L.A. Lakers | 24 | 24 | 37.3 | .523 | .111 | .758 | 5.8 | 4.4 | 1.4 | .8 | 21.1 |
| 1989 | L.A. Lakers | 15 | 15 | 40.0 | .567 | .375 | .788 | 6.7 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 24.8 |
| 1990 | L.A. Lakers | 9 | 9 | 40.7 | .497 | .250 | .837 | 5.6 | 3.0 | 1.6 | .3 | 24.2 |
| 1991 | L.A. Lakers | 18 | 18 | 40.7 | .465 | .167 | .736 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 1.1 | .1 | 21.1 |
| 1993 | L.A. Lakers | 5 | 0 | 29.6 | .372 | .250 | .600 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | .0 | 13.8 |
| Career | 143 | 117 | 37.0 | .544 | .209 | .727 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 1.2 | .7 | 21.1 | |
Life After the NBA
TV and Coaching Roles
After his playing career, James Worthy became a studio analyst for Spectrum SportsNet. He co-hosts Access SportsNet, which is a show about Lakers games in Los Angeles. He also worked as an NBA analyst for KCBS-TV.
Worthy has also appeared in a few television shows. He played a character called Koral in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also guest-starred as himself on Everybody Loves Raymond and Webster.
In September 2015, Worthy was hired to work with the Lakers coaching staff. His main job was to help train the team's taller players, known as "big men."
Personal Life and Giving Back
James Worthy was married to Angela Wilder for 12 years. They met in 1981 at the University of North Carolina, where she was a cheerleader. They have two daughters together.
Worthy is also dedicated to helping others. He founded the James Worthy Foundation. He spends a lot of his time and money supporting non-profit groups. These include organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers of America, and YMCA, which help young people.
See also
In Spanish: James Worthy para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders
Images for kids
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Worthy attempting a layup against the Houston Rockets in the 1986 playoffs
