James Worthy facts for kids
Worthy in 2007
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| 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. People often called him "Big Game James" because he played his best in important games. He spent his whole career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). James Worthy was an NBA All-Star seven times. He won three NBA championships and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1988. He is also on the NBA's special 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Before joining the NBA, James Worthy was an amazing college basketball player. He played for the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a small forward, he was a top All-American. He helped lead his team to win the 1982 NCAA championship. After this success, the Lakers chose him as the first player picked in the 1982 NBA draft.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
James Worthy was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. In his final year at Ashbrook High, he was a star player. He averaged 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. His great play helped his team reach the state championship game. He was also chosen as a Parade Magazine and McDonald's All-American. This meant he was one of the best high school players in the country. He played in the 1979 McDonald's All-American Game with other future Hall of Famers. These included Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, and Ralph Sampson.
College Career Highlights
After high school, Worthy went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He quickly became a key player as a freshman. However, his first season was cut short when he broke his ankle. In his second year, he was a big part of the UNC team. They reached the 1981 NCAA championship game but finished as runner-up. He played alongside future stars like Al Wood and Sam Perkins.
Winning the NCAA Championship
As a junior, James Worthy was the top scorer for the Tar Heels. He averaged 15.6 points per game. This team was one of the most talented in college basketball history. It included future NBA legends Sam Perkins and Michael Jordan. Worthy was named a first-team All-American. He also shared the Helms Foundation Player of the Year award in 1982.
In the 1982 championship game, Worthy played an amazing game against the Georgetown Hoyas. He scored 28 points and made 13 of 17 shots. In the final seconds, he intercepted a pass, helping the Tar Heels win 63–62. His outstanding performance earned him the Most Outstanding Player award for the tournament. A famous photo of his dunk over Patrick Ewing even made the cover of Sports Illustrated.
After this huge success, Worthy decided to enter the NBA draft early. He later finished his college degree by taking summer classes. His jersey number 52 was retired by the Tar Heels. This means no other player can wear that number.
Professional NBA Career
Becoming a Top Draft Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers got the first pick in the 1982 NBA draft by chance. The Cleveland Cavaliers had the worst record in the league. The Lakers had traded for their draft pick years earlier. The Lakers won a coin toss against the San Diego Clippers for the top spot. This was the only time a team that just won the NBA championship also got the first pick. The Lakers chose James Worthy over other great players like Dominique Wilkins.
Rookie Season and Early Impact
James Worthy quickly made a name for himself as a rookie. He averaged 13.4 points per game. He also set a Lakers rookie record by shooting 57.9% from the field. Worthy was fast and could score with either hand. He was great at finishing fast breaks with his famous "Statue of Liberty" dunks. He also had a quick spin move and a strong midrange jump shot. His first year ended early when he broke his leg in April 1983. He missed the rest of the season and the playoffs. Still, he was named to the 1983 All-Rookie First Team.
Joining the "Showtime" Lakers
In the 1983–84 season, Worthy was back and healthy. He soon became a starter for the Lakers. The Lakers were known for their exciting "Showtime" offense. They reached the Finals against the Boston Celtics. Worthy played very well in the Finals, averaging 22.1 points per game. However, the Lakers lost the series in seven games. This loss motivated the team for the next season.
Winning First NBA Championship
The Lakers were a top team in 1985 and returned to the NBA Finals. During the playoffs, Worthy became known for his clutch play. He averaged 21.5 points per game. In the Finals against the Celtics, he averaged 23.7 points. His strong play helped the Lakers win the championship 4–2. This win confirmed him as one of the league's best players. It was also in 1985 that Worthy started wearing goggles. He wore them for the rest of his career after scratching his eye.
Continued Success and All-Star Appearances
The 1985–86 season looked promising for the Lakers. Worthy continued to improve, scoring 20 points per game. He was named an All-Star for the first of seven times in a row. However, the Lakers lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Houston Rockets.
In the 1986–87 season, the Lakers added Mychal Thompson to their team. This helped them achieve a 65–17 record. Many consider this team one of the greatest NBA teams ever. They won another NBA title against the Celtics. Worthy was at his peak, leading the team with 23.6 points per game in the playoffs. He had many huge games, including a 39-point performance against Seattle.
NBA Finals MVP and Back-to-Back Titles
The Lakers pushed hard again in 1987–88. Worthy averaged 19.7 points and scored a career-high 38 points against the Atlanta Hawks. 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 Game 7, he had an amazing 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. This "triple-double" helped the Lakers win the game and their second straight title. Worthy earned the NBA Finals MVP award for his incredible play.
Chasing a "Three-peat"
In 1988–89, the Lakers aimed for a "three-peat" (three championships in a row). They met the Pistons again in the Finals. However, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was playing his last games, and Magic Johnson and Byron Scott were injured. Even with Worthy playing his best, it wasn't enough. He averaged a career-high 25.5 points per game in the Finals. He even scored 40 points in Game 4. But the Lakers were swept 4–0 by the Pistons.
Later Career and Retirement
The Lakers had a great record in 1989–90. Worthy averaged 21.1 points per game. He became the first NBA player to shoot at least 53% in his first eight seasons. However, the Lakers lost in the Conference semifinals to the Phoenix Suns.
In 1991, the Lakers reached the Finals again. Worthy led the team with a career-high 21.4 points per game in the playoffs. Unfortunately, he suffered a high ankle sprain in the Western Conference Finals. This injury limited him in the Finals against the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls, led by Worthy's former college teammate Michael Jordan, won the series. Worthy missed Game 5 due to re-injuring his ankle.
After Magic Johnson's sudden retirement in 1991, the Lakers faced challenges. Worthy's own injuries also began to take a toll. The ankle injury and knee surgery in 1992 reduced his speed and jumping ability. This made it harder for him to score. After dealing with knee pain in the 1994–95 preseason, James Worthy decided to retire 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 stood out. He led the Lakers in playoff scoring during their championship wins in 1987 (23.6 points per game) and 1988 (21.1 points per game). He always played his best in the playoffs, averaging 3.5 points more per game than in the regular season. This, along with his amazing performance in the 1982 NCAA Championship game, earned him the nickname "Big Game James".
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. He shot 54.4% from the field in the playoffs. In 34 NBA Finals games, he averaged 22.2 points per game. He played in 4 Game 7s (winner-take-all games) in his career. In these crucial games, he averaged 27 points and 8.2 rebounds, shooting 60%.
He ranks sixth all-time in Lakers team scoring (16,320 points). He is also third all-time in team steals (1,041) and seventh in team field goal percentage (.521). James Worthy was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He was also chosen for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. The Athletic ranked him as the 59th greatest player in NBA history. Worthy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. His jersey number 42 was retired by the Lakers.
Life After the NBA
TV Career
After retiring from playing, James Worthy became a studio analyst for Spectrum SportsNet. He co-hosts Access SportsNet, which is a pregame and postgame show for 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 Klingon character named Koral in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also guest-starred as himself on Everybody Loves Raymond and Webster.
Coaching Role
On September 28, 2015, James Worthy joined the Lakers coaching staff. His main job was to work with the team's taller players, known as "big men."
Personal Life and Charity Work
James Worthy was married to Angela Wilder for 12 years. They met at the University of North Carolina in 1981. They have two daughters together.
Worthy is also the founder of 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 the YMCA.
Images for kids
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Worthy attempting a layup against the Houston Rockets in the 1986 playoffs
See also
In Spanish: James Worthy para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders
