Jerry Lee Wells facts for kids

Jerry Lee Wells (born January 18, 1944 – died May 26, 2014) was an American professional basketball player. He was known for his amazing scoring skills in college. He played for the Oklahoma City Chiefs (now called the Stars) and helped them reach the NCAA tournament multiple times.

A College Basketball Star

Jerry Wells grew up in Glasgow, Kentucky. He went to Ralph Bunche High School. After high school, he joined the Oklahoma City Chiefs basketball team. He and his teammate, Charlie Hunter, were the first two African-American players for the Chiefs. This was a big step forward for the team.

Wells was a fantastic scorer. His talent helped the Chiefs get into the NCAA tournament three years in a row. This is a major college basketball championship. He was the top scorer for his team during his junior and senior years. His coach, Abe Lemons, said that Jerry was "as good as a player I've had in 10 years" and "an All-American if there ever was one."

Professional Career

Drafted by the NBA

In 1966, Jerry Wells was chosen by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1966 NBA draft. He was the 16th player picked overall. However, he never got to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This was because he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966.

Playing for the Muskegon Panthers

After his time with the Army, Wells played for the Muskegon Panthers. This team was part of the North American Basketball League (NABL). He played for them from 1966 until the team stopped playing just five games into the 1967–68 season.

Hall of Fame

In 1986, Jerry Wells was honored for his great basketball career. He was inducted into the Oklahoma City Stars Hall of Fame. This shows how important he was to his college team and how much his skills were appreciated.

See also

In Spanish: Jerry Lee Wells para niños