Joe Ward (basketball) facts for kids

Joseph Nathan Ward, born on January 21, 1963, is a retired American professional basketball player. He was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft.

Early Life and Basketball Start

Joe Ward started playing basketball when he was 11 years old. This was in the mid-1970s in Griffin, Georgia. He played in a youth program run by the local parks and recreation department.

College Basketball Career

Ward first played college basketball at Clemson University as a freshman. He then moved to the University of Georgia and did not play during the 1983 season.

Becoming a Starter

He became a starter five games into his sophomore year. As a sophomore, he was very good at free throws, making 90% of them. He continued to be a starter for the next three years.

Senior Year Success

In his senior year (1985–86), Ward played under coach Hugh Durham. He was named to the Coaches' All-SEC first team. He averaged 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game that season.

College Career Highlights

Overall, Ward averaged 11.2 points during his college career. He shot 53.7% from the field. He was known for his amazing jumping ability. Fans of the Georgia Bulldogs loved him in the mid-1980s. In 2006, he was honored as part of the Chick-Fil-A SEC Basketball Legends program.

Professional Basketball in the CBA

After college, Ward played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He played for several teams, including the Savannah Spirits, Tulsa Fast Breakers, Rapid City Thrillers, Yakima Sun Kings, and Oklahoma City Cavalry.

CBA Achievements

Ward played six seasons in the CBA. He averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. In 1989, he won a league championship with the Tulsa Fast Breakers. In 1991, he was named to the All-CBA Second Team while playing for Rapid City.

Playing in the Philippines

Ward also played basketball in the Philippines. He joined the Añejo Rum 65 team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

PBA Debut and High Score

He arrived in Manila right after being with the Philadelphia 76ers team. In his first PBA game on October 20, 1988, he scored 55 points, even though he was battling cramps. His highest score in the PBA was 78 points on December 1, 1988.

Coaching Career

After playing for nine years, Ward started coaching in 1994. He began with a recreation program in Knoxville, Tennessee.

High School Coaching Success

For nine years, he coached at Rule Christian Academy (RCA). He won championships with the 15 to 17-year-old teams. Sometimes, he would coach three different teams in one season.

Coaching in the UAAP

In 2014, Ward joined the coaching staff for the UP Fighting Maroons men's basketball team in the Philippines. He was brought in to train two tall players.

When the head coach left in 2015, Ward coached the Maroons temporarily. A few months later, he became the head coach. However, for UAAP Season 78, he became an assistant coach again.

In 2019, Ward joined the Adamson Falcons men's basketball coaching staff. He worked under head coach Franz Pumaren.

Return to High School Coaching

In 2022, Joe Ward became the Head Coach for the boys' basketball team at Central High School in Knoxville.

See also

In Spanish: Joe Ward (baloncestista) para niños