Joe Ward (basketball) facts for kids
| Small forward | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 21, 1963 Barnesville, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Griffin (Griffin, Georgia) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA Draft | 1986 / Round: 2 / Pick: 31st overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1987–1989 | Savannah Spirits / Tulsa Fast Breakers |
| 1988 | Añejo Rum 65ers |
| 1989–1991 | Rapid City Thrillers |
| 1993 | Yakima Sun Kings |
| 1994 | Oklahoma City Cavalry |
| As coach: | |
| 2000–2007 | Mesa Community College |
| 2014–2018 | UP (assistant) |
| 2019 | Adamson (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Joseph Nathan Ward (born January 21, 1963) is a former professional basketball player from America. He was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft. After his playing days, he became a basketball coach.
Contents
Early Life and First Games
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 Parks and Recreation Department.
College Basketball Career
Ward began his college basketball journey at Clemson University. After his first year, he moved to the University of Georgia. He didn't play during the 1983 season due to transfer rules.
He became a starting player five games into his second year. He was very good at shooting free throws, making 90% of them that year. Joe Ward remained a starter for the next three years. In his final year, 1985–86, he was named to the All-SEC first team by coaches. He averaged 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Throughout his college career, he scored an average of 11.2 points per game. He also made 53.7% of his shots from the field. Joe Ward was known for his amazing jumping skills. Fans of the Georgia Bulldogs loved him in the mid-1980s. He was honored as a basketball legend in 2006.
Playing in Other Leagues
Continental Basketball Association (CBA)
After college, Ward played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). This was another professional basketball league in the United States. He played for several teams, including the Savannah Spirits and Rapid City Thrillers.
In total, Joe Ward played six seasons in the CBA. He averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He helped his team, the Tulsa Fast Breakers, win a league championship in 1989. In 1991, he was chosen for the All-CBA Second Team.
Playing in the Philippines (PBA)
In 1988, Joe Ward played basketball in the Philippines. He joined a team called Añejo Rum 65 in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He had just come from a training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In his first game on October 20, 1988, he scored 55 points. He even battled cramps during the game! His highest score in the PBA was 78 points on December 1, 1988.
Coaching Career
After playing for nine years, Joe Ward started coaching in 1994.
Coaching High School Teams
He began coaching with the Rule Christian Academy (RCA) recreation program in Knoxville. For nine years, he coached 15 to 17-year-olds. He even won championships with his teams. Sometimes, he coached three different teams in one season!
In 2022, Joe Ward became the Head Coach for the boys' basketball team at Central High School in Knoxville.
Coaching in the Philippines (UAAP)
In 2014, Ward was asked to join the coaching staff for the UP Fighting Maroons in the Philippines. His main job was to help train two tall players from the team's junior squad.
When the head coach left in 2015, Ward temporarily coached the Maroons. A few months later, he became the head coach. However, for the UAAP Season 78, he became an assistant coach again.
In 2019, Ward joined the coaching staff for the Adamson Falcons men's basketball team.
See also
In Spanish: Joe Ward (baloncestista) para niños
