Kiki VanDeWeghe facts for kids
VanDeWeghe in 2016
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1958 Wiesbaden, West Germany |
| Nationality | American / Canadian |
| High school | Palisades (Los Angeles, California) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UCLA (1976–1980) |
| NBA Draft | 1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall |
| Selected by the Dallas Mavericks | |
| Pro career | 1980–1993 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1980–1984 | Denver Nuggets |
| 1984–1989 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1989–1992 | New York Knicks |
| 1992–1993 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| As coach: | |
| 1999–2001 | Dallas Mavericks (assistant) |
| 2009–2010 | New Jersey Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 15,980 (19.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 2,785 (3.4 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,668 (2.1 apg) |
Ernest Maurice "Kiki" VanDeWeghe III (born August 1, 1958) is a German-born American-Canadian former professional basketball player. He also worked as a coach and executive in the sport. Kiki was a two-time NBA All-Star during his playing days. He is currently an advisor for the National Basketball Association (NBA).
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About Kiki VanDeWeghe
Kiki VanDeWeghe was born in Wiesbaden, West Germany. His father, Ernie Vandeweghe, was also an NBA player. His mother, Colleen Kay Hutchins, won the 1952 Miss America pageant.
Kiki moved to the U.S. when he was a child. He grew up to be a talented basketball player. He was known for his amazing scoring ability. He averaged 20 points per game for seven years in a row. He was especially good at a move called the "stepback." People even called it the "Kiki Move" because he used it so well.
Kiki's teams made it to the NBA playoffs in 12 of his 13 seasons. However, his teams never won the NBA championship. After playing, he became a general manager and a coach for NBA teams. He also worked as a top executive for the NBA for eight years.
For most of his career, Kiki spelled his last name "Vandeweghe." This was the spelling his parents used. In 2013, he changed it to "VanDeWeghe." He did this to honor his grandfather, who had the same name.
College Basketball Career
Kiki VanDeWeghe played college basketball for four years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In his senior year, the Bruins team had many new players. They had lost three key players to the NBA.
The team also had a new coach, Larry Brown. Kiki and another senior, James Wilkes, were the main leaders. At first, the team struggled a bit. But they got better as the season went on.
The Bruins were the last team chosen for the 1979–80 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. They were called "Kiki and the Kids." Kiki led his team all the way to the championship game. They beat strong teams like DePaul along the way. In the final game, UCLA lost to the University of Louisville.
Professional Playing Career
Kiki VanDeWeghe was picked 11th in the 1980 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. But he did not want to play for Dallas. He asked to be traded to another team. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets later that year. When he played in Dallas after that, fans would often boo him.
While playing for the Nuggets, Kiki was chosen for the NBA All-Star Game twice. He was an All-Star in 1983 and 1984. In 1983, he was the second-highest scorer in the league. In 1984, he scored a career-high 29.4 points per game.
Kiki had some amazing scoring games with the Nuggets. On December 13, 1983, he scored 51 points. This game was a triple-overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons. It is still the highest combined scoring game in NBA history. On January 11, 1984, he scored 50 points in a win against the San Antonio Spurs.
In 1984, Kiki was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He played very well in Portland. He and Clyde Drexler formed a powerful scoring team. Kiki averaged almost 25 points per game there. In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, he scored 28 points per game. This was his highest average in the playoffs.
Later, Kiki had a back injury. He was traded to the New York Knicks in 1988. His father had played his whole career for the Knicks. Kiki played for the Knicks for a few years. He then played half a season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He retired from playing basketball after the 1992–93 season.
Executive and Coaching Roles
After his playing career, Kiki VanDeWeghe worked in team management. He started with the Dallas Mavericks. He helped develop future NBA star Dirk Nowitzki. He also worked as an assistant coach for a short time.
In 2001, Kiki became the general manager for the Denver Nuggets. He helped the Nuggets return to the NBA playoffs. He made important decisions like drafting Carmelo Anthony in 2003. He also hired George Karl as head coach in 2005. His contract with the Nuggets ended in 2006.
After that, Kiki worked as a basketball analyst for ESPN. He shared his knowledge about the NBA on TV shows. In 2007, he joined the New Jersey Nets as a special assistant.
In 2009, Kiki became the interim head coach of the Nets. He also continued to be the general manager. He took over after the team started the season with many losses. He coached the team for the rest of that season.
After new owners took over the Nets, Kiki left his roles there. In 2013, he joined the leadership team of the NBA. He served as the executive vice president of basketball operations for eight years. In 2021, he became an advisor to the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver.
Personal Life
Kiki VanDeWeghe comes from a family of athletes. His uncle, Mel Hutchins, was also an NBA All-Star. His niece, Coco Vandeweghe, is a professional tennis player.
Kiki and his wife, Peggy, have one son. His son's name is Ernest Maurice Reece VanDeWeghe IV, born in 2002. Kiki's nephew, Hugh VanDeWeghe, plays college basketball for the California Golden Bears.
See also
In Spanish: Kiki Vandeweghe para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career free throw percentage leaders
