Phil Chenier facts for kids
Chenier in 2011
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| No. 45, 30, 15 | |
|---|---|
| Shooting guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 30, 1950 Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| High school | Berkeley (Berkeley, California) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | California (1969–1971) |
| NBA Draft | 1971 / Round: Hardship / Pick: 4th overall |
| Selected by the Baltimore Bullets | |
| Pro career | 1971–1981 |
| Career history | |
| 1971–1979 | Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets |
| 1979–1980 | Indiana Pacers |
| 1981 | Golden State Warriors |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 9,931 (17.2 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 2,063 (3.6 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,742 (3.0 apg) |
Philip "Phil" Chenier (born October 30, 1950) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons. After his playing career, he also became a television sports broadcaster for the NBA's Washington Wizards.
Contents
Early Life and College
Phil Chenier was born and grew up in Berkeley, California. He went to Berkeley High School. After high school, he played college basketball at the University of California in Berkeley.
Playing in the NBA
Joining the Baltimore Bullets
In 1971, Phil Chenier was chosen fourth in the NBA Hardship Draft. This special draft allowed college players to join the NBA early. He was picked by the Baltimore Bullets. He played for the Bullets for eight seasons, from 1971 to 1979.
Moving to Washington
After his second season, in 1973, the Bullets team moved. They changed their name to the Capital Bullets, then later to the Washington Bullets. Phil was one of the best shooting guards in the NBA for his first six seasons.
Injury and Championship Win
During the 1977–78 season, Phil had a serious back injury. He needed surgery, which ended his season early. Even without him, the Bullets went on to win the NBA championship that year. After his surgery, Phil was not quite the same player. He returned late the next season but could not get his starting spot back.
Later Career and Retirement
After the 1978–79 season, the Bullets released Phil. He then played for the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors for short periods. He retired from playing basketball after the 1980–81 season.
Phil Chenier's Achievements
Phil Chenier was a very talented player.
- In 1972, he was chosen for the NBA All-Rookie Team. This means he was one of the best new players in the league.
- He was also picked for three NBA All-Star teams during his career.
- On average, he scored 17.2 points per game.
In 2017, the Washington Wizards announced they would honor Phil. They decided to retire his number 45 jersey. This means no other player on the team will ever wear that number again. His jersey was officially retired on March 23, 2018.
Broadcasting Career
After his playing days, Phil Chenier started a career in television. In 1985, he began working in sports broadcasting. He announced games for black colleges alongside other broadcasters. From 1987 to 2017, he was a "color analyst" for the Washington Bullets and Washington Wizards games. A color analyst helps explain the game and gives expert opinions during the broadcast. He worked with play-by-play commentator Steve Buckhantz for NBC Sports Washington.
Personal Life
Phil Chenier lives in Columbia, Maryland, with his wife, Gerry Chenier. They have two daughters, one son, and several grandchildren.
