Rick Wilson (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 7, 1956 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| High school | Atherton (Louisville, Kentucky) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Louisville (1974–1978) |
| NBA Draft | 1978 / Round: 2 / Pick: 25th overall |
| Selected by the Atlanta Hawks | |
| Career history | |
| 1978–1980 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1979–1980 | Utica Olympics |
| 1980–1981 | Atlantic City Hi-Rollers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Richard "Rick" Wilson (born February 7, 1956) is a former American basketball player. He played as a shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1978 to 1980.
Contents
Rick Wilson's College Basketball Journey
Rick Wilson grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and went to Atherton High School. After high school, he played college basketball for the University of Louisville from 1974 to 1978.
During his first year, Wilson was a reserve player. This means he was part of the team but usually came off the bench. He was on the Cardinals' team that made it to the Final Four in 1975. The Final Four is the exciting last stage of the NCAA college basketball tournament.
After his first year, Wilson became a starter for the rest of his time at Louisville. As a sophomore, he showed off his skills. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He helped lead his team to the 1976 National Invitation Tournament in 1976.
In his junior year, Wilson played alongside another great player, Darrell Griffith. Together, they led the Cardinals back to the NCAA tournament in 1977. They played well but lost to the UCLA Bruins.
His senior year, the 1977–78 season, was fantastic! Wilson averaged 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He led the Cardinals to win the Metro Conference championship. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1978 Metro Conference men's basketball tournament. Because of his amazing performance, Rick Wilson was named the Metro Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year that season.
Playing Pro Basketball
After his successful college career, Rick Wilson was chosen in the 1978 NBA draft. The Atlanta Hawks picked him in the second round, as the 25th player overall. This meant he was ready to play in the NBA!
In his first year as a professional player, called a rookie, Wilson played in 81 games during the 1978–79 season. He played in a reserve role, averaging 3.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
The next season, Wilson played in 5 games for the Hawks before he was released from the team. He then finished that season playing for the Utica Olympics in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The CBA was another professional basketball league. The following season, Wilson played with the Atlantic City Hi-Rollers, also in the CBA.
Beyond Basketball: A Softball Star
After his basketball career, Rick Wilson found success in another sport: professional softball! He played outfield for the Kentucky Bourbons. This team was part of the United Professional Softball League from 1981 to 1982.
In 1981, Wilson helped the Kentucky Bourbons win a World Series title! They won the series 5–3 against the New England Pilgrims. He left the Bourbons early in the 1982 season.
See also
In Spanish: Rick Wilson para niños
