Spud Webb facts for kids
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Webb at an Australian basketball exhibition in 1994
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| Texas Legends | |
|---|---|
| President of basketball operations | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 13, 1963 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| High school | Wilmer-Hutchins (Dallas, Texas) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Listed weight | 133 lb (60 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 1985 / Round: 4 / Pick: 87th overall |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Pro career | 1985–1998 |
| League | NBA G League |
| Career history | |
| 1985 | Rhode Island Gulls |
| 1985–1991 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1991–1995 | Sacramento Kings |
| 1995–1996 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1996 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 1996–1997 | Mash J. Verona |
| 1998 | Orlando Magic |
| 1998 | Idaho Stampede |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 8,072 (9.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,742 (2.1 rpg) |
| Assists | 4,342 (5.3 apg) |
Anthony Jerome "Spud" Webb (born July 13, 1963) is a famous American former professional basketball player. He was a Point guard who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Spud Webb is known for being one of the shortest players in NBA history. He stands at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.
Despite his height, Webb was an amazing dunker. He famously won the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. His professional career lasted from 1985 to 1998. After playing, Webb became the president of basketball operations for the Texas Legends. This team is part of the NBA G League.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Dreams
Spud Webb was born in Dallas, Texas. He got his nickname "Spud" when he was a baby. A visitor said his round head looked like the Sputnik satellite. Soon, "Sputnik" became "Spud."
Webb grew up in a small home. Basketball was a big inspiration for him. Even though he wasn't tall, he was very quick. He also had an amazing jumping ability. This helped him play better than bigger kids.
From seventh grade, people told Webb he was too short for basketball. He only got to play on his junior high team because two other players couldn't play. In his first game, Webb scored 22 points! He could even dunk the ball when he was only 5 feet 3 inches tall. At Wilmer-Hutchins High School, he was a star. In his senior year, he scored an average of 26 points per game.
College Basketball Journey
Playing for Midland College
Even with his great high school record, not many colleges were interested in Webb. His first chance to play college basketball came at Midland College in Texas. He led his team, the Chaparrals, to win the junior college national title in 1982.
In the championship game, Midland beat Miami-Dade North. Webb scored 36 points in that game. His amazing performance got him noticed. He was even featured in Sports Illustrated magazine. In 1983, he was named an NJCAA All-American.
Time at North Carolina State University
Webb planned to go to North Texas, but the coach there was fired. So, Webb almost went to work with his dad. But then, a coach from North Carolina State University saw him play. This coach was very impressed.
Webb met head coach Jim Valvano, who offered him a scholarship. At college, his vertical leap was measured at an incredible 42 inches (1.07 meters). He played for NC State from 1983 to 1985. He averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 assists per game.
Professional Basketball Career
Starting with the Atlanta Hawks (1985–1991)
Many people thought Webb was too short for the NBA. They believed he would play in Europe or for the Harlem Globetrotters. But the Detroit Pistons drafted him in 1985. However, the Pistons released him before the season started.
Webb then got a tryout with the Atlanta Hawks. He impressed them and earned a spot on the team. On March 5, 1991, Webb scored a career-high 32 points. This helped the Hawks win against the Denver Nuggets.
Winning the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Spud Webb was the shortest player ever to enter the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He won the event in 1986 in Dallas. Even his teammate, Dominique Wilkins, who was the defending dunk champion, was surprised. Webb said Wilkins had "never seen me dunk before."
Webb performed amazing dunks. These included a two-handed double pump dunk and an off-the-backboard one-handed jam. He also did a 360-degree helicopter dunk. In the final round, he beat Wilkins with two perfect 50-point scores. His coach said Webb tricked Wilkins into thinking he hadn't practiced.
Winning the Slam Dunk Contest made Webb very popular. He got many national deals with companies. These included Pony Shoes, Coca-Cola, and Chips Ahoy!
Playing for the Sacramento Kings (1991–1995)
After six seasons with the Hawks, Webb was traded to the Sacramento Kings. He played his best years there. He was a starter from 1992 to 1995. In his first season with the Kings, he averaged 16.0 points and 7.1 assists per game. These were career highs for him.
In his last season in Sacramento (1994–95), he led the NBA in free throw shooting. He made 93.4 percent of his free throws.
Later NBA Teams
In 1995, Webb was traded back to the Atlanta Hawks. He played half of the 1995–96 season there. Then, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Webb finished his NBA career after one season with the Orlando Magic in 1997.
Career Achievements and Impact
Spud Webb played 814 games in his 12-year NBA career. He scored 8,072 points, averaging 9.9 points per game. He also had 4,342 assists. He had over 50 games where he scored 20 points or more. His career high was 34 points against the Golden State Warriors.
As of 2021, Webb is tied for the third-shortest player in NBA history. Only two NBA players have been shorter than him: Muggsy Bogues (5 feet 3 inches) and Earl Boykins (5 feet 5 inches).
After His Playing Career
Twenty years after his own dunk contest win, Spud Webb helped train New York Knicks player Nate Robinson. Robinson was 5 feet 9 inches tall. Webb tossed the ball to Robinson, who jumped over Webb and dunked. Robinson won the contest. This made him and Webb the only two players under six feet tall to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Webb was also a judge for the 2010 Dunk Contest in Dallas. This was the first time the event was held in Dallas since his famous win in 1986.
In 2010, Webb was hired as the president of basketball operations for a new team. This team became known as the Texas Legends. They play in the NBA G League. As of 2023, Webb still holds this position. The Legends are connected to the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.
See also
In Spanish: Spud Webb para niños
- List of shortest players in National Basketball Association history
