Wayne Hightower
Denver Rockets | |
1969–1971 | Los Angeles / Utah Stars |
---|---|
1971 | Texas Chaparrals |
1971–1972 | Carolina Cougars |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Career NBA and ABA statistics | |
Points | 6,568 (11.6 ppg) |
Rebounds | 3,966 (7.0 rpg) |
Assists | 959 (1.7 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Wayne A. Hightower (January 14, 1940 – April 18, 2002) was an American professional
NBA rules barred players with college eligibility from being drafted or signed to a team, so Hightower signed with the
During the 1962 NBA draft, the
During the off-season before the 1967–68 season, Hightower was one of the first active NBA players to sign with the fledgling ABA, which lent credibility to the new league.
After his basketball career was over, Hightower volunteered for the
Amateur career
High school
Hightower attended
In December 1957, Overbrook won the
Following his senior season, Hightower played for the
College
Hightower played college basketball at Kansas, with the Kansas Jayhawks. He played on the freshman basketball team during the 1958–59 season. He averaged 25.7 points per game, but other stats for the season are unavailable.[18] During the summer, he returned to Pennsylvania and played in the Narberth Summer League.[19] His first season on the Kansas varsity team was 1959–1960. Hightower played in 28 games and averaged 21.8 points per game and 10.1 rebounds.[20] He led the Big Eight Conference in scoring and was second in rebounding on the Jayhawks behind center Bill Bridges.[21] Kansas finished with a first place record in the Big Eight (10–4 in conference, 19–9 overall) during the 1959–60 season.[22] During the semi-finals for the Midwest region of the 1960 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, Kansas was matched up against the Texas Longhorns. The Jayhawks, led by a 34 point performance from Hightower, won the game 90–81.[23] During the finals of the Midwest region on March 12, Hightower shot 8 for 24 from the field and scored a total of 22 points against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Kansas lost the game 82–71 and was eliminated from the tournament.[24] After the season, Hightower returned to the Narberth Basketball League in Pennsylvania, where he played for a team coached by Jack McKinney.[25]
Hightower gave an interview to the
In 1960, Hightower said he was considering joining a
Throughout his college basketball career, Hightower wore one
On March 11, 1961, Hightower was ejected from a game against the Missouri Tigers after getting into a fist fight with Tigers player Charley Henke and several spectators. Henke was also ejected from the game.[31] He was the third junior in Big Eight Conference history to score 1,000 career points, the others being Wilt Chamberlain and Clyde Lovellette.[32] At the conclusion of his junior season, Hightower averaged 20.7 points per game and 11.6 rebounds in 25 games played.[20] Before his senior season, Hightower announced he was leaving the University of Kansas and moving back home to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to financially support his mother, two brothers and sister.[33] The Associated Press reported that Hightower would have been ineligible to play basketball during his senior season due to his poor grades.[34] He finished his varsity career at Kansas with 1,128 total points scored and 573 rebounds in 53 games.[20]
Professional career
First professional season (1961–62)
After leaving college, Hightower signed with the
In September 1961, Hightower signed with the
National Basketball Association (1962–67)
It was reported by
On October 12, 1962, Hightower played in a
In July 1963, Hightower re-signed with San Francisco for the upcoming season.
On December 2, 1964, in a game against the
On February 3, 1965, the Baltimore Bullets announced they had traded for Hightower. In exchange, the San Francisco Warriors received cash considerations and a future Baltimore draft pick.[69] Hightower admitted to having animosity towards the Warriors front office for the way the trade was handled. Hightower told The Baltimore Sun reporter Alan Goldstein, "This is supposed to be a big league operation right? Well then there should be some kind of protocol in informing a player he's going to be traded. I had heard rumors that I was going to Los Angeles or Baltimore, but when I'd ask club officials, they'd always say, 'Don't worry, Wayne, you won't be traded.' [...] They don't even take a man's family into consideration. My wife was really upset. Our child was just getting ready to start school out there and now we'll have to move."[70] Hightower's former teammate, Wilt Chamberlain, later criticized the Warriors management for their lack of communication when it came his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers—as well as the way Hightower was treated during his trade.[71] Hightower injured his wrist when he fell on the court in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 6, which caused him to miss the game the following day against the Detroit Pistons.[72] Hightower played 27 games for the Bullets that season, averaging 6.7 points per game, 6.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists. His combined averages between Baltimore and San Francisco were 7.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 75 games played.[58]
Hightower re-signed with the Bullets on September 1, 1965, for the upcoming season.[73] During a game on November 19 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Hightower was unexpectedly absent. Bullets general manager Buddy Jeannette told the Baltimore Sun, "Unless he comes up with a good excuse like a sickness in the family or urgent personal business, he's going to be fined."[74] On December 22, 1965, Hightower was sent to the Harrisburg Patriots of the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) to make room on Baltimore's roster Gus Johnson, who was returning from an injury.[75] According to The Daily Times, Hightower clashed with Bullets head coach Paul Seymour, which was another reason posited for his demotion.[76]
During his debut for Harrisburg on December 25, 1965, Hightower scored 41 points in a 137–128 loss to the
In 1966, Hightower arrived early to the Bullets training camp and worked out with the team's rookies in a bid to impress management.[85] He chipped a tooth during a pre-season scrimmage.[86] He played 47 games for Baltimore during the 1966–67 season, averaging 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists.[87] On January 30, 1967, Hightower was sold by Baltimore to the Detroit Pistons for an undisclosed amount.[88] The Bullets had offered Detroit their choice of Hightower, Johnny Green and Ben Warley.[89] The acquisition of Hightower by Detroit convinced Ron Reed, who was coming off the bench for the Pistons that season, to focus solely on his professional baseball career. Reed was convinced that his already scarce playing time would be absorbed by Hightower.[90] During his first game with the Pistons on January 31, Hightower scored two field goals in seven attempts in 14 minutes played. Detroit lost the game to the San Francisco Warriors, 106–108.[91] He scored his season high in points (24) on February 12 in a victory over San Francisco.[92] Six days later, in a game against Baltimore, Hightower recorded 15 rebounds. The Pistons won the game, 118–113.[93] He played 29 games for Detroit and averaged 8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists.[87]
American Basketball Association (1967–1972)
Hightower signed a contract with the
Hightower re-signed with the Denver Rockets for two seasons in September 1968.[102] He was selected for the 1969 ABA All-Star Game by the Western Division head coach Alex Hannum.[103] During the game, Hightower scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in nine minutes played.[104] At the conclusion of the season, Hightower had an average of 13.9 points per game 9.6 rebounds and a career best 3.0 assists in 67 games played.[58] During the Rocket's playoff game against the Oakland Oaks on April 13, 1969, Hightower was poked in the eye in the second quarter. He left the game and did not return.[105] During his tenure with the Rockets, Hightower opened a men's clothing store and a restaurant in Denver.[106]
In September 1969, the Rockets traded Hightower along with center
The ABA formally recognized the
Following the 1970–71 season, Texas waived Hightower, who was quickly claimed by the Denver Rockets. The Chaparrals rescinded the waivers and his contract was returned to them.[118] Hightower was then traded by the Chaparrals to the Carolina Cougars on July 21, 1971, in exchange for cash considerations.[119] He played in only 13 games during the 1971–72 season, a career low. He scored a season high 13 points twice during the season (on October 29 and November 2, 1971).[120] He finished the season with averaging 5.6 points per game, 3.3 rebounds and 0.8 rebounds in 10.8 minutes.[58] Following the 1971–72 campaign, the Cougars sold Hightower in the Denver Rockets in a cash deal.[121] However, Rockets coach Alex Hannum voided the deal after Hightower was late reporting to Denver's preseason training camp.[122] His contract was returned to the Cougars as Denver refused to send the agreed upon money.[123]
Later life and death
In 1973, Hightower sued the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the Carolina Cougars for $573,000 (equivalent to $3,932,825 in 2023) for backed salary in the form of unpaid living expenses and fines. He also claimed damages, alleging the Cougars prevented him from signing with any other ABA teams.[3] The parties settled for $3,000 (equivalent to $18,534 in 2023) in October 1974.[4] Hightower had hoped to transition into coaching after he retired from playing, but received no offers.[124]
Following the retirement from professional basketball, Hightower joined the
By 1988, Hightower estimated he suffered three or four heart attacks.[124] Hightower died from a heart attack on April 18, 2002, in his hometown of Philadelphia, aged 62.[126][127] At the time of his death, he was living with his mother in the same house in which she raised him.[1]
Legacy and playing style
During his time at Overbrook High School, Hightower was compared to
Hightower's jump from the NBA to the ABA in 1967 lent credibility to the new league.
Hightower said the reason he jumped leagues is because the management for the
As a player, Hightower was not a high percentage shooter.
Throughout his NBA and ABA career, Hightower was nicknamed "Spain", which referred to his stint with Real Madrid.[140][141][115] In 1968, Real Madrid head coach Pedro Ferrándiz said Hightower was his team's greatest all-time player.[142] Ferrándiz said that if Hightower had stayed with his team, he would have been one of the greatest all-time players in Spanish basketball.[42] In 2019, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez called Hightower "legendary".[143] During the NBA's 50th anniversary in 1997, the Golden State Warriors honored Hightower as one of their "50 years, 50 stars" members, their take on the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.[144] Hightower's tall and slender frame was described as "stringbean-ish" by Detroit Free Press writer Jack Saylor.[89]
Personal life
Hightower was born on January 14, 1940, in
Throughout his life, Hightower suffered from depression and what he described as "nervous breakdowns".[124] In August 1964, Hightower was hospitalized for multiple lacerations after his car collided with a city bus in San Francisco, California.[147]
San Francisco based Golden Gate National Bank filed suit against Hightower for $2,502.72 (equivalent to $24,197 in 2023) in unpaid
During his time in Baltimore, Hightower served as a field representative for
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1958–59 | Kansas (Freshman)[a] | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 25.7 |
1959–60 | Kansas | 28 | – | – | .408 | – | .677 | 10.1 | – | – | – | 21.8 |
1960–61 | Kansas | 25 | – | – | .399 | – | .668 | 11.6 | – | – | – | 20.7 |
Career | 53 | – | – | .404 | – | .674 | 10.8 | – | – | – | 21.3 |
- Sources[18]
ABA and NBA regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962–63 | San Francisco | 66 | – | 21.0 | .350 | – | .669 | 5.4 | 0.8 | – | – | 7.4 |
1963–64 | San Francisco | 79 | – | 32.1 | .385 | – | .790 | 7.2 | 1.7 | – | – | 13.2 |
1964–65 | San Francisco | 48 | – | 21.6 | .343 | – | .769 | 5.1 | 0.8 | – | – | 8.4 |
Baltimore | 27 | – | 18.9 | .345 | – | .765 | 6.4 | 0.6 | – | – | 6.7 | |
1965–66 | Baltimore | 24 | – | 19.2 | .339 | – | .731 | 5.5 | 1.5 | – | – | 7.6 |
1966–67 | Baltimore | 43 | – | 17.3 | .334 | – | .718 | 5.6 | 0.8 | – | – | 6.9 |
Detroit | 29 | – | 19.4 | .355 | – | .744 | 5.7 | 1.0 | – | – | 8.6 | |
1967–68 | Denver (ABA) | 74 | – | 33.2 | .383 | .000 | .773 | 7.2 | 1.9 | – | – | 17.3 |
1968–69 | Denver (ABA) | 67 | – | 34.6 | .408 | .000 | .730 | 9.6 | 3.0 | – | – | 13.9 |
1969–70 | Los Angeles (ABA) | 27 | – | 35.6 | .447 | .000 | .759 | 9.4 | 2.6 | – | – | 18.1 |
1970–71 | Utah (ABA) | 35 | – | 32.4 | .391 | .000 | .749 | 8.2 | 3.0 | – | – | 13.4 |
Texas (ABA) | 33 | – | 37.0 | .409 | .000 | .736 | 9.9 | 2.7 | – | – | 14.5 | |
1971–72 | Carolina (ABA) | 13 | – | 10.8 | .313 | .000 | .833 | 3.3 | 0.8 | – | – | 5.4 |
Career | 565 | – | 27.4 | .381 | – | .752 | 7.0 | 1.7 | – | – | 11.6 | |
All-Star | 1 | 0 | 9.0 | .500 | – | 1.000 | 5.0 | 0.0 | – | – | 6.0 |
ABA and NBA playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964
|
San Francisco | 12 | – | 23.8 | .259 | – | .697 | 4.2 | 1.5 | – | – | 6.8 |
1965
|
Baltimore | 10 | – | 19.6 | .422 | – | .636 | 5.5 | 1.5 | – | – | 6.8 |
1968 | Denver (ABA) | 5 | – | 41.8 | .350 | .000 | .796 | 8.8 | 2.2 | – | – | 22.6 |
1969 | Denver (ABA) | 7 | – | 26.7 | .397 | – | .796 | 6.7 | 1.7 | – | – | 12.0 |
1971 | Texas (ABA) | 4 | – | 31.5 | .324 | – | .765 | 8.0 | 2.8 | – | – | 8.8 |
Career | 38 | – | 34.0 | .340 | – | .743 | 6.1 | 1.6 | – | – | 10.0 |
Footnotes
- ^a At the time, rules barred freshman from playing on their school's varsity teams. Statistics from freshman teams are not in the official NCAA records.
References
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- ^ Máximos Anotadores
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External links
Hightower on November 3, 1961 during a basketball game between Stade Francais and Real Madrid (via Getty Images) | |
Hightower and his wife in Madrid, Spain on April 24, 1962 |
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com