Alright, hoops fans, let’s dive into this heartfelt story about a true basketball legend.
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Farewell to a Legend
So, Mitchell Wiggins, the dad of Warriors’ star Andrew Wiggins, passed away at 64. His daughter, Angey, broke the news on Instagram. The NBA world is feeling this loss big time. The National Basketball Retired Players Association tweeted, “The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Mitchell Wiggins.”
The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Mitchell Wiggins.#LegendsForever
โ NBA Alumni (@NBAalumni)
From College Star to NBA Pro
Mitchell’s journey started in Kinston, North Carolina. He balled out at Truett-McConnell College, Clemson, and Florida State. At FSU, he was a beast, averaging 23 points and nine boards per game. The Pacers snagged him 23rd overall in the ’83 draft, but he kicked off his rookie season with the Bulls.
He spent six seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Bulls, Rockets, and Sixers. His best year? Definitely the 1989-90 season. He put up 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shot nearly 49% from the field. Not too shabby, right?
Rockets Days and the ’86 Finals
Mitchell had some memorable moments with the Rockets. He even dropped a career-high 30 points against the Cavs in ’86. That same year, he played in the NBA Finals, though the Rockets fell to the Celtics in six games.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In ’87, both Wiggins and Lewis Lloyd got hit with a two-year suspension after failing a drug test. They skipped treatment, which could’ve avoided the ban. Tough break.
Beyond the NBA
Wiggins didn’t hang up his sneakers after the NBA. He played in Europe for teams like Milon and Panionios, racking up 20 pro seasons. Talk about dedication!
Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins has had his own struggles. Over the last two seasons, he’s taken leaves from the Warriors to handle personal matters. Turns out, he was by his dad’s side during his health decline. The Warriors had his back all the way.
Today weย mourn the passing of former Houston Rockets guard, Mitchell Wiggins. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.
โ Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets)
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Man, it’s tough to see legends go, but their impact lives on. What do you think Andrew Wiggins’ next season will look like? Will he channel his dad’s spirit and take his game to another level? Let’s hear your thoughts!
