Bill Stricker

William Louis Stricker (January 22, 1948 – July 3, 2020) was an American professional basketball player who spent one season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played in just two minutes of one game with the inaugural 1970–71 Portland Trail Blazers season. Despite his lack of play, Blazers fan took a liking to Stricker and chanted "We want Stricker, We want Stricker" in blowout games. He was allowed to play in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a day before being placed on waivers.[3]

Bill Stricker
Stricker as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers
Personal information
Born(1948-01-22)January 22, 1948
DiedJuly 3, 2020(2020-07-03) (aged 72)
Stockton, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolQuincy (Quincy, California)[1]
CollegePacific (1967–1970)[2]
NBA draft1970: 4th round, 54th overall pick
Selected by the Baltimore Bullets
PositionForward
Number34
Career history
1970Portland Trail Blazers
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× First-team All-PCAC (1969, 1970)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Stricker was drafted from the University of the Pacific by the Baltimore Bullets during the third round (54th pick overall) of the 1970 NBA draft, but he did not sign. He was also selected by the Los Angeles Stars (who later became the Utah Stars) in the 1970 American Basketball Association draft.[4] He signed with the Stars, but the club released him in September 1970, before the start of the regular season.[5] Stricker's NBA rights were traded by the Bullets on October 22, 1970, to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Dorie Murrey.[6]

After his basketball career was over, Stricker had a long and successful career as a high school coach and administrator at East Union High School in Manteca, California. He coached future NBA player and coach Scott Brooks.[7]

Stricker died on July 3, 2020, at age 72.[8][9]

References
  1. Barry Lavelle (1 December 1968). "Edwards looks for 3-way improvement in UOP quint". The Sacramento Bee. p. 90. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  2. Don Bloom (15 March 1970). "'Quincy' Stricker is pro prospect". The Sacramento Bee. p. 73. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  3. "Blazers History: Bill Stricker". Portland Trail Blazers. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  4. "Stricker picked". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. 24 March 1970. p. 24. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  5. "4 Rookies Dropped". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Honolulu, Hawaii. United Press International. 19 September 1970. p. 14. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  6. "Portland Cagers Give Up Center". Tucson Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. Associated Press. 23 October 1970. p. 35. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  7. Rembulat, Vince (February 26, 2009). "Bill Stricker scores spot in Sports Hall of Fame". Manteca Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  8. "Tigers remember Bill Stricker". Pacific Tigers. July 8, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  9. Scott Linesburgh (7 July 2022). "Gentle Giant: Basketball legend, coach Bill Stricker dies at 72". Recordnet.com. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
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