Dedric Willoughby

Dedric Demond Willoughby (May 27, 1974 – July 19, 2023) was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Dedric Willoughby
Personal information
Born(1974-05-27)May 27, 1974
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJuly 19, 2023(2023-07-19) (aged 49)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High schoolArchbishop Shaw
(Marrero, Louisiana)
College
NBA draft1997: undrafted
Playing career1997–2001
PositionPoint guard
Number9
Career history
1997–1998Viola Reggio Calabria
1998–1999Scaligera Basket Verona
1999–2000Chicago Bulls
2000Basket Livorno
2001Sydney Kings
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

Playing career

Willoughby attended Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana.[1] He enrolled at the University of New Orleans and played college basketball for the New Orleans Privateers for two years. He transferred to Iowa State University to play for the Iowa State Cyclones for two years. His coach at both schools was Tim Floyd.[2] During each of his two seasons at Iowa State, Willoughby was the runner-up for the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year Award. As a senior, he averaged 18.9 points per game and made 45% of his three-point field goal attempts.[3]

After playing professionally in Italy, Willoughby made the roster of the Chicago Bulls for the 1999–2000 NBA season, and was reunited once again with coach Tim Floyd.[4] He appeared in 25 games that season, registering one start, and averaged 7.6 points.[5]

During the next season, Willoughby signed with the Sydney Kings of the Australian National Basketball League. However, he injured his knee in a practice,[6] and was released shortly afterward, only having played in one game with the team.[7]

Later life

Willoughby later became a coach with the All-Iowa Attack youth basketball program in Ames, Iowa.[8]

Death

Willoughby died on July 19, 2023, at the age of 49. He suffered a heart attack during a pick-up game of basketball in Atlanta.[9]

References
  1. https://crescentcitysports.com/former-uno-archbishop-shaw-basketball-standout-dedric-willoughby-dead-at-age-49/
  2. Tim Kawakami. "UCLA Beware: There's A Storm Brewin' - Deadeye Dedric Willoughby and Upset-Minded Cyclones Aim to Send Bruins Home". Los Angeles Times. March 19, 1997. Retrieved on August 16, 2009.
  3. Roman Modrowski. "New point guard Willoughby will be familiar to Floyd". Chicago Sun-Times. October 29, 1999. 149.
  4. Roman Modrowski. "Bulls dump LaRue, keep Willoughby - Decision came down to shooting ". Chicago Sun-Times. November 2, 1999. 96.
  5. Career statistics. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on August 16, 2009.
  6. "Sydney Kings import under injury cloud". AAP Sports News. February 21, 2001. Retrieved on August 16, 2009.
  7. "Kings release another import". AAP Sports News. February 22, 2001. Retrieved on August 16, 2009.
  8. Meet Our Boys’ Coaches Archived 2011-09-18 at the Wayback Machine. All-Iowa Attack. Retrieved on October 11, 2011.
  9. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/cyclone-insider/2023/07/20/dedric-willoughby-iowa-state-basketball-death-ames-coach-player-chicago-bulls-legacy-cyclones/70440697007/
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