Bobby Phills
Encyclopedia
Bobby Ray Phills II was an American
professional basketball
player for the National Basketball Association
's Cleveland Cavaliers
and Charlotte Hornets.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
, Phills attended Baton Rouge's Southern University
. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity.
Phills was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
in the 1991 NBA Draft
(45th overall), but was cut in December 1991 without playing a game for them. He signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce
of the Continental Basketball Association
where he averaged 23.1 points before rejoining the NBA
with the Cavaliers late in the 1991–92 season. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
On January 12, 2000, while a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Phills was killed in an automobile accident in Charlotte, North Carolina
. Phills was traveling behind teammate David Wesley
at over 75 mi/h when his Porsche
spun and crossed into oncoming traffic. It hit another car, which in turn was struck in the rear by a minivan. The drivers of the other two vehicles recovered, while Phills was pronounced dead at the scene. A police report said Phills and Wesley were driving "in an erratic, reckless, careless, in a negligent or aggressive manner." Wesley later was convicted of reckless driving after being cleared of a racing charge. Phills is survived by his parents, his wife Kendall, and three children.
The Hornets retired his #13 jersey number on February 9, 2000. Phills' was the first number that the Hornets franchise had ever retired.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
and Charlotte Hornets.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, Phills attended Baton Rouge's Southern University
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...
. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity.
Phills was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in the 1991 NBA Draft
1991 NBA Draft
The 1991 NBA Draft took place on June 26, 1991 in New York City, New York. Dikembe Mutombo is regarded as the best overall pick in this draft, becoming one of the greatest defensive centers in the history of the league. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner and an eight...
(45th overall), but was cut in December 1991 without playing a game for them. He signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Sioux Falls Skyforce is a professional basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. They are based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The team plays at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Skyforce began in the CBA in 1989...
of the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
where he averaged 23.1 points before rejoining the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
with the Cavaliers late in the 1991–92 season. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
On January 12, 2000, while a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Phills was killed in an automobile accident in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Phills was traveling behind teammate David Wesley
David Wesley
David Barakau Wesley is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. He is the cousin of former NBA player Michael Dickerson. He is currently an assistant coach for the Texas Legends.-High school and college:...
at over 75 mi/h when his Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
spun and crossed into oncoming traffic. It hit another car, which in turn was struck in the rear by a minivan. The drivers of the other two vehicles recovered, while Phills was pronounced dead at the scene. A police report said Phills and Wesley were driving "in an erratic, reckless, careless, in a negligent or aggressive manner." Wesley later was convicted of reckless driving after being cleared of a racing charge. Phills is survived by his parents, his wife Kendall, and three children.
The Hornets retired his #13 jersey number on February 9, 2000. Phills' was the first number that the Hornets franchise had ever retired.