John Wetzel
Encyclopedia
John Francis Wetzel is an American former professional basketball
player and coach. A 6'5" guard, he played collegiately at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
in the 8th round of the 1966 NBA Draft
. Over a seven-year career, Wetzel played for three teams: the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns
, and the Atlanta Hawks
.
He later coached the Suns during the 1987-88 NBA season
. He served as an assistant for several other teams, retiring from basketball in 2004.
Wetzel currently splits time in Tucson, Arizona
, and Maui, Hi.
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 and coach. A 6'5" guard, he played collegiately at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 8th round of the 1966 NBA Draft
1966 NBA Draft
The 1966 NBA Draft was the 20th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 11, 1966 before the 1966–67 season. In this draft, ten NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility...
. Over a seven-year career, Wetzel played for three teams: the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
, and the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
.
He later coached the Suns during the 1987-88 NBA season
1987-88 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Mark Jackson, New York Knicks*Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls...
. He served as an assistant for several other teams, retiring from basketball in 2004.
Wetzel currently splits time in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, and Maui, Hi.