Michael Cage
Encyclopedia
Michael Jerome Cage is a retired American NBA basketball
player.
A 6'9" power forward
/center
from San Diego State
, he is the Aztec's all-time rebounding leader and second leading scorer as of 2011. Cage was the 14th pick of the 1984 NBA Draft
. He played 15 NBA seasons (1984–2000) with five teams: the Los Angeles Clippers
, the Seattle SuperSonics
, the Cleveland Cavaliers
, the Philadelphia 76ers
, and the New Jersey Nets
.
One highlight of his career was in 1988 when, as a member of the Clippers, he led the league in rebounding with 13.0 per game. He was on a personal duel with Charles Oakley
, who was playing with the Chicago Bulls
at the time. Cage needed to register 28 rebounds in his final game to beat out Oakley for the rebounding title. He ended up grabbing 30.
During his career, Cage earned the nicknames "John Shaft
" and "Windex
man" (as in "cleaning the glass") for his rebounding prowess and hard work on defense.
He holds career averages of 7.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Cage resides in Southern California with his wife Jodi. He has three children, Alexis, Michael Jr, and Sydney. As a retired man, he enjoys officiating soccer games and watching his own kids play. He also has recently been inducted into the Arkansas hall of fame.
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.
A 6'9" power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
from San Diego State
San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball
The San Diego State Aztecs basketball team is the basketball team that represent San Diego State University Aztecs in San Diego, California. The school's team currently competes in the Mountain West Conference, and play their home games in Viejas Arena...
, he is the Aztec's all-time rebounding leader and second leading scorer as of 2011. Cage was the 14th pick of the 1984 NBA Draft
1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
. He played 15 NBA seasons (1984–2000) with five teams: the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, the 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...
, the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, and the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
One highlight of his career was in 1988 when, as a member of the Clippers, he led the league in rebounding with 13.0 per game. He was on a personal duel with Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley is a retired American professional basketball player and is currently an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association...
, who was playing with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
at the time. Cage needed to register 28 rebounds in his final game to beat out Oakley for the rebounding title. He ended up grabbing 30.
During his career, Cage earned the nicknames "John Shaft
John Shaft
John Shaft is a fictional character created by schoolteacher/screenwriter Ernest Tidyman as a sort of African American version of Ian Fleming's James Bond. He was portrayed by Richard Roundtree in the original 1971 film and its two sequels, with Samuel L. Jackson portraying his nephew in the 2000...
" and "Windex
Windex
Windex is a trademark for a glass and hard-surface cleaner manufactured since 1933. S. C. Johnson acquired Windex in 1993 and has been manufacturing it since that time. The product was recently reformulated with more environmentally desirable solvents....
man" (as in "cleaning the glass") for his rebounding prowess and hard work on defense.
He holds career averages of 7.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Cage resides in Southern California with his wife Jodi. He has three children, Alexis, Michael Jr, and Sydney. As a retired man, he enjoys officiating soccer games and watching his own kids play. He also has recently been inducted into the Arkansas hall of fame.
Trivia
- One of Cage's teammates during his freshman season at San Diego State was future Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Hall of Famer Tony GwynnTony GwynnAnthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres... - Cage was the color analyist for several USC and Clipper games.
- Cage writes a basketball blog for prosportsdaily.com
- His oldest daughter Alexis has committed to play volleyball for the University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with most rebounds in a game