Orlando Woolridge
Encyclopedia
Orlando Vernada Woolridge (born December 16, 1959 in Bernice, Louisiana
) is a former professional basketball
player in the NBA.
, a town dependent on the lumber industry. After attending local schools, he went to the University of Notre Dame
, where he played collegiate basketball. He played in the Final Four
in 1978 as a freshman with teammate Bill Laimbeer
(the two would later reunite as teammates of the Detroit Pistons
during the 1990s
). Woolridge helped guide Notre Dame to NCAA tournament
appearances in 1980 and 1981. As a senior in 1981, Woolridge made a last-second fall-away jumper to end #1 Virginia's 28-game winning streak; he also earned second team All-American status that year.
by the Chicago Bulls
, where he played for his first five seasons. During the 1984-85 season, Woolridge averaged 22.9 points/game and combined with rookie teammate Michael Jordan
to average over 51 points/game. At 6'9" 215 lbs, Woolridge's exceptionally strong legs and lean body made him one of the most gifted dunkers in professional basketball. While unstoppable on the open court, his one-dimensional play did not complement Jordan's skills. He moved on to the New Jersey Nets
for the 1986-87 season, in which he averaged 20.7 points/game. After playing 19 games during the 1987-88 season, Woolridge was suspended by the league for violation of the league substance abuse
policy.
With his career in jeopardy, he signed on as a role player with the Los Angeles Lakers
for the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. Under coach Pat Riley
, the Lakers used Woolridge's skills to provide an offensive spark off the bench. His athletic abilities meshed better with the passing skills of Magic Johnson
than when he was teamed with Jordan. His 55.6% field goal percentage during the 1989-90 season was 5th in the league.
Woolridge was traded to the Denver Nuggets
, which played an unusual novelty hurry-up offense under head coach Paul Westhead
(1990–91). The prolific offense resulted in Woolridge's averaging 25.1 points/game and a career high 6.8 rebounds/game, but did not result in many team wins. For a substantial period of the year, Woolridge led the NBA in scoring, but he missed almost half of the season due to an eye injury.
After his only season in Denver, Woolridge played with the Detroit Pistons
the entire 1991-1992 season. He split the 1992-1993 season between Detroit and the Milwaukee Bucks
, and finished his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers
(1993–1994). He holds NBA career averages of 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assist
s per game.
for Benetton Treviso
(1994–95, won the European Cup
and Italian Cup under Mike D'Antoni
) and Buckler Bologna
(1995–96) (won Italian Supercup).
of the WNBA in 1998 and 1999. Woolridge currently coaches the Arizona Rhinos
of the ABA.
, and, 6'8", he plays for the Volunteers basketball team
. His younger son Royce Woolridge started at the University of Kansas
in the fall of 2010. Standing 6'2", he also plays collegiate basketball there.
Bernice, Louisiana
Bernice is a town in Union Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
) is a former 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 in the NBA.
Early life and education
Woolridge was born in Bernice, LouisianaBernice, Louisiana
Bernice is a town in Union Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,809 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, a town dependent on the lumber industry. After attending local schools, he went to the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, where he played collegiate basketball. He played in the Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
in 1978 as a freshman with teammate Bill Laimbeer
Bill Laimbeer
William "Bill" Laimbeer, Jr. is a retired National Basketball Association player for the Detroit Pistons. Playing at center, the 6'11" Laimbeer was a four-time All-Star and integral part of the Pistons teams that won two championships...
(the two would later reunite as teammates of the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
during the 1990s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
). Woolridge helped guide Notre Dame to NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearances in 1980 and 1981. As a senior in 1981, Woolridge made a last-second fall-away jumper to end #1 Virginia's 28-game winning streak; he also earned second team All-American status that year.
Professional career
Woolridge was selected sixth in the 1981 NBA Draft1981 NBA Draft
The 1981 NBA Draft was the 35th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 9, 1981, before the 1981–82 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft, 23 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
by 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...
, where he played for his first five seasons. During the 1984-85 season, Woolridge averaged 22.9 points/game and combined with rookie teammate Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
to average over 51 points/game. At 6'9" 215 lbs, Woolridge's exceptionally strong legs and lean body made him one of the most gifted dunkers in professional basketball. While unstoppable on the open court, his one-dimensional play did not complement Jordan's skills. He moved on to 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...
for the 1986-87 season, in which he averaged 20.7 points/game. After playing 19 games during the 1987-88 season, Woolridge was suspended by the league for violation of the league substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
policy.
With his career in jeopardy, he signed on as a role player with 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...
for the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. Under coach Pat Riley
Pat Riley
Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams...
, the Lakers used Woolridge's skills to provide an offensive spark off the bench. His athletic abilities meshed better with the passing skills of Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
than when he was teamed with Jordan. His 55.6% field goal percentage during the 1989-90 season was 5th in the league.
Woolridge was traded to the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
, which played an unusual novelty hurry-up offense under head coach Paul Westhead
Paul Westhead
Paul Westhead is a basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the University of Oregon women's team...
(1990–91). The prolific offense resulted in Woolridge's averaging 25.1 points/game and a career high 6.8 rebounds/game, but did not result in many team wins. For a substantial period of the year, Woolridge led the NBA in scoring, but he missed almost half of the season due to an eye injury.
After his only season in Denver, Woolridge played with the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
the entire 1991-1992 season. He split the 1992-1993 season between Detroit and 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....
, and finished his NBA career with 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...
(1993–1994). He holds NBA career averages of 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assist
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
s per game.
Europe
He played professionally in ItalySerie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
for Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
(1994–95, won the European Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
and Italian Cup under Mike D'Antoni
Mike D'Antoni
Michael Andrew "Mike" D'Antoni is an Italian-American former basketball player and is currently the head coach of the NBA's New York Knicks. While head coach of the Phoenix Suns, he won NBA Coach of the Year honors for the 2004–05 NBA season after the Suns posted 33 more wins than the previous...
) and Buckler Bologna
Virtus Bologna
-Notable players: Marco Bonamico 9 seasons: '75-'76, '77-'78, '80-'86, '88-'89 Carlo Caglieris 6 seasons: '75-'81 Pietro Generali 6 seasons: '75-'76, '78-'83 Gianni Bertolotti 5 seasons: '75-'80 Terry Driscoll 3 seasons: '75-'78 Eric Luc Leclerc 1 season: '75-'76 Luigi Serafini 2 seasons: '75-'77...
(1995–96) (won Italian Supercup).
Coaching
After retiring as a player, Woolridge coached the Los Angeles SparksLos Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
of the WNBA in 1998 and 1999. Woolridge currently coaches the Arizona Rhinos
Arizona Rhinos
The Arizona Rhinos are a basketball team in the American Basketball Association set to begin play in 2008-09. Based in Prescott Valley, the Rhinos will play their home games at Tim's Toyota Center. The Rhinos' stated goal is to "bring integrity and tradition back to the court," with...
of the ABA.
Marriage and family
Orland Woolridge's son Renaldo Woolridge studies at the University of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, and, 6'8", he plays for the Volunteers basketball team
Tennessee Volunteers basketball
The Tennessee Volunteers basketball team represents the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee in NCAA men's basketball competition. The Volunteers currently compete in the Southeastern Conference...
. His younger son Royce Woolridge started at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in the fall of 2010. Standing 6'2", he also plays collegiate basketball there.