Wayne Hightower
Encyclopedia
Wayne A. Hightower was an American
basketball
player who had a long and productive career in the NBA and ABA
during the 1960s and early 1970s. He was a 6'8" power forward
and center
. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Hightower went to Kansas, and after graduation moved to Spain
and signed for Real Madrid
, whom he led to a domestic championship and the final of the European Champions Cup
, which the team lost.
He was drafted in the 1962 NBA Draft
at the 7th spot overall by the San Francisco Warriors, with whom he played for 3 seasons.
The pinnacle of his NBA career came with the Warriors, together with fellow Philadelphia native Wilt Chamberlain
he reached the 1964 NBA Finals
. Hightower recorded his best season that year
, averaging 13.2 and 7.2 PG.
He later played for several other teams, moving to play in the ABA
in 1967 before retiring in 1972.
Hightower died on April 18, 2002, in his hometown of Philadelphia.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 who had a long and productive career in the NBA and ABA
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
during the 1960s and early 1970s. He was a 6'8" 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...
and 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...
. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Hightower went to Kansas, and after graduation moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and signed for Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
, whom he led to a domestic championship and the final of the European Champions Cup
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
, which the team lost.
He was drafted in the 1962 NBA Draft
1962 NBA Draft
The 1962 NBA Draft was the 16th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 26, 1962 before to the 1962–63 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college...
at the 7th spot overall by the San Francisco Warriors, with whom he played for 3 seasons.
The pinnacle of his NBA career came with the Warriors, together with fellow Philadelphia native Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
he reached the 1964 NBA Finals
1964 NBA Finals
The 1964 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1963-64 National Basketball Association season, and was the conclusion of the 1964 NBA Playoffs. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Conference champion San Francisco Warriors and the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics...
. Hightower recorded his best season that year
1963-64 NBA season
The 1963–64 NBA season was the 18th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning their 6th straight NBA Championship, beating the San Francisco Warriors 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals....
, averaging 13.2 and 7.2 PG.
He later played for several other teams, moving to play in the ABA
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
in 1967 before retiring in 1972.
Hightower died on April 18, 2002, in his hometown of Philadelphia.