Charles Oakley
Oakley in 2007 | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born |
Cleveland, Ohio | December 18, 1963
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | John Hay (Cleveland, Ohio) |
College | Virginia Union (1981–1985) |
NBA draft | 1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th overall |
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |
Playing career | 1985–2004 |
Position | Power forward / Center |
Number | 34, 33 |
Career history | |
As player: | |
1985–1988 | Chicago Bulls |
1988–1998 | New York Knicks |
1999–2001 | Toronto Raptors |
2001–2002 | Chicago Bulls |
2002–2003 | Washington Wizards |
2004 | Houston Rockets |
As coach: | |
2010–2011 | Charlotte Bobcats (assistant) |
Career highlights and awards | |
Career statistics | |
Points | 12,417 (9.7 ppg) |
Rebounds | 12,205 (9.5 rpg) |
Assists | 3,217 (2.5 apg) |
Charles Oakley (born December 18, 1963) is an American retired professional basketball player. Oakley, a former power forward, was a member of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets. He consistently ranked as one of the best rebounders in the NBA.
Playing career
Early years
Oakley was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Virginia Union University.
NBA career
Chicago Bulls (1985–1988)
Oakley was drafted with the 9th overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his draft rights were traded to the Chicago Bulls. Oakley provided another scoring option and steady offensive and defensive performances to an up-and-coming Bulls squad led by Michael Jordan. He also assumed the role of the team "cop" whose duty primarily was to protect young Jordan against cheap shots and roughhousing tactics of opposing players. Oakley earned All-Rookie Team honors in 1986.[1]
New York Knicks (1988–1998)
With the drafting and development of Horace Grant, the Bulls traded Oakley to the New York Knicks for 7'1" center Bill Cartwright.[2] Oakley eventually became a part of the core which the Knicks built around, which also featured Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and point guard Mark Jackson. During the Knicks' 1994 season, which included a record 25 playoff games, Oakley started every regular season and playoff game for a record 107 starts in a single season. During his tenure with the Knicks, Oakley was primarily known as a defensive specialist.
Toronto Raptors (1998–2001)
In 1998, Oakley was traded by New York to the Toronto Raptors for blossoming star Marcus Camby.[3] For the Raptors, he provided a veteran presence to a young team that included Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
Return to Chicago (2001–2002)
In 2001, Oakley was traded by the Toronto Raptors with a 2002 2nd-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for Brian Skinner. This was his second tenure with the Bulls. Starting 36 of his 57 played games, he averaged 3.8 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, and 2 assists per game.[4]
Washington Wizards (2002–2003)
In 2002, Oakley signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards. He was reunited with former teammate Michael Jordan. Oakley played 42 games during the 2002–03 season, averaging 1.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, and 1 assist per game.[5]
Houston Rockets (2004)
The 2003–04 season was Oakley's last. On March 18, 2004, Oakley signed the first of two 10-day contracts with the Houston Rockets. Oakley only played 7 games, in which he averaged 1.3 points per game, 0.7 rebounds per game, and 0.3 assists per game.[6] At the end of the season, Oakley retired from the NBA.
Career highlights
- He placed in the top ten in rebounds per game five times between 1987 and 1994 (second in 1987 and 1988). In all but one of these seasons he played the full complement of 82 games.
- Due to his durability he actually placed in the top ten in total rebounds 6 times and led the league in total rebounds twice (1987 and 1988).
- In 1994, he became an NBA All-Star and was chosen to the league's All-Defense 1st team.
Rumors of a return to the NBA
As recently as 2007, it was publicized that Oakley, at age 44, wanted to make an NBA comeback. He claimed Dallas, Miami, Cleveland and New York were interested but said he would "not [come] back cheap".[7] Oakley currently ranks 18th all-time in NBA games played with 1,282 games, and 21st all-time in career rebounds with 12,205 rebounds.
Post-playing career
On December 26, 2010, Oakley was hired as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats under then-head coach Paul Silas.[8]
He left that position on December 1, 2011 after experiencing health issues with back pain during the 2010–11 season.[9]
Charles Oakley was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in honor of his 19-year professional basketball career. The induction ceremony was held on April 30, 2016.
In September 2016, a portion of Deering Street in Oakley's hometown of Cleveland (near his alma mater of John Hay High School) was renamed Charles Oakley Way in his honor.[10]
Personal life
In 2011, Oakley filed a lawsuit against the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, alleging a group assault by five security guards employed by the casino on May 28, 2010.[11] On July 30, 2016 Oakley married his wife Angela Reed.
NBA career statistics
Legend | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1985–86 | Chicago | 77 | 30 | 23.0 | .519 | .000 | .662 | 8.6 | 1.7 | .9 | .4 | 9.6 |
1986–87 | Chicago | 82 | 81 | 36.3 | .445 | .367 | .686 | 13.1 | 3.6 | 1.0 | .4 | 14.5 |
1987–88 | Chicago | 82 | 82 | 34.3 | .483 | .250 | .727 | 13.0 | 3.0 | .8 | .3 | 12.4 |
1988–89 | New York | 82 | 82 | 31.8 | .510 | .250 | .773 | 10.5 | 2.3 | 1.3 | .2 | 12.9 |
1989–90 | New York | 61 | 61 | 36.0 | .524 | .000 | .761 | 11.9 | 2.4 | 1.0 | .3 | 14.6 |
1990–91 | New York | 76 | 74 | 36.0 | .516 | .000 | .784 | 12.1 | 2.7 | .8 | .2 | 11.2 |
1991–92 | New York | 82 | 82 | 28.2 | .522 | .000 | .735 | 8.5 | 1.6 | .8 | .2 | 6.2 |
1992–93 | New York | 82 | 82 | 27.2 | .508 | .000 | .722 | 8.6 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .2 | 6.9 |
1993–94 | New York | 82 | 82 | 35.8 | .478 | .000 | .776 | 11.8 | 2.7 | 1.3 | .2 | 11.8 |
1994–95 | New York | 50 | 49 | 31.3 | .489 | .250 | .793 | 8.9 | 2.5 | 1.2 | .1 | 10.1 |
1995–96 | New York | 53 | 51 | 33.5 | .471 | .269 | .833 | 8.7 | 2.6 | 1.1 | .3 | 11.4 |
1996–97 | New York | 80 | 80 | 35.9 | .488 | .263 | .808 | 9.8 | 2.8 | 1.4 | .3 | 10.8 |
1997–98 | New York | 79 | 79 | 34.6 | .440 | .000 | .851 | 9.2 | 2.5 | 1.6 | .3 | 9.0 |
1998–99 | Toronto | 50 | 50 | 32.9 | .428 | .200 | .807 | 7.5 | 3.4 | .9 | .4 | 7.0 |
1999–2000 | Toronto | 80 | 80 | 30.4 | .418 | .341 | .776 | 6.8 | 3.2 | 1.3 | .6 | 6.9 |
2000–01 | Toronto | 78 | 77 | 35.5 | .388 | .224 | .836 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 1.0 | .6 | 9.6 |
2001–02 | Chicago | 57 | 26 | 34.3 | .369 | .167 | .750 | 6.0 | 2.0 | .9 | .2 | 3.8 |
2002–03 | Washington | 42 | 1 | 12.2 | .418 | – | .824 | 2.5 | 1.0 | .3 | .1 | 1.8 |
2003–04 | Houston | 7 | 0 | 3.6 | .333 | – | .833 | .7 | .3 | .0 | .0 | 1.3 |
All-Star | 1 | 0 | 11.0 | .333 | – | – | 3.0 | 3.0 | .0 | .0 | 2.0 | |
Career | 1,282 | 1,159 | 31.4 | .471 | .253 | .761 | 9.5 | 2.5 | 1.1 | .3 | 9.7 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Chicago | 3 | – | 29.3 | .524 | – | .615 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | .7 | 10.0 |
1987 | Chicago | 3 | – | 43.0 | .380 | .500 | .833 | 15.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | .3 | 20.0 |
1988 | Chicago | 10 | – | 37.3 | .440 | .000 | .875 | 12.8 | 3.2 | .6 | .4 | 10.1 |
1989 | New York | 9 | – | 33.2 | .479 | .500 | .667 | 11.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | .1 | 9.7 |
1990 | New York | 10 | – | 33.6 | .512 | 1.000 | .654 | 11.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | .2 | 12.1 |
1991 | New York | 3 | 3 | 33.3 | .476 | – | .500 | 10.3 | 1.0 | .7 | .3 | 7.7 |
1992 | New York | 12 | 12 | 29.5 | .379 | – | .741 | 9.0 | .7 | .7 | .4 | 5.3 |
1993 | New York | 15 | 15 | 33.8 | .481 | – | .727 | 11.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | .1 | 11.1 |
1994 | New York | 25 | 25 | 39.7 | .477 | – | .775 | 11.7 | 2.4 | 1.4 | .2 | 13.2 |
1995 | New York | 11 | 11 | 38.3 | .450 | .400 | .824 | 8.5 | 3.7 | 1.7 | .5 | 13.1 |
1996 | New York | 8 | 8 | 38.5 | .500 | .333 | .694 | 8.6 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .0 | 13.1 |
1997 | New York | 10 | 10 | 35.8 | .442 | .000 | .759 | 8.8 | 1.6 | 2.2 | .3 | 9.8 |
1998 | New York | 10 | 10 | 34.2 | .408 | – | .920 | 8.5 | 1.4 | 1.1 | .2 | 8.1 |
2000 | Toronto | 3 | 3 | 36.7 | .483 | .286 | .000 | 7.7 | 3.7 | 2.0 | .3 | 10.0 |
2001 | Toronto | 12 | 12 | 32.6 | .435 | .375 | .824 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .6 | 9.3 |
Career | 144 | – | 35.5 | .459 | .366 | .755 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 1.2 | .3 | 10.8 |
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career minutes played leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with most rebounds in a game
- List of National Basketball Association seasons played leaders
- List of oldest and youngest National Basketball Association players
References
- ↑ "Year by Year All Rookie Teams". NBA. 19 December 2013.
- ↑ "Bill Cartwright traded to Bulls for Oakley". NY Times. 19 December 2013.
- ↑ "Knicks Part With Oakley to Get Toronto's Camby". NY Times. 19 December 2013.
- ↑ http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oaklech01.html
- ↑ http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oaklech01.html
- ↑ http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oaklech01.html
- ↑ Miller, Houston, Oakley ... who else is planning a comeback?
- ↑ "Bobcats Announce New Assistant Coaches". NBA. 26 December 2010.
- ↑ "Bobcats want Maggette to take up scoring slack". Charlotte Observer. 11 December 2011.
- ↑ Oakley says it's an honor to have street named after him - Cleveland.com
- ↑ Green, Steve (13 May 2011). "NBA's Charles Oakley sues Aria, security officers over alleged 'beatdown'". VegasInc. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 15 May 2011.