Bill Varner

Last updated
Bill Varner
Personal information
Born (1960-08-01) August 1, 1960 (age 64)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Belgian
Listed height6 ft 6.75 in (2.00 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school Valley (New Kensington, Pennsylvania)
College Notre Dame (1979–1983)
NBA draft 1983: 9th round, 202nd overall pick
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Playing career1983–2002
Position Small forward
Number11, 12
Career history
1983–1984 Sarasota Stingers
1984 Wisconsin Flyers
1984–1986 PAOK
1986–1987 Olympique Antibes
1987–1988 Tenerife CB
1988–1989 BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque
1989–1995 R.C. Mechelen
1995 Montpellier Paillade Basket
1995–1996 Atléticos de San Germán
1996–1998 Club Ourense Baloncesto
1998 Gaiteros del Zulia
1998–1999 Valencia Basket
1999–2000 Spirou Charleroi
2000 Cocodrilos de Caracas
2000–2001 Cholet Basket
2001–2002 Cantabria Baloncesto
Career highlights and awards

William Joseph Varner is an American-Belgian former professional basketball player. He played on several European clubs, including R.C. Mechelen.

Contents

College career

Varner played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame, with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After, a poor performance at his first two college years, Varner has 10 points per game at his junior season, and 11,1 points average at his senior season.

Professional career

Varner played at Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during 1983–84 season, with Sarasota Stingers and Wisconsin Flyers.

In 1984 signed with P.A.O.K. BC. Varner played two years only in European Cup, but his contribution was fabulous. At 1984–85 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup second round PAOK eliminated KK Bosna Royal and Varner scored 35 points at the first leg, and 31 at the second. At group stage PAOK lost all the games, but Varner shone with 36 and 32 points against CB Zaragoza games, and 33 against BC Žalgiris in the away game. In 1985–86 season Varner 1985–86 FIBA Korać Cup lead PAOK at group stage. At the first round after a 105–87 defeat from BC Levski Sofia, Varner scored 36 points and a goal-foul at the last second of the second game and gave the victory to his team with 104–83. At group stage Varner scored 35 against Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino, 30 against KK Zadar, and 33 against his later club Olympique Antibes. [1]

Varner was named LNB Pro A MVP foreigner player for his performance with Olympique Antibes.

His best era of his career was with R.C. Mechelen He played six years from 1989 to 1995 and he won 6 consecutive Belgian Championships, and 3 Belgian Cups. At European competitions his best average was 24,2 points for 1991–92 FIBA European League. He also scored 39 points against CB Estudiantes on 11 February 1993. Varner was like a hero in Mechelen. [2]

He also played in many clubs, such as Montpellier Paillade Basket, Valencia Basket, Spirou Charleroi, and Cantabria Baloncesto end his career at the age of 42.

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References

  1. "PAOK Basketball Retro: Μπίλυ, αυτός ο άγνωστος." paok-basketballretro.blogspot.gr. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  2. "Sports | U.S. Players Were Basketball Slaves -- NBA Rejects Find Europe Friendlier Now | Seattle Times Newspaper". community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2017-07-15.