Thomas Jordan (basketball)

Last updated

Thomas Jordan
Personal information
Born (1968-05-23) May 23, 1968 (age 56)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school Lake Clifton (Baltimore, Maryland)
College Oklahoma State (1988–1989)
NBA draft 1989: undrafted
Playing career1988–2003
Position Power forward
Number55, 50
Career history
1988Eczacıbaşı SK
1989–1990 Atenas Córdoba
1990 Deportivo San Andrés
1990–1992 A.E.K. Athens
1992–1993 Granollers
1993 Philadelphia 76ers
1993 Gigantes de Carolina
1993 Olimpia Milano
1993–1994 CB Zaragoza
1994Aguadilla
1994–1995 Pagrati
1995Aguadilla
1995–1996 Ülkerspor
1996Aguadilla
1996 Saski Baskonia
1996–1997Atenas Córdoba
1997Aguadilla
1997–1998 Cantabria
1998 Cangrejeros de Santurce
1998 S.S. Felice Scandone
1998–1999 Libertad
1999 Brooklyn Kings
1999 Mets de Guaynabo
1999–2000 Valladolid
2000 Gimnasia La Plata
2002–2003 Skonto
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Thomas Edward Jordan (born May 23, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player, whose club career spanned from 1988 to 2003. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Early life

Jordan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Lake Clifton High School, where he played for the high school basketball team, averaging 22.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per game during his senior year. He was once ranked the top-rated high school basketball player in the Baltimore area. [6] [7]

In 1987, during his senior year in high school, Jordan infamously walked out in the middle of the Metro Classic Championship game between Lake Clifton, and St. Maria Goretti High School at the Baltimore Arena; Jordan was upset, because his teammates were not passing him the ball. He was taken out of the game with several minutes left in the second quarter, and with his team trailing at halftime, 38–28, he went into the locker room, got dressed into his street clothes, and left the arena to go home. Without Jordan in the second half, Lake Clifton lost the championship game, 73–72, as Rodney Monroe of St. Maria Goretti made a 60-foot shot at the buzzer. [8] [9] [7] [10] [11]

College career

Jordan played college basketball at Oklahoma State University; [6] he was ineligible as a freshman in the 1987–88 season, due to low test scores, and failing to qualify under NCAA Proposition 48 guidelines. [12] [13] [14] [15] In his sophomore year, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting .586 in field-goal percentage for the Cowboys during the 1988–89 season. Jordan's decision to leave college early to play professionally was due to a lack of team chemistry. [10]

Jordan said that he never "enjoyed" basketball, he only "played it." He used the sport as a means to get a free college education, and any desires of playing professionally was not necessarily his goal. [8] [7] In October 1988, Jordan told The Oklahoman newspaper:

"I don't like basketball; I just play it. It's a vehicle for a free ride (college scholarship). If the air blew up the ball, I'm not going to cry. Don't get me wrong, I won't turn down a pro career if that comes, but I'm not counting on it." [7]

Professional career

After his sophomore year of college, Jordan began a pro club career. He played professionally for 14 years, in six countries, which included time spent playing in the National Basketball Association. In April 1993, Jordan was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia 76ers, who signed him to a 10-day contract; he played in the final four games of the 1992–93 NBA season, averaging 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game off the bench as the team's sixth man. [16] [10] [17] [18] [19]

Jordan was also a free agent in the Minnesota Timberwolves' training camp prior to the 1993–94 NBA season, but did not play for them. [20] [21] [18] In the 1994 off-season, he played for the New York Knicks in the Doral Arrowwood Summer League, before returning to play overseas until his retirement in 2003. [18]

Personal life

Jordan has a younger brother named Alexander Mobley, who also played basketball; Mobley attended Dunbar High School in Washington D.C., and played college basketball at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. [22] [23] [24] [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juwan Howard</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1973)

Juwan Antonio Howard is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously served as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's team from 2019 to 2024 before joining the Nets in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Chambers (basketball)</span> American former NBA player (born 1959)

Thomas Doane Chambers is an American former professional basketball player. He played professionally from 1981 to 1997. Playing power forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Chambers was selected to four NBA All-Star Games and was a two-time All-NBA Second Team member during his career. In December 2021, Chambers was nominated to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame but did not advance to the list of finalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Lynam</span> American basketball coach

James Francis Lynam is an American former college and professional basketball coach. He coached at the college level for Fairfield University from 1968 to 1970, American University from 1973 to 1978, and St. Joseph's University from 1978 to 1981. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), Lynam coached the San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers from 1983 to 1985, the Philadelphia 76ers from 1987 to 1992, and the Washington Bullets from 1995 to 1997. Lynam compiled a 158–118 record at the college level, and 328–392 in the NBA. He was also Philadelphia's general manager from 1992 to 1994.

Ryan Dale Minor was an American professional baseball third baseman, minor league baseball manager and professional basketball player. He played all or parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1998 to 2001, with the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 9th season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. For the first time since the 1990–91 season, Larry Johnson was not on the team's opening day roster. The Hornets had the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected high school basketball star Kobe Bryant, but soon traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac, acquired Anthony Mason from the New York Knicks, and signed free agent Tony Smith during the off-season. The team also hired former Boston Celtics star Dave Cowens as their new head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992–93 Phoenix Suns season</span> Professional basketball season

The 1992–93 NBA season was the 25th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. This season is most memorable for the Suns acquiring controversial All-Star power forward Charles Barkley from the Philadelphia 76ers, and signing free agent Danny Ainge prior to the season. Under new head coach Paul Westphal, the Suns had a successful season posting a 14-game winning streak in December, which led them to a 21–4 start, held a 38–10 record at the All-Star break, then posted an 11-game winning streak between March and April to finish with an NBA-best 62–20 record. The team set the franchise record for most wins in a season. Barkley won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and led the team to its second trip to the NBA Finals, where they lost to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games.

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Pacers' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd season as a franchise. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Rockets' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season in Houston. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Grizzlies' second season in the National Basketball Association. Coming off of an NBA worst record of 15–67 in their first season, the Grizzlies had the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected Shareef Abdur-Rahim from the University of California. The team acquired Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers, and signed free agent Lee Mayberry during the off-season. However, the Grizzlies continued to struggle in their second season, losing their first seven games, then posting an 8-game losing streak in January as head coach Brian Winters was fired after an 8–35 start, and was replaced with General Manager Stu Jackson. The Grizzlies held a 9–42 record at the All-Star break, then suffered a 15-game losing streak between February and March, and went on a nine-game losing streak between March and April, finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a league worst record of 14–68, their worst record in franchise history.

The 1990–91 NBA season was the 76ers 42nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season in Philadelphia. During the off-season, the Sixers acquired 7' 7" center Manute Bol from the Golden State Warriors, and signed free agent Ricky Green. The Sixers got off to a 19–8 start to the season, but would lose 10 of their next 16 games. Johnny Dawkins sustained a major knee injury early in the season after only just four games, and was replaced by Green as the team's starting point guard, while Mike Gminski was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Armen Gilliam at midseason. However, the team posted a 7-game winning streak between February and March, held a 25–21 record at the All-Star break, and finished second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 44–38, which was nine wins less than the previous season.

The 1991–92 NBA season was the 24th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. In the off-season, the Suns acquired three-point specialist Trent Tucker from the New York Knicks. However, Tucker never played for the team as he was released to free agency, and later on signed with the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns were led by head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, which would be the last of his four-season second stint as coach of the Suns. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team got off to a slow 5–9 start, but went on a nine-game winning streak as they won 14 of their next 15 games, and held a 32–16 record at the All-Star break. The Suns finished third in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the 76ers 44th season in the National Basketball Association, and 30th season in Philadelphia. The 76ers received the ninth overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, and selected Clarence Weatherspoon from the University of Southern Mississippi. During the off-season, the team acquired Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang and Tim Perry from the Phoenix Suns, and hired Doug Moe as their new head coach. The Sixers got off to a bad start, losing 11 of their first 14 games after a 7-game losing streak between November and December, and held an 18–31 record at the All-Star break. The team also suffered two defeats that were greater than 50 points. As the NBA in the 1990s emphasized more defensive play, Moe tried to implement an up-tempo attack offense similar to his former Denver Nuggets team of the 1980s, which failed miserably. With the team holding a 19–37 record in early March, he was fired and replaced with Fred Carter. Moe would return to coaching with the Denver Nuggets in his second stint under head coach George Karl from 2005 until retirement in 2008.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 27th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Trail Blazers signed free agent Kenny Anderson, acquired Isaiah Rider from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and acquired second-year forward Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler from the Washington Bullets. This season is also notable for the team drafting high school basketball star Jermaine O'Neal with the 17th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. The Blazers would hover around .500 for most of the first half of the season, holding a 25–23 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Aaron McKie to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Stacey Augmon. The Blazers then posted a 13–2 record in March, which included an 11-game winning streak, then won their final four games of the season. The Blazers finished third in the Pacific Division, and fifth in the Western Conference with a 49–33 record. Making their 15th straight trip to the postseason and 20th in 21 years.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Bullets' 34th season in the National Basketball Association. In the 1994 NBA draft, the Bullets selected Juwan Howard from the University of Michigan with the fifth overall pick. In the off-season, the team acquired Scott Skiles from the Orlando Magic, and hired Jim Lynam as head coach. During the first month of the regular season, the Bullets traded Tom Gugliotta to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Howard's former "Fab Five" teammate at Michigan, second-year star Chris Webber. However, after a 4–1 start to the season, the Bullets struggled losing 25 of their next 28 games, which included a ten-game losing streak, and held an 11–34 record at the All-Star break.

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Wizards' 37th season in the National Basketball Association. There was a new beginning for basketball in Washington, D.C. as the team changed its name to the "Wizards", fearing "Bullets" endorsed gun violence. The team revealed a new primary logo of a wizard conjuring a basketball in front of a quarter moon, and added new uniforms with blue, black and bronze colors. During the off-season, the team signed free agent Terry Davis to join their frontcourt, as the team's starting center, Gheorghe Mureșan missed the entire season with a stretched right ankle tendon and right foot injury. The team also re-signed former Bullets guard Ledell Eackles for the third time after a one-year absence from the NBA.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 8th season in the National Basketball Association. In the 1996 NBA draft, the Timberwolves selected shooting guard Ray Allen from the University of Connecticut with the fifth overall pick, but soon traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for top draft pick point guard Stephon Marbury out of Georgia Tech. The team also acquired James Robinson from the Portland Trail Blazers, and second-year center Cherokee Parks from the Dallas Mavericks, while signing free agents, rookie center Dean Garrett, second-year guard Chris Carr, and Stojko Vrankovic during the off-season. However, Michael Williams would miss the entire season with a strained plantar fascia in his left heel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Huerter</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Kevin Joseph Huerter is an American basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "Red Velvet", he played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins.

Kermit Leanell Holmes is an American basketball coach and former professional player. After sitting our his first year of college basketball due to Proposition 48, he played three years with the Oklahoma Sooners, being selected as a starter in his senior season. He went undrafted in the 1991 NBA draft and played several years in the CBA, where he won two championships and earned two selections in the United States national team, winning the gold medal during the FIBA Americas Championship 1997 and the silver medal at the 1999 Pan American Games. After the end of his playing career he started coaching.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Mobley</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Evan Mobley is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans and was selected third overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2021 NBA draft.

Reginald Gene Cross is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball with the Miami Dade Sharks and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Cross was selected in the 1987 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but never played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He instead played professionally in the American Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and in France, Spain and Turkey. Cross is the most recent player from the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to be selected in an NBA draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Thomas Jordan NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Thomas Jordan". ACB.com. Liga ACB . Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Thomas Jordan #50". legabasket.it. Lega Basket . Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Jordan, Thomas". bsnpr.com. Baloncesto Superior Nacional . Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Thomas Jordan". TBLStat.net. Turkish Basketball League . Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Kensler, Tom (November 13, 1986). "Cowboys Sign Top-Rated Baltimore Center Jordan". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Kensler, Tom (October 26, 1988). "Reluctant Poke O-State's Jordan Stands 6-10, and He Doesn't Like Basketball". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Huff, Donald (March 31, 1987). "Jordan Walks Back Onto Court". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kensler, Tom (April 5, 1987). "OSU's Jordan Gains Infamy After Walkout". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Bembry, Jerry (April 23, 1993). "If NBA Is a Dream, Thomas Jordan Is for Real; Ex-Lake Clifton Star Suddenly a 76er". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Baker, Kent (February 28, 1995). "All-Time Top 20 Baltimore Area Boys High School Teams". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Kensler, Tom (July 31, 1987). "Pokes to Lose Jordan Under Proposition 48". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  13. ↑ Kensler, Tom (August 25, 1987). "Future Looks Tall for Pokes". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ Drum, Keith (September 24, 1987). "Prop 48 Hits Cream of Recruiting Crop". United Press International. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  15. ↑ Kensler, Tom (November 15, 1987). "OSU Loaded With Talent for 1988-89". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  16. ↑ Ford, Bob (April 20, 1993). "76ers Seek Their Own Jordan; Forward Thomas Jordan Is Expected to Join the Team in Time to Face Chicago Tonight". Philly.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  17. ↑ Fernandez, Bernard (April 23, 1993). "An Heir Jordan for 76ers? Former Cowboy Gives Philly a Boost". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 Bembry, Jerry (July 21, 1994). "Burns, T. Jordan Camp Out, Hoping to Pitch NBA Tent". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  19. ↑ Carlin, Ky (May 22, 2022). "Every Player in Philadelphia 76ers History Who Wore the No. 55 Jersey". Sixers Wire. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  20. ↑ Bembry, Jerry (October 22, 1993). "Bullets Fall Short Again, Lose, 93-91; Unseld Tests Youth Late Against Wolves". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Team-by-Team Look at the NBA for the 1993-94 Season". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 31, 1993. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Johnson, Gray Are Centers of Distinction". The Baltimore Sun. March 12, 1991. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  23. ↑ Widdman, Alan; Toney, Derek; Dunn, Katherine; Scherr, Rich (December 5, 1991). "The Baltimore Sun 1991-92 High School Basketall Preview: The Top 20; Dunbar, No. 1 in Nation, Can Expect Challenges From Several Area Teams". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  24. ↑ Goldstein, Alan (November 25, 1995). "UMES Coach Menday Likes Team's Chances to Improve; Dunbar Product Mobley Expected to Play Big Role". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Alexander Mobley College Stats". Sports-Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.