Ed Nealy

Last updated
Ed Nealy
Personal information
Born (1960-02-19) February 19, 1960 (age 64)
Pittsburg, Kansas, U. S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school Bonner Springs
(Bonner Springs, Kansas)
College Kansas State (1978–1982)
NBA draft 1982: 8th round, 166th overall pick
Selected by the Kansas City Kings
Playing career1982–1993
Position Power forward
Number20, 32, 45, 55
Career history
1982–1984 Kansas City Kings
1984–1985 Sarasota Stingers
1985 Kansas City Kings
1985–1986 Tampa Bay Thrillers
1986–1988 San Antonio Spurs
1988 Chicago Bulls
1988–1989 Phoenix Suns
1989–1990 Chicago Bulls
1990–1992 Phoenix Suns
1992–1993 Golden State Warriors
1993 Chicago Bulls
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Eddie Carl Nealy (born February 19, 1960) is an American retired basketball player. At 6'7" and 238 pounds, he played as a power forward. After a standout college career, during which he won the Big Eight tournament title in 1980, he went on to play professionally for 11 years. During his professional career, he won the Continental Basketball Association championship in 1986 as a member of the Tampa Bay Thrillers and the NBA championship in 1993 as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

Contents

College career

Born in Pittsburg, Kansas, Nealy attended Kansas State University. Although he was not expected to be a factor for the Wildcats as a freshman, he started 30 of the team's 31 games, averaging 10.2 points and team leading 8.2 rebounds per game en route to Big Eight Newcomer of the Year honors. During his sophomore season, he was a vital part in helping the team win the 1980 Big Eight tournament championship and reach the Elite Eight of the 1980 NCAA Tournament after averaging 9.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. As a junior, he averaged 11.0 points and 9.1 rebounds, helping the Wildcats reach the West Regional Finals. During his senior season, he averaged 11.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and led the Wildcats to Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earned first team All-Big Eight and honorable mention All-America honors. [1]

Professional career

After his college career ended, Nealy was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the eighth round of the 1982 NBA draft. [2] In 10 NBA seasons with the Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, Nealy averaged 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Nealy played two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association, averaging 9.8 points and 10.0 rebounds in 68 games. During the 1986 playoffs, he averaged 12.9 points and 15.5 rebounds for the Tampa Bay Thrillers, helping them to the CBA championship.

During his multiple stints in Chicago, Nealy became a fan-favorite (and a favorite of coach Phil Jackson) [2] for his hustle and hard work ethic, especially during the 1990 NBA playoffs during stints where Scottie Pippen and Bill Cartwright were injured or struggling during the game. [2] During his last season, Nealy was a late addition to the Chicago Bulls team which won the 1993 NBA Championship, [3] although he did not play during the playoffs. He retired following the finals. [4]

Player profile

Due to his hustle, aggressiveness and court smarts, Nealy received positive feedback for his unselfish play and willingness to be physical throughout his career.

During Nealy's college playing career, Dean Smith, head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels at the time, said about Nealy in anticipation of the Elite Eight game his team would play against Nealy's Kansas State Wildcats, "With some players, a rebound hits their hand and bounces off. Nealy catches it. He has hands like Bobby Jones and Adrian Dantley. He is going to be a great pro some day. I truly mean that." [5]

Phil Jackson, who coached Nealy while he played for the Bulls in the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons, remarked, "It's guys like Ed who make coaching a pleasure. If you give me a reason to put him into a game, he's going to find a way to contribute." [2] The book The Jordan Rules features Phil Jackson labelling Nealy as his "favorite player, smartest player on the team."[ citation needed ]

Personal life

Nealy's son, Spencer, played football at Texas A&M University. [6]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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
 † Won an NBA championship

NBA

Source [7]

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1982–83 Kansas City 826120.0.595–.6145.9.8.8.14.4
1983–84 Kansas City 71113.5.500–.8003.1.7.6.12.5
1984–85 Kansas City 22010.1.591–.5262.0.8.1.02.8
1986–87 San Antonio 60716.3.438.129.7394.71.4.7.23.7
1987–88 San Antonio 68112.3.459.500.6513.3.7.4.12.1
1988–89 Chicago 1307.2.714–.5001.8.5.2.1.8
1988–89 Phoenix 3005.6.276.000.4291.8.3.1.0.6
1989–90 Chicago 46010.9.529.000.7323.0.6.3.12.3
1990–91 Phoenix 55010.4.464.313.7372.7.7.4.12.2
1991–92 Phoenix 5249.7.512.400.6672.1.7.3.03.1
1992–93 Golden State 3047.6.348.318.7001.6.4.3.01.5
1992–93† Chicago 1107.2.435.2001.0001.5.2.3.12.1
Career5407812.6.498.292.6843.3.7.5.12.7

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1984 Kansas City 2–9.51.000–1.0003.01.0.0.03.0
1988 San Antonio 2018.0.500––3.52.0.5.02.0
1989 Phoenix 401.5.333––.8.0.0.0.5
1990 Chicago 15015.2.472.000.6193.5.3.7.13.1
1991 Phoenix 2010.0.200.000–2.5.0.0.01.0
1992 Phoenix 808.4.389.3851.0002.3.5.4.02.9
Career33011.4.441.333.7042.8.5.4.02.5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artis Gilmore</span> American basketball player (born 1949)

Artis Gilmore Sr. is an American former professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Gilmore was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hakim Warrick</span> American basketball player (born 1982)

Hakim Hanif Warrick is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange from 2001 to 2005. Warrick won an NCAA championship in 2003 and blocked a potential game-tying three-pointer in the title game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Kerr</span> American basketball player, coach, and commentator (1932–2009)

John Graham Kerr, also known as Red Kerr, was an American basketball player, coach, and color commentator. He played in the NBA from 1954 to 1966, mainly as a member of the Syracuse Nationals. He later held several coaching and administrative positions before embarking on a thirty-three-year career as a television color commentator for the Chicago Bulls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Harper</span> American basketball player (born 1964)

Ronald Harper Sr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played for four teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 1986 and 2001 and is a five-time NBA champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Cardinal</span> American basketball player (born 1977)

Brian Lee Cardinal is an American former professional basketball player. He played 456 games in the NBA between 2000 and 2012, and won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Before his NBA career, he was one of the best players in the history of Purdue University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Griffin</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1974)

Adrian Darnell Griffin is an American professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played in the NBA as a shooting guard and small forward from 1999 to 2008. Griffin grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and played college basketball for the Seton Hall Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Eisley</span> American basketball player and coach

Howard Jonathan Eisley is an American former professional basketball player and current coach. Born in Detroit, Eisley played college basketball at Boston College and was drafted in 1994 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Eisley spent twelve seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA): six with the Utah Jazz and the other six with seven other teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Myers</span> American basketball player and coach

Peter Eddie Myers is an American former professional basketball player and a former assistant coach for the NBA team Chicago Bulls. He is most famous for having been Michael Jordan’s replacement player during Jordan’s stint in baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Theus</span> American basketball player and coach

Reginald Wayne Theus is an American basketball coach and former player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a two-time NBA All-Star. He is currently the men's basketball head coach and athletic director at Bethune–Cookman. He was the head coach for the NBA's Sacramento Kings and in college with the New Mexico State Aggies and the Cal State Northridge Matadors men's teams. He was also an assistant coach for the Louisville Cardinals under Rick Pitino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Boozer</span> American basketball player (1937–2012)

Robert Louis Boozer was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Boozer won a gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics and won an NBA Championship as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. Boozer was a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team, which was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a unit in 2010.

LuBara Dixon "Dickey" Simpkins is an American former professional basketball player best known for his tenure with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s. He is currently a scout for the Washington Wizards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jitim Young</span> American basketball player (born 1981)

Jitim Young is an American basketball player. Young attended Northwestern University and was famous for his play at the collegiate level and as an All-American at Gordon Tech High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Sojourner</span> American basketball player

Willard Leon Sojourner was an American collegiate and professional basketball player and international coach. He played collegiately at Weber State University and went on to a professional career, winning a championship with the New York Nets and playing overseas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Sanders (basketball)</span> American retired professional basketball player

Michael Anthony Sanders is an American retired professional basketball player who played primarily as a small forward. He was drafted by the Kansas City Kings in the 4th round and was the 74th overall pick in the1982 NBA Draft. He is a former assistant coach for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to being an assistant coach for Tyrone Corbin, Sanders was the team's director of player development.

Roger Powell Jr. is an American former professional basketball player and current head coach of the Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team. Powell was previously an assistant at Gonzaga. He played collegiately at the University of Illinois from 2001 to 2005, after having attended Joliet West High School, with a 2001 graduation. Powell played the forward position for his high school and in college. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in speech communications. Powell's father was a former Joliet Central High School and Illinois State player.

Steven Leonard Hayes is an American former basketball player and coach. He played for several years for a variety of teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as in the Continental Basketball Association and in Europe. He is also known for his standout college career at Idaho State University, where he is recognized as one of the best players in the school's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Arcidiacono</span> Italian-American basketball player

Ryan Curran Arcidiacono is an American professional basketball player for the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League. Nicknamed "The Arch of Dimes", he has represented Italy in international competition. He attended Neshaminy High School, where he averaged 20.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a junior to lead Neshaminy to the PIAA playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Thompson</span> American basketball player and coach

Calvin Thompson is an American basketball coach and a member of the University of Kansas' 1986 Final Four team. He holds Kansas' record for most consecutive free throws made at 33 in 1983–84, made second-team All-Big Eight in 1983 and 1984, and the All-Big Eight Tournament team 1983 and 1984. He was also a member of the 1986 All-NCAA Midwest Regional team.

Aubrey D. Sherrod is an American former professional basketball player. A left-handed shooting guard, he was considered one of the top prospects of his class, and was selected as MVP of the 1981 McDonald's All-American Game. He then decided to stay in his hometown to play college basketball, and committed to Wichita State. After 4 years he was selected in the second round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, but was waived before the start of the season and had a short professional career in the CBA and in Australia. He was inducted in the Wichita State Hall of Fame in 1994.

Elijah Lee Holman is an American professional basketball player for Cariduros de Fajardo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). After playing at Richmond High School in California, Holman signed for the Indiana Hoosiers, and played one year of college basketball before transferring to Detroit Mercy for his sophomore year. After his senior season at Detroit Mercy he went undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft, and after a brief appearance in the 2012 NBA Summer League he signed with Israeli team Hapoel Eilat, where he started his professional career. He has appeared in the NBA Summer League in 2013 and 2014, but never signed for an NBA team. He has played in Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, Puerto Rico and China throughout his career.

References

  1. ↑ "Ed Nealy (2006) - K-State Athletics Hall of Fame". kstatesports.com. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Sam Goldaper (28 May 1990). "Unsung Nealy Helps the Bulls". The New York Times . Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  3. ↑ "1992-93 Chicago Bulls: 20th anniversary of 1st three-peat". nba.com. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "Ex-Bull Ed Nealy selling cars, but he'd like to get back on bench". Chicago Sun-Times . 24 June 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Denlinger, Ken (21 March 1981). "Who Are These Guys?". Washington Post . Archived from the original on 2017-08-27. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Spencer Nealy profile". Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  7. ↑ "Ed Nealy". Basketball Reference . Sports Reference . Retrieved 6 November 2022.
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.