Bill Stricker
William Louis "Bill" Stricker (January 22, 1948 - July 4, 2020) is a retired American professional basketball player who spent one season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played in just two minutes of one game with the inaugural 1970–71 Portland Trail Blazers season. Despite his lack of play, Blazers fan took a liking to Stricker and chanted "We want Stricker, We want Stricker" in blowout games. He was allowed to play in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a day before being placed on waivers.[1] He was drafted from the University of the Pacific by the Baltimore Bullets during the third round (54th pick overall) of the 1970 NBA Draft, but he did not sign.
Stricker as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | January 22, 1948 |
Died | July 4, 2020 |
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Quincy (Quincy, California) |
College | Pacific (1967–1970) |
NBA draft | 1970 / Round: 4 / Pick: 54th overall |
Selected by the Baltimore Bullets | |
Position | Forward |
Number | 34 |
Career history | |
1970 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com |
After his basketball career was over, Stricker had a long and successful career as a high school coach and administrator at East Union High School in Manteca, California. He coached future NBA player and coach Scott Brooks.[2]
References
- "Blazers History: Bill Stricker". Portland Trail Blazers. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- Rembulat, Vince (February 26, 2009). "Bill Stricker scores spot in Sports Hall of Fame". Manteca Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.