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.

Bill Stricker
Stricker as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers
Personal information
Born (1948-01-22) January 22, 1948
DiedJuly 4, 2020
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolQuincy (Quincy, California)
CollegePacific (1967–1970)
NBA draft1970 / Round: 4 / Pick: 54th overall
Selected by the Baltimore Bullets
PositionForward
Number34
Career history
1970Portland Trail Blazers
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× First-team All-PCAC (1969, 1970)
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

  1. "Blazers History: Bill Stricker". Portland Trail Blazers. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  2. 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.
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