Former NBA participant Mitchell Wiggins, the daddy of Golden State Warriors ahead Andrew Wiggins, died Monday on the age of 64. Wiggins’ daughter, Angey, confirmed Mitchell’s passing on her Instagram account.
The Nationwide Basketball Retired Gamers Affiliation posted this message on X: “The basketball group has misplaced a Legend. Our hearts are with the household, buddies and followers of Mitchell Wiggins.”
Wiggins, who was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on Sept. 28, 1959, performed collegiate basketball at Truett-McConnell School, Clemson College, and Florida State College.
The basketball group has misplaced a Legend. Our hearts are with the household, buddies and followers of Mitchell Wiggins.#LegendsForever pic.twitter.com/VO363e4sbz
— NBA Alumni 🏀 (@NBAalumni) September 13, 2024
As a 6-foot-4 capturing guard, he averaged 23 factors and 9 rebounds per recreation throughout his two seasons at Florida State. Wiggins was then chosen twenty third total by the Indiana Pacers within the 1983 NBA draft earlier than spending his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls.
Wiggins spent six seasons within the NBA and performed for the Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers. His ultimate 12 months occurred with the Sixers through the 1991-92 season.
“At the moment we mourn the passing of former Houston Rockets guard, Mitchell Wiggins,” the Rockets mentioned in an announcement on Friday. “Our sincerest condolences exit to his household and buddies.”
Mitchell Wiggins performed within the 1986 NBA Finals with the Houston Rockets in opposition to the Boston Celtics
In 389 profession NBA regular-season video games throughout six seasons, he averaged 10 factors, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 20.8 minutes per contest whereas capturing 46% from the sector, 19.2% from 3-point vary, and 75.5% on the free throw line.
Whereas with the Rockets, in Houston’s 134-106 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 16, 1986, he recorded a career-high 30 factors on 13-of-18 (72.2%) capturing from the ground and 4-of-6 (66.7%) on the foul line.
His greatest NBA season got here in 1989-90, when Wiggins averaged profession highs of 15.5 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and 28.1 minutes per recreation. He additionally shot profession bests of 48.8% capturing from the sector and 81% on the line.
At the moment we mourn the passing of former Houston Rockets guard, Mitchell Wiggins. Our sincerest condolences exit to his household and buddies. pic.twitter.com/2CPttV6nzR
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 13, 2024
Moreover, he performed within the 1986 NBA Finals with the Rockets, who misplaced to the Boston Celtics in six video games.
The next 12 months, Mitchell Wiggins and teammate Lewis Lloyd had been suspended for 2 years after failing a drug check and electing to not volunteer for remedy. That might’ve negated the two-year ban.
Along with his six NBA seasons, Wiggins performed professionally in Europe and totaled 20 seasons as a professional. Among the many worldwide golf equipment he performed for embrace Milon, Tondeña 65 Rhummasters, and Panionios.
Over the previous two seasons, Andrew Wiggins has taken a number of leaves of absence with the Warriors to take care of a private matter. He missed 25 video games in 2023, and it was unclear on the time why he was absent for over 1 / 4 of the season.
Followers knew it needed to have been for a logical motive: Mitchell’s well being was in decline and Andrew was along with his household. The Warriors had been totally supportive of Wiggins throughout his time away from the staff.
