Richard Warren "Buzzy" Wilkinson (November 18, 1932 – January 15, 2016) was an American basketball player who was selected by the Boston Celtics in the third round (30th pick overall) of the 1955 NBA draft but never played in the NBA.[1] A 6'2" guard-forward from the University of Virginia and a prolific scorer, he averaged 32.1 points per game in his senior season of 1954–55, and totaled 2,233 points during his college career.[2] His number 14 was the first number retired in Virginia Cavaliers basketball history.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 18, 1932 Pineville, West Virginia |
| Died | January 15, 2016 (aged 83) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Greenbrier Military School (Lewisburg, West Virginia) |
| College | Virginia (1952–1955) |
| NBA draft | 1955: 3rd round, 30th overall pick |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Position | Guard / forward |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Named after a comic-strip character by his grandmother[3] Wilkinson's 1954–55 season scoring average is the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) all-time record, as is his career average of 28.6 points per game.[4] He was the ACC's leading scorer during each of the conference's first two years in existence. Wilkinson holds almost all of the ACC records for field goal attempts: most FG attempts in a game (44 vs. Duke, 1954); most FG attempts in a season (767, 1954); most FG attempts per game, season (28.4, 1954); and most FG attempts per game, career (27.4).
Post-playing career
editHe was the president and CEO of First Century Bank based out of Bluefield, West Virginia.[5] Wilkinson died on January 15, 2016, at the age of 83.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Buzzy Wilkinson College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ ccmadmin (2017-08-25). "Richard "Buzzy" Wilkinson | Virginia Sports Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ PLAYER OF THE DECADE: VIRGINIA; BUZZY WILKINSON, 6–3, G, 1954–55.(SPECIAL SECTION), The News & Record (Piedmont Triad, NC), 20-FEB-03 [dead link]
- ^ 2013–14 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Media Guide, p.145-156.
- ^ Woodson, Brian (March 8, 2007). "Buzzy readies to be honored". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- ^ Ratcliffe, Jerry (January 18, 2016). "UVa great Wilkinson dies at age 83". The Daily Progress. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
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