| Charles Oakley | |
|---|---|
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| Charles Oakley | |
| Position(s) | Power forward/Center |
| Jersey #(s) | 34, 33 (Houston Rockets) |
| Born | December 18, 1963 Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Career information | |
| Year(s) | 1985–2004 |
| NBA Draft | 1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9 |
| College | Virginia Union |
| Professional team(s) | |
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| Career stats | |
| Points | 12,417 |
| Rebound | 12,205 |
| Assists | 3,217 |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Charles Oakley (born December 18, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player who played power forward in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets.
Playing career
Oakley was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Virginia Union University.
He placed in the top ten in rebounds per game five times between 1987 and 1994 (second in 1987 and 1988). In all but one of these seasons he played the full complement of 82 games. Due to his durability he actually placed in the top ten in total rebounds 6 times and led the league in total rebounds twice (1987 and 1988). In 1994, he became an NBA All-Star and was chosen to the league's All-Defense 1st team.
Drafted in 1985 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oakley's draft rights were traded to the Chicago Bulls. Oakley provided another scoring option and steady offensive and defensive performances to an up-and-coming Bulls squad led by Michael Jordan. He earned All-Rookie Team honors in 1986.
With the drafting and development of Horace Grant, the Bulls traded Oakley to the New York Knicks for 7'1" center Bill Cartwright. Oakley eventually became a part of the core which the Knicks built around, which also featured Ewing, John Starks, and point guard Mark Jackson. During the Knicks' 1994 season, which included a record 25 playoff games, Oakley started every regular season and playoff game for a record 107 starts in a single season.
In 1998, Oakley was traded by New York to the Toronto Raptors for blossoming star Marcus Camby. For the Raptors, he provided a veteran presence to a young team that included Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Oakley, in his final three seasons, played for the Bulls again, followed by the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets. For the Rockets, he was briefly reunited with former Knicks personnel Mark Jackson, who was the veteran point guard behind Steve Francis; Patrick Ewing, who was an assistant coach with the Rockets; and head coach Jeff Van Gundy, former head coach in Oakley's days in New York City.
As recently as 2007, it was publicized that Oakley, at age 44, wanted to make an NBA comeback. He claimed Dallas, Miami, Cleveland and New York were interested but said he would "not [come] back cheap".[1] As of 2009 he has not returned to the league.
References
External links
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