David Greenwood, Former NBA Player and UCLA Star, Passes Away
David Greenwood, a prominent figure in college and professional basketball, has passed away at the age of 68. Greenwood, who was recruited by the legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA, left a significant mark on the sport, culminating in an NBA championship.
According to reports, Greenwood passed away on Sunday in Riverside, California, after a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by sources close to the family.
After a distinguished career at Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles, Greenwood began his university career at UCLA, a few months after Wooden’s retirement announcement in March 1975.
During his four years as a starter in Westwood, Greenwood averaged 14.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 118 games. The Bruins achieved a 102-17 record and won the league title in each of his four seasons. He was twice League Player of the Year and led the Bruins to the Final Four in 1976.Greenwood was recognized with first-team All-America honors in his third and fourth years, becoming the first UCLA player to achieve this since Bill Walton in 1972-74. Currently, he holds the fourth position on the school’s rebound list.
In the 1979 NBA draft, Greenwood was the second overall pick. The Chicago Bulls lost the coin toss to the Los Angeles Lakers, who selected Magic Johnson at number 1.
Before Michael Jordan’s arrival in Chicago in 1984, Greenwood, Reggie Theus, and Orlando Woolridge were the key players for the Bulls. After six seasons, the Bulls traded Greenwood to San Antonio in 1985 in exchange for George Gervin.
Greenwood also played for San Antonio, Denver, and Detroit, where he contributed from the bench so that the Pistons defeated Portland and won the 1990 NBA championship.
He was a Pac-12 Hall of Fame and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Last year, Greenwood attended UCLA’s final Pac-12 Conference game at Pauley Pavilion.
Subsequently, Greenwood trained at her former high school, Verbum Dei, guiding it to state titles in 1998 and 1999.
He is survived by his son Jemil and his daughter Tiffany, as well as his brother Al, his sister Laverne, and his ex-wife Joyce.
