Geoff Crompton

Jeffrey Crompton, often stylized as "Geoff" or "Geff" (July 4, 1955 – January 7, 2002), was an American professional basketball player.

A 6'11 Parade All-American center from Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, North Carolina, Crompton attended the University of North Carolina to play for future Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith in 1973. Crompton played very sparingly for the Tar Heels, appearing in a total of 9 games from 1973–1977 due to academic and weight issues.^[1] He played 27 games as a senior in 1977–78, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Following his collegiate career, Crompton was drafted in the fourth round of the 1978 NBA draft by the Kansas City Kings, and his rights were traded to the Denver Nuggets prior to the start of the season.^[2] The next several years saw Crompton bouncing between the NBA and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The highlight of his career may have been being named CBA Most Valuable Player in 1984 as a member of the Puerto Rico Coquis.^[3] The Cleveland Cavaliers called him up at the end of that season, which would be his last in the NBA.

After his professional career ended, Crompton moved to Tallahassee, Florida and managed a restaurant. He worked for many years at UNC's summer basketball camps up until his death. Geoff Crompton died on January 7, 2002 of leukemia.^[4]

Crompton's first name is generally spelled "Geff" in UNC records, but is often spelled "Geoff" in records of his NBA career.

References