William Bedford (basketball)

William Bedford
Personal information
Born (1963-12-14) December 14, 1963
Memphis, Tennessee
Nationality American
Listed height 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight 225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school Melrose (Memphis, Tennessee)
College Memphis (1983–1986)
NBA draft 1986 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career 1986–1993
Position Center
Number 50, 25, 20, 00
Career history
1986–1987 Phoenix Suns
19871992 Detroit Pistons
1992–1993 San Antonio Spurs
1993 Oklahoma City Cavalry
1993 Grand Rapids Hoops
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

William Bedford (born December 14, 1963) is an American retired professional basketball player who was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 1986 NBA draft after playing at Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis). Bedford, a 7'0" center, played for the Suns, Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs in six NBA seasons averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his career. Originally projected as a star player, Bedford's NBA career was a disappointment as it succumbed to drug use, with him never reaching his full potential.[1]

Bedford has had drug problems ever since he left the NBA. He was arrested for drug possession twice between 1996 and 1997. In 2001, Bedford was accused of transporting 25 pounds of marijuana in Michigan.[2] After the Michigan arrest, he was arrested two more times for marijuana, and in 2003 was given a 10-year prison sentence.[3][4] Bedford was released from prison in November 2011. As of 2012, he was coaching basketball in Memphis.[5]

Notes

  1. ESPN.com - GEN - Bedford: 'People don't think about the consequences'
  2. Bedford: 'People don't think about the consequences' Greg Garber, ESPN.com, June 4th 2001
  3. http://www.criminalsearches.com/details.aspx?id=w1x00xCC&vw=criminal&1=4JBstDAvbDqYCesrqHj%2bYdRL600cSQxHeYPxN8QcPYQ%3d&input=name
  4. '85 Memphis State run went from triumph to tragedy by Mike Lopresti, Gannett News Service, April 3rd, 2008,
  5. Out of prison, former Tigers great William Bedford trying to live 'the right way', Commercial Appeal, October 11, 2012
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