Ed Nealy

Eddie Carl Nealy (born February 19, 1960) is an American retired basketball player. At 6'7" and 238 pounds, he played as a power forward. After a standout college career, during which he won the Big Eight Tournament title in 1980, he went on to play professionally for 11 years. During his professional career, he won the Continental Basketball Association championship in 1986 as a member of the Tampa Bay Thrillers and the NBA championship in 1993 as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

Ed Nealy
Personal information
Born (1960-02-19) February 19, 1960
Pittsburg, Kansas
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High schoolBonner Springs
(Bonner Springs, Kansas)
CollegeKansas State (1978–1982)
NBA draft1982 / Round: 8 / Pick: 166th overall
Selected by the Kansas City Kings
Playing career1982–1993
PositionPower forward
Number20, 32, 45, 55
Career history
1982–1984Kansas City Kings
1984–1985Sarasota Stingers
1985Kansas City Kings
1985–1986Tampa Bay Thrillers
1986–1988San Antonio Spurs
1988Chicago Bulls
1988–1989Phoenix Suns
1989–1990Chicago Bulls
1990–1992Phoenix Suns
1992–1993Golden State Warriors
1993Chicago Bulls
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

College career

Born in Pittsburg, Kansas, Nealy attended Kansas State University. Although he was not expected to be a factor for the Wildcats as a freshman, he started 30 of the team's 31 games, averaging 10.2 points and team leading 8.2 rebounds per game en route to Big Eight Newcomer of the Year honors. During his sophomore season, he was a vital part in helping the team win the 1980 Big Eight Tournament Championship and reach the Elite Eight of the 1980 NCAA Tournament after averaging 9.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. As a junior, he averaged 11.0 points and 9.1 rebounds, helping the Wildcats reach the West Regional Finals. During his senior season, he averaged 11.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and led the Wildcats to Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earned first team All-Big Eight and honorable mention All-America honors.[1]

Professional career

After his college career ended, Nealy was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the eighth round of the 1982 NBA draft.[2] In 10 NBA seasons with the Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, Nealy averaged 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Nealy played two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association, averaging 9.8 points and 10.0 rebounds in 68 games. During the 1986 playoffs, he averaged 12.9 points and 15.5 rebounds for the Tampa Bay Thrillers, helping them to the CBA championship.

During his multiple stints in Chicago, Nealy became a fan-favorite (and a favorite of coach Phil Jackson)[2] for his hustle and hard work ethic, especially during the 1990 NBA playoffs during stints where Scottie Pippen and Bill Cartwright were injured or struggling during the game.[2] During his last season, Nealy was a late addition to the Chicago Bulls team which won the 1993 NBA Championship,[3] although he did not play during the playoffs. He retired following the finals.[4]

Personal life

Nealy's son, Spencer, played football at Texas A&M University.[5]

Quotes

Due to his hustle, aggressiveness and court smarts, Nealy was uniformly praised for his unselfish play and his willingness to be physical throughout his career.

"It's guys like Ed who make coaching a pleasure. If you give me a reason to put him into a game, he's going to find a way to contribute." -- Phil Jackson[2]

In the book The Jordan Rules, Phil Jackson labeled Nealy his "favorite player, smartest player on the team."

"With some players, a rebound hits their hand and bounces off. Nealy catches it. He has hands like Bobby Jones and Adrian Dantley. He is going to be a great pro some day. I truly mean that." -- Dean Smith [6]

References
  1. "Ed Nealy (2006) - K-State Athletics Hall of Fame". kstatesports.com. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. Sam Goldaper (28 May 1990). "Unsung Nealy Helps the Bulls". New York Times. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  3. "1992-93 Chicago Bulls: 20th anniversary of 1st three-peat". nba.com. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  4. "Ex-Bull Ed Nealy selling cars, but he'd like to get back on bench". Chicago Sun-Times. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. Spencer Nealy profile
  6. "Who Are These Guys?; Kansas St.: Short, Fat and Still Alive; Kansas State? Yes, Kansas State", by Ken Denlinger Washington Post March 21, 1981
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