Jobe viewed Phills as a bench player, someone with high grades who could raise the teams collective grade point average. That season, he scored 52 points against Alcorn State, hitting 10 3s in a game attended by several NBA scouts. Ive got some bad news, Dwayne told his father. owner George Shinn said in a statement. The Hornets returned to the court January 15, three days after Phillss death, with a loss to the Knicks in New York. But the dude did the right things.. I had no idea what happened, but as I looked in my rearview, his car was spinning, went into the oncoming traffic, hit a car, he said. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Jobe had little doubt that once Phills earned an opportunity in the NBA, he would thrive. 13 jersey raised again in Charlotte", "Charlotte Hornets re-hang Bobby Phills' jersey Saturday night", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Phills&oldid=1124254394, American expatriate basketball people in Spain, Basketball players from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, National Basketball Association players with retired numbers, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 November 2022, at 01:52. He was 30. Some were nice and tactful. I would give scholarships to kids sometimes and I knew they werent going to play, Jobe, now 82, explained. Mike Fratello, the former Cleveland coach, remembered a young, unproven Phills returning to the Cavaliers training camp without a guaranteed contract in the fall of 1992. Sometimes people dont believe that type of person exists. Bobby, he was a fast driver, Paul Silas recalled. "This is the ultimate tragedy, and our immediate thoughts and That thing with Bobby Phills, Im telling you, it almost made me lose my faith. When Phills built a reputation as one of the leagues best defenders, Jobe was surprised. ON PRO BASKETBALL; The Memories Linger In the Phills Tragedy Eventually, a police officer covered Phillss face. The 30-year-old guard had just left a shootaround at the Charlotte Coliseum when the two-car accident happened, club spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said. I dont know who was at fault. This was the second fatal traffic accident in the past nine months involving a professional athlete from North Carolina, and the second serious traffic accident this season involving Hornets players. Hornets' Phills Killed in Car Crash 13 jersey during halftime of Wednesday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Charlotte Coliseum. The two other drivers were hospitalized and listed in stable condition. Recasner remains on the injured list. I went up in my room and cried for an hour, Bulls guard Fred Hoiberg, who was in Charlotte for the Bulls-Hornets game, said about the news of the accident to the SunTimes. [4] In 1996, Michael Jordan remarked that Phills was the toughest defender he had ever faced. Phills was the fourth active N.B.A. The accident occurred a year ago yesterday, when Bobby Phills lost control of his Porsche after a Hornets practice in Charlotte, N.C. Trey, a 6-foot-1 guard, recently finished his high school career at Charlotte Christian, the same school that produced Steph and Seth Curry. Wesley testified that Phills, 30, was behind him when in hisrearview mirror he saw his car swerve and collide with anothervehicle. It was just a typical day. After a slew of injuries had hit the Cavaliers in 1993, he became a starter and led the team into the playoffs for the next four seasons. He was 30 years old. It helped to relieve my depression. He gets rebounds. Active in the community, Phills volunteered for children's Hes in his Porsche, Im in my Porsche, Wesley said. To Kendall, the legacy he left behind in Charlotte was a higher achievement, one that represented Bobbys contributions to the community as well as on the court. Kendall walked onto the court, accompanied by Trey, Kerstie, and Brittany Dixon (Bobbys daughter from a different relationship). Phillss former teammates Todd Fuller, Chucky Brown, and David Wesley attended the ceremony. "He could have been one of the foremost black leaders in the him away from the NBA. Phills, 30, was leaving a team practice at the Charlotte Coliseum about 11 a.m. Wednesday when he lost control of his car less than a mile from the arena. "He had extreme high character. A female passenger was hurt in that collision with a tractor-trailer. Hes happy. Thats the Bobby I know.. In New Orleans, the organization raised his no. Silas joined Charlotte in 1997 as an assistant under Dave Cowens. The 30-year-old player left behind a wife and two children,. Phills was killed last Jan. 12 in a car accident following a morning shootaround. The Associated Press The police examining the black Porsche driven by Bobby Phills in his fatal car crash Wednesday. He had everything. You hope no one would ever have to feel that, Miller said. He surveyed the wreckage, concluced that Phills had not survived, and walked over to Wesley, who was standing, speechless, with his hands on his head. Coach Paul Silas of the Hornets and team members gathered around the scene of the accident as the police used yellow tape to cordon off the area. It will not happen again.. Now go shoot a thousand shots a day, Jobe said. Hes calling his wife to meet us. player. He is also survived by his parents. ''. CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed instantly in an automobile accident while returning home from a shootaround Wednesday morning. Phills died instantly. Someone reminded him they still werent certain that Phills hadnt survived; he could just be unconscious. If it hadnt been for Donnie, I wouldnt be doing what Im doing now, Jobe said. She stayed involved in community events and established a scholarship fund in her husbands name. It took a split second for him to realize that its tires were squealing and smoking as it spun out of control and headed toward him. Florida A&M University. country," he said. Just silence. Coleman was arrested on a drunken driving charge. Report Browse more videos Playing next 1:01 Basketball | Golden State Warriors vs Hornets Charlotte He was a loving father and husband, Davis said of Phills. Bobby Phills - Wikipedia In February, Phills was charged with driving 60 mph in a 35-mph Youre right. Its shocking.. You say, Why wasnt it me instead of him? One mistake, one accident. Phills, a nine-year NBA veteran who spent his final three seasons with the Hornets, was tragically killed in a car accident at age 30 after practice on Jan. 12, 2000. According to the NBA, there have been three other active players who were killed in accidents: Drazen Petrovic (1993) and Terry Furlow (1980) in car crashes and Nick Vanos (1987) in an air crash. ''The skid marks indicate he was not going in a straight line,'' he said. The older you get, the more you appreciate people like him. Police said he was driving drunk. He had everything. After starting her college career at Wagner, Kerstie transferred and is currently a redshirt sophomore for Florida Gulf Coast University. as spontaneous speed competition," Charlotte-Mecklenburg police While a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Bobby Phills died in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 12th January 2000. There was nothing I could do to even try to get out of the way, Woolard recalled. ''I told him we would release him if we wanted, because we already had 13 or 14 guaranteed deals and his chances of making it were slim,'' Fratello said. L.E. NBA After the Crash Friends, teammates, and family remember the career, legacy, and tragic death of former Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills by Jonathan Abrams on March 31, 2015 T he boy needed a nudge from his mother. Yeah, Bobby was perfect. Bobby Phills' tragic death in 2000 shocked and saddened the basketball world Jan. 12, 2000 was just another practice day for Bobby Phills and the Charlotte Hornets. Shortly after that, Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Michael Jordan announced that the franchise had applied to restore the Hornets name in Charlotte. But once Wesley had spoken about the crash, reporters kept asking him to relive the worst morning of his life. Phills agreed, and a couple weeks later, he approached the coach. [5] A police report said Phills and Wesley were driving "in an erratic, reckless, careless, negligent or aggressive manner. He should be upset right now. Phills left Silass office. The Bobby Phills Scholarship Fund (www.bobbyphillsfund.com) has been set up in his honor. Not only was Bobby a tremendous person, but a great husband, father and role model that everyone respected and admired. Hes got a great sense of the game, understanding his athleticism as well, and his poise on the floor, said Yale coach James Jones. ESPN.com - null Wire Bobby Ray Phills II was born on Dec. 20, 1969, in Baton Rouge, La. had been practicing for Wednesday night's game with the Chicago Kerstie Phills is in her freshman season at Wagner College, where she also plays guard. In that series, Silas sensed that his players had nothing left to give. He meant a lot to this city, Jordan said at a press conference before the ceremony. A minivan taxi driven by Yao Agbegbon hit the rear end of Woolard's car almost instantaneously. Ill go through the photo albums. Guys cant push him around on the court. Veering into the coming traffic, his black 1997 Porsche with a vanity license plate that read ''SLAM'N'' was hit by an Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra driven by Robert Taylor Woolard Jr., 31, absorbing the impact on the driver's side door. executive vice president of basketball operations. After the Crash He came into his own when he got here to Charlotte. Hornets' Phills Is Killed in Crash - Los Angeles Times That was the one car he had always wanted. Phills encountered teammate David Wesley, also driving a Porsche, less than a mile from the Charlotte Coliseum. On the morning of January 12, 2000, the Hornets had just finished a morning shootaround. Maybe he didnt say that, Shinn thought, trying to rationalize what hed heard. I often talk about how smart Bobby was, said his father, Bobby Phills Sr. He was gifted academically and athletically. Blydenburgh, the crash investigator. Wallace mandated that all of his players learn to play in the post. Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed Wednesday when his speeding Porsche collided with a car near the Charlotte Coliseum, where Phills had just finished a game-day practice. CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed yesterday when he wrecked his speeding Porsche after a morning practice at the team's arena, police said. Everything hurt. When the Hornets returned to playing, Shinn visited the locker room before a game shortly after the accident. Those guys were Bobby Phills and Muggsy Bogues, he said. He played shooting guard and small forward for the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets. These must be some tall guys, he thought. It really hits home with me because he has two kids about the same age as mine, and I know the impact a father has on kids like that its a very tragic day for this league.. Cookie Policy. A lot of reporters. I dont think you can get out of that date that your maker has ordained for you., Derrick Brewer could see that the 11-year-old was not ready to star on his AAU team. He wont let them.. Bobby Phills: The Story Of His Untimely Death To His Son's Inspiring Hes a Hornets player. Because youve been putting on your socks and shoes since you were 6 or 7 years old. Charlotte finished the season with a 49-33 record, but lost to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs. Phills is survived by his wife, Kendall, and two children, Bobby Ray III, 3, and Kerstie, 1. team will have a moment of silence for Phills before their home games. Who knows what happened? Coach, we just cant deal with that, he said. Five months after Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills died in a crash while drag racing with teammate David. He was everybodys brother. Phills, a 6-foot-5 defensive stopper and a team leader, was one of the Hornets top reserves. After the game, Brewer approached the boys mother, Kendall Phills. NBA Player Killed | WIRED Capt. Claude Mills, the father of Phills's former teammate, Chris Mills, was. [1] He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1991 NBA draft (45th overall). "Bobby Phills represented the very best of the NBA," Stern said. Bridges said. I often ask myself, Phills Sr. said, or ask God: Why did he spare me and three weeks later take my sons life?, I probably cried every day for the next two years, Dwayne Phills said. I think it changes as Im coming up to it. Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed recently in a car crash shortly after a morning practice at the team's arena. Oh, he was such an angel, blah, blah, blah. Its hard to believe. "What did we do to deserve this? Friends, teammates, and family remember the career, legacy, and tragic death of former Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills. by signing the guard to a 10-day contract. Soon after Phillss son addressed the mourners, Wesley stepped to the podium. It took firefighters more than two hours to pry Phills's body from the car. In October, Hornets guard Eldridge Recasner suffered a broken shoulder and a collapsed lung and teammate Derrick Coleman was charged with drunken driving in a traffic accident. What else do you need? The NBA honored Phills memory by preceding every league game on the day of his death with a moment of silence. It also altered the lives of many others stillaffected by thetragedyyears later. There was no time to react before his Cutlass and the Porsche collided. He had only recently purchased the Oldsmobile Cutlass he was driving when he turned onto Tyvola. Wesley, the Hornets' starting point guard, has refused to talk to police, posted speed was 45 mph. List of basketball players who died during their careers, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season 3-point field goal leaders, "Yale's Trey Phills Looks to Emulate His Dad, Ex-NBA Guard Bobby Phills, Who Died in 2000", Hornets guard Bobby Phills killed in car wreck, An Animal Intensity Cavaliers Guard Bobby Phills Is That Rarest Of Breeds: A Demon On D Who Can Also Nail The Three, PRO BASKETBALL; Hornets' Phills Killed in Car Crash, N.B.A. Phills also was a finalist for the NBA Sportsman of the Year award in 1998. He also started the Bobby Phills Educational Foundation, holding camps in Baton Rouge each summer for children who were taught how to balance education with athletics. We come out of the building and thats where we were going., Thats the routine they were following the morning of the accident. Treys a stat stuffer, said coach Shonn Brown. Leave him alone. Phills graduated with a 3.2 GPA and a degree in animal science. As time passes, it doesnt stay every day, but it does stay frequently, and there are always good memories., Kendall decided to remain in Charlotte after Phillss death. He watched Kendall experience such pride and sorrow at center court, and when shed finished speaking, Henderson walked out to Kendall and embraced her. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. Start working. Phills made the rookies pay their dues, but along with tough love he dispersed nuggets of wisdom that would help them blossom into NBA starters. The Hornets had come together and shown admirable resilience after Phillss death, but by the time the postseason arrived, they were ready to fold. One time after a game, we were driving home. In many cases, thats all they had the intellect to do. spokesman Keith Bridges said Thursday. Phills, 30, was traveling at a "very high rate of speed" when he collided with a car headed toward the coliseum, police spokesman Keith Bridges said. Click here to watch Jalen & Jacoby, Grantland Features, and video podcasts. ''Not only was Bobby a tremendous person, but a great husband, father and role model that everyone respected and admired,'' said George Shinn, the Hornets' owner. With a July birthday, Trey had always been among the youngest in his class, so Kendall decided to have him complete the eighth grade twice. Interest-Based Ads. Like a funeral, Shinn said. Associated Press Filed Under: NBA, NBA History, Sports Tragedies, Bobby Phills, Charlotte Hornets, Paul Silas, David Wesley, Baron Davis, Brad Miller, Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans. A minivan rear-ended the other car, police said. Or the times Phills had called him a high school coach for advice on how to guard Michael Jordan. By Paul Nowell According to the NBA, there have been three other active players Phills was killed instantly. Champions (2023 film) - Wikipedia ''A fourth car driven by David Wesley was in close proximity to the collision at the time it occurred and has been identified by a witness as driving at a high rate of speed also,'' the report said. He had stopped at a red light, turned left, and then approached the scene. Listed in stable condition at Presbyterian Hospital were Robert Woolard Jr., 31, of Cornelius, the driver of the other car; and Yao Agbegbon, 33, of Charlotte, who was driving a minivan taxi, Bridges said. Woolard loved cars all types and he noticed a black Porsche on Tyvola. He let me go, I held his hand, and I prayed with him. College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture at For years, I tried to get him "Tyvola Road was a road you would take to watch the 25,000 people crowded into that little coliseum to cheer on the Hornets. He gets deflections. After the New Orleans team re-branded themselves as the New Orleans Pelicans - thereby relinquishing the Hornets name and their previous history in Charlotte - the Bobcats became the Hornets and merged the team's past tenures into a new history for the franchise.