When he died, Brad Miller and Baron Davis were both beginning their NBA careers, but in opposite ways. 13 in its practice facility, but not in the Smoothie King Center. ''. Jobe had little doubt that once Phills earned an opportunity in the NBA, he would thrive. Phills earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from At 6' 5" and 220 pounds,[3] he was said to more resemble an NFL linebacker than a basketball player. He was 30. He was in his third year of a seven-year, $33 million contract. "He had the brain power, he had the great He was a loving father and husband, Davis said of Phills. Hes got a great sense of the game, understanding his athleticism as well, and his poise on the floor, said Yale coach James Jones. Phills, a 6-foot-5 defensive stopper and a team leader, was one of the Hornets top reserves. Trey and Silas put in hard hours working to improve Treys shot. He was exceptionally strong, and while coaches and general managers debated whether he was a shooting guard or a small forward, Phills merely transformed himself into one of the game's most menacing defenders. Soon, David Jovanovic, the Charlotte Hornets equipment manager, placed Bobby Phillss jersey in the bronze casket. Hes happy. When something like that happens, you blame everybody. He had already been admitted to the veterinarian school, but someone convinced him he could make money [in basketball], Jobe said. 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. Bridges said. The Hornets returned to the court January 15, three days after Phillss death, with a loss to the Knicks in New York. Honestly, I dont know what happened after that. Bobby Phills, revered in his former NBA towns of Cleveland and Charlotte for the selfless person he was off the court and the player he willed himself into on the pine, died in a car crash Jan. 12 . He touched all of our lives, said Bob Bass, the Hornets executive vice president of basketball operations. He gets rebounds. I know why you wanted me to do this by myself and you didnt want anyone throwing the ball back to me, Phills said. He was every girls husband, every childs father. Or keep them on the same level. In 1995, Phills called Jobe after matching up with Michael Jordan, excited that he was able to hold the NBAs greatest scorerbelow his average. My god, he had the whole package, Jobe said of Phills. posted speed was 45 mph. 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. For years, I tried to get him to go on to med school like he talked about when he was a kid.". 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. Phills lost control of his Porsche on a hilly curve where the Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He was the franchises future a brash, bowling-ball point guard who expected immediate NBA stardom. reserve. Were you racing Bobby Phills that day? his attorney asked. "He touched all of our lives," said Bob Bass, the Hornets' He was 30. Two days later, Jordan went 9-for-26 against Phills. Phills, 30, was killed in an automobile accident Wednesday morning. Joe Fraziers Daughter, Jacqui Frazier Lyde, Challenges Muhammad Alis Daughter, Laila, To A Boxing , Earth, Wind & Fire makes mark on Rock Walk Entertainment music group inducted to RockWalk of, How To Deal With Your Childs Bad Dreams Brief Article Recasner remains on the injured list. 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. Bobby Phills was everybodys son, Ben Jobe, Phillss coach at Southern University and A&M College, said recently. 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. In 2004, the NBA added an expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats. She exited her car to see Bobbys teammates Elden Campbell and Anthony Mason, both in tears. After six seasons in Cleveland, Phills was signed by the Hornets on Aug. 19, 1997, as a free agent. The Hornets' guard lost control of his 1997 Porsche 993 Cabriolet and collided head-on with a vehicle heading towards him. He meant a lot to this city, Jordan said at a press conference before the ceremony. He had everything. He was someone that you would want your children to be like.". Phills would sign autographs until his hand hurt. Bobby Phills died because he was racing cars against a teammate. PRO BASKETBALL; Hornets' Phills Killed in Car Crash Police said Phills, who was driving a black Porsche, was speeding when he lost control of his car, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided into another car, which was driven by Robert Woolard, 31, the Chicago SunTimes reported. He was someone that you would want your children to be like.. After learning that his wife was pregnant, hed bought the new car in preparation for the arrival of their child. Police said he was driving drunk. A minute passed. There was no time to react before his Cutlass and the Porsche collided. When Minnesotas Malik Sealy died in a car accident the same year as Phills, she offered Sealys widow, Lisa, both financial and emotional support. That thing with Bobby Phills, Im telling you, it almost made me lose my faith. Several hundred feet of skid marks, estimated by witnesses to be about 150 yards, were made by Phills's vehicle. He still has foggy memories of his father tossing him in the air. His book, Boys Among Men: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution, is due out in March. Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed recently in a car crash shortly after a morning practice at the team's arena. He had a way of making you feel like you were one of his best friends, when maybe you were just a friend, Wesley said. Every city the Hornets played in meant Wesley would be asked to recount the tragedy for another local newspapers story about how Wesley and the team were coping with Phillss death. I can't tell you what he meant to the Cavs. We just couldnt play hard anymore, Silas said. It just wasnt right Even [now], when I drive down the way that Bobby passed away, it just stays with me. He slid into oncoming traffic and was killed instantly.. Bobby Phills Found a Special Place in Hornets' History After His Tragic I think thats why we always got along so well., The day of the accident, the NBA postponed the Hornets game against Chicago. So I pleaded with the guy, 'Look I have to say my final goodbye.' Bobby Phills died in a car crash after leaving a Hornets practice in January 2000 when Trey was 3 years old. By the time she returned home, Bobby had left for shootaround. Witnesses said teammate David Wesley, driving another car at the scene, also may have been speeding, police spokesman Keith Bridges said. All rights reserved. Hugh Wallace considered Phillss competitiveness one of the players greatest strengths. 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. "He could have been one of the foremost black leaders in the Anyone can read what you share. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Phills attended Baton Rouge's Southern University. The pair rebuilt Phillss shot, with Jobe urging Phills to keep the elbow of his shooting hand under the ball. I can't tell you what he meant to the Cavs. Report Browse more videos Playing next 1:01 Basketball | Golden State Warriors vs Hornets Charlotte At the end of last season, Phills was averaging 10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game for his career. The Hornets will re-retire the jersey of Bobby Phills, who died in a car accident on January 12, 2000 at 30 years old, on November 1 during halftime of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Phills died instantly. 1997 Porsche 996 Cabriolet that wasn't involved in the accident. Rob was in an accident, she said. Once I opened that floodgate, Wesley said, I had to say it to that person and to the next person and the next person., Wesleys performance suffered. ESPN.com - NBA - Responses about Bobby Phills Two people in those vehicles were hospitalized. Keith Bridges, a spokesman for the police, said, ''Charges are to be determined, but racing is definitely illegal.''. Jobe lost his love for coaching after Phills died. We believed in offense first, defense second, he said. His Hornets teammates. I knew if I could just get on the court after it happened, that it would give me a moments peace, even if it was only five minutes, Wesley said. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Phills spent the bulk of his high school career in the paint, where he was often outsized but seldom outmuscled. The Hornets retired Bobby Phills' No. Jobe asked how many points Phills had scored. He dont have to play., But Phills insisted. I would give scholarships to kids sometimes and I knew they werent going to play, Jobe, now 82, explained. . The Hornets selected Davis with the third pick in the 1999 draft. When Wallace learned of Phillss death, he thought back on their good times together. Thats Rob, David, and God as far as the exact events that happened., Every morning, we went to breakfast, David Wesley said. The next month, Wesley was charged with two misdemeanors: speed competition and reckless driving. He had to tighten his elbow, the same way his father had learned to shoot under Ben Jobe at Southern decades earlier. He joined the team in 1997 after six years with Cleveland. Medical personnel removed Woolard from the car and sent him to Presbyterian Hospital. She thanked the fans for the phone calls and well-wishes. Having coached there, I felt he didn't Soon after Phillss son addressed the mourners, Wesley stepped to the podium. From the darkened arena, one active Hornets player had returned early from halftime to watch the ceremony. I said, Bobby, I dont understand this. But he was proud.. [They discussed a] lot of little things that when youre a youngster coming into the league, you dont think about, Miller said. Phills was traveling behind teammate David Wesley at over 100mph (160km/h) when his Porsche spun and crossed into oncoming traffic. Treys not ready yet. Kendall did decide to let Brewer coach Bobby Phills III, known as Trey to his teammates. Wesley was later convicted of reckless driving for his part in the incident. 1:09. She just completed her junior season and is being pursued by several top colleges. Young people changed. Nell Redmond/AP Photo Kendall Phills at a 2001 memorial service for her husband. ON PRO BASKETBALL; The Memories Linger In the Phills Tragedy TRAGIC ROLE FOR TRUTH PART OF PHILLS' DEATH - Mitch Albom What did I do wrong? And thats what happened. It was one of the worst things that I had ever been through in my life. Shortly after the accident, the Hornets met at the facility. Im trying to keep the flesh lovers away from him. Phills played in the NBA for nine seasons, his first six with the Cleveland Cavaliers and last three with the Charlotte Hornets. It got so bad, I blamed God. Late NBA star Bobby Phills Death, Wife, Funeral, Son, Family, Net worth At one point, Woolard looked out his window and noticed only long legs. Police said his car collided head-on with a vehicle headed to the arena. "I remember just asking myself and asking my mom, 'Why would God let this happen to our family?" The Hornets game against the Chicago Bulls, which was scheduled the night of the Phills accident, was postponed. Even as he made the short trek to the scene, Shinn kept thinking, Maybe I heard him wrong. After the team's morning session, Phills and David Wesley decided to race home from the Hornets' facility. The day of the accident, Miller had returned to the Hornets practice facility after shootaround to lift weights. 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.. ''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. Kendall needed to get to Tyvola. Four months after Phills' death, another NBA star from the movie "Eddie", Malik Sealy, died in a road accident at age 30. Cookie Policy. I had gone out before him, and he was passing me, and he was going close to 100 miles an hour. Silas approached Phills at practice the next day. The police report said Phills was traveling eastbound on West Tyvola Road just before 11 a.m., less than a mile from the Charlotte Coliseum. His teammate Derrick Coleman, driving the sport utility vehicle in which Recasner was a passenger, was arrested on a drunken driving charge. He wont let them.. T'WOLVES' SEALY DIES IN HEAD-ON COLLISION - Chicago Tribune David Wesley Convicted of Reckless Driving - ABC News Trey doesnt remember speaking at his fathers memorial, but it comforts him to watchthe video of it. The Hornets brought the franchises history with the team to Phillss native Louisiana, where he never played professionally. Click here to watch Jalen & Jacoby, Grantland Features, and video podcasts. Trey Phills said. The two lived close to one another, and after games, Phillss wife, Kendall, often drove Silass wife, Carolyn, home from the Charlotte Coliseum. You sitting down? Phills Sr. knew something had to be wrong. The new Charlotte Hornets will re-retire Bobby Phills' No. 13 jersey on He was everybodys brother. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. He saw Phillss mouth hanging open, and eyes closed. If there's a person you would want your children to be, a role model, it's Bobby Phills. If it hadnt been for Donnie, I wouldnt be doing what Im doing now, Jobe said. Bobby Phills - Wikipedia Charlotte Hornets players Bobby Phills and David Wesley were racing each other in their Porsches less than a mile from the Charlotte Coliseum when Phills lost control on a hilly curve and was. Its not good. Silas thought it over: You know what, Bobby? Southern University. He played shooting guard and small forward for the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets. You always thought you had something to prove, said Wesley, who made his career as a strong, table-setting point guard. Wednesday, February 2nd 2000, 12:00 am. The advice meant a lot to Miller, who looked up to Phills and Wesley, players who hadnt been first-round darlings but who had managed to thrive in the league. Do you know why you were able to do that without even seeing your feet and shoes? Jobe asked. Phills, active in the community, volunteered for children's charities and related organizations. College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture at According to the NBA, there have been three other active players Clay Moser, an assistant coach when Phills played for the CBA's Sioux Falls Skyforce, said Phills had wanted to be a veterinarian. Amanda OHara sits down with former Charlotte Hornets player, Bobby Phills family to discuss their foundation and Phills kids goals. ESPN.com - NBA - Phills' death compounds Carolina's misery More than 15 years had passed since his last go-round as head coach, with the dysfunctional San Diego Clippers in 1983. Bobby Phills: The Story Of His Untimely Death To His Son's Inspiring
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