NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBER

#42 James Worthy - F

James Worthy Career NBA Stats 1982-1994
G
FGA
FGM
FG%
PTS
PPG
3PTA
3PTM
3PT%
FTA
FTM
FT% AST
APG
REB
RPG
BLK
STL
926
13,204
6,878
52.1
16,320
17.6
486
117
24.1
3,184
2,447
76.9
2,791
3.0
4,708
5.1
624
1,041
 

 

James Ager Worthy was born on February 27, 1961 in Gastonia, NC. He is the son of Gladys and Ervin Worthy. He learned the game of basketball at a young age, and even though he grew to love it, the main factor for why he played was the opportunity to earn a college scholarship.  

 

 

Worthy attended Ashbrook High School. During his senior year, Worthy averaged over 21 points and was a prep All-American. He accepted a scholarship offer to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina.

 

James Worthy College Career Stats and Notes

Worthy played for North Carolina from 1979-82. He averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds during his college career. The Tarheels made the NCAA Tournament every year during his career, and in 1982 he led them to victory in the national championship game. Worthy had a big year of accolades in 1982 as he was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, First Team All-American and Co College Player of the Year.

 

Awards and Achievements
MVP
All-NBA

3rd Team: 1990, 1991

All-Star Selections
1986, 1987, 1988,1989, 1990, 1991 1992
Scoring Titles
NBA Finals MVP
Achievements

NBA Champion

1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88

Member of 1982-83 NBA All Rookie First Team

Member of NBA 50th Anniversary All Time Team

Member of NBA 75th Anniversary All Time Team

 

 

James Worthy NBA Career Stats and Notes

James was the 1st pick in the 1982 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Coming onto a team with Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes, Worthy helped continue the Lakers’ winning ways as they won three more NBA titles with the North Carolina native. Worthy spent his entire 13-year NBA career with the Lakers retiring after the 1993-94 season. In 2003, Worthy was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

James Worthy 1988 NBA Finals MVP

Worthy was given the nickname ‘Big Game James’ as time after time he came through in the biggest games. For instance, the 1982 NCAA Championship Game against Georgetown, he got the steal at the end to seal the victory for the Tarheels. But he showed up the entire game, scoring 28 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. Fast forward to Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons. Worthy put on one of the greatest shows during the Showtime Era and also NBA history. When the dust settled in the Forum, Worthy had 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in the victory. He averaged 22 points and 7 rebounds in the seven game series, earning NBA Finals MVP.

 

 

List of Basketball Hall of Fame Members