Derek Lamar Strong (born February 9, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player who played in ten National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons from 1991 to 2001 for six different teams. A 6'8" forward from Xavier University, Strong was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (47th pick overall) of the 1990 NBA draft. Strong has successfully transitioned into stock car racing.
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | February 9, 1968
Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles, California) |
College | Xavier (1987–1990) |
NBA draft | 1990: 2nd round, 47th overall pick |
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
Playing career | 1990–2003 |
Position | Power forward |
Number | 35, 20, 31, 7, 33, 30 |
Career history | |
1990–1991 | Huesca La Magia |
1991 | Miami Tropics |
1992 | Washington Bullets |
1992–1993 | Quad City Thunder |
1993–1994 | Milwaukee Bucks |
1994–1995 | Boston Celtics |
1995–1996 | Los Angeles Lakers |
1996–2000 | Orlando Magic |
2000–2001 | Los Angeles Clippers |
2002–2003 | Columbus Riverdragons |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Career NBA statistics | |
Points | 3,088 (6.8 ppg) |
Rebounds | 2,213 (4.9 rpg) |
Assists | 291 (0.6 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Professional basketball career
editStrong played for the Washington Bullets, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers.
In his NBA career, Strong played in 456 games and scored a total of 3,088 points. His best year as a professional came during the 1997–98 season as a member of the Magic, appearing in 58 games and averaging 12.7 ppg.
In 1992–93, Strong was named the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) Most Valuable Player, while playing with the Quad City Thunder.[1]
Career statistics
editGP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
editRegular season
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991–92 | Washington | 1 | 0 | 12.0 | .000 | .000 | .750 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
1992–93 | Milwaukee | 23 | 0 | 14.7 | .457 | .500 | .800 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 6.8 |
1993–94 | Milwaukee | 67 | 11 | 16.9 | .413 | .231 | .772 | 4.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 6.6 |
1994–95 | Boston | 70 | 24 | 19.2 | .453 | .286 | .820 | 5.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 6.3 |
1995–96 | L.A. Lakers | 63 | 0 | 11.8 | .426 | .111 | .812 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 3.4 |
1996–97 | Orlando | 82 | 21 | 24.4 | .447 | .000 | .803 | 6.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 8.5 |
1997–98 | Orlando | 58 | 8 | 28.2 | .420 | .000 | .781 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 12.7 |
1998–99 | Orlando | 44 | 0 | 15.8 | .422 | .000 | .717 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 5.1 |
1999–00 | Orlando | 20 | 0 | 7.4 | .438 | .250 | .786 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.7 |
2000–01 | L.A. Clippers | 28 | 8 | 17.5 | .385 | .000 | .757 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4.2 |
Career | 456 | 72 | 18.7 | .430 | .180 | .786 | 4.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 6.8 |
Playoffs
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994–95 | Boston | 4 | 1 | 20.3 | .333 | .000 | .500 | 6.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.8 |
1996–97 | Orlando | 5 | 5 | 39.0 | .525 | .000 | .760 | 10.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 12.2 |
1998–99 | Orlando | 1 | 0 | 16.0 | .500 | .000 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
Career | 10 | 6 | 29.2 | .481 | .000 | .727 | 7.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 7.6 |
College
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987–88 | Xavier | 30 | - | 22.3 | .569 | .000 | .718 | 7.1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 10.6 |
1988–89 | Xavier | 33 | 31 | 29.8 | .617 | .000 | .817 | 8.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 15.3 |
1989–90 | Xavier | 33 | 31 | 29.7 | .533 | .000 | .839 | 9.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 14.2 |
Career | 96 | 62 | 27.4 | .573 | .000 | .802 | 8.4 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 13.4 |
NASCAR career
editDuring his tenure in the NBA, Derek was an avid NASCAR fan and remained committed to pursuing this childhood dream when his playing days ended. Strong transitioned into a professional stock car driver and owner of Strong Racing Team Derek is the first NBA player to successfully transition into stock car racing. Strong Racing is the first team in NASCAR history to have African-American female owners – Dawn Whitaker and Erika Hill.[2] Strong Racing is a Stock Car Racing Team that competes in ASA and NASCAR Racing events. Strong Racing is managed by Stuart Lycett and is based in Los Angeles.[3]
Charities
editStrong supports many charities including The Music City Motorsports Institute, a non-profit associated with Strong Racing that seeks to motivate and inspire students to achieve academic success with an educational platform of learning, discovery and fun in the motor sports industry.[3] Co-owner of Strong Racing, Erika Hill is also the co-founder of Peace International, a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to build schools in remote areas throughout the world.[4]
References
edit- ^ "The official site of the NBA". NBA.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "LTTS Exclusive: NBA and NASCAR Legend Derek Strong". Look to the Stars. April 1, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ a b "None".
- ^ "LTTS Exclusive: NBA and NASCAR Legend Derek Strong". Look to the Stars. April 1, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2019.