Ex-Wheatley, UH star Jones dies at 64
Dwight Jones ,a former Wheatley High School basketball star who went on to play at the University of Houston and for 10 seasons in the NBA, died Monday at Memorial Hermann/The Woodlands. He was 64.
Jones played on three consecutive state championship teams at Wheatley before going to UH, where he twice played on teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 13.3 points and 14.1 rebounds for the Cougars.
In between his years at UH, Jones competed for the U.S. national team, which lost to the Soviet Union in a controversial gold-medal game at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
The 6-10 Jones was selected by Atlanta in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft and played 10 seasons with the Hawks, Rockets (1976-79), Chicago Bulls (1979-83) and Los Angeles Lakers (1983).
“Dwight was a tremendous competitor, who represented the University of Houston and his nation well during his playing career. While his health declined in recent years, he faced those challenges with the same courage and spirit that made him one of our program’s greats. Our hearts go out to Dwight’s family and friends and all those who knew and loved him,” UH basketball coach Kelvin Sampson said.
Funeral services are pending.
PRO BASKETBALL Jordan speaks out, will donate $2M
Michael Jordan finally spoke out about racial tensions in America in hopes of easing conflicts between blacks and law enforcement.
The NBA great and Charlotte Hornets owner announced he is giving $1 million to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and another $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The aim is to help build trust after several shootings around the country.
“As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers,” Jordan said in a statement. “I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.”
Jordan’s father was killed in 1993 in a botched carjacking in North Carolina.
The high-profile Jordan has been notoriously silent over the years when it comes to his opinions on politics or social justice issues, which has drawn some criticism.
But he said Monday he “can no longer stay silent” on the issue.
“I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late,” Jordan said in the statement. “I know this country is better than that. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment and that police officers — who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all — are respected and supported.” In other news: CJ McCollum agreed to a four-year, $106 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers, a person familiar with the deal said. McCollum was voted the NBA’s Most Improved Player after averaging 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists during the regular season.
• Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue is getting a multiyear extension with the NBA champions. Lue, who took over the Cavaliers when David Blatt was fired in January and led them to the city’s first championship since 1964, has agreed to the deal, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it has not been signed.
• Dion Waiters and the Miami Heat are finalizing a one-year contract worth $2.9 million, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press. Waiters averaged 9.8 points for Oklahoma City last year but had several big games in the playoffs.
• Oklahoma City guard Cameron Payne is recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot. The Thunder announced Payne broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot but is expected to be ready for the start of next season. Payne averaged five points and 1.9 assists in his rookie season with the Thunder.
PRO BASEBALL Skeeters’ bats spark 10-8 win
Jeff Dominguez, Ricky Hague and Jeremy Barfield each drove in two runs to help lead visiting Sugar Land to a 10-8 Atlantic League victory over Lancaster.