Jawann Oldham obit

Jawann Oldham, a basketball star at Cleveland High, Seattle U, dies at 68

 

He was not on the list.

As a student at Asa Mercer Junior High, Jawann Oldham carried a briefcase to class nearly every day. He was the tallest kid in school and athletically gifted, but he had no plans on playing sports, particularly basketball.

Two years later, Frank Ahern and Fred Harrison, who coached at Cleveland High, convinced Oldham to try out for the boys basketball team and “that’s how it all started,” said Philip Petty, Oldham’s childhood friend.

Former NBA player Jawann Oldham, who played alongside Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 68 years old.

Oldham died Monday in Atlanta, according to a report from The Seattle Times. Seattle University confirmed his death to the outlet.

Prior to beginning his pro basketball career, Jawann Oldham starred at Seattle U. He is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame after scoring 1,530 points in 104 career games.

Oldham averaged 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game as a junior in college, before averaging 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds as a senior. He was then drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft.

The center would go on to play for the Nuggets, Rockets, Bulls, Knicks, Kings, Magic, Lakers and Pacers across his 10-year NBA career.

Oldham played for the Bulls for four seasons from 1982-86, including when Michael Jordan was a rookie in 1984-85, as well as Jordan’s second year in the league in 85-86.

Jawann Oldham averaged 4.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for his career. His best season came in 1985-86 with the Bulls when he was playing with Jordan.

That year he averaged a career high 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while making 47 starts.

Career information

High school     Cleveland (Seattle, Washington)

College            Seattle (1976–1980)

NBA draft        1980: 2nd round, 41st overall pick

Drafted by       Denver Nuggets

Playing career 1980–1996

Position           Center

Number           45, 51, 33, 44, 32, 50, 55, 22

Career history

Playing

1980    Denver Nuggets

1980–1981      Montana Golden Nuggets

1981–1982      Houston Rockets

1983–1986      Chicago Bulls

1986–1987      New York Knicks

1987–1988      Sacramento Kings

1989–1990      Santa Barbara Islanders

1990    Orlando Magic

1990    Los Angeles Lakers

1990–1991      Rapid City Thrillers

1991    Indiana Pacers

1991–1992      Tulsa Zone

1992–1993      Oklahoma City Cavalry

1993    Capitanes de Arecibo

1995–1996      Chicago Rockers

Coaching

2005–2006      Oita Heat Devils

Career highlights

CBA All-Defensive Team (1992)

CBA blocks leader (1992)

Third-team Parade All-American (1976)