Former Notre Dame and Chicago Bulls star Orlando Woolridge passes away at age 52
(Andrew Bernstein/Getty Images/NBAE)
Orlando Woolridge, whose last second shot ended Ralph Sampson and his Virginia Cavailiers 28-game winning streak died at his parents home in Mansfield, La. today.
Woolridge had been under hospice care for a chronic heart condition.
(NOLA)
As freshman, Woolridge was a member of Notre Dame’s 1978 Final Four team.
Woolridge had a 13-year NBA career after being taken with the sixth overall pick by the Bulls in 1981. He played five seasons in Chicago, before stops with the Lakers, Nuggets, Pistons, Bucks and Sixers. He finished with career averages of 16 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Woolridge spent some time overseas before coaching the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.
Sad to hear this. One of my favorites as he was the Starting Small Forward on the NBA’s All-Physique Team. Dude was power personified. RIP Orlando…break a backboard or two up there.
RIP to Brother Woolridge and my condolences to his friends and family. The pain is over now.
Orlando punched the rim like it dissed his kin.
Agree with Mike. Orlando Woolridge perfected the art of the Alley-oop. A sad day indeed.
Too many stories like these of Black athletes, physical specimens as T points out, dying much too young of purely physical causes. And professional Black athletes who are constantly derided by ignorant and often racist fans for “making all that money” but who often die broke nonetheless is a problem that must be confronted. It sickens me.
Respect to his family and godspeed.
RIP!