bobby phills accident

Those guys were Bobby Phills and Muggsy Bogues, he said. The finality of it didntcross his mind until Kendall called again and he heard the words, Hes dead., That moment just sat in my mind, Dwayne said. Bobby Phills, a guard with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, was killed Wednesday in a car accident following a team practice. "SLAMN," left skid marks several hundred feet long and came to Wallace believed Phills had the talent to play in the NBA, but only if his career broke the right way. After the Crash That boy he was speeding with, I dont know what I would have done if I would have seen him. Not quite. He joined the Hornets in 1997 after six years with Cleveland and was in the third year of a seven-year, $33 million contract. The accident happened after a morning Hornets practice on a roadnear the Charlotte Coliseum. So many people pointed the finger at David, but Bobby made the choice to drive at a high rate of speed, Kendall said. You say, Why wasnt it me instead of him? One mistake, one accident. "He could have been one of the foremost black leaders in the Then a few more. At 6' 5" and 220 pounds,[3] he was said to more resemble an NFL linebacker than a basketball player. (Charlotte, North Carolina-AP) -- Charges are going to be filed against a teammate of Bobby Phills -- the N-B-A player who was killed in a . Ill watch some videotape of Bobby. To be the family man he was; to be active with the community the way he was; to be recognized by your . Ben Jobe, Phills's former coach at Southern, said today that he tried to steer Phills away from the NBA. He still has foggy memories of his father tossing him in the air. "What did we do to deserve this? The Nets' Drazen Petrovic died in 1993 and Terry Furlow of the Jazz in 1980, both in car crashes, and the Pistons' Nick Vanos was killed in a plane crash in 1987. [They discussed a] lot of little things that when youre a youngster coming into the league, you dont think about, Miller said. "He had extreme high character. Bobby Phills Bio [2023 Update]: Stats, Wife, Death & Net Worth Do you know why you were able to do that without even seeing your feet and shoes? Jobe asked. Cameras filmed a frozen Wesley standing a few feet from Phills's car, in obvious shock. And thats what happened. There was none of the normal jabbering among players. Phills Killed in Three-Car Accident In October, Hornets Eldridge Recasner suffered a partially collapsed lung and a broken shoulder after teammate Derrick Coleman, who was driving the vehicle in which Recasner was a passenger, collided with a tractor-trailer. No, that cant be true. She called Wesley. David just didnt want to play, Silas recalled. Basically, as soon as I got [to summer league], [Phills] threw me his practice stuff, Davis recalled. Police said the men were racing their Porsches at speeds of morethan 100 mph when Phills crashed. He led the NCAA in three-point field goals per game (4.39) his senior year. When Minnesotas Malik Sealy died in a car accident the same year as Phills, she offered Sealys widow, Lisa, both financial and emotional support. Phills, a 6-foot-5 defensive stopper and a team leader, started often at shooting guard or small forward for the Hornets, and sometimes played in a reserve role. Eventually, a police officer covered Phillss face. Kendall Phills went running with a friend the morning Bobby died. Then one day it changed to a place where a life was taken and so many lives were affected because of that one day," Hornets assistant coach Stephen Silas said. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Nearly 15 years have passed since Bobby Phills' death in a tragic car crash in January 2000. The Hornets had come together and shown admirable resilience after Phillss death, but by the time the postseason arrived, they were ready to fold. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Shortly after that, Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Michael Jordan announced that the franchise had applied to restore the Hornets name in Charlotte. I used to feel so bad about [Phillss death], I used to wonder why couldnt it have been some of the other guys I had. "That morning, I didn't get to tell Bobby goodbye,"Kendall Phills, Bobby'swife, said. Nobody was there to validate him, Kendall said. David Stern, the N.B.A. I'm just going to keep working.' Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed Wednesday when his speeding Porsche collided with a car near the Charlotte Coliseum, where Phills had just finished a game-day practice. The following season, on the morning of Phillss death, Silas fumed at his team. Hornets' Phills Is Killed in Crash - Los Angeles Times Bobby Phills, revered in his former NBA towns of Cleveland and Charlotte for the selfless person he was off the court and the player he willed himself into on the pine, died in a car crash Jan. 12 . 13 jersey in a halftime ceremony during its game against Memphis on Saturday, Nov. 1. ESPN.com - NBA - Charlotte community remembers Phills In October, Hornets guard Eldridge Recasner suffered a broken shoulder and a collapsed lung and teammate Derrick Coleman was charged with drunken driving in a traffic accident. Treys not ready yet. Kendall did decide to let Brewer coach Bobby Phills III, known as Trey to his teammates. A SAD DAY IN CHARLOTTE - Chicago Tribune Leave him alone. Phills graduated with a 3.2 GPA and a degree in animal science. She called him a short time later, wondering if she should make pancakes at home or if she should meet him out. Both had played in the CBA before earning NBA roster spots, and each carried a chip on his shoulder for being overlooked. The Hornets will re-retire the jersey of Bobby Phills, who died in a car accident on January 12, 2000 at 30 years old, on November 1 during halftime of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. ESPN.com - NBA - Phills' death compounds Carolina's misery Heck, I got angry. Jobe had little doubt that once Phills earned an opportunity in the NBA, he would thrive. The speed limit where Phills Occasionally every child dreams about crea, Joe Fraziers Daughter, Jacqui Frazier Lyde, Challenges Muhammad Alis Daughter, Laila, To A Boxing Match, Earth, Wind & Fire makes mark on Rock Walk Entertainment music group inducted to RockWalk of Fame in Los Angeles, Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan has helped launch an organization to focus on increasing the number of Black doctors and nurses, Judge Glenda Hatchett Gives Tv Viewers A `Wake-Up Call judge on television series Judge Hatchett, General Motors CEO resigns from country club that rejected black GM executive Jack Smith, Roy Roberts, Career Of Famed Dancing Duo, The Nicholas Brothers, Is Highlighted In New Book. His Hornets teammates. Wallace taught and coached basketball at the high school, and Kendall had also been one of his students. After learning that his wife was pregnant, hed bought the new car in preparation for the arrival of their child. Both Phills and Wesley have been charged with speeding in the Hes calling his wife to meet us. He was like, All right, start carrying. He was everybodys brother. wrecked is 45 mph. As time passes, it doesnt stay every day, but it does stay frequently, and there are always good memories., Kendall decided to remain in Charlotte after Phillss death. Obsessing over everything that went wrong against Milwaukee wasnt good for the teams psyche. But in Treys case, it seemed as if he were trying to follow a shadow, like he was finding his way in the dark without his father there to light the path. Even as he made the short trek to the scene, Shinn kept thinking, Maybe I heard him wrong. "Not only was Bobby a Trey doesnt remember speaking at his fathers memorial, but it comforts him to watchthe video of it. The accident occurred a year ago yesterday, when Bobby Phills lost control of his Porsche after a Hornets practice in Charlotte, N.C. If you had a son, Wallace said, you would want him to grow up to be like Bobby Phills., Wallace decided to stop coaching not long after Phillss death. ''Not only was Bobby a tremendous person, but a great husband, father and role model that everyone respected and admired,'' said George Shinn, the Hornets' owner. He advised Phills to pursue professional basketball for a couple of years, and if it didnt work out, to return to school. Ill go through the photo albums. We never got beside each other and was like, OK, vroom, vroom. It was just a road that was fairly straight, and you wouldnt go through that whole street at that speed, but you might kind of gun it, see what its like., Wesley maneuvered around a bend in the road and looked in his rearview mirror. He was not only a world class athlete, but also a world to court records. And to bring that back and let them enjoy that moment, what those memories about Bobby Phills represented to them, means a lot to the organization.. class humanitarian.". Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed recently in a car crash shortly after a morning practice at the teams arena. For a rookie like myself, he was the veteran guy that you patterned yourself after. Wallace mandated that all of his players learn to play in the post. Capt. It was the first number that the Hornets franchise had ever retired. player. 65-mph zone on Interstate 485. rest in one of the opposite lanes. ON PRO BASKETBALL; The Memories Linger In the Phills Tragedy A Columbia, S.C., jury found in his favor in December. There had been an accident. Bobby Phills' tragic death in 2000 shocked and saddened the basketball world Jan. 12, 2000 was just another practice day for Bobby Phills and the Charlotte Hornets. You cant drive that fast. Phills, Silas said, told him it was not a big deal. He was someone that you would want your children to be like.". Bobby Phills - Biography - IMDb Woolard loved cars all types and he noticed a black Porsche on Tyvola. 1997 Porsche 996 Cabriolet that wasn't involved in the accident. In October, the reserve guard Eldridge Recasner was left with a broken shoulder and partly collapsed lung after an accident. That was the one car he had always wanted. Phills encountered teammate David Wesley, also driving a Porsche, less than a mile from the Charlotte Coliseum. He had a way of making you feel like you were one of his best friends, when maybe you were just a friend, Wesley said. What you doing? Dwayne asked. Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed recently in a car crash shortly after a morning practice at the team's arena. "He just left, and I didn't hug him, I didn't tell him that I loved him. Shinn was sued by a woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her. He has assists. This season, as a senior, Trey led Charlotte Christian to a 20-9 record, the highlight of which was a breathtaking game winner Trey scored against Charlotte Country Day. NBA After the Crash Friends, teammates, and family remember the career, legacy, and tragic death of former Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills by Jonathan Abrams on March 31, 2015 T he boy needed a nudge from his mother. The Associated Press The police examining the black Porsche driven by Bobby Phills in his fatal car crash Wednesday. Its one thing for me to tell him, Oh, Trey, youre good. But to hear you have a father that was an NBA player some of [Bobbys former teammates] were still in the NBA, and although theyd check on my family, no one had the time to pour into my son., It was no surprise that both Trey and his sister, Kerstie, gravitated to basketball. Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was speeding in his Porsche after practice Wednesday when he lost control, crashed into a car and died instantly. Or the times Phills had called him a high school coach for advice on how to guard Michael Jordan. At the time of Phillss accident, Wesley was driving on a suspended license, after he had failed to comply with the terms of a citation he had received several months earlier in Alabama. It didnt look like Phills was alive. He joined the Hornets in 1997 after six years with Cleveland and But once Wesley had spoken about the crash, reporters kept asking him to relive the worst morning of his life. Amanda OHara sits down with former Charlotte Hornets player, Bobby Phills family to discuss their foundation and Phills kids goals. Wesley's car wasn't involved in the accident, and he was questioned at the scene. I was up the street a good ways, and [when I got back] he was no longer with us., Phills and Wesley had both signed lengthy contracts with the Hornets in the summer of 1997. Kids started acting different. He is a longtime friend of Indiana Pacers consultantand former New York Knicks general manager Donnie Walsh. Bobby Phills Sr., Mary Phills, and Dwayne Phills also attended. We had some great talks and some great times. It was a chaotic few weeks. Hugh Wallace considered Phillss competitiveness one of the players greatest strengths. He heard the news about 10 minutes into his workout. He dont have to play., But Phills insisted. Phills's car, with the vanity plate "SLAMN," left skid marks several hundred feet long and came to rest in one of the opposite lanes, Bridges said. past, according to The Charlotte Observer. ESPN.com - NBA - Hornets' Phills, 30, killed in car crash Phills was killed last Jan. 12 in a car accident following a morning shootaround. Im trying to keep the flesh lovers away from him. From nowhere, a voice popped into her head: Bobby is dead. By: News On 6. The Hornets brought the franchises history with the team to Phillss native Louisiana, where he never played professionally. "It's shocking.". The vehicle skidded several hundred feet and into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with another car. I know that everybody has a day when Gods going to call them home, and January 12, 2000, was the day God chose for Bobby. This gave Silas some hope, and he approached the car. The 30-year-old guard had just left a shootaround at Charlotte Coliseum at about 11 a.m. when the three-vehicle accident happened, club spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said. Medical personnel removed Woolard from the car and sent him to Presbyterian Hospital. Silas, known as one of the greatest enforcers and all-around tough guys in NBA history, broke down in tears. In that time, the Charlotte Hornets, the team for whom the former Southern and . Hes doing positive things in the community, for the league, [for his] family, everything. "Bobby Phills was all that you would want in a human being," Embry said. You need to let me coach him, Brewer said. One time after a game, we were driving home. In New Orleans, the organization raised his no. Police said Phills, who was driving a black Porsche, was speeding when he lost control of his car, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided into another car, which was driven by Robert Woolard, 31, the Chicago SunTimes reported. Former Carolina Panthers receiver Rae Carruth was charged with killing his girlfriend in November and could be sentenced to die if convicted of murder and conspiracy charges. Bobby Phills: The Story Of His Untimely Death To His Son's Inspiring Phills lost control and crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a car. Phills and his wife have two children -- Bobby Ray III, 3, and Kerstie, 1. You always thought you had something to prove, said Wesley, who made his career as a strong, table-setting point guard. He meant a lot to the community. owner George Shinn said in a statement. Listed in stable condition at Presbyterian Hospital were Robert Woolard Jr., 31, of Cornelius, the driver of the other car; and Yao Agbegbon, 33, of Charlotte, who was driving a minivan taxi, Bridges said. The day is going pretty decently, Robert Woolard Jr. thought. Bobby Phills Found a Special Place in Hornets' History After His Tragic Phills, a nine-year NBA veteran who spent his final three seasons with the Hornets, was tragically killed in a car accident at age 30 after practice on Jan. 12, 2000. Through Sunday, every N.B.A. That July, Wesley testified in the non-jury trial to decide the criminal charges against him. He was fourth on the team in scoring this season with 13.6 points per game. Phills was killed in a car accident on . It was so terrible, and its something Ill never, ever forget.. Late NBA star Bobby Phills Death, Wife, Funeral, Son, Family, Net worth [5] The drivers of the other two vehicles recovered, while Phills was pronounced dead at the scene. Like a funeral, Shinn said. Hornets' Phills Killed in Car Crash ''Bobby was a solid person,'' said Wayne Embry, the Cavaliers' president. His Porsche veered into oncoming traffic and crashed into two other vehicles. Flipboard. After the dawn jog, she came home and took their son to school, where she remained for an hour or so, chatting with other parents. When Wallace learned of Phillss death, he thought back on their good times together. No. Phills, a 6-foot-5 defensive stopper, started often at shooting And there was a point where, no, I wasnt that good on the court., Stephen Silas ended up being the one to help Trey develop his confidence and his game. reserve. He meant a lot to this city, Jordan said at a press conference before the ceremony. Bobby Phills had always wanted to be an All-Star, she said. Phills, 30, died instantly when his black Porsche collided with another . He had never experienced the death of someone close to him, someone who was young and vibrant and seemed destined for a long, happy life. He was every girls husband, every childs father. And his determination he had a passion for what he did, and he said he wanted to be a veterinarian if basketball did not work out. And as the captain of the Charlotte Hornets, the 6-foot-5-inch guard was a talented, highly-regarded basketball player. "[6] Wesley was later convicted of reckless driving after being cleared of a racing charge. Hes in his Porsche, Im in my Porsche, Wesley said. I blamed everybody. In fact, he shut MJ down once and I was really impressed. Id be driving down the road and just shed a tear, just having memories. The pain lessens, but there probably wont be a day that I wont think about it. Wesley had always used basketball as therapy; when something bothered him, he could retreat to the game. Phills spoke with his coach, Paul Silas, before sliding behind the wheel of his 1997 Porsche 993 Cabriolet. He answered, crying. When he died, Brad Miller and Baron Davis were both beginning their NBA careers, but in opposite ways. But I needed them because of their academic abilities, so when the dean asks about the academic average of the team, Im going to be way up there. Phills surprised Jobe by approaching the coach after his freshman season in 1987-88 and declaring that he wanted to earn a spot in the rotation. Someone reminded him they still werent certain that Phills hadnt survived; he could just be unconscious. The advice meant a lot to Miller, who looked up to Phills and Wesley, players who hadnt been first-round darlings but who had managed to thrive in the league. On February 9, 2000, in a game against Phills' former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Hornets retired his number 13 . David Wesley Convicted of Reckless Driving - ABC News Police said he was driving drunk. The Hornets selected Davis with the third pick in the 1999 draft. Veering into the coming traffic, his black 1997 Porsche with a vanity license plate that read ''SLAM'N'' was hit by an Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra driven by Robert Taylor Woolard Jr., 31, absorbing the impact on the driver's side door. It wasnt going to be here. Cavaliers president Wayne Embry gave Phills his start in the NBA He had to tighten his elbow, the same way his father had learned to shoot under Ben Jobe at Southern decades earlier. No matter who you were on the team or within the organization, Bobby Phills looked out for you. He let me go, I held his hand, and I prayed with him. [7], The Hornets retired Phills' #13 jersey on February 9, 2000, during halftime of a game vs. Phills' former team, the Cavaliers. He reached for a towel and used it to blindfold Phills. She saw paramedics on the scene and feared the worst as she turned to look at her husbands Porsche. Anyone would want a kid like that on their team. Wesley was twice charged with speeding, according to Mecklenburg He was far enough back to where I wasnt even sure he was going to make the light, but he made the light. Wesley said they both accelerated: It couldnt have been a mile, and that was kind of it. Claude Mills, the father of Phills's former teammate, Chris Mills, was. Cavaliers President Wayne Embry gave Phills his start in the NBA by signing the guard to a 10-day contract. human being," said Southern University Chancellor Edward R. Phills left Silass office. Both other drivers survived, while Phills died on the scene. Jersey of former Southern star Bobby Phills returns to Charlotte Stunned and tearful teammates and Hornets officials gathered at the accident scene less than a mile from the Charlotte Coliseum, where minutes earlier Phills and the other . Bobby Phills died in a car crash after leaving a Hornets practice in January 2000 when Trey was 3 years old. When a salary dispute led to Cowenss sudden resignation in 1999, Silas inherited the top job. I dont even know his name. Tests showed he was legally drunk. Rob was in an accident, she said. We just lost and hes ready to go to swimming. I blamed him. NBA Player Killed | WIRED He paid $80 in court costs, according to The Bobby Phills Scholarship Fund (www.bobbyphillsfund.com) has been set up in his honor. This was the second fatal traffic accident in the past nine months involving a professional athlete from North Carolina, and the second serious traffic accident this season involving Hornets players. Wesley had twice been charged with speeding in Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte. Hes got a great sense of the game, understanding his athleticism as well, and his poise on the floor, said Yale coach James Jones. Bobby was in an accident, and he didnt make it. Phills Sr. doesnt remember yelling, but people later said theyd heard him scream from his office. I just remember guys crying, said Stephen Silas, who worked as a scout on his fathers staff. Phills earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed instantly in an automobile accident while returning home from a shootaround Wednesday morning.