On this edition of
In Black America, producer/host John L. Hanson Jr. presents part one of a two-part discussion with Spencer Haywood. It’s been 40 years since the young Olympic gold medalist, Spencer Haywood, joined the NBA’s Seattle Super Sonics, despite the eligibility rule of waiting four years after high school graduation to play professional basketball. Haywood was honored for paving the way for young players’ “early entry” to the NBA during the NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest on February 13, 2010, in Dallas. TX.
In 1970 the NBA challenged Haywood’s eligibility to enter the league without waiting the prescribed four-year, post-high school time period, which resulted in the landmark Haywood V. National Basketball Association case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The NBA settled the case, which resulted in the early entry rules that the NBA abides by today.
The NBA recognized the impact early entry has had on professional basketball during the NBA All-Star game. Early entry paved the way for many of the NBA’s finest players including Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Yao Ming, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James among many others.
However, success, fame and incredible athletic ability could not save him from a path of drug addiction. By 1980 he was going on 24-hour freebase cocaine binges. In the ensuing years he lost his family; his wife and a young daughter. After losing so much and experiencing such personal devastation, he made the commitment to get sober. It took three 30-day rehab programs for him to get clean. He has remained sober for 24 years.
He retired from the NBA in 1986. His career highlights include being a four-time NBA All-Star/All-Pro and a member of the 1979-1980 NBA championship Los Angeles Lakers.
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Posted By: John L. Hanson Jr.
Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 2:05PM
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