David Stern, the N.B.A. Things changed, Jobe said. He thought it was his fault that it happened. Silas told Wesley that the team couldnt function if Wesley didnt play his best, and eventually the players game returned to form. CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed yesterday when he wrecked his speeding Porsche after a morning practice at the team's arena, police said. And as if the axle of a wheel suddenly gave way, everyone connected to Bobby Phills fell apart. Once classified in scouting reports as a ''tweener'' and a long shot from a small school to begin with, he signed a seven-year, $33 million contract with Charlotte in 1997. Phills was killed instantly, and two people in vehicles involved in an accident were hospitalized. "He was a very in-depth person and just a treasure to be around," Moser said. "He was a very in-depth person and just a treasure to be around," he said. He was fourth on the team in scoring this season with 13.6 points per game. "The skid marks indicate he was not going in a straight line," he said. She had this fantastic crush on Bobby, Wallace recalled. While a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Bobby Phills died in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 12th January 2000. At the end of last season, Phills was averaging 10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game for his career. It didnt look like Phills was alive. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. I blamed the Charlotte Hornets. owner George Shinn said in a statement. Firefighters had to cut his body from the wreckage. He was a loving father and husband, Davis said of Phills. That July, Wesley testified in the non-jury trial to decide the criminal charges against him. NBA postpones Hornets' game Friday vs. Knicks, Phills remembered for his strong character, Phills' death compounds Carolina's misery. Phills had arrived at Southerns laboratory high school after his father became dean of the universitys school of agriculture andconsumer sciences. He paid $80 in court costs, and The day is going pretty decently, Robert Woolard Jr. thought. And we only passed maybe one, two cars, before the accident." Phills: But Bobby Phills was driving too fast, and so was David Wesley, and Phills' car crashed, and he died instantly. Stunned teammates and Hornets officials gathered at the accident scene less than a mile from Charlotte Coliseum, where minutes earlier Phills and the other players had been practicing for tonight's game with the Chicago Bulls. It really hits home with me because he has two kids about the same age as mine, and I know the impact a father has on kids like that its a very tragic day for this league.. Obviously, I played against him. Amanda O'Hara sits down to talk one-on-one with former Charlotte Hornets' player, Bobby Phills' widow Kendall Phills. Shortly after that, Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Michael Jordan announced that the franchise had applied to restore the Hornets name in Charlotte. After the team's morning session, Phills and David Wesley decided to race home from the Hornets' facility. The day of the accident, Miller had returned to the Hornets practice facility after shootaround to lift weights. We come out of the building and thats where we were going., Thats the routine they were following the morning of the accident. In October 1997, he was charged with driving CHARLOTTE - Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was speeding in his Porsche after practice Wednesday when he lost control, crashed into a car and died instantly. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. CHARLOTTE, Feb. 9 -- The Hornets retired Bobby Phills' No. It just wasnt right Even [now], when I drive down the way that Bobby passed away, it just stays with me. There were few dry eyesin the church. A family man. 65-mph zone on Interstate 485. Absolutely not, Wesley responded. Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed recently in a car crash shortly after a morning practice at the team's arena. The Hornets brought the franchises history with the team to Phillss native Louisiana, where he never played professionally. ", Active in the community, Phills volunteered for children's charities and related organizations. He led the NCAA in three-point field goals per game (4.39) his senior year. Perhaps Malik sent you to me because he knew you would be my rock in his absence., All the activity gave Kendall a sense of purpose and helped her survive the emotional toll of losing her husband, but there were moments when the sadness overwhelmed her. When Wallace learned of Phillss death, he thought back on their good times together. Has the other guy moved?, No, Woolard said. I have to pick my time when I can mourn, she told ESPN as the first anniversary of the accident approached. Bulls. After six seasons in Cleveland, Phills was signed by the Hornets on Aug. 19, 1997, as a free agent. Phills, a 6-foot-5 defensive stopper, started often at shooting He touched all of our lives, said Bob Bass, the Hornets executive vice president of basketball operations. ''Bobby was a solid person,'' said Wayne Embry, the Cavaliers' president. Trey, a 6-foot-1 guard, recently finished his high school career at Charlotte Christian, the same school that produced Steph and Seth Curry. A few minutes later, according to Silas, the coach received a call from David Wesley. He was 30 years old. We never talked about it. The NBAs board of governors unanimously approved the request, giving the new Hornets an occasion to once again honor Phills by hanging his jersey in Charlotte, which they did duringhalftime of a game last November. had been practicing for Wednesday night's game with the Chicago The 30-year-old guard had just left a shootaround at the Charlotte Coliseum when the two-car accident happened, club spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said. From what I can see, he hasnt moved or done anything.. Ben Jobe remembered Bobby Phills as everything the coach had once hoped to be, but when Phills first joined the mens varsity at Southern, Jobe accepted him only after losing out on one of Phillss high school teammates. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Nearly 15 years have passed since Bobby Phills' death in a tragic car crash in January 2000. That memory always is there with me, Davis said. His father, Dr. Bobby Phills, is dean of agriculture and home economics at Florida A&M University. Tell everybody where Daddy is, Kendall Phills instructed her 3-year-old son. Bobby Ray Phills II was born on Dec. 20, 1969, in Baton Rouge, La. That boy he was speeding with, I dont know what I would have done if I would have seen him. PRO BASKETBALL; Hornets' Phills Killed in Car Crash, https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/13/sports/pro-basketball-hornets-phills-killed-in-car-crash.html. ''The skid marks indicate he was not going in a straight line,'' he said. Wesley was later convicted of reckless driving for his part in the incident. I had gone out before him, and he was passing me, and he was going close to 100 miles an hour. Silas approached Phills at practice the next day. 's sportsmanship award. commissioner, called Phills ''one of the most respected members of the N.B.A.''. averaged 10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists for his career. "Bobby Phills represented the very best of the NBA," Stern said. I cant reverse it, and I hate that he lost his life like that.. Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was speeding in his Porsche after practice Wednesday when he lost control, crashed into a car and died instantly. Amanda OHara sits down with former Charlotte Hornets player, Bobby Phills family to discuss their foundation and Phills kids goals. successfully completed the National Safety Council's She just completed her junior season and is being pursued by several top colleges. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed in a car wreck Wednesday shortly after a morning practice at the team's arena. A minivan rear-ended the other car, police said. Now go shoot a thousand shots a day, Jobe said. "He had extreme high character. What's more impressive, however, is that Bobby was a true man. But him and David Wesley, they were driving at each other, just zooming, Silas said. Dont bother this boy. There was the time he jumped out of his car at an intersection to help a motorcyclist who was engulfed in flames after crashing into a nearby truck. 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. "Bobby Phills was all that you would want in a human being," Embry said. Basically, as soon as I got [to summer league], [Phills] threw me his practice stuff, Davis recalled. Aside from basketball, Phills also bicycled and played golf. Bobby Phills SOURCE: Pinterest Miller was unsure what to do. For a rookie like myself, he was the veteran guy that you patterned yourself after. The other driver was slumped, unmoving, blood trickling from his nose. by signing the guard to a 10-day contract. On the first anniversary of the accident, Wesley buried a deep 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds remaining to lift Charlotte to an 86-85 win over the Bulls. reserve. 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. He gets deflections. Bobby Ray Phills II (December 20, 1969 January 12, 2000) was an American professional basketball player. I knew if I could just get on the court after it happened, that it would give me a moments peace, even if it was only five minutes, Wesley said. It always seems like something happens to those types of guys, said Chucky Brown, who had played with Phills on the Hornets. 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. Woolard laid his head down before hearing a voice. The vehicle skidded several hundred feet and into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with another car. Phills died while traveling on Tyvola Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, after driving at a high rate of speed with then-teammate David Wesley. Thats what shooting is all about.. I know why you wanted me to do this by myself and you didnt want anyone throwing the ball back to me, Phills said. Kevin Garnett reflects on the life of former teammate and friend Malik Sealy. His Hornets teammates. This is the ultimate tragedy, and our immediate thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kendall, children and family, said Hornets owner George Shinn, who visited the crash scene with other officials. Wallace mandated that all of his players learn to play in the post. Nobody was there to validate him, Kendall said. Charlotte Hornet guard Bobby Phills was killed Wednesday when he crashed into a car while speeding after practice, police said. I wanted him to be as idealistic as I thought I was.. She stayed involved in community events and established a scholarship fund in her husbands name. I dont know his face. 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. Two people in those vehicles were hospitalized. 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. He was considered one of the team leaders. I do for having met someone like him so early in my career.. Jobe told Phills he wouldnt check to make sure Phills took his daily shots, but the coach would be able to tell if Phills put in the work by the time practice resumed in the fall. According to the NBA, there have been three other active players At the same time, he took the most of his opportunities, and it really pushed him., Trey has pushed himself in similarly broad pursuits. Bobby Phills Sr., Mary Phills, and Dwayne Phills also attended. Drafted in the second round in 1991 by the Milwaukee Bucks, he was cut from the team that December, played in the Continental Basketball Association, then was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 10-day contract on March 19, 1992. I wanted him to be there representing us. He was a three-and-D wing more than a decade before that became a regular part of the NBA vernacular; he finished as a 39 percent shooter from three-point range and was named to the 1995-96 All-Defensive second team. Yeah, Bobby was perfect. Filed Under: NBA, NBA History, Sports Tragedies, Bobby Phills, Charlotte Hornets, Paul Silas, David Wesley, Baron Davis, Brad Miller, Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans. Those close to Phills never seem to run out of stories about his selflessness. 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. So I feel like even he knew that there was more to life than just the sport. From nowhere, a voice popped into her head: Bobby is dead. If there's a person you would want your children to be, a role model, it's Bobby Phills. 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. "What did we do to deserve this? She called him a short time later, wondering if she should make pancakes at home or if she should meet him out. "It's shocking.". Yeah, I concentrate better, Phills said, because I dont want to chase a rebound up in the bleachers.. Sioux Falls Skyforce, said Phills had wanted to be a veterinarian. When a salary dispute led to Cowenss sudden resignation in 1999, Silas inherited the top job. She got in her car. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Phills in the second round of the 1991 draft, but they cut him before the season. The Hornets had come together and shown admirable resilience after Phillss death, but by the time the postseason arrived, they were ready to fold. on a street where the speed limit was 45. Bobby Phills was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on December 20, 1969. To Kendall, the legacy he left behind in Charlotte was a higher achievement, one that represented Bobbys contributions to the community as well as on the court. Phills, a 6-foot-5 defensive stopper and a team leader, was one of the Hornets top reserves. Silas spent the morning shootaround showing his team film of the Bucks blowout. Some of the coaches tried to restrain her. I often talk about how smart Bobby was, said his father, Bobby Phills Sr. He was gifted academically and athletically. belong there," Ben Jobe, Phills' former coach at Southern, said Wednesday. The Hornets selected Davis with the third pick in the 1999 draft. Wesley had twice been charged with speeding in Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth was charged with killing his girlfriend in November and could be sentenced to die if convicted of murder and conspiracy charges. Wesley's car wasn't involved in the accident, and he was questioned at the scene. It hit another car, which in turn was struck in the rear by a minivan. "He touched all of our lives," said Bob Bass, the Hornets' Develop a romance with the ball. Honestly, I dont know what happened after that. Both Phills and Wesley have been charged with speeding in the Gerald Henderson was drafted by Charlotte in 2009, and over his fiveNBA seasons, hed grown close to the Phills family. I dont know anything about him. He was named to the N.B.A. "This young man represented the very best of Southern "Bobby Phills was all that you would want in a human being," Embry said. Jobe asked how many points Phills had scored. Police said he was driving drunk. He dont have to play., But Phills insisted. Even as he made the short trek to the scene, Shinn kept thinking, Maybe I heard him wrong. Although it's undoubtedly . The other kids are crying. The two formed a fast friendship. You always thought you had something to prove, said Wesley, who made his career as a strong, table-setting point guard. After Silas was named interim coach, Phills asked him, Coach, you want to keep this job? Silas answered yes, and Phills told him, OK, youre going to have it. Phills encouraged his teammates to dig in and finish the 50-game season strong, and Charlotte went 22-13 under Silas that year, good enough for the Hornets to name him the full-timehead coach. Through Sunday, every N.B.A. He had everything. He wont let them.. Every day, every night, he told reporters. Five months after Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills died in a crash while drag racing with teammate David. Any kid that tells me he wants to be a doctor now, Ill give him a scholarship and just let him practice, Jobe said. 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.. It was a chaotic few weeks. Phills was traveling behind teammate David Wesley at over 100mph (160km/h) when his Porsche spun and crossed into oncoming traffic. I stopped in the middle of the street. I know people dont think it, but its easy because its just you and the basket. Jobe sat Phills down. 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. Tests showed he was legally drunk. The Bobby Phills Scholarship Fund (www.bobbyphillsfund.com) has been set up in his honor. 13 jersey raised again in Charlotte", "Charlotte Hornets re-hang Bobby Phills' jersey Saturday night", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Phills&oldid=1124254394, American expatriate basketball people in Spain, Basketball players from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, National Basketball Association players with retired numbers, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 November 2022, at 01:52. Phills is survived by his wife, Kendall, and two children--Bobby Ray III, 3, and Kerstie, 1. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Charlotte Hornets Bobby Phills Killed In Car Crash Brief Article Obituary.

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