On this edition of the Islandstats.com and Sports Inside and Out show co-host Earl Basden and Coach Hatcher will be talking with NBA Legend John Newman Jr.
Newman Jr. is an American former Professional Basketball player. A 6' 7" and 210 lb (95 kg) shooting guard/small forward, Newman starred at the University of Richmond, before going on to play in the National Basketball Association.
In his 16 seasons (1986–2002) in the NBA, he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' group of selections in the 1986 NBA Draft was one of the best ever for the franchise, and among the best for any team. In that draft, the Cavaliers acquired the rights to future All-Stars Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, and Ron Harper. Since Harper and Newman played the same position, Newman was forced to ride the bench during his rookie season.
Newman joined the New York Knicks for the 1987–1988 season, and slowly worked his way into the starting lineup. Along with teammates Mark Jackson and Patrick Ewing, Newman lead the Knicks into the playoffs and averaged 19.0 ppg (including 35 points in game 3) in an opening-round loss to the Boston Celtics. In 1988–89, Newman further grew into his role in the starting five. He averaged 16.0 ppg and led the Knicks to the NBA's Atlantic Division title.
After the 1989–90 season, Newman signed as a free agent with the Charlotte Hornets, an expansion franchise in its 3rd year of existence.
Newman was traded by the New Jersey Nets along with Stephon Marbury after the 2000–01 NBA season in exchange for Jason Kidd.
Newman scored 12,740 points in his NBA career.
Newman was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
