Former first round pick Orlando Woolridge passed away on Thursday at his parents’ home on Thursday evening. Woolridge, a 15-year NBA veteran, was just 52 and had reportedly been in hospice care due to a chronic heart condition.
Orlando Woolridge Passes Away Due To Chronic Heart Condition
Orlando Woolridge passed away at the age of 52 on Thursday night. The longtime NBA veteran had been in hospice care due to a chronic heart condition.
Woolridge's career in the NBA included stints playing with the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan's early years and with the 'Showtime' Lakers teams of the late 80s featuring Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy, before becoming a bit of a vagabond with stops on the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
The 6’9 forward ended his NBA career in 1994 after averaging 16 points while shooting better than 50 percent from the field in 851 career games. His best season, statistically, came with the Nuggets at the age of 31 as he posted averages of 25.1 points and 6.8 rebounds during the 1990-91 season in Paul Westhead’s freewheeling offense.
Woolridge would eventually go into coaching, including a stint as head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks in the late 90s, but he’s best remembered for the energy he brought to the court as a player.
Rest in peace, Mr. Woolridge.
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