Geoff Crompton
Jeffrey Crompton, often stylized as "Geoff" or "Geff" (July 4, 1955 – January 7, 2002), was an American professional basketball player.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 4, 1955 Burlington, North Carolina |
| Died | January 7, 2002 (aged 46) Tallahassee, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 285 lb (129 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Walter Williams (Burlington, North Carolina) |
| College | North Carolina (1973–1978) |
| NBA draft | 1978 / Round: 4 / Pick: 70th overall |
| Selected by the Kansas City Kings | |
| Playing career | 1978–1984 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 22, 45, 54, 50, 41 |
| Career history | |
| 1978–1979 | Denver Nuggets |
| 1979–1980 | Montana Golden Nuggets |
| 1980–1981 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1981–1982 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1982–1983 | Montana Golden Nuggets |
| 1983 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1983–1984 | Puerto Rico Coquis |
| 1983–1984 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 99 |
| Rebounds | 139 |
| Assists | 28 |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
A 6'11 Parade All-American center from Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, North Carolina, Crompton attended the University of North Carolina to play for future Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith in 1973. Crompton played very sparingly for the Tar Heels, appearing in a total of 9 games from 1973–1977 due to academic and weight issues.[1] He played 27 games as a senior in 1977–78, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Following his collegiate career, Crompton was drafted in the fourth round of the 1978 NBA draft by the Kansas City Kings, and his rights were traded to the Denver Nuggets prior to the start of the season.[2] The next several years saw Crompton bouncing between the NBA and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The highlight of his career may have been being named CBA Most Valuable Player in 1984 as a member of the Puerto Rico Coquis.[3] The Cleveland Cavaliers called him up at the end of that season, which would be his last in the NBA.
After his professional career ended, Crompton moved to Tallahassee, Florida and managed a restaurant. He worked for many years at UNC's summer basketball camps up until his death. Geoff Crompton died on January 7, 2002 of leukemia.[4]
Crompton's first name is generally spelled "Geff" in UNC records, but is often spelled "Geoff" in records of his NBA career.
References
- "North Carolina topples Terrapins in overtime win". The Rock Hill Herald. Associated Press. January 26, 1976. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- basketball-reference.com, accessed October 19, 2010
- EPBL/EBA/CBA Superlatives, accessed October 19, 2010
- Former Tar Heel Basketball Player Passes Away From Leukemia, accessed October 19, 2010