Trooper Washington
Thomas "Trooper" Washington (April 21, 1944 – November 19, 2004[1]) was an American professional basketball player born and raised in Philadelphia.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 21, 1944 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 20, 2004 (aged 60) McKeesport, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Edison (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Cheyney (1963–1967) |
| NBA draft | 1967 / Round: 5 / Pick: 50th overall |
| Selected by the Cincinnati Royals | |
| Playing career | 1967–1973 |
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| Number | 32, 14 |
| Career history | |
| 1967–1970 | Pittsburgh / Minnesota Pipers |
| 1970 | Los Angeles Stars |
| 1970–1971 | The Floridians |
| 1971–1973 | New York Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
A 6'7" forward from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Washington was drafted in 1967 in the 5th round by the Cincinnati Royals, but he played instead in the American Basketball Association from 1967 to 1973 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pipers, Minnesota Pipers, Los Angeles Stars, The Floridians, and New York Nets. He won the 1968 ABA Championship with the Pittsburgh Pipers and appeared in the 1969 ABA All-Star Game. In his ABA career, Washington averaged 10.6 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Washington died suddenly while coaching his first game as head coach of the Pennsylvania Pit Bulls, a team in a league also called the American Basketball Association. [2]