Listening to Ann speak about her big brother is a fascinating exercise. Meyers returned in 1979-80 to average 12.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in helping the Bucks win a division title. As I read those scriptures, I thought, It says that in the Bible? He was 62. We noticed it; I had a roommate whose sister attended his congregation in Milwaukee. American music video director. Meyers was a star in UCLA, leading them in scoring at 18.3 points and rebounding at 7.9 in his final season, helping the Bruins to a 28-3 record. FILE - In this Jan. 1974, file photo, UCLA's Dave Meyers looks for the ball after losing it against Notre Dame's Adrian Dantley during an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind. Lanier always said that, if he had stayed, the Bucks would have won the championship. He had become one of Jehovahs Witnesses. An operation on my knee was scheduled, and when I left for the hospital I took along the New World Translation. Hes the one who holds our life in his hands. She kept on reading, and all of a sudden it seemed as if I had been in a dark room and someone turned a light on. Who played on a Silver medal-winning Olympic team, was married to the late baseball great Don Drysdale and won two WNBA titles as GM of the Phoenix Mercury. Meyers has five sisters and five brothers, including brother Dave Meyers, who also played college basketball at UCLA, under legendary coach John Wooden and won two NCAA Championships with teammate . Though Meyers is known by many primarily for his decision to curtail his professional career, he is also a footnote on one of the most important trades in NBA history. [15] Meyers averaged 12.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. [7] He won the John Wooden Award as UCLA's Most Valuable Player,[6] and he was a consensus first-team All-American. Meyers was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the fourth overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft. Meyers was so good that he was named the College Player of the Year in 1974, despite playing on a team that featured four future NBA Hall of Famers (Bill Walton Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jamaal Wilkes, and Dennis Johnson). My love for my family and for Jehovahthese are my happinesses now. Dave Meyers, a three-year UCLA basketball letterwinner, passed away Friday, Oct. 9, after a nearly year-long battle with cancer. Id like to read it.. No one bats an eye about it. He was phenomenal on the fastbreak and great on the press. Abdul-Jabbar had asked to be traded eight months earlier, to New York or L.A., and the Bucks couldnt persuade him to reverse course. And in that same year he had been baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses! home/away, monthly, etc More Dave Meyers Basketball Reference pages. (See the box, opposite page.) Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? But before everybody lines up to drive the bus with the straitjacket out to Meyers house, a deeper look at the man behind the decision is warranted. Bill Dwyre was a three-times-weekly sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times from 2006-15. Meyers, the older sister of Southern California basketball giants Ann Meyers Drysdale and David Meyers, was a standout long before the NCAA-era of women's sports, excelling in every sport she . David William Meyers (April 21, 1953 - October 9, 2015) was an American basketball player who played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Bruins won the Pac-8 title and headed into the NCAA Tournament ranked second in the nation. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. But conversations about his family, about subjects such as his daughters learning to walk or his wifes quitting smoking, would light him up with an eagerness to communicate. Raef LaFrentz of MFL/Mar-Mac of Monona, who stood 6-11, is one of the . He was an All-American as a senior in 1975, when he won his second national championship with UCLA. Mind you this is Wikipedia. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. "Well, in case Ann doesn't make it," Washington Post columnist Dave Kindred wrote in 1979 of Ann Meyers, the first woman to sign an NBA contract, "the Pacers say she'll stay with the team . He was an All-American as a senior in 1975, when he won his second national championship with UCLA. He didnt want to fight through the pain any longer, and he wanted to see his two children more than half a year. Dave Meyers, the star player on John Wooden's 10th and final national championship basketball team at UCLA, died Friday at his home in Temecula after a lengthy battle with cancer. The six-foot-eight Meyers was an All-State wide receiver in high school and had Division I college offers to play football and basketball. Born David William Meyers, he was one of 11 children. Dave Meyers (basketball) 0 references. @NancyLieberman. SCNext Top 25: Ranking the best high school boys' basketball teams in the 2022-23 season. After a few years of riding the bench, Meyers was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks It was there that he finally had a chance to show his stuff. He was such an easy, talented guy, Moncrief says. "One of the true warriors in (at)UCLAMBB history has gone on to glory," Johnson wrote on Twitter. Unfortunately, the watch was stolen from my shop and never recovered. When Meyers arrived in Westwood in the fall of 1971, few people in the college basketball community noticed. [8], Meyers appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1975 with the headline "UCLA Still Best in the West. Dave Meyers, the captain of the 1975 UCLA team and No. Another member of the Meyers family gained fame in the sport. A lot of people are going to think Im crazy, he said Wednesday night, just hours after his formal press conference. Basketball-Reference.com NBA player ID. Roster Baseball: News Basketball Basketball: Facebook Basketball: Twitter Basketball: Instagram Basketball: Schedule Basketball: . Freebase ID /m/02vvvx9. He was only 24 years old. His family sat in front quietly weeping, but I didnt even feel sad! As it is, he remains one of the best players youve never heard of. Dave . Meyers returned to California, and after a stint in sales for Motorola received his teaching certificate and taught elementary school mostly fourth and sixth grade for more than 30 years, according to LA Times. The 6-foot-8 Meyers led UCLA in scoring at 18.3 points and rebounding at 7.9 in his final season, helping the Bruins to a 28-3 record. It really scared me. Dave Myers. She had been baptized earlier that year as one of Jehovahs Witnesses but had become inactive. in scoring with 18.3 points a game and in rebounding with 7.9 a game in his final season, helping the Bruins to a 28-3 record. After his playing career ended, Meyers became a successful basketball coach He was an Assistant Coach for the USA basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. [6] The Bruins went 283 and won the NCAA championship in the 1975 NCAA Division I basketball tournament, the team's 10th in a 12-year span, with a 9285 win over Kentucky. basketball championship as the team's lone senior in John Wooden's final season as coach, and who was later part of the trade . inSan Diego,California Data Provided By That settled it for me. by Iamallcool He fought bravely for six months, but eventually succumbed to the disease at the age of just 24. Sorry, there was an error loading the video. Meyers made a surprise announcement in 1980 that he was retiring from basketball to spend more time with his family. Others werent. Colorado Class 5A Basketball State Runner-up team. Nineteen days after the NBA draft, Meyers was part of perhaps the biggest trade in league history. Born in San Diego, California, Meyers was one of 11 children (six girls, five boys) of Bob and Pat Meyers. Id played most of the year with an injured knee, and nowX rays showed that the kneecap was broken. latest Johnson recalled in other tweets how Meyers called him "MJB" or Marques Johnson Baby when he was a freshman, and later in the NBA, Meyers was nicknamed "Crash" because he was always diving on the floor for loose balls. AP. He is a born in and originally Meyers played well for Milwaukee, averaging 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds a game, but retired after four seasons. Not that it was a problem for him. But David was so competitive, Ann says. So later Linda and I went to a public talk and Watchtower Study at the Kingdom Hall. Ann Meyers Drysdale, Dave Meyers sister, was also a UCLA basketball All-American and is currently a vice president of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA and the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, as well as a broadcaster for both teams. He converted before Meyers. His wife, Jessica, had been a Witness for three or four years. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1977-78 TOPPS BASKETBALL #76 DAVE MEYERS MILWAUKEE BUCKS PSA 9 only 1 at the best online prices at eBay! He was born, March 26, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan to Tom and Deniece Meyers. The days NBA scores The Los Angeles Lakers scored 105 points against the Miami Heat, giving them the win. The Bucks had sagged to last in the Midwest Divisiona year after taking Boston to seven games in the NBA Finalslargely because of Oscar Robertsons retirement. Former UCLA, Bucks player Meyers dies at 62, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences, No. Then something happened that brought us together. Interestingly, as soon as my retirement was announced, the tempting offers began pouring in. You feel obligated to tell them about it. [11] On November 15, 1977, he upped his single-game scoring personal best to 32 points, against the Portland Trail Blazers.[14]. In 1978 I auxiliary pioneeredwhich means I averaged 60 hours or more a month in preaching the good news of Gods Kingdom. I called Elmore Smith and his wife and said: Im going to have a Bible study with the Witnesses!. Dave Meyers was drafted by Los Angeles Lakers, 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1975 NBA Draft. and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. He refused, partly because that surgery went against principles of his Jehovahs Witness religion. I used to go down to a driveway in the neighborhood and shoot baskets a couple of hours a day. Dave together with his wife started a television ministry in 1993. [12], In 197677, Meyers was limited to 52 games, but his playing time increased to over 25 minutes per game, while he averaged 9.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, with a .467 field goal percentage. Well, he was always after me to study the Bible with him or go to the Kingdom Hall with him. He didnt back down to big guys. Meyers was an incredible all-around player. Shes a Hall of Famer, a sporting legend in her own right. Meyers Drysdale also played at UCLA during her Hall of Fame career. 3/21 Lake Show Life: Los Angeles Lakers: On this day in team history, March 20th: We take a look back at this day in Los Angeles Lakers history, as March 20th was the date that the team retired the jersey of. He is survived by his wife, Linda, whom he married in 1975, and daughter Crystal and son Sean. He missed the next year with a back injury. He just wants to live his life and sees no reason to talk about what happened more than 30 years ago. I signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakersat 1.6million dollars or thereabouts, for five years. In 1975, Smith had already become a Jehovahs Witness during a mass baptism at Dodger Stadium. The Bucks sent me a better contract for the next year. They would go out at halftime of games to smoke, Ann says. May 22, 1985. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.He was an All-American as a senior in 1975, when he won his second national championship with UCLA. He was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 1984 and his number (52) has been retired by the school. In March, that 1975 UCLA team was honored in a public ceremony and Meyers, already battling his cancer, was able to attend. And I have time now to devote to my wife and keep our marriage strong. us, High School: Dave Meyers is proof that even though we may not always get to see someones full potential, we should never give up on our dreams. Its a good mythology book. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. After that '75 season Dave, a [] Free shipping for many products! Im sitting there thinking, What is this? Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Although he returned in 1979 and averaged 12.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg, he was in constant pain. He was considered a great friend, a man with an easy laugh and a calm countenance. So, instead of going home to Southern California, Meyers was heading to Wisconsin. Meyers assumed the Bruins' leadership role during the 1974-75 season after Bill Walton and Jamaal Wilkes had graduated. David William Meyers (April 21, 1953 - October 9, 2015) was an American basketball player who played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). LOS ANGELES -- Dave Meyers, the star forward who led UCLA to the 1975 NCAA basketball championship as the lone senior in coach John Wooden's final season and later played for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, died Friday. It was a big, big deal back in the 70's when he converted. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. title game, which was played in his hometown, San Diego. He was 62. He was also a great teammate.. But in Los Angeles they painted me as a little crazy. One of those scary science-fiction-type movies. In the 197980 season, he played 79 games and just under 28 minutes per game as the Bucks went 4933 and won the NBA Midwest Division. I am proud to have played with Dave Meyers.. foxsports. Your organization can use some money, right? Learn more about this update. Remember, David played for an unbelievable teacher at UCLA, Meyers Drysdale said, referring to Wooden. pre-jw..Blondie. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. There was a boyBrian Good was his namethat I went to high school with. First, Revelation, then First and Second Timothy, and First and Second Thessalonians, and Romans. Im an elder in the congregation, give public talks, and frequently spend my full time in the ministry telling others about the good news of Jehovahs Kingdom under Christ. I loved the door-to-door preaching work. . Dave Meyers: The Best basketball player Youve never heard Of, Dave Meyers: A basketball star in the Making, Dave Meyers: A rising star in the Basketball World, Dave Meyers: The Next big thing in Basketball. He could soar through the air. ContentsNBA TitlesKobe Bryants TitlesOther NBA Players TitlesChampionshipsKobe Bryants ChampionshipsOther NBA Players Championships Kobe Bryant is one of the most successful basketball players of all time, winning five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. Former UCLA basketball star and ex-NBA player Dave Meyers has passed away. A 67 small forward from UCLA, Meyers was a three-time All-American and two-time National Player of the Year. Thats what you do, when you get a chance and find someone who wants to live in a different way. Power Forward After five NBA seasons, on April 30, 1980, Meyers made a surprise announcement that he was retiring from basketball to spend more time with his family and devote more time to his Jehovah's Witness faith. Facebook gives people the power to. My love for my family and for Jehovahthese are my happinesses now, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1988, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1976. Later on he and his wife were preaching full time in Kansas, and while driving cross-country to an assembly both were killed in an automobile accident. My goals, my values, have changed, and basketball conflicts with them., Well, now wait a minute, he brightened up. It was unusual. No funeral arrangements or memorial service plans have been finalized. 28 - Dave Meyers . Meyers, who was born in San Diego in 1953, was one of 11 children of Bob and Pat Meyers. Despite only playing two seasons in the NBA, Dave Meyers left a lasting impact on the game of basketball He was an outstanding player at both the collegiate and professional level, and his untimely death shook the Basketball World Meyers is gone but not forgotten, and will always be remembered as one of the best players to never have a chance to reach his full potential. David Lee Meyers (Big Dog) 64, of Englewood peacefully passed on October 6, 2022. His kids are in organized sports. 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