Keith DeWayne Lee (born December 28, 1962) is an American former professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...
player who was selected by the
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 1 ...
in the first round (11th pick overall) of the
1985 NBA draft later to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. A 6′10″ forward-center from
Memphis State University
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The University of Memphis (UofM) is a public university, public research university in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1912, the university has an enrollment of more than 22,000 students.
The university maintains the Herff College of Engineering ...
, Lee played in three NBA seasons for the
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
and
New Jersey Nets
New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created.
New or NEW may refer to:
Music
* New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz
Albums and EPs
* ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013
* ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
.
High school and college
Keith Lee played high school basketball at
West Memphis High School
Academies of West Memphis (AWM), formerly West Memphis High School, is an accredited comprehensive public high school for students in grades ten through twelve in West Memphis, Arkansas, United States. The school is administered by the West M ...
in
West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 26,245 at the 2010 census, ranking it as the state's 18th largest city, behind Bella Vista. It is part of the Memphis metropolitan area, and is ...
. The 1979-1980 team is considered by many to be the top high school basketball team in Arkansas history, going undefeated for
30-0 record After losing future NBA player
Michael Cage
Michael Jerome Cage Sr. (born January 28, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player and current broadcast analyst for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Basketball career
A 6'9" power forward/center from San Diego State, he is the Aztecs ...
to graduation, the 1980-1981 team went undefeated as well and set the longest winning streak for high school basketball in the state a
60 consecutive wins
One of the most renowned players in Tiger basketball history, Keith Lee came to the University of Memphis in 1981–82 and made an immediate impact on the program.
During his four-year career, Memphis State compiled a record of 104–24, and made three NCAA tournament appearances (including one trip to the Final Four). Lee also guided the team to three Metro Conference titles, a school record 31 wins in 1984-85 and helped land the Tigers in the final Associated Press Top 20 poll all four seasons.
The four-time Associated Press All-American was Metro Conference Player of the Year in 1982 and 1985 and was named to 29 All-American teams. He is the Tigers all-time leading scorer with 2,408 points (18.8) and all-time leading rebounder with 1,336 (10.4). Lee has the high honor of being the first ever four-time All American.
Lee was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1985.
In 1985 Keith Lee helped lead the Memphis State Tigers to the Final Four and was also a first team All American. He was the first Tiger to earn AP All-America honors four times (first-team as a senior). Lee helped the Tigers compile a 104-24 (.813) record with four NCAA appearances from 1981 to 1985. His 2,408 career points are a Tiger record, and his number was retired in 1985.
Professional
Lee's best year as a professional came during his rookie season for the Cavs when he appeared in 58 games and averaged 7.4 ppg. In his NBA career, Lee played in 182 games and scored a total of 1,114 points.
Lee received a degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Memphis in December, 2008 and is a head basketball coach at a Shelby County Schools high school.
See also
*
References
External links
Career stats
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Keith
1962 births
Living people
20th-century African-American sportspeople
21st-century African-American people
African-American basketball players
All-American college men's basketball players
American expatriate basketball people in Argentina
American men's basketball players
Basketball players from Arkansas
Centers (basketball)
Chicago Bulls draft picks
Cleveland Cavaliers players
Memphis Tigers men's basketball players
New Jersey Nets players
Orlando Magic expansion draft picks
People from West Memphis, Arkansas
Power forwards (basketball)
Rapid City Thrillers players
United States Basketball League players