Episode 53: Kevin Willis | 22-Year NBA Veteran & NBA Champion
Episode 53: Kevin Willis | 22-year NBA Veteran & NBA Champion
Subscribe on Apple Podcast | Google Play | Stitcher
Rich Take On Sports
Show Notes:
- Rich Spotlight: Kevin Willis
- Commitment to training has kept him in shape throughout his career and after his playing days
- Became interested in fashion at an early age when he would swap clothes with neighborhood friends
- Was more into running than basketball as a kid and good outrun anyone and then grew 5 inches in one summer
- It was coach William Carter at Persian High School that invited him to play basketball
- Went to junior college at Jackson Community College & Jud Heathcote from Michigan State recruited him to be a Spartan
- After his Senior year at Michigan State, many still doubted his full NBA potential but Marty Blake, NBA superscout, invited him to attend the 1984 NBA Draft
- Kevin was selected 11th overall to the Atlanta Hawks in 1984
- Willis Reed and Hakeem Olajuwon had a profound impact on his career by trying to get him to play without so much anger
- Hardest players to matchup against were Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley
- Named an NBA All-Star in 1992 and would win an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003
- Started his clothing line Willis & Walker in 1988 and would spend several summers interning through the NBA in NYC to learn more about the clothing business
- Continues to focus on his clothing line and giving back through the Atlanta Children’s Foundation
- Words of Wisdom from Kevin Willis: “Always follow your dreams and the number one thing is always to trust in God. You need that foundation that only God can provide that you need to stand upon.”
Social Media:
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports
To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports
To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports
To Follow Kevin Willis on Twitter: @KevinWillis42
To Follow Willis & Walker on Twitter: @willisandwalker
To Follow Kevin Willis on Instagram: @kevinwillis42
To Follow Willis & Walker on Facebook: WillisAndWalker
To Find out more information about Atlanta Children’s Foundation: Atlanta Children
Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images / Andrew Bernstein
About the author, Richmond Weaver
Richmond, a graduate of Clemson University has been involved with sports for most of his life and developed a passion for basketball and sports at an early age. He currently lives in Greenville, SC with his wife Karen, founder of Upstate Esthetics and their three kids.