Personal information | |
---|---|
Born |
Pittsburg, Kansas |
February 19, 1960
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
Listed weight | 238 lb (108 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
Bonner Springs (Bonner Springs, Kansas) |
College | Kansas State (1978–1982) |
NBA draft | 1982 / Round: 8 / Pick: 166th overall |
Selected by the Kansas City Kings | |
Playing career | 1982–1993 |
Position | Power forward |
Number | 20, 32, 45, 55 |
Career history | |
1982–1984 | Kansas City Kings |
1984–1985 | Sarasota Stingers (CBA) |
1985 | Kansas City Kings |
1985–1986 | Tampa Bay Thrillers (CBA) |
1986–1988 | San Antonio Spurs |
1988 | Chicago Bulls |
1988–1989 | Phoenix Suns |
1989–1990 | Chicago Bulls |
1990–1992 | Phoenix Suns |
1992–1993 | Golden State Warriors |
1993 | Chicago Bulls |
Career highlights and awards | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Eddie Carl Nealy (born February 19, 1960) is an American retired basketball player. At 6'7" and 238 pounds, he played as a forward.
Born in Pittsburg, Kansas, Nealy attended Kansas State University and was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the eighth round of the 1982 NBA draft. In 10 NBA seasons with the Kings (1982–1985), San Antonio Spurs (1986–1988), Chicago Bulls (1988–1990;1993), Phoenix Suns (1989;1990–1992) and Golden State Warriors (1992), Nealy averaged 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds. He participated on the 1992–93 Bulls team which won the NBA Championship, although he did not appear on the playoff roster.
His son, Spencer, played football at Texas A&M University.
Due his hustle, aggressiveness and court smarts, Nealy was uniformly praised for his unselfish play and his willingness to be physical throughout his career.
"It's guys like Ed who make coaching a pleasure. If you give me a reason to put him into a game, he's going to find a way to contribute." -- Phil Jackson
In the book The Jordan Rules, Phil Jackson labeled Nealy his, "favorite player, smartest player on the team."
"With some players, a rebound hits their hand and bounces off. Nealy catches it. He has hands like Bobby Jones and Adrian Dantley. He is going to be a great pro some day. I truly mean that." -- Dean Smith