Dereck Whittenburg
Dereck Whittenburg: A Basketball Legend's Life and Legacy
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Dereck Whittenburg is a former American professional basketball player and coach. He was born on February 16, 1960.
Birth and Death Dates
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Whittenburg was born on February 16, 1960, but there is no available information about his death date.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession: Basketball Player, Coach
Early Life and Background
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Dereck Whittenburg was born in San Diego, California. He grew up with a passion for basketball and began playing at an early age. Whittenburg's natural talent and dedication to the sport earned him recognition as one of the top high school players in his area.
Major Accomplishments
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Whittenburg played college basketball for Ohio State University from 1978 to 1982, where he was a member of the NCAA Championship team in 1979. He also won the NIT Tournament with the Buckeyes in 1980. Whittenburg's impressive performance earned him All-American honors and recognition as one of the top players in college basketball.
Notable Works or Actions
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Whittenburg played professionally for several years, including a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers. He also coached high school basketball at his alma mater, St. Augustine High School, before becoming an assistant coach at Ohio State University under the legendary coach Randy Ayers.
Impact and Legacy
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Dereck Whittenburg's impact on basketball extends far beyond his impressive playing and coaching career. His determination and perseverance in the face of adversity have inspired countless young athletes to pursue their passion for the sport. As a member of the NCAA Championship team, Whittenburg helped pave the way for future generations of Buckeyes basketball players.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Whittenburg is widely remembered for his clutch shooting and leadership on the court. His 10 three-pointers in the 1983 NCAA Tournament game against Houston remain one of the most iconic moments in college basketball history. Whittenburg's quote, "It was just a normal shot," downplays the significance of the moment, but it is a testament to his humility and dedication to the team.
Whittenburg's legacy extends beyond his playing days as well. His coaching philosophy emphasizes hard work, discipline, and teamwork – principles that have been adopted by coaches and players across the country. As a coach and mentor, Whittenburg continues to inspire young athletes to reach their full potential on and off the court.
In conclusion, Dereck Whittenburg's remarkable life and career have left an indelible mark on the world of basketball. His achievements as a player, coach, and mentor have inspired countless individuals to pursue their passion for the sport.
Quotes by Dereck Whittenburg
In the second half we hung in there and had our chances to make a run. It was a seven-point game there and we missed a couple of wide-open 3s that could have pulled them in. All the turnovers we had turned out to be points for them.
I'm not as offended as the people in my administration should be offended. I think we've got something good going. I think this can help us. The administration and I can come together and prove the comments he's saying are not true. I would hope our president and vice-president and athletic director would be offended by it.
It's been tremendous. We're making progress. We're way ahead of our game plan. Although I'm not satisfied with the season, I am satisfied with the way things are progressing.
It shows how tough this league is. This league is tougher than they give us credit for on the national scope.
They don't have a say. If they don't want to get up, get out of here. We'll get somebody who will get up.
Psychologically for us, we're the underdog every game. So Xavier (today) will be like playing on the road. We're used to that.
I've been a part of one of those runs before. That's what the postseason is all about. It gives you another opportunity other than the regular season.
The only time I thought we didn't have a chance was when No. 42 was sitting on the bench beside me. That's not a good sign.
We knew (McCrae) is going to make his shots. When he starts making them, they are going to come.
We're young and we're still learning, but we're starting to show our maturity and patience and play a lot smarter.