David Greenwood, 68, a towering presence on the court and an even more respected man off it, passed away on Sunday night at a hospital in Riverside, California, after a quiet battle with cancer.
Greenwood’s life was defined by a fierce love for the game of basketball and an unshakable work ethic that propelled him from the streets of Compton to the biggest stages in college and professional basketball.
He is survived by his brother Al, sister Laverne, his son Jemil, daughter Tiffany, and former wife Joyce.
Although the details about his family are kinda scarce, they are mourning the loss of such a great athlete.
David Greenwood Had Love For The Game That Knew No Bounds
As a boy, David Greenwood’s obsession with basketball was unmatched.
Raised in a disciplined household in Watts by parents Murphy and Johnnie Greenwood, David learned structure early.
There was church every Sunday, curfews, and no TV until homework was done.
That upbringing shaped the man who would become a two-time All-American, a top NBA draft pick, and a mentor to countless young athletes.
He was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, a fitting tribute.
His older brother, Al, fondly remembers driving David across Los Angeles as he played for three different teams on the same day, sometimes switching uniforms in the car between games.
Al recalled,
“He was relentless because he loved the game.”
David Greenwood Had A Career Of What Many Could Only Dream Of
David Greenwood emerged as a dominant high school player at Verbum Dei in Los Angeles.
After that, he became a two-time All-American at UCLA and remains 15th on the school’s all-time scoring list, tallying 1,721 points and countless memories.
This led to his selection in the 1979 NBA Draft, where the Chicago Bulls chose Greenwood second overall, immediately after the Lakers picked Magic Johnson.
Greenwood quickly became a pillar for a struggling Bulls team, starting every game in his rookie season and averaging 16.3 points and 9.4 rebounds en route to All-Rookie honors.
Known for his reliability rather than flash, Greenwood was dubbed “The Thoroughbred” by his brother for his consistency, even as he played through debilitating foot injuries.
Greenwood would go on to play 12 years in the NBA, including stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons.
In 1990, he capped his career with a championship ring as a valuable reserve on the “Bad Boys” Pistons team that defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals.
After retiring from the NBA, Greenwood transitioned into business and coaching.
He owned several Blockbuster video stores and returned to his roots at Verbum Dei, where he led the boys’ basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 1998 and 1999.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- David Greenwood first played in the NBA on October 13, 1979, and earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team for the 1979–80 season.
- Prior to Michael Jordan’s time with the Chicago Bulls, Greenwood served as one of the team’s star players alongside Reggie Theus and Orlando Woolridge.
- In 2021, he was honored with induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
