Calbert Cheaney is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. He was born on July 17, 1971, in Evansville, Indiana, and attended William Henry Harrison High School. Cheaney played college basketball at Indiana University, where he was a standout player and won the Wooden Award in 1993 as the best player in college basketball.
Cheaney was selected sixth overall in the 1993 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards). He played for the Bullets for six seasons, from 1993 to 1999, and was a consistent scorer and rebounder for the team. In the 1995-96 season, he averaged a career-high 16.6 points per game and was named the NBA's Most Improved Player. Cheaney was also known for his strong defense and was often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player.
After leaving the Bullets, Cheaney played for several other NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Golden State Warriors. He was primarily used as a role player and provided scoring and defense off the bench. Cheaney was known for his work ethic and professionalism, and he was respected by his teammates and coaches.
Cheaney retired from the NBA in 2006 after playing for the Warriors in his final season. He finished his career with averages of 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Cheaney was not a superstar player, but he was a solid contributor who played hard and did whatever was asked of him.
After retiring from basketball, Cheaney became a coach and worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Indiana University. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and the St. Louis University men's basketball team. Cheaney was known for his basketball knowledge and his ability to teach and mentor young players.
In summary, Calbert Cheaney was a solid NBA player who played for 13 seasons and was known for his scoring, defense, and work ethic. He was a consistent contributor who played for several teams and was respected by his teammates and coaches. After retiring from basketball, Cheaney became a coach and continued to share his knowledge and passion for the game.
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