Cliff Levingston was a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 11 seasons. He was known for his athleticism, versatility, and defensive skills. Levingston played for several teams during his career, including the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics.
Levingston was born on January 4, 1961, in Pineland, Texas. He attended Wichita State University, where he played college basketball for four years. During his college career, Levingston was a standout player, averaging 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He was also named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1982.
After college, Levingston was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1982 NBA draft. However, he did not sign with the team and instead played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for a year. In 1983, Levingston signed with the Atlanta Hawks, where he played for four seasons.
During his time with the Hawks, Levingston established himself as a valuable player off the bench. He was known for his energy, rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities. In 1986, Levingston helped lead the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.
In 1988, Levingston was traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he played for three seasons. He was a key player on the Bulls' bench, providing energy and defense. In 1991, Levingston won his first NBA championship with the Bulls, as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
After his time with the Bulls, Levingston played for several other teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks (again), and Boston Celtics. He continued to be a valuable player off the bench, providing energy and defense for his teams.
Levingston retired from the NBA in 1995, after playing for 11 seasons. He finished his career with averages of 6.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. He also won two NBA championships, in 1991 and 1992, with the Chicago Bulls.
After retiring from basketball, Levingston became a coach and mentor for young players. He founded the Cliff Levingston Basketball Academy, which provides training and coaching for young players in the Atlanta area. Levingston also worked as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks for several years.
Overall, Cliff Levingston was a talented and versatile player who made a significant impact on the NBA during his career. He was known for his energy, athleticism, and defensive skills, and he helped lead his teams to two NBA championships. After retiring from basketball, Levingston continued to give back to the sport by coaching and mentoring young players.
🏀