World B. Free, born as Lloyd Bernard Free, was an American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. He was known for his flashy style of play and his ability to score from anywhere on the court.
Free began his basketball career at Guilford College in North Carolina, where he played for two seasons before transferring to the University of South Carolina. He was then drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1975 NBA draft.
Free played for the 76ers for four seasons, where he established himself as a prolific scorer and a fan favorite. He was known for his signature move, the "rainbow jumper," which was a high-arcing shot that he could make from anywhere on the court. In his second season with the 76ers, Free averaged 23.9 points per game and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
In 1978, Free was traded to the San Diego Clippers, where he continued to put up impressive numbers. He averaged 28.8 points per game in his first season with the Clippers and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Free played for the Clippers for three seasons before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1980.
Free played for the Warriors for two seasons, where he was once again a fan favorite and a prolific scorer. He averaged 22.3 points per game in his first season with the team and helped lead them to the playoffs. In 1982, Free was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for four seasons.
Free's time with the Cavaliers was marked by both success and controversy. He continued to put up impressive numbers, averaging 23.4 points per game in his first season with the team. However, he also had several run-ins with the law and was suspended by the NBA for 10 games in 1984 for making an obscene gesture to fans during a game.
Free played for several other teams in the latter part of his career, including the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat. He retired from the NBA in 1988 with career averages of 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Despite his controversial behavior off the court, Free was widely regarded as one of the most exciting and talented players of his era. He was known for his flashy style of play, his ability to score from anywhere on the court, and his signature move, the "rainbow jumper." Free's legacy as a basketball player continues to be celebrated by fans and fellow players alike.
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