Bobby Phills

Infobox NBA Player
name = Bobby Phills
nickname =


image_size =
height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lbs=215
position = Shooting guard
birth_date = birth date|1969|12|20
birth_place =Baton Rouge, Louisiana
death_date = death date and age|2000|1|12|1969|12|20
death_place = Charlotte, North Carolina
college = Southern
nationality = American
draft = 2nd round, 45th overall
draft_team = Milwaukee Bucks
draft_year = 1991
former_teams = Cleveland Cavaliers (1991–1997) Charlotte Hornets (1997–2000)
career_start = 1991
career_end = 2000
awards =

Bobby Ray Phills II (December 20, 1969 – January 12, 2000) was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets.

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Phills was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1991 NBA Draft (45th overall). The Southern University graduate ended up being cut by the Bucks in December 1991 without playing a game for them. He signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the Continental Basketball Association where he averaged 23.1 points before rejoining the NBA with the Cavaliers late in the 1991-92 season. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. His post career plans included an aspiration to help animals as a veterinarian.

On January 12, 2000, while a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Phills's life ended at age 30 when he was killed in an automobile accident in Charlotte, North Carolina. Phills was traveling behind teammate David Wesley at over 75 mph when his Porsche spun and crossed into oncoming traffic. It hit another car, which in turn was struck in the rear by a minivan.Chris Tomasson, [http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_5583637,00.html Wesley to Smith: 'Only time heals'] , "Rocky Mountain News", June 13, 2007.] The drivers of the other two vehicles recovered, while Phills was pronounced dead at the scene. A police report said [Phills and Wesley] were driving "erratic, reckless, careless, in a negligent or aggressive manner," and the men were "involved in a speed competition." [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00EEDB133FF930A35751C0A9669C8B63 N.B.A.: SAN ANTONIO; Elliott Returns to Practice Following Transplant] ] Wesley later was convicted of reckless driving after being cleared of a racing charge. Phills is survived by his parents, wife Kendall, and three children.

The Hornets retired his #13 jersey number on February 9, 2000. Phills' was the first number that the Hornets franchise had ever retired. Phills was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

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External links

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* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/phillbo01.html Basetball-reference stats]