''I figured we'd give him a shot to catch on with another team. Paul Silas had nearly given up the dream of securing another NBA head coaching gig. Wesley was later convicted of reckless driving for his part in the incident. had been practicing for Wednesday night's game with the Chicago University. When Phills built a reputation as one of the leagues best defenders, Jobe was surprised. He trailed Phills and Wesley on Tyvola by less than a minute. I went up in my room and cried for an hour, Bulls guard Fred Hoiberg, who was in Charlotte for the Bulls-Hornets game, said about the news of the accident to the SunTimes. When Minnesotas Malik Sealy died in a car accident the same year as Phills, she offered Sealys widow, Lisa, both financial and emotional support. I know people dont think it, but its easy because its just you and the basket. Jobe sat Phills down. Listed in stable condition at Presbyterian Hospital were Robert Woolard Jr., 31, of Cornelius, the driver of the other car; and Yao Agbegbon, 33, of Charlotte, who was driving a minivan taxi, Bridges said. It helped to relieve my depression. Woolards car then was rear-ended by a minivan taxi driven by Yao Agbegbon, 33. But once Wesley had spoken about the crash, reporters kept asking him to relive the worst morning of his life. Both had played in the CBA before earning NBA roster spots, and each carried a chip on his shoulder for being overlooked. "The firemen wouldn't let me go near his body. Bobby and Kendall Phills had two children, both of whom went on to play college basketball. Phills, 30, died instantly when his black Porsche collided with another . CHARLOTTE, Feb. 9 -- The Hornets retired Bobby Phills' No. Phills is survived by his wife, Kendall, and two children--Bobby Ray III, 3, and Kerstie, 1. Before long, Jobe noticed slips of paper arriving under his office door Phills had begun charting his daily makes and misses. The two lived close to one another, and after games, Phillss wife, Kendall, often drove Silass wife, Carolyn, home from the Charlotte Coliseum. The two formed a fast friendship. Phills' death was another in a series of shocks to hit North Carolina sports in recent months. "He had extreme high character. The advice meant a lot to Miller, who looked up to Phills and Wesley, players who hadnt been first-round darlings but who had managed to thrive in the league. He always had to win. to go on to med school like he talked about when he was a kid.". There was nothing he didnt think he could do. It hit another car, which in turn was struck in the rear by a minivan. Jonathan Abrams is a staff writer for Grantland. The Charlotte Hornets had retired Phillss jersey shortly after his death. He said any charges must await completion of the [5] The drivers of the other two vehicles recovered, while Phills was pronounced dead at the scene. Charlotte Hornet guard Bobby Phills was killed Wednesday when he crashed into a car while speeding after practice, police said. class humanitarian.". He was perfect. But in Treys case, it seemed as if he were trying to follow a shadow, like he was finding his way in the dark without his father there to light the path. It just wasnt right Even [now], when I drive down the way that Bobby passed away, it just stays with me. The fans offered the family an extended ovation. Hes in his Porsche, Im in my Porsche, Wesley said. I wanted him to be there representing us. She thanked the fans for the phone calls and well-wishes. David just didnt want to play, Silas recalled. Aside from basketball, Phills also bicycled and played golf. [4] In 1996, Michael Jordan remarked that Phills was the toughest defender he had ever faced. Absolutely not, Wesley responded. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. After the New Orleans team re-branded themselves as the New Orleans Pelicans - thereby relinquishing the Hornets name and their previous history in Charlotte - the Bobcats became the Hornets and merged the team's past tenures into a new history for the franchise. Witnesses said teammate David Wesley, the Hornets' starting point guard, also may have been driving too fast in his own Porsche, according to police. human being," said Southern University Chancellor Edward R. Basically, as soon as I got [to summer league], [Phills] threw me his practice stuff, Davis recalled. He advised Phills to pursue professional basketball for a couple of years, and if it didnt work out, to return to school. Michael Jordan called Phills the toughest defender he ever faced. Everything hurt. Or the times Phills had called him a high school coach for advice on how to guard Michael Jordan. "He touched all of our lives," said Bob Bass, the Hornets' Shooting is the easiest of the skills. He chose Yale, where he will begin his freshman year in the fall. Things changed, Jobe said. 13 in its practice facility, but not in the Smoothie King Center. Kendall finished her speech. On February 9, 2000, in a game against Phills' former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Hornets retired his number 13 . Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was speeding in his Porsche after practice Wednesday when he lost control, crashed into a car and died instantly. But Bobby Phills would want us to play hard, and he would want us to win. Wesley started against the Knicks that night and missed nine of 11 shots. Bobby Ray Phills III, nicknamed Trey, is in his sophomore season playing guard at Yale. "This young man represented the very best of Southern Charlotte Hornets players Bobby Phills and David Wesley were racing each other in their Porsches less than a mile from the Charlotte Coliseum when Phills lost control on a hilly curve and was. Recasner remains on the injured list. I can't tell you what he meant to the Cavs. Its kind of like me and my dad we spent a bunch of time on the court. Treys a stat stuffer, said coach Shonn Brown. He had it all.. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Phills attended Baton Rouge's Southern University. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The basketball was our way of connecting, and thats how Trey and I have been., A few other factors played into Treys budding confidence. Perhaps Malik sent you to me because he knew you would be my rock in his absence., All the activity gave Kendall a sense of purpose and helped her survive the emotional toll of losing her husband, but there were moments when the sadness overwhelmed her. I stopped in the middle of the street. While the No. No matter who you were on the team or within the organization, Bobby Phills looked out for you. It also altered the lives of many others stillaffected by thetragedyyears later. Young people changed. The 30-year-old guard had just left a shootaround at the Charlotte Coliseum when the two-car accident happened, club spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said. It was also the second serious traffic accident this season involving Hornets players. He meant a lot to this city, Jordan said at a press conference before the ceremony. Youve got two beautiful kids. That's 107 m.p.h. I knew that he had passed away, Silas said. Shinn found his worst fears confirmed. . You cant let us look at the tape for that long, Phills said. I dont know anything about him. He also started the Bobby Phills Educational Foundation, holding camps in Baton Rouge each summer for children who were taught how to balance education with athletics. Soon after Phillss son addressed the mourners, Wesley stepped to the podium. When the Hornets returned to playing, Shinn visited the locker room before a game shortly after the accident. So I feel like even he knew that there was more to life than just the sport. The game was postponed. What did I do wrong? "That morning, I didn't get to tell Bobby goodbye,"Kendall Phills, Bobby'swife, said. The game was postponed. Both other drivers survived, while Phills died on the scene. Two days later, Jordan went 9-for-26 against Phills. Police said his car collided head-on with a vehicle headed to the arena. On that day more than 15 years ago, the NBA grieved over the death of Bobby Phills, who began his career on a 10-day contract and rose so highthat Michael Jordan once named him among the best defenders hed ever faced. Phills was the fourth active N.B.A. Thats what shooting is all about.. Wesley remained with the franchise when the Hornets moved from Charlotte to New Orleans in 2002. Eventually, a police officer covered Phillss face. Phillss former teammates Todd Fuller, Chucky Brown, and David Wesley attended the ceremony. I dont think you can get out of that date that your maker has ordained for you., Derrick Brewer could see that the 11-year-old was not ready to star on his AAU team. Wesley was twice charged with speeding, according to Mecklenburg family background. CHARLOTTE - Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills was speeding in his Porsche after practice Wednesday when he lost control, crashed into a car and died instantly. He was convicted of reckless driving and sentenced to community service, but a judge decided that enough reasonable doubt existed to acquit him of the racing charge. Over his nine-year career, he averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Jobe had little doubt that once Phills earned an opportunity in the NBA, he would thrive. Phills lost control of his Porsche on a hilly curve where the (Charlotte, North Carolina-AP) -- Charges are going to be filed against a teammate of Bobby Phills -- the N-B-A player who was killed in a . I think it changes as Im coming up to it. Wallace taught and coached basketball at the high school, and Kendall had also been one of his students. A taxi minivan then rear-ended Woolards Oldsmobile. Phills Sr. had visited Bobby in Charlotte that Christmas, just a couple of weeks before the accident. Police said Phills, who was driving a black Porsche, was speeding when he lost control of his car, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided into another car, which was driven by Robert Woolard, 31, the Chicago SunTimes reported. I was always told: Dont fall in love with the horses talking about the players. His book, Boys Among Men: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution, is due out in March. Manage Settings Those close to Phills never seem to run out of stories about his selflessness. Active in the community, Phills volunteered for children's You hope no one would ever have to feel that, Miller said. I had no idea what happened, but as I looked in my rearview, his car was spinning, went into the oncoming traffic, hit a car, he said. Bobby was in an accident, and he didnt make it. Phills Sr. doesnt remember yelling, but people later said theyd heard him scream from his office. Sioux Falls Skyforce, said Phills had wanted to be a veterinarian. There was nothing I could do to even try to get out of the way, Woolard recalled. She talked back to the voice. Stunned teammates and Hornets officials gathered at the accident scene less than a mile from Charlotte Coliseum, where minutes earlier Phills and the other players had been practicing for tonight's game with the Chicago Bulls. Through Sunday, every N.B.A. He was someone that you would want your children to be like.". TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. In December 1998, Wesley was charged with driving 79 mph in a He had only recently purchased the Oldsmobile Cutlass he was driving when he turned onto Tyvola. According to the NBA, there have been three other active players That thing with Bobby Phills, Im telling you, it almost made me lose my faith. Coach, Wesley said. "He had the brain power, he had the great family background. Stunned and tearful teammates and Hornets officials gathered at He was in his third year of a seven-year, $33 million contract. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Nearly 15 years have passed since Bobby Phills' death in a tragic car crash in January 2000. Occasionally every child dreams about crea, Joe Fraziers Daughter, Jacqui Frazier Lyde, Challenges Muhammad Alis Daughter, Laila, To A Boxing Match, Earth, Wind & Fire makes mark on Rock Walk Entertainment music group inducted to RockWalk of Fame in Los Angeles, Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan has helped launch an organization to focus on increasing the number of Black doctors and nurses, Judge Glenda Hatchett Gives Tv Viewers A `Wake-Up Call judge on television series Judge Hatchett, General Motors CEO resigns from country club that rejected black GM executive Jack Smith, Roy Roberts, Career Of Famed Dancing Duo, The Nicholas Brothers, Is Highlighted In New Book. You say, Why wasnt it me instead of him? One mistake, one accident. "It's shocking.". Thats Rob, David, and God as far as the exact events that happened., Every morning, we went to breakfast, David Wesley said. He had everything. In 1998, he was one of four finalists for the NBA's sportsmanship award and started the "Bobby Phills Educational Foundation.". What you doing? Dwayne asked. But him and David Wesley, they were driving at each other, just zooming, Silas said. We spent some long, long days, and I got some dirty looks [from Trey] sometimes, but we got it fixed, Silas said. Hes calling his wife to meet us. Bulls. Do you know why you were able to do that without even seeing your feet and shoes? Jobe asked. His community. He was the franchises future a brash, bowling-ball point guard who expected immediate NBA stardom. [8] His jersey hung from the rafters of the Charlotte Coliseum until the franchise relocated to New Orleans in 2002; it was then displayed in the New Orleans Arena until 2013. "The skid marks indicate he was not going guard or small forward for the Hornets, and sometimes played as a She just completed her junior season and is being pursued by several top colleges. The investigation is expected to take at least a week. Phills became a rotation player, and as a senior he led the country with an average of 4.4 made 3-pointers per game. Police said he was driving drunk. After Silas was named interim coach, Phills asked him, Coach, you want to keep this job? Silas answered yes, and Phills told him, OK, youre going to have it. Phills encouraged his teammates to dig in and finish the 50-game season strong, and Charlotte went 22-13 under Silas that year, good enough for the Hornets to name him the full-timehead coach. Intelligence. He was like, All right, start carrying. It just dont make no sense. And there was a point where, no, I wasnt that good on the court., Stephen Silas ended up being the one to help Trey develop his confidence and his game. I wanted him to be as idealistic as I thought I was.. "He could have been one of the foremost black leaders in the country," Jobe said. Phills was killed instantly. Bobby is gone, Silas said. And to bring that back and let them enjoy that moment, what those memories about Bobby Phills represented to them, means a lot to the organization.. "I remember just asking myself and asking my mom, 'Why would God let this happen to our family?" She pulled in behind George Shinns car. [5], Phills was survived by his parents, his wife Kendall, and three children; a daughter Brittany Dickson, a son Bobby Ray Phills III, known as Trey and a daughter Kerstie. In fact, he shut MJ down once and I was really impressed. Thats the Bobby I know.. According to the NBA, there have been three other active players who were killed in accidents: Drazen Petrovic (1993) and Terry Furlow (1980) in car crashes and Nick Vanos (1987) in an air crash. He paid $80 in court costs, according to His Hornets teammates. Every game day, whether on the road or at home at home, its always Original Pancake House. But with all the things he had going for him, he made one stupid mistake and it cost him his life.. What's more impressive, however, is that Bobby was a true man. Hes doing positive things in the community, for the league, [for his] family, everything.

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