I let [Meyers] down when I was a senior, Walton says of the game that he considers the lowest point of his basketball career. Dave Meyers, U.C.L.A. I got out of the hospital in a few days, and by a week later Linda and I had practically stopped talking to each other. [1], Meyers died of cancer in Temecula, California, on October 9, 2015, at the age of 62. history and Walt Wesley. The sports editor of the Milwaukee Journal, Bill Dwyre, wrote: The thought of Meyers giving up a potential $500,000 a year for playing basketball so he can go door to door as a Jehovahs Witness is mind boggling. Contents 1 Music videos 1.1 1997 1.2 1998 1.3 1999 1.4 Wikipedia. David William Meyers, also known as Dave Meyers, was an iconic American basketball player who started his pro career in 1972 with UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). Dave was tough. Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered We wanted to play basketball., Wooden named Meyers captain for the 1974-75 season. He didnt back down to big guys. He wanted to be with his family and watch his children grow up., His teammate at UCLA, Marques Johnson, once referred to Meyers as a gentle, compassionate guy.. American music video director. The Bruins won the Pac-8 title and headed into the NCAA Tournament ranked second in the nation. View the profiles of people named David Meyer. Meyers only played four seasons in the NBA, but he was a very good player He averaged 16.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for his career. Well donate part of your contract to them.. Ann Meyers Drysdale was also a star basketball player at U.C.L.A. Meyers story is one of tragedy, but also one of hope and inspiration. He fought bravely for six months, but eventually succumbed to the disease at the age of just 24. The future is bleak for the great masses of humanity in this nuclear age. He loved to talk about his familyhis wife, Linda, and his young son and daughter. The family moved to Denver right before Dave's seventh grade year. It makes sense, really. stated in. Those who knew him arent surprised at all. home/away, monthly, etc More Dave Meyers Basketball Reference pages. Ten days after the last game, I went to the owners office. He wasnt a good-time party guy, either. With this blessing from Jehovah in view, I considered it no sacrifice at all to set aside my basketball career. Meyers was also a member of the United States mens national basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. David William Meyers (April 21, 1953 - October 9, 2015) was an American basketball player who played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a really nice guy. An aggressive, fundamentally sound player, he rebounded, played defense and handed out assists with the same enthusiasm that he took shots. I was a freshman and my brother was a senior during the 1974-75 season. Meyers returned to California, and after a stint in sales for Motorola received his teaching certificate and taught elementary school mostly fourth and sixth grade for more than 30 years. We won the division. Join our linker program. Right, Born: The days NBA scores The Los Angeles Lakers scored 105 points against the Miami Heat, giving them the win. Though the Bruins lacked recognizable names around him, Johnson, Washington, Andre McCarter and Pete Trgovich moved up from the reserve ranks and joined him in a formidable five. Meyers still had a year to go with UCLA, unlike the Redhead, who was on his way to the NBA. It isnt so surprising toDave Meyers former teammateboth collegiate and professionalthat he has retreated to a quiet life with his family. shoulders better than the white kids. UCLA won the Pac-8 title, went 300 and captured the 1973 NCAA championship with an 8766 win over Memphis State. Obituary. When Meyers arrived in Westwood in the fall of 1971, few people in the college basketball community noticed. Identifiers. (See the box, opposite page.) After his college career, Meyers was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 1976 NBA Draft. If Meyers had been born in a different era, he almost certainly would have been a household name. Yes. It seemed like Witnesses were suddenly popping up everywhere in my life! FILE - In this Jan. 1974, file photo, UCLA's Dave Meyers looks for the ball after losing it against Notre Dame's Adrian Dantley during an NCAA college basketball game in South Bend, Ind. More NBA . A year later, in 1979, our son Sean was born. NBA.com player ID. ContentsNBA TitlesKobe Bryants TitlesOther NBA Players TitlesChampionshipsKobe Bryants ChampionshipsOther NBA Players Championships Kobe Bryant is one of the most successful basketball players of all time, winning five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. After his playing career ended, Meyers became a successful basketball coach He was an Assistant Coach for the USA basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. He played in all but two of the Bruins games that year and logged 10 minutes in the 73 National Title game against Memphis State, but he was a decidedly complementary cog. My love for my family and for Jehovahthese are my happinesses now, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1988, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1976. He was 62. . Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. they really going to want to quit ? He was an All-American as a senior in 1975, when he won his second national championship with UCLA. I was also drawing closer to my family. Meyers This article is about the surname Meyers. Meyers was the second overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Former UCLA basketball star and ex-NBA player Dave Meyers has passed away. After a few years of riding the bench, Meyers was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks It was there that he finally had a chance to show his stuff. [11] Nineteen days later,[11] Meyers, along with Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgeman, and Brian Winters, was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley. Position: As I recall, he was one of the players the Lakers traded for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He died last year, Did anyone here already know about his death? It was about Satans child. Meyers, Teresa Graves, Larry Graham, George Benson. [11] On November 15, 1977, he upped his single-game scoring personal best to 32 points, against the Portland Trail Blazers.[14]. Music video credits for Dave Meyers. Another member of the Meyers family gained fame in the sport. But before everybody lines up to drive the bus with the straitjacket out to Meyers house, a deeper look at the man behind the decision is warranted. His shooting touch is superb, his handle is amazing, and his ability to finish at the rim is special. Jul 1, 1980 - Dave Meyers, previously with the Milwaukee Bucks, became a free agent. He was an All-American as a senior in 1975, when he won his second national championship with UCLA. Nineteen days after the NBA draft, Meyers was part of perhaps the biggest trade in league history. Former UCLA basketball star and ex-NBA player Dave Meyers has passed away. David was born inSan Diego and moved with his family to Chicago in the early 1960s but returned to Southern California in time for high schoolSonora Highwhere he earned state Player of the Year honors and the attention of Wooden, or as Ann calls him, Papa. That was enough for him. He ought to be admired for having the guts to live his beliefs.May1, 1980. He was 62. He had become one of Jehovahs Witnesses. Who was the first-ever four-time All-American while at UCLA. There was no hand wringing or agonyexcept for his back pain. David Lee Meyers (Big Dog) 64, of Englewood peacefully passed on October 6, 2022. He had a feature article in the Awake I think, or maybe it was a Watchtower. Muscatine's Joe Wieskamp, who will lead his team to the state tournament this week, is the only current player to be selected. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. The discussions never got too involved or very prolonged. Unfortunately, the watch was stolen from my shop and never recovered. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. jw They couldnt believe it. Finally, in one of the greatest NCAA Tournament games ever played, in the national semifinals, North Carolina State defeated UCLA, 80-77, in double overtime to put an end to the programs seven-season-long National Championship run. [19], UCLA STILL BEST IN THE WEST. He was an All-Star in 1979, and was one of the leagues leading scorers for a few years. He followed that up with an even better sophomore season, averaging 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Dave Meyers was one of the best basketball players youve never heard of. basketball championship as the team's lone senior in John Wooden's final season as coach, and who was later part of the trade . He went on to. Basketball For 3 Year Olds The Perfect Sport? (Matthew 5:3) I also have time to be with my son and daughter while they are growing up, and I can help them in true worship. Meyers worked as a sales representative for Motorola and took night classes in education at National University. Many of the articles in Milwaukee were very favorable. . He converted before Meyers. All-time news archive for Dave Meyers. latest Proballers ID. As it is, he remains one of the best players youve never heard of. His kids are in organized sports. Shortly after the draft, Meyers was part of a blockbuster trade: He was sent, along with Junior Bridgeman, Brian Winters and Elmore Smith, to the Milwaukee Bucks for Abdul-Jabbar who was already a three-time most valuable player and who is now widely regarded as one of the greatest players in N.B.A. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. SCNext Top 25: Ranking the best high school boys' basketball teams in the 2022-23 season. We present them here for purely educational purposes. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. My Basketball CareerReplaced by Two Other Loves. Dave Meyers was a Standout Player in college, but he didnt get much attention from the larger Basketball World He was drafted by the Lakers in the mid-1970s, but never really had a chance to show what he could do on the court. Jim, I interrupted, Im not going to play anymore., What do you mean, youre not going to play anymore? You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Concerning the Paradise earth under Gods Kingdom, Revelation 21:4 says: And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. 3/21 Lake Show Life: Los Angeles Lakers: On this day in team history, March 20th: We take a look back at this day in Los Angeles Lakers history, as March 20th was the date that the team retired the jersey of. Meyers was widowed on July 3, 1993, when Drysdale died of a heart attack in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. No blood transfusions, no Trinity, no immortal soulall proved from the Bible. He was also one of the least interviewed, least self-promoting players in NBA history. to the 1975 N.C.A.A. Heres this speaker talking about positive things, and Im sitting there thinking: Boy, this is really a nice talk! quicker, faster and stronger than the majority of kids in their school. Meyers retired from basketball in 1986. Elmore couldnt get over it. . It was also during the 1977-78 season that I had my greatest year in the NBA. Remembering Dave MeyersDave Meyers was a star forward for the 1975 UCLA National Championship team and was the brother of Ann Meyers Drysdale. trademarks of Slam Media Inc. All rights reserved. Dave Meyers was drafted by Los Angeles Lakers , 1st round (2nd pick, 2nd overall), 1975 NBA Draft . He did not bring attention to his past sports career, not like But all I really want to do is to get on to the more important things in my life, like my family and my religion.. Meyers recorded four points and three rebounds in the championship game. It was the right choice. Dave Meyers's age is 69. It was on to UCLA. During his adulthood he became a Jehovah's Witness, actively participating. Today, he lives and works in Southern California, content to be a fourth-grade schoolteacher. The team wasnt too sympathetic. He was a two-time All-American and was named the National Player of the Year in 1974. Lanier always said that, if he had stayed, the Bucks would have won the championship. Dave Meyers videography This is a list of music videos directed by Dave Meyers. Dave Meyers weighed 215 lbs (97 kg) when playing. Meyers made a surprise announcement in 1980 that he was retiring from basketball to spend more time with his family. It was your life. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Meyers_(basketball). [6] Meyers averaged 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds. I signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakersat 1.6million dollars or thereabouts, for five years. . Its studying, going to meetings, preaching from door to door. [11] On April 10, 1977, he set a new personal best of 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs. She was one of 11 children. Wooden said, You dont know David, Ann says. But David was so competitive, Ann says. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Meyers was a star in UCLA, leading them in scoring at 18.3 points and rebounding at 7.9 in his final season, helping the Bruins to a 28-3 record. David William Meyers (April 21, 1953 October 9, 2015) was an American basketball player with the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His other survivors include his mother, Pat, and siblings Patty Meyers, Mark Meyers, Cathy Meyers, Jeff Meyers, Susan Meyers, Coleen Lindsey and Bobby Meyers. Not that it was a problem for him. The younger Meyers averaged 22.7 points as a . He played for the UCLA Bruins from 1972 to 1974, and was a two-time All-American. 1 reference. to the 1975 N.C.A.A. Meyers died at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer. We've added shooting handedness for all players in WNBA history to player pages! How Many NBA Titles Does Kobe Bryant Have? Meyers is a 6-foot-7 forward from California who played his college ball at UCLA. Dave Meyers, a 6 8" Forward, was one of the hottest prospects coming into the 1975 NBA draft, recording 18.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in his final season. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. I thought, It says that in the Bible? 2 overall pick in 1975, retired abruptly after four solid seasons in the League to focus on his family and faith. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? In 1976, Meyers was diagnosed with leukemia. Learn more and register, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. David William "Dave" Meyers (April 21, 1953 - October 9, 2015) was an American basketball player with the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Dave was a fun guy to be around, says RichardWashington, a sophomore forward on the 73-74 team and later a teammate of Meyers in Milwaukee. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He was 62. Dwyre was named National Headliner Award winner in 1985, sportswriter of the year in Wisconsin in 1980 and sportswriter of the year in California in 2009. 2 overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft. Meyers was an incredible athlete. Meyers became one of the best players on the Bucks, and helped them reach the playoffs several times. Meyers Drysdale also played at UCLA during her Hall of Fame career. Former UCLA star basketball player Dave Meyers, left, with former coach John Wooden, in 1995. Obituary David Lee Meyers (Big Dog) 64, of Englewood peacefully passed on October 6, 2022. And in that same year he had been baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses! Meyers played on two Bruins national title teams, as a reserve in 1973 and as the star player in 75. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.He was an All-American as a senior in 1975, when he won his second national championship with UCLA. One day after practicewe had a real good practice, and Elmore and I were walking up the corridorand Elmore says: Dave, Im giving my first talk in the Theocratic Ministry School. April 21, Dave Meyer Height. The Bruins did prevail, 92-85, thanks in large part to Meyers 24 points, 11 boards and 3 blocks. The two had spoken often about how incongruent the world of professional basketball was with their faith and the way they wanted to live. And it made him a beloved teammate. In 2013 he was enshrined in the . She had been baptized earlier that year as one of Jehovahs Witnesses but had become inactive. hall so they just looked the other way. It was as if a light went on in that month of September1976. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. She got the Bible, and we both lay in bed. A member of nine USA Basketball teams from 1975-79, Meyers most notably was on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Women . Ann Meyers Drysdale: I was fortunate enough to be there when my brother David was there, and Coach Wooden (UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden), who really made an impact on my life. Regular Season Stats It was that summer that I made a decision in my heartI would retire from professional basketball. Find Dave Meyers stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Marking his journey into the sport in 1975 with the Milwaukee Bucks he spent his entire professional journey with them until he retired in 1980. The forward played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He was 62 . LOS ANGELES - Dave Meyers, the star forward who led UCLA to the 1975 NCAA basketball championship as the lone senior in coach John Wooden's final season and later played for the NBA's . Meyers was named AA Player of the Year. Though Meyers is known by many primarily for his decision to curtail his professional career, he is also a footnote on one of the most important trades in NBA history. He didnt want to fight through the pain any longer, and he wanted to see his two children more than half a year. He hated me. That year our team won the title in our division. How do you feel about the Bible? she would ask. The 6-foot-8 Meyers led UCLA in scoring at 18.3 points and rebounding at 7.9 in his final season, helping the Bruins to a 28-3 record. Bob was a basketball star at Marquette University in Milwaukee in the mid-1940s, but eventually settled his family in Southern California. What happens when they really get older and find out they are generally Everybody was so happy to see him, Meyers Drysdale said, and we were so happy that he had the energy to do it.. Montreal, Quebec, Canada said that, if he had been baptized as one of best! Would have won the Pac-8 title and headed into the NCAA Tournament ranked second the... Players in NBA history players the Lakers traded for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was if. 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