Mitchell Wiggins, a former NBA guard and father of Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins, died this week at age 64, the Rockets introduced Friday.

The reason for demise was not specified.

“Right this moment we mourn the passing of former Houston Rockets level guard Mitchell Wiggins. Our deepest sympathies exit to his household and associates,” the group mentioned in an announcement.

In April 2023, the elder Wiggins was confronted with an unclear however “severe” medical scenario, The Athletic then reported.

Andrew had taken a number of months off work attributable to his father’s medical situation.

Mitchell Wiggins solutions questions after a information convention for his son, Andrew, Friday, June 27, 2014, in Independence, Ohio. AP

Mitchell Wiggins, a 6-foot-4 guard from North Carolina, went to Clemson to start his Division I school profession in 1979.

Wiggins spent his remaining two seasons at Florida State, the place he averaged 23.8 factors and 9.7 rebounds as a junior, adopted by 22.7 factors and eight.2 rebounds per recreation as a senior.

He was then chosen within the 1983 NBA draft with the twenty third total choose within the first spherical.

Houston Rockets gamers, from left, Ralph Sampson, Mitchell Wiggins and Akeem Olajuwon sit on the bench throughout the remaining minutes of the group’s 117-95 loss to the Boston Celtics within the 1986 NBA Finals. ASSOCIATED PRESS

The winger, who performed six years within the league, spent his first NBA season with the Bulls, averaging 12.4 factors per recreation.

He spent the 1984-1987 interval with the Rockets, who reached the NBA Finals in 1986.

He returned for the 1989-90 season after lacking two years attributable to drug ban.

Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins handles the ball. AP

It turned out to be his finest season as he shortly returned to the beginning lineup and averaged over 15 factors per recreation.

“Wig was an important defender, father and teammate” John Lucas advised the Houston Chronicle. “It is humorous, I used to be suspended for a yr, then he and [Lewis Lloyd] I received banned the following yr. After which all of us got here again collectively.

“He might defend anyone, man. Unbelievable defender, and on the spot offense off the bench.”

He spent his remaining NBA season in Philadelphia with the 76ers in 1991-92.

Wiggins has additionally performed abroad.

In 2014, Andrew Wiggins was chosen No. 1 total by the Cavaliers earlier than being traded to the Timberwolves and profitable NBA Rookie of the Yr honors.

“As a father or mother and a former participant, I am very proud. It is one thing he needed and dreamed of, and he did it. I used to be glad, somewhat relieved,” Mitchell advised reporters in 2014 after his son was chosen.

He’s survived by his spouse and 6 youngsters.

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