Felton LaFrance Spencer (January 5, 1968 – March 12, 2023) was an American professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...
player who was a
center for the
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...
,
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...
,
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NB ...
,
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1946 i ...
,
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...
, and
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...
of the
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
(NBA) from 1990 to 2002.
High school and college
Spencer was an all-state basketball player at
Eastern High School in
Middletown, Kentucky (now part of Louisville); as both a junior and a senior, he led the team to the KHSAA state tournament in
Lexington. In the first year, Eastern was upset by lightly regarded
Metcalfe County in the first round, 60–58. A year later as a senior, Eastern was eliminated in the quarter-finals by
Hazard
A hazard is a potential source of harm. Substances, events, or circumstances can constitute hazards when their nature would potentially allow them to cause damage to health, life, property, or any other interest of value. The probability of that ...
High School.
Spencer attended the
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville (UofL) is a public university, public research university in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is part of the Kentucky state university system. Chartered in 1798 as the Jefferson Seminary, it became in the 19t ...
, where he played
college basketball
College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...
for the
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals (also known as the Cards) are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. The Cardinals teams play in the Atlantic Coast Conference, beginning in the 2014 season. While playing in the Big East Co ...
. He became the all-time field goal percentage leader at 62.8%. He took over the
center position as a senior in 1989–90 after
Pervis Ellison left to join the NBA. That season Spencer paced the Cardinals in scoring (14.9 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), blocked shots (69), and field goal percentage (68.1%).
NBA career
The
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...
selected Spencer in the first round, with the sixth overall pick, in the
1990 NBA draft
The 1990–91 NBA season, 1990 NBA draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. One of the standouts of this draft is Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton. He became a nine-time All-Sta ...
. As a rookie, Spencer split time at center with veteran
Randy Breuer, but still managed respectable numbers, averaging 7.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and shooting 51.2% from the floor. He finished the season with 272 offensive rebounds, the seventh-most in the NBA that year.
Additionally, he blocked 121 shots, establishing a single-season record for the young franchise that would stand until
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett ( ; born May 19, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player who played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Big Ticket," Garnett is considered one of the greatest power f ...
's rookie season in 1995–96. For his efforts, Spencer was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team that year. However, with the arrival of
Luc Longley
Lucien James Longley (born 19 January 1969) is an Australian professional basketball coach and former player. He was the first Australian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he played for four teams over 10 seasons. He m ...
the following season, Spencer's playing time declined over the following two years. After the
1992–93 season, Minnesota traded Spencer to the
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...
for power forward/center
Mike Brown.
In Utah, Spencer became the successor to
Mark Eaton
Mark Edward Eaton (January 24, 1957 – May 28, 2021) was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire career (1982–1993) with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Named an NBA All-Star in 1989, he w ...
, and he provided the Jazz with solid scoring, rebounding and defense at the pivot position. In
1993–94, as a complement to
John Stockton
John Houston Stockton (born March 26, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player. Regarded as one of the great point guards of all time, he spent his entire NBA career (1984–2003) with the Utah Jazz, and the team made the pla ...
and
Karl Malone
Karl Anthony Malone (born July 24, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Mailman", he is considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. Malone spen ...
, he averaged 8.6 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 50.5% from the floor. Spencer and the Jazz seemed to be on their way to greatness in
1994–95, but 34 games into the season he ruptured his left
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon or heel cord, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is a tendon at the back of the lower leg, and is the thickest in the human body. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius (calf) and soleus muscles to the calcane ...
and was lost for the year. Utah went on to win 60 regular-season games but failed to reach the
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern and Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven series to determine the league ...
by losing in the first round. He missed the first 11 games of the 1995–96 season while recovering from his Achilles injury, but went on to play in the remaining 71, starting 70 and averaging 5.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game. He shot a career-high 52.0% from the field, tying
Adam Keefe for the second-best mark on the team.
On August 10, 1996, Spencer was obtained by the
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NB ...
for guard
Brooks Thompson, forward
Kenny Gattison and a first-round draft pick, after the Magic had lost
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6, 1972), commonly known as Shaq ( ), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program ''Inside the NBA''. He is a and Center (basketball), center ...
to the
Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...
as a
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
. But he played just one game for Orlando before he was traded to
Golden State in the deal that brought
Rony Seikaly
Ronald Fred Seikaly (born May 10, 1965) is a Lebanese-American former professional basketball player. He was one of the first internationally born players to make an impact on American basketball.
Considered one of the top college players from ...
to the Magic. He went on to play 71 games for the Warriors and do a solid job in the middle, ranking second on the team in rebounding and third in blocked shots. His role was diminished in 1997–98 by the arrival of second-year man
Erick Dampier
Erick Travez Dampier (born July 14, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. ...
as the starter, as well as the drafting of rookie
Adonal Foyle
Adonal David Foyle (born March 9, 1975) is a Vincentian-American former professional basketball center. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the eighth overall selection of the 1997 NBA draft. Foyle played ten seasons with the War ...
, and he saw relatively limited action as a reserve in 68 games. He played even less in
1998–99, averaging just 6.1 minutes in his 26 appearances off the bench.
Spencer retired after the
2001–02 season, last playing with the Knicks.
Coaching
In 2011, Spencer became an assistant basketball coach at
Spalding University
Spalding University is a private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky. It is affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
History
Spalding University traces its origins to "Nazareth Academy", one of the oldest educational institu ...
.
Spencer was later an assistant basketball coach at
Bellarmine University
Bellarmine University ( ; BU) is a private university, private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky, UNited States. It opened on October 3, 1950, as Bellarmine College, established by Archbishop John A. Floersh of the Archdiocese of Louis ...
in Louisville, Kentucky.
Death
Spencer died at the University of Louisville Hospital on March 12, 2023, at the age of 55.
Career statistics
NBA
Source
[
]
Regular season
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Minnesota
Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...
, 81 , , 46 , , 25.9 , , .512 , , .000 , , .722 , , 7.9 , , .3 , , .6 , , 1.5 , , 7.1
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Minnesota
Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...
, 61 , , 54 , , 24.3 , , .426 , , – , , .691 , , 7.1 , , .9 , , .4 , , 1.3 , , 6.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Minnesota
Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...
, 71 , , 48 , , 18.3 , , .465 , , – , , .654 , , 4.6 , , .2 , , .3 , , .9 , , 4.1
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Utah
Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...
, 79 , , 79 , , 28.0 , , .505 , , – , , .607 , , 8.3 , , .5 , , .5 , , .8 , , 8.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Utah
Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...
, 34 , , 34 , , 26.6 , , .488 , , – , , .793 , , 7.6 , , .5 , , .4 , , .9 , , 9.3
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Utah
Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...
, 71 , , 70 , , 17.8 , , .520 , , – , , .689 , , 4.3 , , .2 , , .3 , , .8 , , 5.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Orlando
Orlando commonly refers to:
* Orlando, Florida, a city in the United States
Orlando may also refer to:
People
* Orlando (given name), a masculine name, includes a list of people with the name
* Orlando (surname), includes a list of people wit ...
, 1 , , 0 , , 19.0 , , 1.000 , , – , , – , , 6.0 , , 1.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 4.0
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Golden State
, 72 , , 64 , , 21.4 , , .486 , , – , , .584 , , 5.7 , , .3 , , .5 , , .7 , , 5.1
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Golden State
, 68 , , 0 , , 12.0 , , .457 , , – , , .557 , , 3.3 , , .3 , , .3 , , .5 , , 2.4
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Golden State
, 26 , , 0 , , 6.1 , , .455 , , – , , .462 , , 1.8 , , .0 , , .2 , , .4 , , 1.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", San Antonio
San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...
, 26 , , 0 , , 5.7 , , .455 , , – , , .667 , , 1.5 , , .1 , , .2 , , .3 , , 1.9
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
, 18 , , 0 , , 6.3 , , .600 , , – , , .600 , , 1.9 , , .1 , , .1 , , .1 , , 2.2
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
, 32 , , 8 , , 7.8 , , .231 , , – , , .515 , , 1.6 , , .1 , , .2 , , .3 , , .9
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 640 , , 404 , , 19.4 , , .484 , , .000 , , .658 , , 5.4 , , .3 , , .4 , , .8 , , 5.2
Playoffs
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 1994
The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations.
In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...
, style="text-align:left;", Utah
Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...
, 16 , , 16 , , 30.8 , , .448 , , – , , .660 , , 8.4 , , .4 , , .2 , , 1.3 , , 7.9
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 1996
1996 was designated as:
* International Year for the Eradication of Poverty
Events January
* January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...
, style="text-align:left;", Utah
Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...
, 18 , , 18 , , 15.3 , , .434 , , .000 , , .556 , , 3.0 , , .1 , , .3 , , 1.2 , , 2.8
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2001
The year's most prominent event was the September 11 attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror. The United States led a Participan ...
, style="text-align:left;", New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
, 2 , , 0 , , 2.0 , , – , , – , , – , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 36 , , 34 , , 21.4 , , .443 , , .000 , , .644 , , 5.3 , , .3 , , .2 , , 1.2 , , 4.9
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spencer, Felton
1968 births
2023 deaths
20th-century African-American sportsmen
21st-century African-American sportsmen
American men's basketball players
Basketball players from Louisville, Kentucky
Centers (basketball)
Eastern High School (Louisville, Kentucky) alumni
Golden State Warriors players
Louisville Cardinals men's basketball players
Minnesota Timberwolves draft picks
Minnesota Timberwolves players
New York Knicks players
Orlando Magic players
Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)
San Antonio Spurs players
Utah Jazz players