Ex-Wayne NBA Player Clinton Wheeler Dies

WAYNE, NJ — Clinton Wheeler Sr., a former NBA player who played for the legendary Phil Jackson and attended William Paterson University, died Feb. 14.

Wheeler was 59. He was born and raised in Long Branch and won a state basketball championship while at Long Branch High School in 1977, his obituary states.

Wheeler broke several school records while playing at William Paterson University. He graduated from the university in 1981 and is second place on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,264 points, according to basketball-reference.com.

Wheeler played briefly in the Continental Basketball Association and was coached by 11-time NBA championship-winning coach Phil Jackson. He was drafted by the Kansas City Kings in 1981, but did not play in the NBA until he was signed by the Indiana Pacers.

He appeared in 87 games in two seasons for the Pacers, Miami Heat, and Port Trail Blazers, statistics on basketball-reference.com show.

Wheeler was inducted in the Long Branch Hall of Fame.

He was predeceased by his father, Phillip Wheeler; mother Delia Johnson; sisters Beatrice Lassiter, Patricia Johnson, Ruby Wheeler, Phyllis Wheeler, Nancy Wheeler, and Marlene Wheeler; and brother Leon Johnson.

Clinton is survived by sons, Clinton Wheeler Jr., Cory, Courtney, and Cornell; brothers Phillip and Benjamin; sisters, Pamela Walley and Betty Werner; along with several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com