Andrew Pace
David Wingate, a retired NBA player, had a 15-year career spanning from 1986 to 2001, during which he played for seven teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and Charlotte Hornets. Known for his defensive skills and offensive versatility, Wingate faced legal issues in 1990 when he was accused of rape, with another similar charge surfacing in San Antonio. While his former coach and teammates spoke of his athletic prowess and positive character, his off-court behaviour, including partying and drinking, also came to light. Wingate's career and life were left in limbo as he awaited the court's decision, and he has since retired and expressed interest in mentorship and new ventures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | David Grover Stacey Wingate Jr. |
| Teams | Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks |
| Career length | 15 years |
| Career span | 1986–2001 |
| Position | Guard-forward hybrid, shooting guard, small forward |
| College | Georgetown |
| College career span | 1982–1986 |
| College stats | Led the team in steals, scored about 11 points per game, averaged 16 points a game in his senior year, played 1,000 minutes without fouling out, started 137 games |
| Notable achievements | Part of the 1984 national championship team, one of the greatest high school teams of all time, ranked among the best Georgetown players of his era |
| Post-NBA career | Retired, lives outside Charlotte, NC, looking for new ventures or job opportunities |
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What You'll Learn
David Wingate's 15-year NBA career
David Wingate had a 15-year NBA career, playing for seven different teams. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft, with the 44th pick. Wingate made his debut on November 2, 1986, playing nine minutes against the Atlanta Hawks. He went on to start in 77 games during his rookie season, averaging two assists and 8.8 points per game.
Prior to his NBA career, Wingate played for the Georgetown Hoyas, where he was known for his defensive skills and offensive versatility. He played alongside future NBA players such as Reggie Williams, Tyrone Bogues, and Reggie Lewis. During his time at Georgetown, Wingate helped lead the team to the 1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship and a runner-up finish in 1985.
Following his time with the 76ers, Wingate played for the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, and New York Knicks. He found success with the Hornets in the 1992-93 season, leading the team in shooting percentage with a 53% mark. Throughout his career, Wingate dealt with knee problems, which affected his quickness and jump shot ability. However, he remained a valuable defender and a reliable scorer, averaging 5.6 points per game but increasing to 12.6 points per 40-minute interval.
Wingate's NBA career came to an end in 2001, and he has since retired from professional basketball. He now lives just outside Charlotte, North Carolina, and is looking to transition into a new chapter of his life, leveraging his experience in professional sports to explore business opportunities and pass on his knowledge to the youth.
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Accusations of rape
David Wingate, a retired professional basketball player, was accused of rape in Howard County, with another rape charge also surfacing in San Antonio. A 22-year-old woman alleged that Wingate and another former basketball player, Edward Saunders, invited her to Wingate's home after drinking tequila shots at a local bar. The woman claimed that she became ill on the way and asked to be let out of the car. According to the accusation, Wingate accompanied her and then raped her by the side of the road. The victim further alleged that she was awakened several times throughout the night in a bedroom at Wingate's home, finding herself being sexually assaulted by multiple men, including Joel Mendiola.
Local prosecutors noted the "startlingly similar" nature of the two cases, indicating a potential pattern of behaviour. The accusations against Wingate put his basketball career in limbo, with his future potentially being decided in a court of law rather than on the court. Despite his popularity as "the most popular player on the team", his absence was felt, and his return to the team remained uncertain.
Wingate's former Dunbar teammate, Tyrone Bogues, who played for the Charlotte Hornets, commented on the accusations, acknowledging that "people can change" while also expressing belief in Wingate's character: "I know David. He was a good guy in high school... You've got to keep an open mind."
Wingate himself remained optimistic about his future in basketball, stating, "I think I'll be back playing. This could happen to anyone." However, the impact of the accusations extended beyond his athletic career, as he also faced challenges transitioning into the business world due to his public image. Now retired for almost 11 years, Wingate resides just outside Charlotte, NC, and is seeking new ventures or job opportunities that can leverage his skills and network.
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Early life and career beginnings
David Wingate, a native of Baltimore, was a basketball star known for his defensive skills and offensive versatility. Wingate attended Georgetown University, where he played for the Dunbar Poets of 1981-82, considered one of the greatest high school teams of all time. During his freshman season, he showcased his scoring abilities, achieving double figures in 24 out of 32 games, with a 44% shooting average.
In his sophomore year, Wingate continued to excel, leading the team in steals and scoring approximately 11 points per game. His strong performance contributed to Georgetown winning the 1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The following season, Wingate transitioned to playing primarily as a shooting guard, and his team advanced to the final of the 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, where they lost to Villanova University. Despite this loss, Wingate had one of his best defensive seasons, achieving career-high totals in assists and steals.
In his senior year, Wingate maintained his impressive form, averaging 16 points per game and playing 1,000 minutes without fouling out. Over his four years at Georgetown, the teams achieved a combined record of 115-24, losing only four home games in a three-year span. Wingate's combination of defensive prowess and offensive versatility established him as a vital player for Georgetown, and he started more games (137) than almost any other player in the school's history.
Wingate's successful college career led to him being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 44th pick in the 1986 NBA draft. His selection surprised some, as he was considered a potential first-round pick. After making his NBA debut on November 2, 1986, Wingate played for various teams throughout his 15-year career, including the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, and New York Knicks.
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College basketball career
David Wingate's college basketball career began at Dunbar High School, where he starred alongside future NBA players Reggie Williams, Tyrone Bogues, and Reggie Lewis. During his freshman season, Wingate scored in double figures in 24 out of 32 games, with a 44% shooting average. He demonstrated his versatility by playing both shooting guard and small forward.
In his sophomore year, Wingate continued to excel, leading the team in steals and scoring around 11 points per game. His strong performance helped Georgetown win the 1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The following year, Georgetown fell short of repeating as national champions, losing to Villanova University in the final. Despite this, Wingate had one of his best defensive seasons, setting career-high totals in assists and steals.
During his junior and senior years, Wingate maintained his impressive form, averaging 16 points per game and playing 1,000 minutes without fouling out. Over his four years at Georgetown, the team achieved a combined record of 115-24, losing only four games at home in a three-year span. Wingate's combination of strong defence and offensive versatility made him a key contributor to Georgetown's success in the 1980s. He started 137 games during his college career, ranking him among the top ten in school history in various categories, including field goals, free throws, assists, and steals.
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Post-retirement
David Wingate had a 15-year career in the NBA, playing for seven teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, and New York Knicks. Throughout his career, Wingate was known for his defensive skills, although knee problems impacted his performance in his later years. Despite this, he remained a valuable defender until his retirement in 2001.
Wingate is passionate about passing on his knowledge to the youth and helping them develop their careers. He has stated that he is excited for the next chapter of his life and is eager to contribute to a new team in a different capacity.
In his LinkedIn profile, Wingate invites individuals to reach out to him regarding potential job opportunities that align with his skills and interests. He has provided his email address, [email protected], for anyone interested in contacting him with potential leads or collaborations.
Wingate's post-retirement activities demonstrate his proactive approach to personal and professional development, as he seeks to remain engaged and contribute his expertise to the basketball community and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
David Wingate played for seven teams during his 15-year NBA career, including the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, and New York Knicks.
Wingate was a versatile player who could play as a shooting guard or small forward. He was also a valuable defender and consistent scorer.
Wingate averaged 5.6 per game but 12.6 points per 40-minute interval. He averaged 11 points per game during his sophomore year and 16 points per game in his junior and senior years.
David Wingate has been retired from professional basketball for almost 11 years. He currently lives just outside Charlotte, NC, and is looking for new ventures or job opportunities, particularly those that involve basketball and working with youth.
