Amanda Knapp
Will Chambers is the name of both a former college basketball player and coach, and a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA. This text will be about the former, William B. Chambers. Born in 1930, Chambers played for the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, from 1950 to 1953, leading his team to a state championship and an undefeated season during his senior year of high school. He went on to have a successful coaching career, being inducted into the William & Mary Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
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Tom Chambers' career in the NBA
Thomas Doane Chambers, born on June 21, 1959, in Ogden, Utah, is a former American professional basketball player. Standing at 6'2" by the end of his sophomore year at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, Chambers suddenly grew by six inches over the next six months. As a junior, he impressed his teammates by not having lost any coordination with his new height. A broken wrist during his senior year forced him to improve his game by using his left hand more.
Chambers was drafted by the San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers) in the 1981 NBA draft as the 8th pick. He signed a $1.5 million four-year contract and played as a forward, having been a center in college. In his rookie year, he was the top scorer on the injury-riddled young Clippers roster, averaging 17.2 points per game and making 52.5% of his shots. The following season, on October 29, 1982, Chambers scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a loss to the Phoenix Suns. That season, the team drafted power forward Terry Cummings, who went on to become the Rookie of the Year. The club then traded Chambers and Al Wood for several players and draft picks.
Teaming up with center Jack Sikma and guard Gus Williams, Chambers became a key player in a winning team during his third NBA season, playing all 82 games and averaging 18.1 points per game. In 1986–87, Chambers reached All-Star status for the first time, averaging 23.3 points per game and making 85% of his free throws.
In June 1988, Chambers accepted an offer to join the Phoenix Suns. Over the next few seasons, his scoring reached new heights, averaging 25.7 points per game in 1988–89 and 27.2 points per game in 1989–90. On March 24, 1990, Chambers scored a franchise-record 60 points in a win over his former team, the Sonics, despite playing with a hamstring injury. In 1993, Chambers and the Suns made it to the NBA Finals but lost to the Chicago Bulls.
After five seasons with the Suns, Chambers signed with the Utah Jazz in August 1993. He then played for the Charlotte Hornets and made one final appearance with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1997–98 season before retiring. Over his 16-year NBA career, Chambers scored a total of 20,049 points, averaging 18.1 points per game. He was selected for four NBA All-Star Games and was a two-time All-NBA Second Team member.
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Bill Chambers' career as a basketball coach
William B. Chambers was an American college basketball player and coach for the William & Mary Tribe. He played collegiately for the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, from 1950 to 1953, achieving several accolades, including all-state, All-Southern Conference, and Helms All-American status.
After his college career, Chambers embarked on a coaching journey, initially at the high school level, where he found considerable success. In 1957, he returned to his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, to coach his former team. Over the next nine seasons, six of which were winning years, Chambers compiled an impressive 113–110 career record. This included a notable victory over the No. 4 West Virginia University on January 30, 1960, breaking the Mountaineers' 56-game Southern Conference winning streak.
During his coaching tenure, Chambers achieved remarkable feats, including a win total that remained unmatched by any W&M men's basketball coach until Tony Shaver surpassed it in February 2013. For his outstanding contributions, Chambers was inducted into the William & Mary Hall of Fame and, in 1995, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He retired from coaching in 1966 and subsequently pursued a career in sales and management, working for the Converse shoe company and later as a sporting goods salesman in Florida.
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Tom Chambers' college basketball career
Thomas Doane Chambers, born on June 21, 1959, in Ogden, Utah, was a promising 6'2" guard at the end of his sophomore year at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. Over the next six months, Chambers grew six inches, and by his junior year, he had become a coordinated 6'8" guard. During his senior year, Chambers suffered a broken wrist, forcing him to develop his left hand and further improving his game.
After starring at Fairview High School, Chambers went on to play college basketball at the University of Utah. In his college career, Chambers played center and averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. Standing at 6'10" and 220 pounds, he was a force to be reckoned with in the paint.
Chambers was then drafted by the San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers) with the 8th overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. He signed a $1.5 million four-year contract and made the transition to playing forward. In his rookie season, Chambers impressed, leading the injury-riddled Clippers with 17.2 points per game and a 52.5% field goal percentage.
During his third NBA season, Chambers became a key piece of a winning team, playing all 82 games and averaging 18.1 points per game. He continued to improve and, in the 1986-87 season, he reached All-Star status for the first time, averaging 23.3 points per game and making 85% of his free throws.
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Bill Chambers' career as a basketball player
William B. Chambers was an American college basketball player and coach for the William & Mary Tribe. During his high school years at E. C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, he demonstrated his talent for the sport, leading his team to a state championship and an undefeated season (22–0) in his senior year.
Chambers went on to play collegiately for the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, from 1950 to 1953. He excelled during his college basketball career, earning all-state, All-Southern Conference, and Helms All-American status while playing for the Tribe. On February 14 of his senior year, Chambers set an impressive NCAA single-game rebound record of 51 rebounds against the University of Virginia, a record that still stands. He was also recognised as Virginia's Outstanding Collegiate Basketball Player that year. Chambers concluded his college basketball career with an impressive 1,456 points and set the Virginia schools' record for rebounds in a single season with 509 rebounds in 1951–52.
After his successful college basketball career, Chambers transitioned into coaching. In 1957, he returned to his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, to coach his former team. Over the next nine seasons, he led his team to success, including a notable win against the No. 4 West Virginia University on January 30, 1960, breaking the Mountaineers' 56-game Southern Conference winning streak. During his coaching tenure, he compiled an impressive 113–110 career record. For his outstanding contributions, Chambers was inducted into the William & Mary Hall of Fame and, in 1995, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Following his retirement from coaching in 1966, Chambers embarked on a career in sales and management, working for the Converse shoe company and later as a sporting goods salesman in Florida. Chambers' legacy in basketball is one of excellence, leaving a lasting impact on both the court and the coaching sidelines.
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Tom Chambers' career statistics
Thomas Doane Chambers, born on June 21, 1959, in Ogden, Utah, is a former American professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1981 to 1997 and also competed internationally. Standing at 6'10", Chambers played power forward in the NBA and was a prolific scorer, known for his athletic ability and coordination.
During his 16-year NBA career, Chambers played for the San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers), Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Philadelphia 76ers. He was selected by the San Diego Clippers with the 8th overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft and signed a $1.5 million four-year contract. In his rookie season, Chambers impressed, leading the injury-riddled Clippers in scoring with 17.2 points per game and making 52.5% of his shots.
Chambers continued to improve and establish himself as a key player in his third NBA season with the Seattle SuperSonics. He played all 82 games and averaged 18.1 points per game. In the 1986-87 season, Chambers had a breakout year, posting 23.3 points per game and reaching All-Star status for the first time. He also made 85% of his free throws that season.
Over the course of his career, Chambers was selected to four NBA All-Star Games (1987, 1989, 1990, and 1991) and was named MVP of the 1987 game after scoring 34 points. He was also a two-time All-NBA Second Team member. Chambers scored a career-high 60 points with the Phoenix Suns against the SuperSonics on March 24, 1990, despite playing through a hamstring injury. He finished his career with 20,049 total points, averaging 18.1 points per game.
In addition to his NBA career, Chambers also played internationally. He was nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in December 2021, a testament to his outstanding career and impact on the game.
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