Amanda Knapp
Will King is a common name for several basketball players and executives. The most notable is Bernard King, a former American professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Another notable Will King in basketball is Billy Matthew King, an American basketball executive and former general manager of the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.
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What You'll Learn
Bernard King's career
Bernard King, born on December 4, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York, is a former American professional basketball player. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a small forward for the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets.
King's basketball journey began on the playgrounds of Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, near Madison Square Garden. He attended the University of Tennessee, where he played college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers, and his successful collegiate career prepared him for his future in the NBA. In the 1977 NBA Draft, the New York Nets selected him as the seventh overall pick. However, the Nets relocated to New Jersey shortly after the draft, and King ended up playing for the New Jersey Nets during his rookie season in 1977-78, setting a franchise record for most points scored with 1,909, at 24.2 points per game. This impressive performance earned him a place in the NBA all-rookie first team and third in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting.
During his career, King was a four-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection. He led the NBA in scoring in the 1984–85 season and won the NBA Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 1980–1981 season with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 21.9 points per game. On Christmas Day, 1984, King scored 60 points against the New Jersey Nets, becoming just the tenth player in NBA history to achieve this feat.
King's career also had its setbacks. In 1985, he suffered a severe injury to his right leg, which included a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a torn meniscus, and a lateral condyle fracture of the femur. This injury kept him out of the entire 1985–86 season, and many believed it could be career-ending. However, King worked hard to rehabilitate and return to competitive shape.
After his playing career, King faced personal troubles, including arrests for assault and battery. He has also been open about his battle with alcohol addiction in the late 1970s and his journey to recovery.
In recognition of his achievements, King was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, and his jersey number 53 was retired by the University of Tennessee in 2007. He has also been honoured by the university, which views the late 1970s Tennessee men's basketball team, known as the "Ernie and Bernie Show," as the golden age of UT men's basketball.
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Billy King's career
Billy Matthew King, born on January 23, 1966, is an American basketball executive with an impressive career in the NBA. King grew up in Sterling, Virginia, where he began playing basketball at Park View High School. His talent earned him a scholarship to play at Duke University, where he wore jersey number 55 and was known for his tough defense. In his senior year, he served as captain of Duke's 1988 Final Four team and was recognised as the NABC National Defensive Player of the Year.
After graduating, King began his professional career as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers, working under Larry Brown for four seasons. He then spent four seasons as an assistant at Illinois State University under head coach Bob Bender. During this time, he also worked as a colour analyst for ESPN's men's basketball coverage of the Ohio Valley Conference.
In 1997, King joined the Philadelphia 76ers as vice president of basketball administration, marking his entry into NBA management. The following year, he was promoted to general manager, and in 2000, he signed a new contract to remain with the team. In 2003, he added the role of team president to his responsibilities. During his tenure, King was involved in several trades and signings, including the acquisition of Toni Kukoč in a three-team trade in 2000.
In 2007, King's time with the 76ers came to an end, and he was replaced by Ed Stefanski. However, he soon found another opportunity with the New Jersey Nets, becoming their general manager in 2010. With the Nets, King continued to be active in trades and signings, such as the acquisition of Lou Williams in the 2005 NBA Draft.
In addition to his NBA career, King has also explored other ventures. In 2019, he joined the morning sports talk radio show on 94 WIP in Philadelphia. He has also taken on roles in executive search firms, becoming a Senior Partner Head of Sports and Entertainment at Modern Executive Solutions in 2022 and a managing director at ZRG Partners and TurnkeyZRG in 2024.
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Will King's favourite things about Colby College
Will King, a basketball player at Colby College, has a few favourite things about the institution. Firstly, he is pursuing a major in Government, which indicates his interest in politics and governance. One of King's favourite places on campus is the dining hall, showcasing his appreciation for food and the social aspect of mealtimes.
King also expressed his admiration for the Colby College Athletic Centre, describing it as "amazing". This suggests that he values the college's investment in sports facilities and the overall athletic experience it provides. As a basketball player, having access to quality sports infrastructure is likely essential to his college experience.
The college's basketball team is known as the 'Mules', and they compete in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). The team's colours are white and blue, and they are known for their strong defence and disciplined play. King's position in the team is listed as G, which typically stands for Guard, a position that requires ball-handling skills, court vision, and the ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates.
While there is limited information about Will King and his time at Colby College, it is evident that he enjoys the social aspects of college life, such as dining halls, as well as the athletic opportunities and facilities that the college provides. These factors contribute to his overall positive experience at Colby College.
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Bernard King's acting career
I found information on two people named Bernard King.
Bernard King, the basketball player
Bernard King, born on December 4, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York, is a former American professional basketball player. He played 14 seasons in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets. Outside of basketball, King battled alcohol addiction in the late 1970s and spent time in rehab. In his 2017 autobiography, he reflected on this period as "the darkest period of my life." King does not appear to have had an acting career.
Bernard James King, the Australian actor and chef
Bernard James King was an Australian stage actor, celebrity chef, and television personality. He was born on March 25, 1934, in Maleny, Queensland, and began acting in amateur theatre productions while working as a school teacher. In addition to his acting career, King hosted cooking demonstrations on television and in shopping centers in the late 1990s. He also had a signature range of herbs and spices. King passed away on December 20, 2002.
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Billy King's post-NBA career
Billy King's tenure with the Brooklyn Nets ended in January 2016, after 5½ seasons. During his time with the Nets, King traded 11 first-round picks, made four head-coaching changes, and spent $123.43 million in luxury taxes.
Following his departure from the Nets, King joined the morning sports talk radio show on 94 WIP in Philadelphia in October 2019. He also served as a studio analyst for NBATV and worked as a rotating analyst for the nightly "Gametime" show. Additionally, he was President of Elfus Sports, where he worked as an agent for basketball coaches and general managers.
On March 28, 2022, King was hired by Modern Executive Solutions as a Senior Partner Head of Sports and Entertainment. He led the company's sports and entertainment division for nearly two years.
In February 2024, King joined ZRG Partners and TurnkeyZRG as a managing director. He sits on Turnkey's sports team and ZRG's private equity group, bringing over two decades of experience in sports and entertainment. He is also involved with searches and placements in the NBA and NHL.
King also serves on various boards, including USA Field Hockey, Alex's Lemonade Stand, and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
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