Cliff Levingston
Encyclopedia
Clifford Eugene Levingston (born January 4, 1961 in San Diego, California
) is a retired American
basketball
player in the NBA
. Levingston starred at Wichita State University
before being draft
ed by the Detroit Pistons
in 1982. After two seasons with the Pistons, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks
, with whom he would spend the prime of his career.
After six seasons with the Hawks, Levingston joined the Chicago Bulls
, with whom he won two championship rings in 1991 and 1992. From 1992 to 1994 he played overseas for PAOK BC
of the Greek League
as such he played in the final four of the European championship. In 1994 he returned to America and joined the Denver Nuggets
, and retired from the league in 1995 with career totals of 5,888 points, 4,307 rebounds, and 593 blocked shots.
In 1986, while playing for the Hawks, Levingston had the rare distinction of "fouling into" an NBA game in a game. In a game where Dominique Wilkins
and Antoine Carr
were injured, Kevin Willis
, Scott Hastings
, Spud Webb
and Levingston fouled out of the game. After Doc Rivers
was ejected, the Hawks were down to only four players. Under an obscure rule, Levingston, the last player to foul out, was allowed to come back into the game at the cost of a technical foul.
In 2000, Levingston began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Fort Wayne Fury
of the CBA
. In 2001, he served as an assistant coach with the Dodge City Legend
of the USBL. In 2002, he returned to Dodge City to serve his first stint as a professional league head coach; that year the Legends won the USBL title, and Levingston was named USBL Coach of the Year.
In 2003, he was sentenced to four months in prison for failure to pay child support
.
From 2003 to 2004, Levingston served as an assistant coach for the Harlem Globetrotters
. In 2004, he coached the St. Louis Flight of the ABA
.
As of 2005, Levingston was hired as assistant coach of the Gary Steelheads
of the CBA
; that year the Steelheads played their best season in franchise history, though they lost the Championship game. In 2006, he briefly served as assistant coach for the Kansas Cagerz
, and in November he was officially hired by the Gary Steelheads
(of the USBL), as head coach for the 2007 season.
In the fall of 2007 Micheal Ray Richardson
was fired by the Oklahoma Cavalry of the CBA. Levingston was hired to replace him.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. Levingston starred at Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
before being draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
ed by the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
in 1982. After two seasons with the Pistons, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, with whom he would spend the prime of his career.
After six seasons with the Hawks, Levingston joined the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, with whom he won two championship rings in 1991 and 1992. From 1992 to 1994 he played overseas for PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
of the Greek League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
as such he played in the final four of the European championship. In 1994 he returned to America and joined the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
, and retired from the league in 1995 with career totals of 5,888 points, 4,307 rebounds, and 593 blocked shots.
In 1986, while playing for the Hawks, Levingston had the rare distinction of "fouling into" an NBA game in a game. In a game where Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins
Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA...
and Antoine Carr
Antoine Carr
Antoine Labotte Carr is a retired American basketball player. A 16-year NBA journeyman, he was known for the goggles he wore onto the court.-Early life:Antoine Carr was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...
were injured, Kevin Willis
Kevin Willis
Kevin Alvin Willis is a former American professional basketball player who last played for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He is a 7-foot power forward/center...
, Scott Hastings
Scott Hastings (basketball)
Scott Alan Hastings is a retired American player in the National Basketball Association. His career spanned from 1982–1993 and he played forward/center for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets.- College :Hastings played collegiate ball at the...
, Spud Webb
Spud Webb
Anthony Jerome Webb , also known as Spud Webb, is a retired American NBA professional basketball point guard most notable for winning a slam dunk contest despite being one of the shortest NBA players in the history of the league...
and Levingston fouled out of the game. After Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the NBA's Boston Celtics. Rivers was known for his defense while playing in the NBA...
was ejected, the Hawks were down to only four players. Under an obscure rule, Levingston, the last player to foul out, was allowed to come back into the game at the cost of a technical foul.
In 2000, Levingston began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Fort Wayne Fury
Fort Wayne Fury
The Fort Wayne Fury was a team in the Continental Basketball Association from 1991 through the cessation of the CBA on February 8, 2001.-History:...
of the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
. In 2001, he served as an assistant coach with the Dodge City Legend
Dodge City Legend
The Dodge City Legend was a professional basketball franchise in the United States Basketball League, a minor league that played in the spring. The Legend won three USBL titles, in 2000, its first season, 2003 and in 2005....
of the USBL. In 2002, he returned to Dodge City to serve his first stint as a professional league head coach; that year the Legends won the USBL title, and Levingston was named USBL Coach of the Year.
In 2003, he was sentenced to four months in prison for failure to pay child support
Child support
In family law and public policy, child support is an ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child following the end of a marriage or other relationship...
.
From 2003 to 2004, Levingston served as an assistant coach for the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
. In 2004, he coached the St. Louis Flight of the ABA
American Basketball Association (21st century)
The American Basketball Association, often abbreviated as ABA, is a semi-professional men's basketball league that was founded in 1999. The current ABA has no affiliation with the original American Basketball Association that merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976...
.
As of 2005, Levingston was hired as assistant coach of the Gary Steelheads
Gary Steelheads
The Gary Steelheads were a professional basketball team that played in the International Basketball League. In the past they played in the International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association, and the United States Basketball League. They were based in Gary, Indiana and played their...
of the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
; that year the Steelheads played their best season in franchise history, though they lost the Championship game. In 2006, he briefly served as assistant coach for the Kansas Cagerz
Kansas Cagerz
The Kansas Cagerz are a United States Basketball League team located in Salina, Kansas. The head coach is currently Francis Flax. The Kansas Cagerz won the USBL Championship in 2007 defeating the Brooklyn Kings 95-92 in Enid, Oklahoma. 2007 was announced as the final year for head coach Francis Flax...
, and in November he was officially hired by the Gary Steelheads
Gary Steelheads
The Gary Steelheads were a professional basketball team that played in the International Basketball League. In the past they played in the International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association, and the United States Basketball League. They were based in Gary, Indiana and played their...
(of the USBL), as head coach for the 2007 season.
In the fall of 2007 Micheal Ray Richardson
Micheal Ray Richardson
Micheal Ray "Sugar" Richardson is an American former professional basketball player and currently the head coach of the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada. Richardson played college basketball for the Montana Grizzlies...
was fired by the Oklahoma Cavalry of the CBA. Levingston was hired to replace him.