Marcus Liberty
Encyclopedia
Marcus Liberty is a retired American
professional basketball
player.
from 1983 to 1987. During his time at King, Liberty led his basketball teams to an IHSA State Championship in 1986 and a second-place finish in 1987. During the 1987 tournament run, Liberty scored 41, 23, 38 and 41 points consecutively. His 143 point effort during that tournament stands as a class AA record in the state of Illinois. In 2007, Liberty was voted one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA
Boys Basketball Tournament," recognizing his superior performance in his appearances in the tournament. He was considered the top senior prep player in the nation by Sports Illustrated
.
at the University of Illinois
, and was a member of the team that advanced to the 1989 NCAA Final Four
. That Fighting Illini team gained the moniker "Flyin' Illini" by Dick Vitale
while broadcasting a game during the 1988-89 season. Along with Liberty, the other members of that team included Nick Anderson
, Kendall Gill
, Stephen Bardo
, Kenny Battle
, and Lowell Hamilton
. He was then selected by the Denver Nuggets
in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft
. A 6'8" (2.03 m) and 205 lb (93 kg) small forward
, Liberty played for the Nuggets and Detroit Pistons
in 4 NBA seasons. His best year as a pro was during the 1991-92 NBA season
when he appeared in 75 games for the Nuggets, averaging 9.3 ppg.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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.
High School
Liberty attended Chicago King High SchoolKing College Prep High School
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. College Preparatory High School is a high school located in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood on Drexel Blvd., about one kilometer from Lake Michigan...
from 1983 to 1987. During his time at King, Liberty led his basketball teams to an IHSA State Championship in 1986 and a second-place finish in 1987. During the 1987 tournament run, Liberty scored 41, 23, 38 and 41 points consecutively. His 143 point effort during that tournament stands as a class AA record in the state of Illinois. In 2007, Liberty was voted one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
Boys Basketball Tournament," recognizing his superior performance in his appearances in the tournament. He was considered the top senior prep player in the nation by Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
.
College and NBA
Liberty played collegiatelyCollege basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, and was a member of the team that advanced to the 1989 NCAA Final Four
1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 1989, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Seattle, Washington...
. That Fighting Illini team gained the moniker "Flyin' Illini" by Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale
Richard J. "Dick" Vitale , also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well-known as a college basketball broadcaster and for the enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games. He is known for his...
while broadcasting a game during the 1988-89 season. Along with Liberty, the other members of that team included Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson
Nelison "Nick" Anderson is a former American professional basketball player. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two years, playing on the team that reached the NCAA Final Four in 1989. That Fighting Illini team gained the moniker "Flyin' Illini" by Dick Vitale while...
, Kendall Gill
Kendall Gill
Kendall Cedric Gill is a retired American professional basketball player, now a sports analyst for Comcast Sports Net and the Big Ten Network.-Early life:...
, Stephen Bardo
Stephen Bardo
Stephen Dean "Steve" Bardo is a retired American professional basketball player, in the shooting guard position.-Basketball career:...
, Kenny Battle
Kenny Battle
Kenneth R. "Kenny" Battle is an American retired professional basketball player.-High school career:...
, and Lowell Hamilton
Lowell Hamilton
Lowell Hamilton was a former high school and college basketball player during the 1980s. Hamilton, a dominant high school center, led Chicago's Providence-St. Mel to a third-place finish in the I.H.S.A. 1984 high school playoffs, as well as a Class A state title in 1985...
. He was then selected by 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...
in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft
1990 NBA Draft
The 1990 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. This draft produced only one perennial All-Star,Gary Payton. Among the 54 picks, Payton is considered by far the best pick of the draft. Payton went on to be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time...
. A 6'8" (2.03 m) and 205 lb (93 kg) small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
, Liberty played for the Nuggets and 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 4 NBA seasons. His best year as a pro was during the 1991-92 NBA season
1991-92 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets*Defensive Player of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs...
when he appeared in 75 games for the Nuggets, averaging 9.3 ppg.
External links
- basketpedya.com
- Marcus Liberty NBA statistics, basketballreference.com
- All-State List