Mitchell Wiggins, ex-NBA guard and father of Andrew Wiggins, dead at 64
By Bryan Fonseca,
2024-09-14
Mitchell Wiggins, a former NBA guard and father of Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins, has died this week at 64, the Rockets announced on Friday.
The cause of death was not provided.
“Today we mourn the passing of former Houston Rockets guard, Mitchell Wiggins. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends,” the team wrote in a statement.
In April 2023, the elder Wiggins dealt with an unclear but “serious” medical situation, The Athletic reported then .
Andrew had taken a months-long leave of absence due to his father’s medical issue.
Mitchell Wiggins answers questions after a news conference for his son, Andrew, Friday, June 27, 2014, in Independence, Ohio. AP
A 6-foot-4 guard, Mitchell Wiggins, a North Carolina native, went to Clemson to start his Division I college career in 1979.
Wiggins spent his last two seasons at Florida State, where he averaged 23.8 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior, following that up with 22.7 points and 8.2 boards per contest as a senior.
He was then selected in the 1983 NBA Draft at No. 23 overall in the first round.
Houston Rockets Players, from left, Ralph Sampson, Mitchell Wiggins, and Akeem Olajuwon sit on the bench during the closing minutes of the team’s 117-95 loss to the Boston Celtics during the 1986 NBA Finals. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Wig was a great defender, father and teammate,” John Lucas told the Houston Chronicle . “It’s funny, I got suspended one year, then he and [Lewis Lloyd] got banned the next year. And then, we all came back together.
“He could defend anybody, man. Unbelievable defender, and instant offense off the bench.”
He spent his last season in the NBA in Philadelphia with the 76ers in 1991-92.
Wiggins also played overseas.
In 2014, Andrew Wiggins was selected No. 1 overall by the Cavaliers in the draft, later getting traded to the Timberwolves and winning NBA Rookie of the Year.
“As a parent and a former player, I’m so proud. It’s something that he’s wanted and dreamed about, and he made it happen. I was happy, a little relieved,” Mitchell told reporters in 2014 after his son was drafted.
He is survived by his wife and six children.
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