Joe C. Meriweather (October 26, 1953 – October 13, 2013) was an American professional basketball player.

Joe C. Meriweather
Personal information
Born(1953-10-26)October 26, 1953
Phenix City, Alabama, U.S.
DiedOctober 13, 2013(2013-10-13) (aged 59)
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentral (Phenix City, Alabama)
CollegeSouthern Illinois (1972–1975)
NBA draft1975: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career1975–1988
PositionCenter / power forward
Number50, 25, 31
Career history
1975–1976Houston Rockets
1976–1977Atlanta Hawks
19771979New Orleans Jazz
19791980New York Knicks
19801985Kansas City Kings
1985–1986Granarolo Bologna
1987–1988Joventut Badalona
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points5,439 (8.1 ppg)
Rebounds3,764 (5.6 rpg)
Blocks810 (1.2 bpg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Representing  United States
Men's basketball
FIBA World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1974 Puerto Rico Team competition

A 6'10" center from Southern Illinois University, Meriweather played ten seasons (1975–1985) in the NBA as a member of the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, New York Knicks, and Kansas City Kings. He earned NBA All-Rookie honors in his first season, during which he averaged 10.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Over the course of his NBA career, Meriweather averaged 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.[1]

Of note, Meriweather is one of a select few players who have blocked 10 shots in an NBA game more than once. Meriweather accomplished the feat twice during his career, first with the Jazz in 1977 (his only career triple double), and then again later with the Knicks in 1979. Those totals established franchise records for both teams; the Jazz record has since been broken by Mark Eaton numerous times, but Meriweather still holds the record for the Knicks (later tied by Dikembe Mutombo).

He played for the US national team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal.[2]

Meriweather spent the 1985–86 basketball season playing for Granarolo Bologna in Italy.[3] He coached the Kansas City Mustangs of the Women's Basketball Association professional league to an undefeated season in 1994.[4] He also served as the head women's basketball coach at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, from 1997 to 2010 before resigning in March 2010.[5]

Meriweather died on October 13, 2013, in Columbus, Georgia.[6]

See also

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References

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