We mourn the loss of Jawann Oldham, a former NBA player who passed away at the age of 68. Oldham’s legacy in basketball was defined not only by his impressive skill set but also by his time as a teammate of the legendary Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls.
According to reports from The Seattle Times, Oldham died in Atlanta, with Seattle University confirming the news. Before making his mark in the NBA, he was a standout player at Seattle University, where he scored 1,530 points over 104 games and earned a place in the school’s Hall of Fame.
During his collegiate career, Oldham showcased his talents by averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game in his junior year, and 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds as a senior. His performance caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft.
Throughout his decade-long NBA journey, Oldham played for several teams, including the Nuggets, Rockets, Bulls, Knicks, Kings, Magic, Lakers, and Pacers. His time with the Bulls from 1982 to 1986 was particularly notable as he played alongside Jordan during the superstar’s rookie season in 1984-85 as well as in his second season.
Oldham averaged 4.4 points and 4.1 rebounds over his entire NBA career, with his peak performance occurring during the 1985-86 season when he notched a career-high of 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while making 47 starts.
As we reflect on Oldham’s contributions to the sport, his journey serves as a reminder of the impact that hard work and dedication can have, both on and off the court.
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