Last Updated on May 29, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Kevin Willis built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest big men, combining strength, rebounding, and durability across an unusually long NBA career. His consistency around the basket and willingness to battle in the paint allowed him to remain a valuable contributor well into his 40s. Below is an overview of his personal background and professional career:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Kevin Alvin Willis
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: September 6, 1962
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Hometown: Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Height: 7 feet 0 inches (213 cm)
- Weight: 245 pounds (111 kg)
- Wingspan: 7 feet 4 inches (224cm)
- Shoe Size: 19 (US)
- Jersey Numbers: 42, 41, 43, 45
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- High School: Pershing High School, Detroit, Michigan
- Colleges:
- Jackson College (1980–1981)
- Michigan State University (1981–1984)
- NBA Draft: 1984, 1st round, 11th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks
- Teams Played For:
- Atlanta Hawks (1984–1994, 2004–2005)
- Miami Heat (1994–1996)
- Golden State Warriors (1996)
- Houston Rockets (1996–1998, 2001–2002)
- Toronto Raptors (1998–2001)
- Denver Nuggets (2001)
- San Antonio Spurs (2002–2004)
- Dallas Mavericks (2007)
- Championship Rings: 1 (San Antonio Spurs, 2003)
- Children: Information not publicly available
- Siblings: Information not publicly available
Player Archetype / Play Style
Kevin Willis was a rugged interior big whose archetype fit somewhere between a rebounding power forward and a no-nonsense center, built more on force, durability, and positioning than flash. Defensively, he handled the dirty work around the rim, boxed out relentlessly, cleared the glass, and used his strength to battle larger post scorers without needing to freelance much. Offensively, he operated as a low-post finisher, second-chance scorer, screener, and interior release valve rather than a creator, doing most of his damage through put-backs, short hooks, power finishes, and hard-earned touches inside. At 7-foot and 245 pounds, Willis paired legitimate size with a thick, powerful frame and unusual longevity, and his overall style was that of a tough, physical, highly dependable frontcourt worker who won possessions with rebounding, toughness, and old-school paint play more than finesse. (NBA)
Sources: NBA.com — Kevin Willis; Basketball-Reference — Kevin Willis Stats; Peachtree Hoops — Greatest of All-Time Atlanta Hawks Series #11: Kevin Willis; The Guardian — ‘When you get to 20, it’s wow’: What it takes to play in the NBA for two decades