Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about James Worthy:

  • Full Name: James Ager Worthy
  • Nickname: Big Game James
  • Nationality: United States (Gastonia, North Carolina)
  • Number: 42 (Lakers), 00 (Lakers)
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches
  • Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg) during his playing career
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters)
  • Position: Small forward / Power forward
  • Draft: 1982, 1st round, 1st pick overall by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • DOB: Born February 27, 1961
  • College: University of North Carolina
  • High School: Ashbrook High School, Gastonia, North Carolina
  • Hometown: Gastonia, North Carolina
  • Rings: 3 NBA Championships (1985, 1987, 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers)
  • Kids: One daughter (Sable Worthy)
  • Retirement Age: Retired from playing in 1994 at age 33
  • 2K Rating: 95 (Lakers)
  • Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (spent his entire career playing for the Lakers)
  • Accolades:
    • NBA Career:
      • 3× NBA Champion: (1985, 1987, 1988) – All with the Los Angeles Lakers
      • NBA Finals MVP: 1988 – He delivered a legendary Game 7 performance, with a triple-double (36 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists) to win the title.
      • 7× NBA All-Star: (1986–1992)
      • 2× All-NBA Third Team: (1990, 1991)
      • NBA All-Rookie First Team: (1983)
      • NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team: Named in 1996
      • NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team: Named in 2021
      • Los Angeles Lakers No. 42 retired: His jersey was retired by the Lakers in 1995.
    • College Career (North Carolina):
      • NCAA Champion: 1982 – Worthy was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1982 NCAA Tournament after leading the Tar Heels to the national title.
      • Consensus First-Team All-American: 1982
      • First-Team All-ACC: 1982
      • North Carolina No. 52 retired: His jersey was retired by UNC.
      • Hall of Fame:
    • Basketball Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2003
    • Other Honors:
      • Olympic Gold Medalist: 1980 – Although the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Worthy was part of the team that won gold in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
  • Net Worth: Made $11,850,000 in the NBA

James Worthy was like a cross between Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Worthy was a capable power forward who had considerably better dribbling skills than the average four or five. Worthy also has an excellent low post-game and one of the most notable hook shots in basketball.