Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Maurice CheeksHere’s the detailed profile of Maurice Cheeks:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Maurice Edward Cheeks
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: September 8, 1956
  • Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
  • Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
  • Weight: 180 pounds (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 4 inches (193cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 10 (US)
  • Position: Point Guard
  • Jersey Number: 10
  • High School: DuSable High School, Chicago, Illinois
  • College: West Texas A&M University
    • Cheeks was a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team at West Texas State (now West Texas A&M), earning All-MVC honors three times and being selected as his team’s MVP each of those seasons.
  • NBA Draft: Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round (36th overall) of the 1978 NBA Draft.
  • Professional Teams:
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1978–1989)
    • San Antonio Spurs (1989–1990)
    • New York Knicks (1990–1991)
    • Atlanta Hawks (1991–1992)
    • New Jersey Nets (1992–1993)
  • Career Highlights:
    • NBA Champion (1983)
    • 4-time NBA All-Star (1983, 1986–1988)
    • 4-time NBA All-Defensive First Team (1983–1986)
    • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1987)
    • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)
  • Championship Rings: One (1983)
  • Children: Information not publicly available.
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Maurice Cheeks’ player archetype was that of a true floor-general point guard, the kind of steady lead guard who organized an offense, protected possessions, and set the defensive tone from the front of the lineup. Defensively, he was a high-level point-of-attack stopper, using quick hands, anticipation, and constant pressure to disrupt opposing guards without gambling himself out of position. Offensively, Cheeks worked as a primary table-setter more than a volume scorer, controlling tempo, getting teammates into sets, and picking efficient moments to attack the lane or finish in the mid-range. At 6-foot-1 and roughly 180 pounds, he was not physically imposing, but he was quick, balanced, strong for his size, and exceptionally composed with the ball. His overall play style was understated, efficient, and winning-oriented, built on decision-making, defensive discipline, and unselfish play rather than flash, which is exactly why he became one of the most respected point guards of his era. (The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)

Sources:

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Maurice Cheeks
NBA.com — maurice cheeks #10
Basketball-Reference — Maurice Cheeks Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more