Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s information about Orlando Woolridge:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Orlando Vernada Woolridge
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: December 16, 1959
  • Date of Death: May 31, 2012 (aged 52)
  • Hometown: Bernice, Louisiana, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
  • Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft (2.13 m)
  • Shoe Size: 14 (US)
  • Number: Wore #0, #6, and #22 throughout his career
  • Position: Small forward / Power forward
  • High School: Mansfield High School (Mansfield, Louisiana)
  • College: University of Notre Dame (1977–1981)
  • NBA Draft: 1981, 1st round, 6th overall by the Chicago Bulls
  • NBA Teams Played For:
    1. Chicago Bulls (1981–1986)
    2. New Jersey Nets (1986–1988)
    3. Los Angeles Lakers (1988–1989)
    4. Denver Nuggets (1990–1991)
    5. Detroit Pistons (1991–1993)
    6. Milwaukee Bucks (1993)
    7. Philadelphia 76ers (1993–1994)
    8. He also played internationally and had a stint with Italian teams.
  • Kids: One of his sons, Renaldo Woolridge, also played professional basketball.
  • Siblings: There isn’t much publicly known about his siblings.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Orlando Woolridge’s player archetype was an explosive scoring wing, essentially a high-flying slasher who thrived by beating defenders in space and finishing plays above the rim rather than by serving as a primary creator. Defensively, he projects more as a size-and-athleticism forward matchup than a true stopper or rim protector, with his value tied more to mobility and length than to disruptive defensive playmaking. Offensively, his role was to run the floor, attack gaps, score in transition, cut hard, and provide quick points around the basket, whether as a featured scorer in Chicago or later as a bench spark. At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Woolridge had long, rangy physical traits and elite vertical pop for a forward, which fed a play style built on straight-line drives, dunks, and pressure at the rim. Overall, his game can be summed up as an athletic, offense-first forward whose best work came when the pace was up and the lane was open. (Basketball Reference)

Notes:

  • Woolridge passed away in 2012 due to a heart condition. His career is remembered for his athleticism and scoring ability.
  • Known for his dunking ability, Woolridge was one of the key offensive players in the early 1980s and was a mentor to Michael Jordan in his rookie season.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Orlando Woolridge Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
ESPN — Orlando Woolridge dead at 52
Los Angeles Lakers — Former Laker Orlando Woolridge Dies at 52