NEW ORLEANS, La.– Dedric Willoughby, a former Privateer men's basketball player who went on to be an Iowa State graduate and Hall-of-Famer, died yesterday at the age of 49.
A native of New Orleans, Willoughby began his career at the University of New Orleans for legendary former head coach Tim Floyd. When Floyd took the Iowa State job in 1994, Willoughby transferred to Iowa State.
As a freshman at New Orleans, Willoughby ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference in three-point field goal percentage (.424), while leading the team in free throw percentage (.788).
He also excelled in high school, being named as an honorable mention all-state and all-metro New Orleans selection his senior year. Willoughby was also a two-time all-district and all-West Bank selection.
Willoughby played only two seasons at Iowa State but made a huge impact in Cyclone basketball history as the keystone of two of Iowa State's most successful teams in 1995-96 and 1996-97. Willoughby earned first team all-league honors and leading the team in scoring (20.5 ppg; 18.9 ppg) both seasons.
Willoughby was also the Big Eight Newcomer of the Year and the catalyst in the school's first-ever Big Eight Conference postseason tournament title in 1996. His tournament performance was highlighted by Willoughby's two clutch free-throws in the final seconds of the Big Eight Tournament championship game to clinch the victory over No. 5 Kansas, 56-55. He was named MVP of the tournament.
Willoughby is remembered for his supreme accuracy from the arc as he recorded 190 three-pointers at a near-40-percent clip during his career. His nine three-pointers vs. No. 1 Kansas in Hilton Coliseum in 1997 stood as the school standard for many years.
In his senior season, he made 102 three-pointers, which still ranks No. 1 in single-season in Cyclone history. Willoughby also helped the Cyclones advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in his final season. His 34 points vs. UCLA equals the most by a Cyclone in a NCAA Tournament game.
Willoughby was named a Second Team All-American by Basketball Times in 1997 and ended his career as the first player in Cyclone history to score over 1,000 points (1,186) in just two seasons.
In 1999-2000 Willoughby made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls, reuniting with Floyd who was the head coach at the time. He averaged 7.6 points in his lone season in the NBA.
HEAD COACH MARK SLESSINGER
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dedric. He was one of the greats to wear the silver and blue for the Privateers. Dedric was part of a great state championship at Shaw for future UNO Head Coach Joey Stiebing. His success led him to the Lakefront to play for Coach Floyd and to Iowa State to finish his Hall of Fame career. Our condolences go out to all that he touched."
