Ex-NBA Champion, David Greenwood, previously of UCLA and Verbum Dei, passes away.
Unyielding Passion: The Incredible Journey of David Greenwood
Back in his middle school days, young David Greenwood was so much of a basketball fanatic that he'd play for three different teams in three different parks, multiple times a week. His brother, Al, would chauffeur him around between games while David swiftly traded his sweaty uniform for a fresh one, time and again.
"He was like a relentless force," Al said, "because he loved the game."
Home wasn't any less intense. His cement contractor father, twice his size, would roughhouse with David during driveway games, only for the determined Compton kid to bounce back for more. At practices, he'd shoot blindfolded to perfect his form, with Al having to notify him whenever he was close to going out of bounds.
Greenwood, the determined high school basketball standout who shone brilliantly at Verbum Dei, went on to become one of UCLA's top scorers in history and an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons. Tragically, he passed away on Sunday night due to cancer at the age of 68.
Much like his playstyle, Greenwood chose to hide his illness from his family until the end.
"It all happened so fast," said Bronson Greenwood, David's nephew. "It was like a bolt out of the blue."
Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden spotted Greenwood's talent alongside teammate Roy Hamilton, recruiting them during their senior year of high school. When Wooden unexpectedly retired shortly after, they decided to stay true to their commitments, drawn in by the promise of an unparalleled challenge.
"He told me if I went to USC or UNLV or Notre Dame, I'd be an All-American," Greenwood once shared with The Times. "But if I went to UCLA, I'd be able to test myself against 12 other high school All-Americans every single day.... It was like, 'Come here and test your mettle.' "
Greenwood's relentless work ethic propelled him throughout his Bruin years. His practices were followed by an hour in another gym, Al feeding him passes. Despite the immense physical toll, he never skimped on himself or his teammates.
"If he said he was going to shoot 100 free throws," Al said, "it wasn't 50, it wasn't 65, it was 100 — and he didn't stop until he got to 100."
That unwavering dedication paid off. Greenwood and Hamilton, now known as "Batman and Robin," became stars by their sophomore year, with Greenwood averaging a double-double in points and rebounds throughout his junior and senior seasons. UCLA may have failed to recapture the Wooden glory during Greenwood's tenure, but he remains No. 15 on the school's all-time scoring list, tallying an impressive 1,721 points.
NBA teams took note, especially the Chicago Bulls, who selected Greenwood second overall in the 1979 NBA draft, shortly after Magic Johnson went first. Despite the losses piling up in his first season, Greenwood persevered through the pain and injuries, starting every game while averaging 16.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Al Greenwood described his brother as "steady," someone who would deliver a double-double every game, regardless of the score. Despite multiple foot injuries caused by his unique running style, Greenwood managed to play through them, ultimately undergoing surgeries on both feet.
His NBA career spanned 12 seasons, during which he played for the Bulls, Spurs, Nuggets, and Pistons. Known for his off-court influence, Greenwood mentored younger players like Sean Elliott while with the Spurs, helping them navigate the challenges of an NBA career.
Among his most memorable moments was a come-from-behind victory during his senior year at UCLA, when the Bruins overturned a late double-digit deficit against Washington State, with Greenwood securing the win with a spectacular putback dunk just seconds before the buzzer.
Greenwood is survived by his brother, Al; sister, Laverne; son, Jemil; and daughter, Tiffany, along with his former wife, Joyce. Services will be arranged at a later date.
David Greenwood's legacy is etched in both statistical brilliance and unwavering determination, leaving an indelible mark on both UCLA and the NBA.
- David Greenwood, hailing from Compton, California, honed his basketball skills in Los Angeles, playing for multiple teams in various parks, while his brother, Al, served as his chauffeur.
- Playing for UCLA, Greenwood became one of the school's top scorers in history and later won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons. His intense work ethic earned him the nickname "Batman" alongside teammate Roy Hamilton.
- Drafted second overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Greenwood played for several other teams including the San Antonio Spurs, where he became a mentor to younger players, such as Sean Elliott.
- Known for his dedication, Greenwood averaged a double-double throughout his NBA career that spanned 12 seasons. His legacy in sports will be remembered in both UCLA and NBA annals.
