Back in 1981 as a teenager I got to see the New York City Summer Pro League at Xavier High School in Manhattan I first heard of Sam Worthen name. When the announcer call his name the crowd erupted with cheers. Then when he got the ball the crowd was cheering and even louder when he scored. At the time Worthen was playing for the Chicago Bulls at that time.
Sam was embraced in the basketball community as a true supporter. He was an All City player at Franklin K Lane High School in Brooklyn. He averaged a triple double in points, rebounds and assists in his junior and senior seasons. Then he became an All American Point Guard in Brooklyn, New York. Then played in the NBA for two seasons with the Bulls and Utah Jazz. Then spend the rest of his eight year pro career with the CBA, USBL, and Puerto Rico.
Worthen started coaching in 1985 as a player/coach of the USBL. He won two USBL Titles in 1985 with Springfield and 1987 with Miami. Also coach in the CBA and Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Harlem Wizards and Washington Generals. In addition, he coach in the NBDL and as an assistant at Iona under former NBA player Jeff Rutland.
Worthen got his fame through the Rucker Pro League. He also was a star at the West Fourth Street Summer League. Nike Pro League, and at the NBA Pro Am League at City College.
In 2015 Sam Worthen was nominated into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2003, he earned his undergraduate degree from Marquette’s College of Communication. LThank you Sam for being an inspiration to the New York City basketball community.
