Former Notre Dame and NBA Star Orlando Woolridge Passed Away at Age 52
By Jason Lisk
Woolridge was a star for the Fighting Irish, playing on the team that went to the 1978 Final Four. He played for Chicago through the early Jordan years, averaging over 20 points in both 1984-1985 and 1985-1986. He was then traded to the Nets for two years, and was a reserve on the Showtime Lakers in 1989 when they were swept by the Pistons in the NBA Finals. He also played for Denver, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia.
The local story ends with this bit of sad affairs:
"In February, Woodridge was arrested for theft of more than $1,500 for stealing aluminum water lines used to transfer water to natural gas drilling sites, DeSoto Parish deputies said. The material was valued at more than $2,000 and was sold for scrap."
[photo from Sports Bank]