Former NBA guard Mitchell Wiggins passed away this week at age 64 following an illness, his daughter Agney announced on social media, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscriber link). The National Basketball Retired Players Association confirmed the news (via Twitter).
The 23rd overall pick of the 1983 draft, Wiggins played for the Bulls, Rockets and Sixers during the course of his six NBA seasons, averaging 10.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 1.6 APG in 389 games (20.8 MPG). In 1987, he was banned from the league for two-plus seasons for testing positive for cocaine, per Sam Goldaper of The New York Times.
After his NBA career ended in 1991/92, Wiggins starred for teams in Greece. He also played in France and the Philippines outside of the United States.
Wiggins, who won a silver medal at the 1982 FIBA world championships with Team USA, met his future wife Marita Payne while the two attended Florida State. She won a pair of silver medals in sprinting for Canada at the 1984 Olympics. They had six children together, with their youngest son being Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft.
Andrew missed extended time during the past two seasons, particularly in 2022/23, for undisclosed personal reasons. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported in April 2023 (Twitter link) that Andrew’s absence was due to Mitchell’s health.
We at Hoops Rumors send our condolences to Wiggins’ family and friends.
Rip
RIP, glad Andrew got some time with his old man before he passed. Now to dedicate this season to him, and win it all in his honor!
I remember Mitchell Wiggins in college. He was the best player on the floor at all times obviously but he had these old school 1980’s knee braces on both legs.
They were the bulky beige with the metal hinged supports along the sides. Super old school. I used to hate playing against guys who wore those for fear of bumping into those metal slats or the hinges and cutting my leg open LOL
Mitchell was a stud and a 20-point a game guy but it’s funny when he got to the NBA he was known mostly for his defense.
It’s funny how when you move up in league rank the players just keep getting better and better and you have to adjust your game to compete and hang with the big boys.
You also have to find something to be exceptional at. You can’t be pretty good in all the categories you won’t make it.
You better be amazing at something if you want to stick.
Rip to Mitchell Wiggins and kudos to Andrew for putting family first. Sometimes we don’t understand it from afar, but that’s what it’s all about.
Lastly kudos to the Warriors for continuing to keep things under wraps to avoid criticism aimed at Andrew for missing time.
Pat Beverly stuck haha
RIP to Mitchell Wiggins and condolences to the
Wiggins family.
Is it possible that Andrew has need
distracted on the court by his father’s illness?
been, not need as autocorrect seems to want – AI will take over the b world haha
Would make sense if they were close.
All Warriors fans are hoping he grieves well and can return to 2021-22 form when he was at his best in a GSW title year. The Warriors adding this into their vibe for next year, along with Steph’s absurd Olympic medal game performances, bodes well for them. I disagree with Tatum’s prediction, I think the Warriors will make the Finals next year.
I think it’s pretty likely tbh. I remember there being reputable speculation about a serious illness in the family, so whatever the cause of death is, it may have unfortunately been part of a prolonged battle. I could be wrong about that, but I do think it’s a reasonable guess. Not that it really matters in the end.
But even now that the worst has passed there’s no guarantee Andrew returns to the player he was, as these events clearly took a large toll on him and such voids are difficult if not impossible to fill. Or maybe he utilizes it as a catalyst for a big season. No one knows what will happen. I simply hope that he can find the strength and support he needs to get through this difficult time. Bball results are secondary.
Condolences to Andrew Wiggins and his family. What a legacy that his dad Mitchell Wiggins has built for Wiggins family for generations to come. 64 is way too young.
Andrew Wiggins is indeed big part of Warriors family. Warriors would not have won their title 3 years ago without Wiggins play in the postseason. Hope Lacob, Kerr, and all the Warriors players attend the funeral in respect.
Well said
This makes Andrew Wiggins’ last 2 seasons make complete sense…
Seems as though they were very close… Could tell even when he was with the Wolves he held his father in high regard…
Warriors were classy about it which made a lot of jocks and gym bros be jocks and gym bros about his play and missed games…
RIP Mitchell and kudos to Andrew and the Warriors for how they handled it…
RIP Mitchell Wiggins ……
65 is young, today.
link to nypost.com
Where are all the people who said Wiggins needed to play and it was unacceptable to miss time at now???
I’m right here. I didn’t know his father was deathly ill. The Warriors AND Wiggins chose not to tell us. Now that I know I’m glad he chose family first before everything else.
Anything else you’d like to know???
Nope. You pretty much just told everyone the type of person you are. You really think you’re owed an explanation why another man needs time off from basketball.
What? I have to change teams every time I move? You may be the fair weather fan not me.
Warriors fan since the late ’80s and it’s well documented here… I explain it every single season.
Red Sox fan since I was 12 years old. Both teams sucked in the 80s and the 90s so there was no front running at all. But we held tough hoping for the best.
I’ve been the Fenway 20 times including opening day this year. Flew in for the game.
I can understand that you don’t appreciate my Warriors posts. That’s great I’m not for everyone. But come in and tell me why and have a conversation. Not sure why you’re mad about it.
And I’m Not sure that says what kind of man I am because I insisted on a guy going to work. Now that the information is out I’m glad Wiggins put family first. That makes me terrible?
Okay I appreciate your opinion keep them coming all the way from Reno.. and aren’t you supposed to be a Kings fan going by your logic? Or you’re a “fair-weather Warrior fan” because the kings suck?
Lastly I’ll own up to anything I’ve written. If something was off base I’ll own it.
Also Warriors/ Red Sox?? Front runner much. Can’t be a true Warriors fan if your baseball team is on the other side of the country. Explains your nonsensical Warriors posts
No question Wiggins was affected by his father’s illness. No excuses by him speaks volumes about him. You sir are dismissed.
It was reported at the time of Andrew Wiggins’ return from his initial absence that his father had been severely ill. This isn’t surprising, but it’s still sad. Condolences to the whole Wiggins family.