Joby Wright

Joseph A. "Joby" Wright (born September 5, 1950) is an American former college and professional basketball player who was men's basketball head coach at Miami University and at the University of Wyoming.

Early life Wright starred in basketball at Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia. In 2004, the Savannah News named Wright one of the "Fantastic 15" top 15 all-time high school basketball players in Savannah.

College career Wright played college basketball at Indiana University, where in three varsity seasons he averaged 17.4 points per game and a total of 1,272 points. As a sophomore in 1969–70, Wright averaged 14.7 points for game, tied for second on the team, and he was second in rebounds. The Hoosiers posted a 17–8 record and played in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). After his three NBA/ABA seasons, Wright then played professional basketball for two years in Europe.

Coaching career Wright returned to Indiana University in 1978 and completed his bachelor's degree requirements, then earned a master's degree, both in physical education. He served as an assistant coach at Indiana under his former coach, Bob Knight, for nine seasons. During those seasons, he was part of NCAA championship teams in 1981 and 1987, nine NCAA tournament appearances, and four Big Ten titles.

In 1990, Wright was named the head coach at Miami (Ohio),

In his second season, 1991–92, Miami went 23–8, won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship with a 13–3 record, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the first round to North Carolina, 68–63. In his first season, 1993–94, the Cowboys posted a 14–14 record and 7–11 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). In the next three seasons under Wright, Wyoming's records were 13–15, 14–15 and 12–16. In 1997, after a first-round loss in the WAC tournament, Wright resigned as Wyoming coach. His career head coaching record in seven seasons was 114–89.

In 1999, he was hired by the Harlem Globetrotters with the title Head Coach and Director of Competitive Play, which meant that he was not a traditional Globetrotters coach, but one who directed the team in truly competitive games, including against foreign national teams and major American universities.

Wright currently serves as Head Coach and Technical Director of NBA Africa, the league's development program in Africa. He is also CEO/President of Joby Wright Basketball School/Wright Way Foundation.

Career playing statistics

NBA/ABA Source

Regular season Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG