Mark Workman

Mark Cecil Workman (born March 10, 1930 – December 21, 1983) was an American professional basketball player from Charleston, West Virginia. He played collegiately at West Virginia University. Workman was the first overall pick in the 1952 NBA draft, by the Milwaukee Hawks.

Early life Born in Logan, West Virginia, Workman moved from Logan to Charleston, West Virginia, in 10th grade, leading the Charleston High School Mountain Lions to the state title as a junior. Workman averaged 32.8 points per game as a senior in 1948. He scored 63 points in a sectional tournament game that season.

Workman (1952) and Hot Rod Hundley (1957 NBA draft) are the only No. 1 overall draft picks to come from the same high School.

He also lettered in track, specializing in shot put, javelin, and discus. Upon graduation some local car dealers gave him a Chrysler New Yorker in order make the drive to Morgantown, becoming the first automobile in the Workman family.

Workman averaged 26.1 points a game in 1950–1951. In 1951–1952, he averaged 23.1 points and 17.5 rebounds for the 23–4 Mountaineers. Workman was a 1952 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans, alongside Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Cliff Hagan, Clyde Lovellette and Bob Pettit, as well as major league baseball All-Star Dick Groat.

Professional career

Workman was the first overall pick in the 1952 NBA draft, selected by the Milwaukee Hawks, but went on a tour of Europe with the Harlem Globetrotters before playing two years for the NBA Philadelphia Warriors and Baltimore Bullets.

In 1952–1953, Workman played five games for Milwaukee and was traded on November 19, 1952, to the Philadelphia Warriors for Don Sunderlage. He averaged 5.3 points in 60 games for Philadelphia. In 1953–54, Workman played in 14 games for the Warriors, averaging 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Death Workman died at his home on December 21, 1983, after a long illness. He was survived by his wife, Jane.

Career statistics

NBA Source

Regular season