David Greenwood, one of the greatest high school basketball players in Southern California history, will have his jersey retired Friday night during a ceremony at his alma mater, Verbum Dei.
Greenwood, who died June 8 at age 68 after a bout with cancer, teamed with Roy Hamilton to make Verbum Dei one of the best teams during his high school days in the 1970s. He went on to be an All-American at UCLA and played 12 years in the NBA. He returned as a coach at Verbum Dei.
Verbum Dei plays Gardena Serra on Friday at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be held at halftime.
Greenwood was the No. 2 pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. Magic Johnson went No. 1 to the Lakers. He would win an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons.
Coached Verbum Dei to state championships in 1998 and 1999.
“David was a hero to me,” Verbum Dei graduate DeAnthony Langston said. “He is one of the greatest in the history of Verbum Dei.”
This is a daily look at positive events in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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