Joe C. Meriweather

Joe C. Meriweather (October 26, 1953 – October 13, 2013) was an American professional basketball player.

Born(1953-10-26)October 26, 1953

Phenix City, Alabama, U.S.

DiedOctober 13, 2013(2013-10-13) (aged 59)

Columbus, Georgia, U.S.

Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)

Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)

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Joe C. Meriweather

Personal information
Born	(1953-10-26)October 26, 1953 Phenix City, Alabama, U.S.
Died	October 13, 2013(2013-10-13) (aged 59) Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school	Central (Phenix City, Alabama)
College	Southern Illinois (1972–1975)
NBA draft	1975: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Drafted by	Houston Rockets
Playing career	1975–1988
Position	Center / power forward
Number	50, 25, 31
Career history
1975–1976	Houston Rockets
1976–1977	Atlanta Hawks
1977–1979	New Orleans Jazz
1979–1980	New York Knicks
1980–1985	Kansas City Kings
1985–1986	Granarolo Bologna
1987–1988	Joventut Badalona
Career highlights
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1976)
Career NBA statistics
Points	5,439 (8.1 ppg)
Rebounds	3,764 (5.6 rpg)
Blocks	810 (1.2 bpg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals Representing  United States Men's basketball FIBA World Championship 1974 Puerto Rico Team competition

Close

A 6'10" center from Southern Illinois University, Meriweather played ten seasons (1975–1985) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, New York Knicks, and Kansas City Kings. He earned NBA All-Rookie honors in his first season, during which he averaged 10.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Over the course of his NBA career, Meriweather averaged 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.^[1]

Of note, Meriweather is one of a select few players who have blocked 10 shots in an NBA game more than once. Meriweather accomplished the feat twice during his career, first with the Jazz in 1977 (his only career triple double), and then again later with the Knicks in 1979. Those totals established franchise records for both teams; the Jazz record has since been broken by Mark Eaton numerous times, but Meriweather still holds the record for the Knicks (later tied by Dikembe Mutombo).

He played for the US national team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal.^[2]

Meriweather spent the 1985–86 basketball season playing for Granarolo Bologna in Italy.^[3] He coached the Kansas City Mustangs of the Women's Basketball Association professional league to an undefeated season in 1994.^[4] He also served as the head women's basketball coach at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, from 1997 to 2010 before resigning in March 2010.^[5]

Meriweather died on October 13, 2013, in Columbus, Georgia.^[6]