Bill Sweek Explained

Bill Sweek
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Nationality:American
Birth Date:9 January 1947
Birth Place:Los Angeles County, California
Highschool:Pasadena (Pasadena, California)
College:UCLA (1966–1969)
Draft Year:1969
Draft Round:7
Draft Pick:86
Draft Team:Phoenix Suns
Career Position:Guard
Career Start:1969
Career End:1975
Years1:1969–1970
Team1:Hamden Bics
Years2:1971–1972
Team2:CSC
Years3:1972–1975
Team3:Stade Français
Coach Start:1971
Coach End:1991
Cyears1:1971–1972
Cteam1:EO Goulette Kram
Cyears2:1971–1972
Cteam2:Tunisia
Cyears3:1972–1975
Cteam3:Stade Français
Cyears4:1976–1977
Cteam4:Clermont UC
Cyears5:1977–1979
Cteam5:Le Mans
Cyears6:1983–1984
Cteam6:Hungary
Cyears7:1985–1990
Cteam7:AS Monaco
Cyears8:1990–1991
Cteam8:Limoges CSP
Highlights:

William Thomas Sweek[1] (born January 9, 1947) is an American former basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins under Coach John Wooden, winning three straight national championships from 1967 through 1969. The guard played professionally in France, and also became a coach in Europe and Africa. Sweek coached Clermont UC and Le Mans Sarthe Basket to national championships in France, and also led the Tunisia national basketball team. He was later a sports agent, and in time also worked as a high school coach and teacher.

Early life

Sweek played basketball at Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California. In his senior year in 1964, he was the school's co-Player of the Year with teammate Jim Marsh, and was also named to the San Gabriel Valley All-Star Team by the Pasadena Independent and Star News.[2]

College career

Sweek was a rugged guard who was a key reserve at UCLA.[3] [4] Bruins coach John Wooden called him "one of the best players we've ever had at going into a game and stirring things up." Led by the dominant play of Lew Alcindor (known later as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar),[4] the Bruins went 88–2 in Sweek's three seasons on the varsity squad.[5] Sweek is one of 14 players who won three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles at UCLA under Wooden.[6]

Sweek played on the UCLA freshman team in 1964–65,[7] and redshirted the following season.[8] In 1966–67, he was joined on the varsity team by incoming sophomores Alcindor, Lucius Allen, Lynn Shackelford and Kenny Heitz, who were recruited in 1965.[4] [9] Sweek was the sixth man for the Bruins, who went 30–0 and won the national title.[10] Wooden typically utilized him late in games whenever the opponents were rallying.[11] Against USC in February 1967, Sweek helped stave off an upset in overtime after scoring two baskets, making two steals, and forcing another turnover in a 40–35 victory over their intercity rivals.[12] [11] [13] For the season, he and Shackelford shared honors as the team's most improved player.[14] By the start of his junior year in 1967–68, Sweek was supplanted by Mike Lynn as UCLA's top reserve.[15] In the season opener, Sweek hit a game-winning, outside shot with two seconds remaining in a 73–71 win against Purdue.[12] [16] However, he generally received little playing time that season.[17]

As a senior in 1968–69, Sweek was again voted the Bruins' most improved player.[18] The team had lost starting guards Allen and Mike Warren from the year before, but they were effectively replaced by Sweek, Heitz, and junior college transfer John Vallely, who each played about equally.[19] In the semifinals of the 1969 NCAA tournament against Drake, the Bruins started poorly. Towards the middle of the first half, Sweek missed a defensive assignment, prompting Wooden to pull him from the game.[20] Already unhappy with his playing time having shrunk in the prior weeks, Sweek remained on the bench for most of the game.[20] When Vallely fouled out with four minutes left in the game, Sweek was directed by Wooden to re-enter the game. However, he was casual in checking in, prompting the coach to ask him to sit if he did not want to play. Instead, Sweek walked off the court and headed to the locker room. After the game, won 85–82 by UCLA, Wooden was furious with Sweek, who felt certain he would be kicked off the team.[20] However, the coach eventually forgave him, and played him in the title game two nights later against Purdue.[21] [22] Sweek shot a perfect three of three in the game, which the Bruins won by 20 points for their record-setting third consecutive NCAA title.[22] [23] As years passed, Sweek's appreciation for Wooden's gesture grew.[21] "Somehow, he was gracious enough to forgive me when I was totally wrong," said Sweek.[24]

Professional career

The Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA) selected the 6feet Sweek in the seventh round of the 1969 NBA draft with the 86th overall pick.[25] [26] He played professionally for Stade Français in Paris.[27] Sweek served in the Peace Corps, and also became a coach in Europe and Africa.[28] One of the top coaches in France,[29] he led Le Mans Sarthe Basket to consecutive national titles in 1978 and 1979 after having guided Clermont UC to a women's national championship in 1977.[30] [31] [32] He also coached the Tunisia national basketball team.[33]

Sweek was later a sales representative with Adidas,[34] [35] and became the vice president of team sports with Virginia-based sports marketing firm ProServ, where he was also a sports agent.[36] [37] He represented European NBA players, as well as Americans interested in playing in Europe.[37] Some of his clients included the 7feet Gheorghe Mureșan, the tallest player in NBA history,[38] Martin Müürsepp,[37] John Amaechi,[39] Terry Davis,[40] and Damon Bailey.[41] Sweek was also a French interpreter for the Romanian Mureșan.[36] [42] While still at ProServ in 1996, he began coaching basketball at George Mason High School in Falls Church, Virginia.[43] By 2010, he had become a teacher in Sonoma, California, where he taught history, science and physical education.[28] [21]

Sweek played in a minor role in the 1971 movie Drive, He Said, which was directed by Jack Nicholson. Michael Warren, Sweek's former UCLA teammate who became an actor, was also in the film.[44]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: William Thomas Sweek was born on January 9, 1947 in Los Angeles County, California. californiabirthindex.org. California Birth Index. May 23, 2020.
  2. News: Jensen. George. Marsh Named Valley's Top Prep Cager. March 23, 1964. Pasadena Independent. 15. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Witz. Billy. BLAST FROM THE PAST AS SEASON CRUMBLES, UCLA'S ALUMS CRINGE. February 4, 2003. Daily News. Los Angeles. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924165648/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97339389.html. dead. September 24, 2015 . Highbeam Research. July 31, 2015.
  4. News: King . Jason . Class of classes . May 29, 2009 . Yahoo! Sports . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305160118/https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=jn-tophoopsclasses052909 . March 5, 2016 . live .
  5. News: Mayer . Bill . KU roster could be best ever . May 1, 2009 . KUSports.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20220619044406/https://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/may/01/ku-roster-could-be-best-ever/?print . June 19, 2022 . live .
  6. News: Crowe . Jerry . Kobe Bryant vs. Ron Artest is worth hearing . April 3, 2009 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20150529051810/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/03/sports/sp-crowe3 . May 29, 2015 . live .
  7. News: Brubabes Trample PCC, 89–72. December 19, 1964. Pasadena Independent. 13. August 2, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Ives. Hank. Heartbreaking Opportunity. March 13, 1966. Independent Star-News. A-2. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  9. Book: Davis, Seth. Wooden: A Coach's Life. 2014. Macmillan. 251, 263. 9780805092806. August 3, 2015.
  10. News: Meier. Ted. UCLA—Place Where The Rich Get Richer. March 27, 1967. The Morning Herald. Associated Press. 16. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Hollingworth. Hank. Warren's Scoring Sacrifice Key To UCLA. March 29, 1967. Independent. Long Beach, California. C-2. August 2, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  12. News: Schrader. Loel. If UCLA Needs a Pickup Saturday, Sweek Will Be Ready. March 8, 1968. Independent. Long Beach, California. C-1. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  13. News: Weekly Cage Award Goes To Bill Sweek. February 7, 1967. The Independent. Pasadena, California. 15. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  14. News: Alcindor Votes MVP By The Bruins. April 5, 1967. El Paso Herald-Post. UPI. C-6. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  15. News: Esper. Dwain. UCLA Most Devastating. December 9, 1967. Independent Star-News. 8. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  16. News: Bruins Win Cage Opener Over Purdue. December 3, 1967. The Daily Plainsman. AP. 10. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  17. News: Lew And UCLA Eyeing Another Great Season. December 5, 1968. The Mexia Daily News. 4. AP. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  18. News: Alcindor Selected Most Valuable Bruin. May 8, 1969. Independent. Long Beach, California. C-3. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  19. News: 'Different' Bruins Eye Record. March 18, 1969. Piqua Daily Call. AP. 9. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  20. Davis . Seth . The Wizard And the Giant . January 13, 2014 . Sports Illustrated . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924190758/http://www.si.com/vault/2014/01/13/106417191/the-wizard-and-the-giant . September 24, 2015 . live .
  21. News: Padecky . Bob . When Wooden lost his cool . June 9, 2010 . The Press Democrat . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103655/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2252799 . September 24, 2015 . live .
  22. Book: Williams. Pat. Wimbish. David. How to Be Like Coach Wooden. 161. 2006. Health Communications, Inc. 9780757303913. July 31, 2015.
  23. News: McMane. Fred. Lew Came To Play in Finals. March 24, 1969. El Paso Herald-Post. UPI. C-1. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  24. News: Witz . Billy . Wooden's Legacy Extends Beyond Titles . June 6, 2010 . The New York Times . https://archive.today/20240527110734/https://www.webcitation.org/6aWjeghsZ?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/sports/ncaabasketball/07wooden.html%3F_r=0 . May 27, 2024 . live .
  25. News: Bucks Draft Alcindor's Teammate. May 8, 1969. Panama City News. AP. 16. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  26. Web site: 1969 NBA Draft. Basketball-Reference.com. August 4, 2015.
  27. Book: Jones. Allen. Naison. Mark. The Rat that Got Away. 170. 2009. Fordham Univ Press. 9780823231027. July 31, 2015.
  28. News: Myers . Laura . Picking up more than splinters . June 13, 2010 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20151024165355/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/13/sports/la-sp-wooden-role-players-20100613 . October 24, 2015 . live .
  29. News: The world of pro basketball. November 2, 1989. Manila Standard. AP. 23. July 31, 2015.
  30. Web site: Le Mans team profile . July 27, 2007 . euroleague.net . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925013524/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/13964/le-mans-team-profile . September 25, 2015 . live .
  31. Krasnoff . Lindsay Sarah . May 3, 2015 . French Basketball, from Cain to Batum . The New Yorker . https://web.archive.org/web/20150927223228/http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/french-basketball-from-cain-to-batum . September 27, 2015 . live .
  32. HISTOIRE DU MSB / SCM. September 22, 2008. MSB.fr. French. https://www.webcitation.org/6aWl28hYR?url=http://www.msb.fr/index.php/club/historique. August 4, 2015. live.
  33. News: Gohlke. Rich. 212 Victories in 10 Years. April 5, 1972. The Argus. Fremont, California. 14. July 31, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  34. News: Jordan . Michael . For the Love of the Game . January 13, 1999 . CNN.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924192713/http://www.cnn.com/books/beginnings/9901/jordan/ . September 24, 2015 . live .
  35. Book: Weiss, Dick. True Blue: A Tribute to Mike Krzyzewski's Career at Duke. 2013. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 9781613214176. July 31, 2015.
  36. News: Wilbon . Michael . A BIG CHANCE FOR EVERYONE . September 17, 1993 . The Washington Post . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314094411/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/09/17/a-big-chance-for-everyone/96a85992-4afe-46d3-be49-38191b318aaf/ . March 14, 2016 . live .
  37. News: Gwin. Peter.

    How Europe is shaping US basketball hoops

    . June 1, 1997. Europe. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150720/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19916792.html. dead. September 24, 2015. August 4, 2015. .
  38. News: Casey . Tim . THE WIZARDS' WELCOMING GIANT . December 2, 2013 . Sports On Earth . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104921/http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/64318078/ . September 24, 2015 . dead . August 4, 2015 .
  39. News: Johnson . K. C. . Bulls are plotting more moves . July 18, 2001 . Chicago Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121818/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-07-18/sports/0107180330_1_bulls-salary-cap-bill-sweek . March 4, 2016 . live .
  40. News: Bucher . Ric . FOR MANY WIZARDS, IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL . July 1, 1998 . The Washington Post . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313152547/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/07/01/for-many-wizards-its-business-as-usual/2a0827c5-8793-4bb4-85bb-dd858a1265ba/ . March 13, 2016 . live .
  41. News: Sokeland . Justin . Damon Bailey to France . Times-Mail . https://archive.today/20240527110654/https://www.webcitation.org/6aWe2N1uT?url=http://ww.tmnews.com/stories/1997/02/03/archive.312769.tms . May 27, 2024 . dead . August 4, 2015 .
  42. News: Brennan . Christine . BIG BULLET SET TO GO . September 16, 1993 . The Washington Post . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314024102/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/09/16/big-bullet-set-to-go/f91c1976-9b08-4bb2-aaa6-e0822588c3b5/ . March 14, 2016 . live .
  43. News: S and ler . Michael . GEORGE MASON BOYS 56, RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY 51 . February 14, 1996 . Washington Post . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313233919/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/02/14/george-mason-boys-56-rappahannock-county-51/cf86fe84-6a92-433d-b73e-ec0c93cf28e9/ . March 13, 2016 . live .
  44. News: Bill Sweek - Filmography . https://web.archive.org/web/20160325150617/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/69320/Bill-Sweek/filmography . March 25, 2016 . Movies & TV Dept. . . dead .

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