Bill Varner Explained

Bill Varner
Height Ft:6
Height In:6.75
Weight Lb:220
Birth Date:1 August 1960
Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality:American / Belgian
High School:Valley (New Kensington, Pennsylvania)
College:Notre Dame (1979–1983)
Draft Year:1983
Draft Round:9
Draft Pick:202
Draft Team:Milwaukee Bucks
Career Start:1983
Career End:2002
Career Number:11, 12
Career Position:Small forward
Years1:1983–1984
Team1:Sarasota Stingers
Years2:1984
Years3:1984–1986
Years4:1986–1987
Years5:1987–1988
Team5:Tenerife CB
Years6:1988–1989
Team6:BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque
Years7:1989–1995
Years8:1995
Team8:Montpellier Paillade Basket
Years9:1995–1996
Team9:Atléticos de San Germán
Years10:1996–1998
Team10:Club Ourense Baloncesto
Years11:1998
Team11:Gaiteros del Zulia
Years12:1998–1999
Team12:Valencia Basket
Years13:1999–2000
Team13:Spirou Charleroi
Years14:2000
Team14:Cocodrilos de Caracas
Years15:2000–2001
Team15:Cholet Basket
Years16:2001–2002
Team16:Cantabria Baloncesto
Highlights:

William Joseph Varner is an American-Belgian former professional basketball player. He played on several European clubs, including R.C. Mechelen.

College career

Varner played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame, with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After, a poor performance at his first two college years, Varner has 10 points per game at his junior season, and 11,1 points average at his senior season.

Professional career

Varner played at Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during 1983–84 season, with Sarasota Stingers and Wisconsin Flyers.

In 1984 signed with P.A.O.K. BC. Varner played two years only in European Cup, but his contribution was fabulous. At 1984–85 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup second round PAOK eliminated KK Bosna Royal and Varner scored 35 points at the first leg, and 31 at the second. At group stage PAOK lost all the games, but Varner shone with 36 and 32 points against CB Zaragoza games, and 33 against BC Žalgiris in the away game.In 1985–86 season Varner 1985–86 FIBA Korać Cup lead PAOK at group stage. At the first round after a 105–87 defeat from BC Levski Sofia, Varner scored 36 points and a goal-foul at the last second of the second game and gave the victory to his team with 104–83. At group stage Varner scored 35 against Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino, 30 against KK Zadar, and 33 against his later club Olympique Antibes.[1]

Varner was named LNB Pro A MVP foreigner player for his performance with Olympique Antibes.

His best season of his career was with R.C. Mechelen He played six years from 1989 to 1995 and he won 6 consecutive Belgian Championships, and 3 Belgian Cups. At European competitions his best average was 24,2 points for 1991–92 FIBA European League. He also scored 39 points against CB Estudiantes on 11 February 1993. Varner was like a hero in Mechelen.[2]

He also played in many clubs, such as Montpellier Paillade Basket, Valencia Basket, Spirou Charleroi, and Cantabria Baloncesto end his career at the age of 42.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PAOK Basketball Retro: Μπίλυ, αυτός ο άγνωστος... paok-basketballretro.blogspot.gr. 2017-07-15.
  2. Web site: Sports | U.S. Players Were Basketball Slaves -- NBA Rejects Find Europe Friendlier Now | Seattle Times Newspaper. community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. 2017-07-15.