Sam Worthen

Samuel Lee Worthen (born January 17, 1958) is an American former professional basketball player and coach, best known for his brief NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, his extensive playing and coaching stints in minor leagues like the CBA and USBL, and his current role as head coach of the Washington Generals, the traditional opponents of the Harlem Globetrotters.^[1]^[2]^[3] A native of Brooklyn, New York, Worthen attended Franklin K. Lane High School, where he developed his skills as a point guard before transferring to McLennan Community College from 1976 to 1978.^[2] He then played two seasons at Marquette University (1978–1980), earning Associated Press Third-Team All-America honors in his senior year after averaging 16.9 points and 6.5 assists per game.^[1] Selected in the second round (26th overall) of the 1980 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Worthen appeared in 69 games over two seasons in the league, split between the Bulls (1980–1981) and Utah Jazz (1981–1982), where he averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a 6-foot-5 reserve.^[1] Beyond the NBA, Worthen enjoyed a prolific career in professional basketball's minor leagues and international circuits, playing for teams such as the Rochester Zeniths (CBA, 1981–1982), Albany Patroons (CBA, 1982–1983), Puerto Rico Coquis (1983–1985), Springfield Fame (USBL, 1985–1986), and New Haven Skyhawks (USBL, 1988), among others.^[2] Transitioning into coaching during the mid-1980s, he served as a player-coach for the Springfield Fame, leading them to the 1985 USBL championship, and later guided the New Haven Skyhawks to the 1988 USBL title as head coach.^[2]^[4] Worthen's coaching resume includes head positions with the Miami Tropics (USBL champions, 1987), Albany Patroons (CBA), New York Whitecaps (USBL), Harrisburg Hammerheads (CBA), Fort Wayne Fury (CBA), Long Island Surf (USBL), Brooklyn Kings (USBL), and Baltimore Bayrunners (IBL), as well as stints as a player-coach for the Harlem Wizards over 15 years and assistant coach for the Fayetteville Patriots (NBDL) and Iona College (2004–2007).^[2]^[4] In 2015, Worthen was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport at multiple levels.^[2] Since the late 2000s, he has been the head coach of the Washington Generals, overseeing their exhibition tours against the Harlem Globetrotters, including a 2018 revival effort that featured recruitment of professional talent and participation in The Basketball Tournament.^[3]

Early life and high school career

Childhood in Brooklyn

Samuel Lee Worthen was born on January 17, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York.^[5] Worthen grew up in Brooklyn, a borough renowned for its influential role in developing basketball talent during the mid-20th century.^[5]

Franklin K. Lane High School

Sam Worthen attended Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he developed into a standout basketball player known for his versatility as a 6'5" point guard.^[6]^[5] During his junior and senior seasons, Worthen averaged a triple-double in points, rebounds, and assists, showcasing his exceptional court vision, ball-handling skills, and all-around game that drew comparisons to emerging talents like Magic Johnson for his size and peripheral awareness.^[6]^[7] His performances earned him recognition as an All-City selection and placement on Basketball Weekly's second team following both seasons, highlighting his impact on New York City's competitive high school basketball scene.^[6]^[8]

College basketball career

McLennan Community College

Worthen began his collegiate basketball career at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, playing for the Highlanders from 1976 to 1978. As a 6-foot-5 point guard coming out of Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn, New York, he quickly established himself as a key contributor to the team, showcasing his ball-handling skills and court vision.^[2]^[6] During his two seasons at McLennan, Worthen averaged 18.5 points per game, demonstrating scoring prowess while facilitating the offense. He was renowned for his flashy style, including no-look passes reminiscent of Magic Johnson, and reportedly achieved a triple-double average in points, rebounds, and assists, a remarkable feat that highlighted his all-around impact on the court.^[9]^[3] His performances helped elevate the Highlanders' program, which has produced four NBA players, including Worthen himself.^[10] In addition to his on-court success, Worthen excelled academically, earning the NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Award in 1978 for his balanced achievements in basketball and studies.^[10] This recognition underscored his discipline and potential as a student-athlete. Following his sophomore year, Worthen's standout play at the NJCAA level drew interest from major programs, paving the way for his transfer to Marquette University to continue his career at the Division I level.^[6]^[11]

Marquette University

Sam Worthen transferred to Marquette University after two seasons at McLennan Community College, joining the Golden Eagles as a junior in 1978 under head coach Hank Raymonds.^[12] Standing at 6 feet 5 inches as a point guard, he quickly became a key contributor to the team's fast-paced offense.^[1] In the 1978–79 season, Worthen averaged 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and a team-leading 7.2 assists per game over 29 appearances, helping Marquette achieve a 22–7 overall record as an independent program and earning a No. 10 ranking in the final AP Poll.^[13] His 209 total assists led the NCAA independents and ranked seventh nationally, showcasing his playmaking ability in a system that emphasized ball movement.^[12] The Golden Eagles advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen, where they defeated Pacific 73–48 before falling to DePaul 95–81; Worthen contributed significantly in the regional, including 18 points and 6 assists against Pacific.^[14] Teammate Bernard Toone led scoring with 18.7 points per game, but Worthen's facilitation was pivotal to the team's 71.2 points per game average.^[13] As a senior in 1979–80, Worthen elevated his performance, leading Marquette in both scoring (16.9 points per game) and assists (6.5 per game) while adding 4.4 rebounds, for totals of 457 points and 175 assists across 27 games.^[12] Despite the team's 18–9 record and absence from postseason play, his efficiency—shooting 48.2% from the field—earned him Consensus Second-Team All-American honors, recognizing his impact as a versatile guard.^[15] Worthen also ranked 17th nationally in assists that year, complementing scorers like Oliver Lee (15.9 points) and Robert Byrd (11.7 points, 10.0 rebounds).^[16] Over his two seasons at Marquette, he amassed 14.4 points and 6.9 assists per game in 56 contests, setting a then-school single-season assist record with 209 in 1978–79.^[12] His leadership helped transition the program post-Al McGuire era, culminating in his selection as the 26th overall pick (second round, third choice) by the Chicago Bulls in the 1980 NBA Draft.^[1]

Professional playing career

NBA career

Worthen was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round (26th overall) of the 1980 NBA Draft out of Marquette University.^[1] He signed with the Bulls for the 1980–81 season, appearing in 64 regular-season games primarily as a reserve point guard.^[1] In those contests, he averaged 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while logging 14.8 minutes on the floor.^[1] His career-high in scoring came on November 21, 1980, when he tallied 18 points in a 130–121 home win over the New York Knicks.^[17] The Bulls qualified for the playoffs that year, facing the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where Worthen appeared in one game, playing 1 minute without recording any statistics.^[1] Following the season, he was waived by Chicago and subsequently signed with the Utah Jazz for the 1981–82 campaign.^[1] With Utah, his role diminished significantly, as he played in just 5 games, averaging 0.8 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 4.4 minutes per game.^[1] Over his two-season NBA tenure, Worthen appeared in 69 regular-season games across both teams, maintaining career averages of 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.^[1] He did not earn any individual awards or achieve All-Star status during this period.^[1]

Minor league and international play

Following his NBA tenure with the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, Worthen pursued a professional playing career in minor leagues, primarily the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the United States Basketball League (USBL). In the 1981-82 season, he joined the Rochester Zeniths of the CBA, appearing in games as a point guard known for his playmaking abilities.^[2] Worthen moved to the Albany Patroons of the CBA for the 1982-83 season, where he contributed to the team's efforts in a competitive league that served as a primary development pathway for NBA talent. The following two seasons, from 1983 to 1985, saw him play for the Puerto Rico Coquis in the CBA, based in San Juan, marking his primary international experience outside the mainland United States; during the 1984-85 campaign, he tallied 147 assists, underscoring his role as a key distributor.^[2]^[18] Transitioning to the USBL in 1985, Worthen served as a player-coach for the Springfield Fame, leading the team to the league championship in a summer circuit that emphasized fast-paced, high-scoring play. He returned to the CBA briefly with the Charleston Gunners in 1986-87, while also playing for the Maine Windjammers in the CBA during the 1985-86 season.^[2]^[4]^[19] Worthen's USBL tenure continued with the Miami Tropics in 1987 as a player-coach, followed by a player-coach role with the New Haven Skyhawks in 1988, where he helped secure another league title, highlighting his versatility in blending on-court performance with leadership responsibilities. These minor league stints extended his professional career through 1988, allowing him to refine his skills in environments that bridged college and elite professional basketball.^[2]^[4]^[20]

Coaching career

Early coaching positions

Worthen's coaching career began in 1985 while he was still an active player, serving as a player-coach for the Springfield Fame in the United States Basketball League (USBL), where he led the team to the league championship.^[4]^[2] In 1987, he took on the head coaching role with the Miami Tropics in the USBL, guiding them to another league title that year.^[4]^[2] The following season, in 1988, Worthen returned to a player-coach position with the New Haven Skyhawks in the USBL, again securing the championship and demonstrating his ability to balance playing and leading duties effectively.^[4]^[2] Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Worthen held several head coaching positions in minor professional leagues, including the Albany Patroons and Harrisburg Hammerheads in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), the New York Whitecaps and Long Island Surf in the USBL, and the Fort Wayne Fury in the CBA.^[4]^[2] He also coached the Brooklyn Kings in the USBL and the Baltimore BayRunners in the International Basketball League (IBL), building a reputation for developing talent in these competitive environments.^[4]^[2] These early roles highlighted his transition from player to coach, emphasizing strategic playmaking rooted in his own on-court experience.^[6]

Show teams and later roles

Following his early coaching stints in professional leagues, Worthen took on a player-coach role with the Harlem Wizards, a touring exhibition basketball team known for its comedic and skillful performances, serving in that capacity for 15 years.^[2] He also spent time coaching with the Court Jesters, another show basketball ensemble that emphasized entertainment alongside athletic displays.^[6] In parallel with his involvement in show basketball, Worthen briefly coached the Washington Generals, the perennial opponents of the Harlem Globetrotters, around 2007.^[21] He returned to lead the team in 2015 when it was revived under new management, serving as head coach and guiding the squad through exhibition tours that highlighted competitive play against the Globetrotters while incorporating elements of showmanship.^[21] Under his direction, the Generals adopted a more aggressive style, aiming to challenge the Globetrotters more assertively in games, as seen in their 2017-2020 tours.^[3]^[22] Worthen remains in this role as of 2025, emphasizing strategic competition within the entertainment format.^[23] In the mid-2000s, Worthen served as an assistant coach for the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBDL (2002–2003), Iona College (2004–2007), and the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBDL (2007–2008).^[4]^[24]^[11] Transitioning to more traditional coaching abroad after his NBA D-League experience, Worthen spent approximately 10 years in Puerto Rico's Baloncesto Superior Nacional league starting around 2008, working with seven or eight teams and focusing on player development in a highly competitive environment.^[3] He also coached in Venezuela's professional leagues during this period, contributing to teams in international circuits.^[6] These roles allowed Worthen to blend his playing expertise with tactical coaching, influencing emerging talent in Latin American basketball.

Personal life and legacy

Education and family

At Marquette, Worthen departed early after his senior year to pursue professional opportunities in the NBA without initially completing his degree.^[6] In August 2003, 23 years after leaving Marquette, he returned to finish his undergraduate degree in the College of Communication.^[4] Worthen is married to Florine Worthen, and as of 2015, the couple resided in the Bronx, New York.^[4]^[6]

Awards and honors

During his college career at Marquette University, Worthen earned Consensus Second Team All-American honors in 1980, reflecting his standout performance as a senior point guard where he averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and a team-leading 6.5 assists per game.^[15] He also received first-team All-American recognition from the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), second-team honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and third-team selections from the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) that same year.^[9] Worthen's collegiate excellence led to his selection in the second round (26th overall) of the 1980 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.^[1] In recognition of his broader contributions to basketball, particularly his Brooklyn origins and professional play, Worthen was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2015.^[2] This honor highlights his lasting impact on the city's basketball culture, from high school stardom at Franklin K. Lane to his All-American achievements and beyond.