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Will Perdue

William Edward Perdue III (born August 29, 1965), commonly known as Will Perdue, is an American former professional player who played as a center in the (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1988 to 2001, winning four NBA championships during his career. Perdue was born in , and attended Merritt Island High School before playing at , where he averaged 18.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game as a senior in 1988, leading the (SEC) in rebounding and while earning SEC Player of the Year and SEC Athlete of the Year honors. He helped Vanderbilt reach the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 that year, marking the program's first appearance in 15 years, and finished his college career with a .606 and 157 blocks. Selected by the with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the , Perdue began his professional career as a backup center behind , contributing to the Bulls' first NBA championship in the 1990–91 season alongside and . Over his NBA tenure, he played for the (1988–1995 and 1999–2000), (1995–1999), and (2000–2001), appearing in 792 regular-season games and averaging 4.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Perdue won three consecutive NBA championships with the Bulls in 1991, 1992, and 1993, and added a fourth title with the Spurs in 1999 after defeating the in the Finals. Following his retirement in , Perdue transitioned into , where he has served as a color analyst for on , provided commentary for ESPN's coverage, and worked on Chicago Bulls-focused radio shows. As of 2025, he analyzes Bulls games for CHGO and contributes to NBA broadcasts.

Early life and education

Early life and family background

William Edward Perdue III was born prematurely on August 29, 1965, in , to William Edward Perdue Jr. (known as Bill) and Jane Perdue, following an eight-month pregnancy during which his mother noted there was "just no more room in there for him to grow." The Perdue family lived in , a community near the , where Will spent his early childhood immersed in a region shaped by innovation and exploration. His father, a longtime resident and retired passionate about antique fire trucks and equipment, contributed to local history through donations and displays. Bill Perdue also served as a dedicated bell ringer for over three decades, ringing bells at Merritt Island shopping centers to support community causes; he passed away in December 2024. Genetics from his mother's side played a role in Perdue's physical development; Jane Perdue stood at 6 feet 1 inch tall, while his father measured 5 feet 11 inches, foreshadowing Will's eventual stature as a 7-foot-1 . The family's environment in Merritt Island, surrounded by the disciplined pursuits of the , instilled a strong that influenced his approach to sports and life.

High school career

Will Perdue attended in , from 1980 to 1984, where he developed into a dominant center during his rapid growth spurt in his mid-teens. By his senior year, he had emerged as a key leader for the Mustangs, averaging 25 points and 18 rebounds per game while earning recognition as a High School All-American and first-team All-Southern selection. He was inducted into the in 2013 for his high school achievements. Under the guidance of coach Bob Haskell, Perdue helped anchor a talented team that included teammates like and Eric Ham, fostering a competitive dynamic focused on rebounding and interior play. The Mustangs achieved a 22-7 record in one standout season, advancing deep into the playoffs but finishing second in the district championships, highlighting Perdue's role in elevating the program's postseason presence. Perdue's high school prowess drew widespread recruitment interest from major programs, including , , Purdue, and the . Ultimately, he committed to , drawn by its proximity to home and the intense pursuit from coach , who emphasized Perdue's potential as a foundational big man.

College career at Vanderbilt

Will Perdue enrolled at in 1983, joining the men's basketball team under head coach . As a highly recruited center from Merritt Island High School in , he initially faced limited playing time while adjusting to college-level competition. Perdue redshirted the 1984-85 season to focus on academics and development, switching his major from to communications after receiving guidance from a faculty mentor. This period allowed him to balance rigorous studies with athletic preparation, earning praise for his dedication to both. Perdue's on-court progression unfolded gradually over his four active seasons. As a in 1983-84, he appeared in 17 games off the bench, averaging 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in just 6.5 minutes per game. His year (1985-86) showed modest improvement with 22 appearances, 3.5 points, and 2.8 rebounds in 8.2 minutes. The junior campaign in 1986-87 marked his breakout, starting all 34 games and posting 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and a 59.9% while earning First Team All-SEC honors and of the Hawaiian Airlines Silversword Invitational. By his senior year (1987-88), Perdue emerged as a dominant force, leading the team with 18.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game on 63.4% shooting, alongside a school-record 74 blocks. His senior-season excellence garnered multiple accolades, including Player of the Year, First Team All-, AP Third Team All-American, Athlete of the Year, and Vanderbilt's Male Athlete of the Year. Perdue's leadership propelled the to a 20-11 record and their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years, where they advanced to the Sweet 16—the program's deepest run at the time—before falling to the eventual national champion . Over his career, he finished with 1,281 points (22nd in Vanderbilt history), a .606 (school record), and 157 blocks (third all-time at Vanderbilt), solidifying his status as one of the program's most impactful big men.

Professional career

Chicago Bulls first stint (1988–1995)

Perdue was selected by the with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the out of . In his rookie season of 1988–89, Perdue served primarily as a backup center to , appearing in 30 games while averaging 2.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 6.3 minutes per game. His role expanded gradually in subsequent years; by the 1989–90 season, he played in 77 games with averages of 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds, and in 1990–91, he appeared in 74 games, posting 4.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Perdue transitioned to a starting position during the 1994–95 season, where he started all 78 games and achieved career highs with the Bulls of 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Perdue played a supporting role in the Bulls' three consecutive NBA championships from 1991 to 1993, primarily as a reserve center behind , contributing rebounding, interior defense, and screen-setting for stars and . In the 1991 en route to the Finals victory over the , he appeared in 17 games, averaging 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks per game while providing key minutes in the during the series. The following year, in the 1992 culminating in a win against the , Perdue logged 18 games with averages of 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds. During the 1993 postseason, which ended with a triumph over the , he played 13 games, averaging 2.2 points and 2.5 rebounds, often delivering hard screens that facilitated 's drives and 's perimeter play. Under head coach , Perdue developed through mentorship focused on selfless team play, defensive positioning, and integrating into the Bulls' , which helped solidify his contributions to the dynasty despite limited minutes. His tenure with the Bulls ended on October 3, 1995, when he was traded straight up to the in exchange for forward to bolster Chicago's rebounding for a second pursuit.

San Antonio Spurs (1995–1999)

On October 3, 1995, the Chicago Bulls traded center Will Perdue to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for forward Dennis Rodman. Perdue joined a Spurs roster anchored by All-Star center David Robinson and forward Sean Elliott, providing depth in the frontcourt as a reliable veteran big man. Over four seasons with San Antonio from 1995 to 1999, Perdue primarily served as a backup center to Robinson, appearing in 261 regular-season games while averaging 5.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game in 19.5 minutes of play. His role emphasized defensive support and rebounding, particularly during periods of team injuries, including his own recovery from an ankle sprain in February 1999 that sidelined him briefly and led to his placement on the injured list. Perdue adapted effectively to head coach Gregg Popovich's emphasis on team discipline and unselfish play, later describing Popovich's approach as fatherly and focused on player development within a structured system. In the 1998–99 lockout-shortened regular season, Perdue contributed off the bench in 37 games, averaging 2.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as the Spurs posted a league-best 37–13 record and secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. His steady veteran presence helped stabilize the rotation alongside fellow reserves like and , fostering a cohesive team culture amid the condensed schedule. Perdue was part of the Spurs' 1999 NBA Championship team, earning his fourth career ring after San Antonio defeated the 4–1 in the . He appeared in 12 of the team's 18 games, averaging 1.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per game, primarily providing frontcourt depth during the postseason run. Following the 1996–97 season, Perdue re-signed with the Spurs as a , continuing his role through the 1998–99 campaign. He departed in the 1999 offseason, signing with the as a after four productive years that culminated in a title.

Chicago Bulls second stint and Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2001)

In August 1999, Will Perdue signed a two-year contract as a with the , returning to the team where he had won three NBA championships earlier in his career. During the 1999–2000 season, he appeared in 67 games, primarily off the bench, averaging 2.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while starting 15 contests. As a seasoned veteran, Perdue provided mentorship to the Bulls' young frontcourt players, including rookie , who was selected first overall in the and earned Rookie of the Year honors that season. Following the 1999–2000 season, the Bulls waived Perdue in June 2000. He then signed as a with the in September 2000, joining a contending team that had reached the Western Conference Finals the previous year. In the 2000–01 season, Perdue saw limited action in 13 games for , averaging 1.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per game. Perdue retired from professional after the 2000–01 season at age 35, concluding a 13-year NBA career in which he played 792 regular-season games. His final years were marked by a reduced role amid the physical demands of the position and the emergence of younger talent, prompting him to begin planning for life beyond playing.

Career statistics and achievements

Over his 13-season NBA career from 1988 to 2001, spanning 792 regular-season games with the , , and , Will Perdue averaged 4.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game. In 108 playoff appearances, he contributed 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while averaging 0.4 blocks. Perdue's career totals included 3,740 points, 3,718 rebounds, 634 assists, and 554 blocks, underscoring his role as a reliable backup focused on interior defense and rebounding. Perdue's most productive seasons came during his time with the Spurs, where he peaked statistically in 1996–97, averaging 8.7 points and a career-high 9.8 rebounds per game across 65 contests. Earlier, in the 1994–95 season with the Bulls, he posted 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a starter in 78 games. In the , Perdue led all players in total rebound percentage (20.8%) during the 1991 postseason with the Bulls, helping anchor their frontcourt during the championship run. Among his key achievements, Perdue won four NBA championships: three consecutive titles with the in 1991, 1992, and 1993, and one with the in 1999. These victories highlight his contributions as a depth player, amassing over 500 career blocks while providing defensive stability behind star centers. Perdue holds the distinction of winning more championships than many prominent non-star centers of his era, including three-time winner , with whom he shared backup duties on the early-1990s Bulls.

Post-playing career and legacy

Broadcasting and media roles

After retiring from the NBA in 2001, Will Perdue transitioned into broadcasting in the early 2000s, beginning with NBA analysis on ESPN Radio, where he provided expert commentary on professional basketball games and events. He also contributed to college basketball coverage through ESPN's platforms, including the SEC Network, drawing on his experience as a former Vanderbilt standout to offer insights into Southeastern Conference matchups. Perdue joined in the 2010s as a studio for the network's pre-game and post-game shows, a role he held until the channel's closure in 2024, where his analysis was noted for its balance and objectivity. Following the shutdown, he moved to CHGO in 2024, serving as an for the outlet's Bulls pre- and post-game programming as part of the AllCity . In parallel, Perdue has hosted segments on NBA Radio since at least the 2024-25 season, contributing to live game broadcasts and discussions as part of an expanded roster that includes former players like and . Additionally, he serves as a color for G League broadcasts, partnering with and play-by-play announcer Mark Schanowski since 2022, a role he continues for the 2025-26 season. Perdue's media work extends to podcast appearances and interviews, where he frequently discusses the ' dynasty era, sharing perspectives shaped by his three championships with the team. He provides color commentary for NCAA on .

Personal life and contributions

Perdue is married and a devoted who has openly discussed the challenges of balancing his NBA career with family responsibilities. In a , he emphasized maintaining a consistent parental voice amid the league's demanding travel schedule and the importance of allowing children to grow independently, reflecting on how these experiences shaped his approach to fatherhood. Since the mid-1990s, Perdue has made the area his home, residing in neighborhoods such as the West Loop, while preserving strong connections to his origins in Merritt Island—where he attended high school—and the alumni community. In his post-playing years, Perdue has contributed to youth development through involvement in basketball clinics and camps, including the Youth Hoops Legends Clinic alongside fellow alumni, offering skill-building sessions for children ages 7-14. He also supports athletics via the Nashville Basketball Initiative, an effort he helps lead to provide financial resources for the men's program, particularly in the era of name, image, and likeness opportunities. Additionally, Perdue engages in , participating in golf tournaments that raise funds for university scholarships and organizations such as Chick-fil-A's WinShape Homes. A golf enthusiast, he has competed in events like those benefiting causes and reflected in interviews on transitioning from to a more balanced life post-retirement.

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