William Bedford was once a very exciting prospect entering the NBA draft. However, he caused headlines all around the world for all the wrong reasons. He was arrested on charges of storing illegal drugs with him. Subsequently, he spent a long time in prison.
Talking on an interview, Bedford talked about some of the horrifying experiences he faced in prison. Among the numerous incidents he saw in prison, the former NBA champion talked about how people tried to fight him and stab him. When the host asked him whether someone tried to fight or stab him in prison, Bedford agreed to the claims.
He said, “A couple of times. A few times it might have happened but it didn’t. You try to defuse most things that go on because one fight can start a whole compound to fight.“
This is not the only time he has been to prison. Bedford’s off-the-court activities stalled his progress as an NBA star and he has been to prison a few times before spending a long time there.
How good was William Bedford in the NBA?
William Bedford played for the Memphis State University, where he made a name for himself as a 7-foot center. Moreover, his numbers established Bedford as one of the brightest prospects entering the 1986 NBA draft. Subsequently, he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns as the number 6 overall pick.
After a brief time in Phoenix, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons; He joined the likes of Isiah Thomas and others in the ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons. He spent 4 seasons in Detroit winning the 1990 NBA championship with the team. Bedford left the NBA with an average of 4.1 points, 0.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds. (Source: basketballreference.com)
Although he had a lot of potential, his off-court issues affected his game on the court. Bedford missed the 1998-89 season in order to undergo rehab. This was just the starting of his problems though.
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In 2003, Bedford was arrested by officials for storing large amounts of illegal drugs along with him. This led to his 10-year prison sentence. After leaving prison in 2011, William attended a six-week program by the city of Memphis that helped put his life on the right track. Despite having won an NBA title, William Bedford remains one of the biggest what-ifs in the world of basketball.
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