William Bedford (born December 14, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (6th pick overall) of the 1986 NBA draft after playing at Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis). Bedford, a 7'0" center, played for the Suns, Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs in six NBA seasons, averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his career.
NBA career
Originally projected as a star player, Bedford's NBA career was marred by drug use, and he missed the 1988-89 NBA season as a result,[1] during which the Pistons won the championship. He returned to the Pistons the following season and played a limited role on their 1989-90 team that successfully repeated as champion, seeing action in 42 of 82 regular-season games.
On November 6, 1990, in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, Bedford set an NBA record for fewest minutes played in a game with three or more three-pointers made, shooting 3-of-3 from deep in a single minute.[2] These were three of five total three-pointers he made in 60 games during the 1990-91 NBA season, and of seven overall in his career.
Post-NBA and legal troubles
Bedford's drug problems continued after he left the NBA. He was arrested for drug possession twice between 1996 and 1997. In 2001, Bedford was accused of transporting 25 pounds of marijuana in Michigan.[3] After the Michigan arrest, he was arrested two more times for marijuana, and in 2003 was given a 10-year prison sentence.[4] Bedford was released from prison in November 2011. As of 2012, he was coaching basketball in Memphis.[5]
