Maurice Cheeks Campaign

The Maurice Cheeks Statue & Degree Completion Scholarship Campaign honors the lifetime achievements of one of our most accomplished alumni, NBA legend Maurice Cheeks.

Cheeks played for the Buffs from 1974-78, where he ranks eighth all-time in career scoring with 1,277 points.   He is also eighth in field goals made (460), fifth in field goal percentage (.568), seventh in free throws made (307) and fourth in a single-season free throws made (212).   He earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors during his time in Canyon and helped lead the team to the MVC final in 1976-77.

Following his time at WT, Cheeks began a long career in the NBA, first as a player and then as a coach.   He played 15 years in the NBA, including 11 with the Philadelphia 76ers.   He was a four-time All-Star and made three trips to the NBA Finals (1980, 1982 and 1983). He was named to four-straight NBA All-Defensive squads from 1983-1986. He ranks fifth all-time in NBA history in steals and 11^th in assists, while averaging 11.7 points per game, and averaged over two steals per game for his career.   His #10 jersey was retired by the 76’ers.

After retiring as a player in 1993, Cheeks began his NBA coaching career that continues today. He has served as a head coach for the Philadelphia 76’ers, Portland Trailblazers and Detroit Pistons. Cheeks has served as an assistant coach with the 76’ers and currently sits on the sideline as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The first phase of the Maurice Cheeks Campaign centered on a life-size bronze sculpture of Cheeks in his #10 West Texas State jersey.    Phase 1 was completed in February 2019 with the installation of the statue on the southwest corner of the First United Bank Center, home of WT Basketball.

The second phase of the campaign is focused on securing gifts to fund the Maurice Cheeks Degree Completion Scholarship.   This scholarship will provide the resources necessary for deserving young men to finish their academic careers at WT after their playing days have ended. For a limited time, all gifts (to a maximum of $50,000) made to the scholarship fund will be matched by a group of anonymous donors.

“The Maurice Cheeks Degree Completion Scholarship is important for the young men in our program,” said Head Coach Tom Brown.   “To have funds available to help players finish their degrees is incredible, and a great tribute to Coach Cheeks.    I am very thankful for the donors who are providing matching funds, and I hope our alumni and friends will help contribute to the scholarship so that we can help as many young men finish their degrees as possible.”

To make a gift to the Maurice Cheeks Degree Completion Scholarship, click HERE.

For more information or to make a gift, contact Associate Athletic Director for Development Casey Lish
(clish@wtamu.edu / 806-651-1401)

MAKE A GIFT ONLINE