Former Wildcat Dwight "The Blur" Anderson dies at 59

Former Kentucky basketball player Dwight Anderson died Saturday. The cause of death is currently unknown, and his family is waiting on autopsy results, which are expected early next week. He was living in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio when he passed, his daughter said. Anderson was 59 years old.

Anderson graduated from Roth High School in Dayton before coming to Lexington to play for Coach Joe B. Hall in 1978. He averaged 13.3 points per game as a star freshman and shot approximately 50 percent from the field. By Christmas 1979, Anderson had transferred to the University of Southern California, where he played from 1981-82 and averaged 20 points per game. While at USC, he was named the MVP of the Aloha Classic in Honolulu after connecting on 26-of-33 field goal attempts.

Anderson earned the nickname “The Blur” because of his speed on the court, and he was the nation’s No. 1 prospect, a McDonald’s All-American and a Parade All-American as a high school recruit. During his time with USC, he was tabbed First Team All-Pac 10.

Former UK basketball player Dwight Anderson has passed away at the age of 59. He is always mentioned as one of the great athletes to ever wear the Blue and White

RIP to “The Blur” pic.twitter.com/sTqVepbd0p

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 6, 2020

“The only reason I left Kentucky, and this is straight from my heart, was [assistant coach] Leonard Hamilton and [head coach] Joe B. Hall didn’t see eye to eye,” Anderson told the Herald Leader in 2013. “And Hamilton asked me to leave. And I left.”

Following his collegiate career, Anderson was taken by the Washington Bullets in the second round of the 1982 NBA Draft as the No. 41 overall pick. Later, he spent one season with the Denver Nuggets before spending several seasons with the Continental Basketball Association, a former basketball minor league in the United States. He played in 112 CBA games and averaged 21 points per outing.

So, so sadden to hear tragic news that perhaps @KentuckyMBB most gifted athlete ever, Dwight Anderson has died at the age of 38. Known as “The Blur,” he became an instant star in a terrific win over Notre Dame, but left UK in middle of his soph. year with off-the-court issues. pic.twitter.com/bd4ORHzcXH

— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) September 6, 2020

 

But throughout that time in his life, Anderson struggled with drug abuse, citing cocaine and cognac as his drugs of choice. He entered the Houston-based John Lucas Treatment Center in 2004 and worked on getting clean, with the help of former teammate Dirk Minniefield. NBA legend Isiah Thomas helped pay for the treatment.

By 2011, he appeared to have turned his life around, as he was the assistant coach for a high school basketball team in the Dayton area. By 2013, he was promoting a basketball camp for boys and girls ages 9 through 18 in Wilberforce, Ohio, and he planned to attend Central State University to complete work on a college degree. In 2015, he was playing in the “Old Timers League” in Ohio and served as the subject of the documentary The Dwight Anderson Story: From Stardom, to Streets, to Survival.

His battles off the court led to a homeless life after his pro basketball career fizzled due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol. So sad and so well liked. Going to miss you Dwight. You’re in a better place today. You have suffered too long. Rest In Peace. @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/mF0aQKuU4L

— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) September 6, 2020