Joby Wright Biography
Joby Wright is a basketball player born who played for Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia. He attended Indiana University for 1969 to 1972. He was selected in the 2nd round, 18th overall in the 1972 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He later became head coach for Miami (OH), Wyoming and Cincinnati Stuff.
- Name: Joseph “Joby” Wright
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- Nationality: USA
- Age: 74 years old
- Birthday: September 5, 1950
- Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
- High School: Johnson High School (Savannah, Georgia)
- Height: 6’8″ (203 cm)
- Weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
- Seasons: 3 Varsity (1969-1972)
- Jersey: #14, 20, 22, 24
- NBA Draft: 2nd Round, 18th Overall (Seattle SuperSonics)
- Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Physical Education
Awards and Accolades
- 31st in Career Points as a Hoosier
- 1972 All-Big Ten Honors
- 1992 MAC Coach of the Year
Joby Wright High School Recruiting Profile
Joby Wright was from Savannah, Georgia and played for Sol C. Johnson High School. He attended high school from 1964-1969 and was recruited by then head coach Lou Watson to join Indiana University. He was one of Savannah’s top high school players of all time and listed as one of the “Fantastic 15” for the city.
Joby Wright Seasons with the Hoosiers
7–17 (3–11 Big Ten)
17–7 (9–5 Big Ten)
17–8 (9–5 Big Ten)
NIT First Round
Indiana University Career Statistics
(Source: Indiana University Athletics)
| Season | G | MIN | AVG | FGM | FGA | PCT | FTM | FTA | PCT | TOT | AVG | PF | AST | AST/G | PTS | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969-70 | 24 | 148 | 314 | 0.471 | 56 | 107 | 0.523 | 202 | 8.4 | 81 | 352 | 14.7 | ||||
| 1970-71 | 24 | 849 | 35.4 | 189 | 396 | 0.477 | 44 | 77 | 0.571 | 207 | 8.6 | 71 | 31 | 1.3 | 422 | 17.6 |
| 1971-72 | 25 | 929 | 37.2 | 220 | 475 | 0.463 | 58 | 102 | 0.569 | 233 | 9.3 | 79 | 20 | 0.8 | 498 | 19.9 |
| Total | 73 | 1778 | 36.3 | 557 | 1185 | 0.470 | 158 | 286 | 0.552 | 642 | 8.8 | 231 | 51 | 1.0 | 1272 | 17.4 |
Joby Wright Indiana University Basketball Career
Joby Wright played three varsity seasons for the Hoosiers. His first season was as a sophomore in the 1969-1970 season. As a sophomore, he played under then interim head coach Jerry Oliver who was stepping in for Lou Watson. He averaged 14.7 points per game which was the second highest on the team and he was second in rebounds.
In Joby Wright’s junior season, he had a career-high 18 rebounds in the game against Notre Dame. He was the team’s second highest scorer behind George McGinnis with 17.8 points per game. He was third in rebounding for the Hoosiers and Indiana posted a 17-7 record this season. This was Lou Watson’s last season as head coach for the Hoosiers after he returned to the program.
1971-72 was Joby’s final season for the Hoosiers and was Bob Knight’s first as head coach. Wright was name the team captain and earned all-Big Ten honors while leading the Hoosiers to 19.9 and second in team rebounding. The Hoosiers made the NIT with a 17-8 record.
Joby was considered one of the best players to play for the Hoosiers. He is one of the Hoosier’s all-time leading scorers with 1,271 points over his career. He entered the NBA draft after his senior season.
Joby Wright Career after Indiana
Joby was selected in the second round of the NBA draft and number 18 overall. He went to the Seattle SuperSonics and played in 77 games in his rookie season. He averaged 12 minutes per game and 3.9 points with 2.8 rebounds. The following season he played for the Memphis Tams in the American Basketball Association (ABA). His numbers remained similar as he averaged 4.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
