The Basketball Journey of David Greenwood

David Greenwood had an immense passion for basketball during his middle school years, often playing for three teams in various parks on the same day, several times a week.

His brother Al would drive him between games, assisting David as he changed out of his sweaty uniform repeatedly. “He was relentless,” Al remarked, “because he loved the game.”

At home, David faced off against his father, a cement contractor, who was much larger than him. Despite the physicality, David always got back up for more. He practiced shooting blindfolded to hone his technique, relying on Al to signal when he was close to going out of bounds.

Greenwood, the dedicated Compton native, transitioned from being a star basketball player at Verbum Dei High School to one of UCLA’s highest scorers and eventually an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons. He passed away on Sunday night in a Riverside hospital after battling cancer at the age of 68. True to his nature, he kept his illness hidden from family until the very end.

“Everything happened so quickly,” noted his nephew, Bronson Greenwood. “It was quite shocking.” Acknowledged as one of the top high school players in Southern California, Greenwood, alongside Roy Hamilton, was among the last players recruited by the legendary UCLA coach John Wooden. The duo was surprised by Wooden’s retirement shortly after their senior season, yet they chose to stay committed to UCLA, tempted by the challenge of proving themselves against an array of elite players.

As a Bruin, Greenwood’s remarkable work ethic propelled him forward. After team practices, he dedicated an additional hour in a separate gym for solo drills, showcasing his commitment to both himself and his teammates. Named “Batman and Robin” during high school, Greenwood remained close with Hamilton throughout college, often motivating each other on the court.

By his sophomore year, Greenwood emerged as a star, consistently recording double-doubles in scoring and rebounds. He became an All-American in both his junior and senior seasons, known for his signature spin-around jumper. One of his fondest memories was a dramatic win against Washington State, where he sealed the game with a putback dunk just before the buzzer.

UCLA never fully recovered its former glory during Greenwood’s tenure but he remains 15th on the school’s all-time scoring list, with 1,721 points. Selected second in the 1979 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Greenwood was recognized for his steady performance. Despite facing a series of foot injuries, he maintained his gameplay and even recorded a successful rookie season, averaging 16.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.

Throughout his NBA career, Greenwood never missed an entire season, enduring multiple surgeries on both feet. He was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 1985 before becoming a key playoff contributor for the Pistons during their 1990 championship win. He later ventured into business, owning several Blockbuster video stores, and returned to coaching, leading Verbum Dei to two state championships. Greenwood is survived by his brother Al, sister Laverne, son Jemil, daughter Tiffany, and former wife Joyce. Services are pending.