Will Perdue
Four-time NBA champion and former Bulls analyst.
William Edward Perdue III (born August 29, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a member of four NBA championship teams, three with the Chicago Bulls (1991–1993) and one with the San Antonio Spurs (1999). Perdue was a Studio analyst for NBC Sports Chicago during its pre- and post-game Chicago Bulls broadcasts until the channel's closure in 2024.
- Role
- Backup Center / Power Forward
- Affiliation
- Chicago Bulls (1988–2000)
- Draft Year
- 1988 (First Round, 11th Overall)
- College
- Vanderbilt University
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Perdue attended Merritt Island High School in Merritt Island, Florida. He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he was named a third-team All-American, the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and SEC Male Athlete of the Year in 1988.
In Their Own Story
The turning point in Perdue's tenure with the Bulls came after the 1994–95 season. Following a year where he started regularly and posted solid numbers of 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds, the team dynamics shifted with Luc Longley's arrival. Before the next training camp began, the Bulls executed a trade, sending Perdue to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Dennis Rodman. This move set the stage for his fourth championship. In August 1999, after winning the title with San Antonio, Perdue rejoined the Bulls as a free agent. During the 1999–2000 season, he started 15 of his 67 games, contributing 2.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. His final NBA stop was with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played 13 games, averaging 1.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in just 4.5 minutes per contest.
Reader's Guide
Perdue was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 11th overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft. He was mainly a backup to center Bill Cartwright and became a regular starter during the 1994–95 NBA season. The Bulls traded him to the San Antonio Spurs for Dennis Rodman before the 1995–96 season. He won his fourth NBA championship with the Spurs in 1999. In August 1999, he rejoined the Bulls as a free agent, starting 15 of 67 games in 1999–2000. After that season, he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, playing 13 games. He averaged 4.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game over a thirteen-year career.
Did You Know?
- Perdue was a third-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year in 1988.
- He won three NBA titles with the Bulls (1991–1993) and one with the Spurs (1999).
- He was traded from the Bulls to the Spurs for Dennis Rodman.
- After retiring as a player, he worked as a studio analyst for NBC Sports Chicago until the channel closed in 2024.
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