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New Ref Hopeful of More NBA Time

February 12, 2003 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds News Release


Boise, Idaho (February 12, 2003)— Coming out of Oral Roberts, a small Mid-Continent Conference school in Tulsa, Okla., Haywoode Workman's skills on the hardwood were exceptional enough to warrant a second round selection (49th overall) by the Atlanta Hawks, in the 1989 NBA draft. However, like many eventual NBA players, Workman would need a year in the Continental Basketball Association to develop his skills before making that jump to the next level. Now, after an eight-year NBA career (1989-2000) with five different teams, Workman is again turning to the CBA to hone his skills and make that jump to the next level, in his new profession as a referee.

"I understand the game and that you have to pay your dues," said Workman, who will be inducted into the Oral Roberts Hall of Fame on February 22, at halftime of the Golden Eagles game with Missouri-Kansas City. "I came through the CBA as a player; that is where it started for me. Now I am starting a new trade and my goal is to become a NBA official. I started in the CBA as a player and I will start there again as a ref."

After posting 17.1 ppg and earning 1990 CBA All-Rookie First Team honors for the Topeka (Kan.) Sizzlers (now the Yakima Sun Kings), the NBA's Washington Bullets called Workman's number the following season. The 6-3 guard tallied 8.0 points in 73 games with the Bullets, launching a 359-game NBA career that would include four seasons with the Indiana Pacers (1993-97).

Workman missed the entire 1997-98 season and all but five games in 1996-97, after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He would return to the NBA in 1998-99, seeing action in 29 games with the Milwaukee Bucks, and play the final 36 games of his career the following season, with the Bucks and Toronto Raptors.

Two years ago, while preparing for the upcoming NBA season, despite complications from his injured knee, Workman had a conversation with NBA official Bob Delaney, who asked him if he had ever considered refereeing. "I told him no at the time, but he said to think about it," Workman said. "After a year, and another year went by without playing, I figured too many guys want to be in coaching, but not many want to get into referring. I figured I know the game, why not be an official?"

Now as an official [and not a player], and knowing what they are calling and knowing how they look at the game, I appreciate the game a lot more."

Workman launched his new career in the professional ranks this season with the CBA, and according to Wade Morehead, CBA Deputy Commissioner and Supervisor of Officials, he has demonstrated the potential to officiate at any level. "The majority of Officials currently in the NBA received their training and learned their profession in the CBA," said Morehead. "If Haywoode works as hard at a career in officiating as he did as a player, then over time he will become an excellent CBA referee and be able to officiate at any level he chooses."

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