Title
Honoring and recognizing Maurice "Mo" Cheeks for his induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Body
WHEREAS, Maurice Cheeks was born on September 8, 1956 into a tight-knit family on Chicago's South Side. During his childhood in the Robert Taylor Homes public housing complex, Maurice's mother, Marjorie, who he has referred to as his "first coach," played a particularly important role in Mo's development as a young man; and
WHEREAS, As Mo was finishing his high school playing career at DuSable High School in Chicago, he was not a heavily recruited prospect for major collegiate basketball programs. Mo credits his high school teammate, William Dice, for the lone scholarship offer that he did receive to play at West Texas State University. Dice, a highly touted prospect, told college coaches that he would only accept a scholarship if one was also offered to Mo; and
WHEREAS, At West Texas State, located in a small town with a population of only 10,000 residents, Mo couldn't have felt much further from his home on Chicago's South Side. Telling his mother about how lonely and unhappy he felt, Mo told her that he planned to leave West Texas and return home. She said "Maurice, you quit school and you better not come home". Cheeks later recalled to the New York Times. Mo obliged and was thankful for the support he received, as he went on to have one of the most outstanding careers in the history of West Texas basketball; and
WHEREAS, Playing at West Texas State from 1974 to 1978, Mo was a four-year starter at point guard and was selected for the all-Missouri Valley Conference team after each of his last three seasons. Mo shot nearly 57% over the course of his collegiate career and averaged 16.8 points per game during his senior season; and
WHEREAS, Cheeks was selected with the 36th pick of the 1978 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, where Mo would join perennial all-star Julius Erving. Mo played in all 82 games during his rookie ye...
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