Quick Facts
- Date of birth: December 14, 1963
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
- High school: Melrose High School (Memphis)
- College: Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), 1983–1986
- Notable achievements: 1985 NCAA Final Four (Memphis State); 1986 AP Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-Metro; No. 6 pick in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns; 1990 NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons
- Unique NBA note: First player to hit three 3-pointers in a single minute of game time (Nov. 6, 1990, vs. Seattle)
- Height/Weight: 7’0″, 225 lbs
Main Story
On December 14, 1963, Memphis welcomed William Bedford, a future 7-foot centerpiece of Tiger basketball and a name etched into Memphis history. A product of Melrose High School, Bedford stayed home to star at Memphis State University, where he helped guide Larry Finch’s program to the 1985 Final Four and cement the 901’s reputation as a basketball city. In his junior season (1985–86), Bedford led the Tigers in scoring (17.3 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), blocks (2.7 bpg), and field-goal percentage (58.4%), earning AP Third-Team All-America and All-Metro honors.
Bedford’s collegiate rise carried him to the pros as the sixth overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He played six NBA seasons with Phoenix, Detroit, and San Antonio, contributing to the Pistons’ 1990 championship run. On November 6, 1990, he notched a quirky slice of league history by becoming the first NBA player to make three three-pointers in a single minute of action—an eye-catching feat remembered by hoops historians.
From Melrose gyms to the lights beyond Beale Street, Bedford’s path kept the Bluff City visible on the national stage and added to the city’s deep basketball lineage.
Legacy
Bedford’s birthday offers a moment to reflect on how homegrown talent has shaped Memphis basketball culture—from neighborhood courts to the Tigers’ national prominence. His honors continue to resonate: in 2025 he was named to the American Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, a recognition that underscores his impact on Memphis State’s golden era and the city’s hoops identity. For fans of Memphis history, the 901’s basketball story runs through players like Bedford, whose achievements still echo across the city.
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