Maurice Cheeks

Maurice Edward Cheeks ( born September 8, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois ) is a retired American professional basketball player. Between 1978 and 1993 he played in the NBA for the teams of the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and New Jersey Nets. Cheeks is 1,85 m tall and played on the position of point guard.

Cheeks was a member of the 1983 Sixers championship team to Moses Malone and Julius Erving. When he finished his career, he was a record holder in steals. Most recently he worked as a coach with the Portland Trail Blazers, from which he was released on 2 March 2005.

On 25 April 2003, and before the game the Trail Blazers against the Dallas Mavericks, he helped the 13 -year-old Natalie Gilbert, who should sing the national anthem of the United States, but had forgotten the text. Cheeks rushed to her and they finished the hymn together, with the entire audience of the Rose Garden Arena agreed with. Cheeks and Gilbert were given at the end of a standing ovation.

Since Summer 2013 Cheeks was new head coach of the Detroit Pistons. Previously, he was responsible in the same position already for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pistons Cheeks was released on 9 February prematurely due to ausbleibendem sporting success.