James Worthy is a retired American professional basketball player and a Hall of Fame forward best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers during the “Showtime” era. Born on February 27, 1961, Worthy was a standout at the University of North Carolina, where he won an NCAA championship in 1982 before being selected first overall in the NBA Draft. A seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion, he earned the nickname “Big Game James” for his clutch performances, including being named MVP of the 1988 NBA Finals. Known for his speed, agility, and signature spin move, Worthy solidified his legacy as one of the greatest small forwards in basketball history and later became a respected analyst and ambassador for the game.
