Tony Windless
Encyclopedia
Tony Windless is an American
retired professional basketball
player with a notable career stretching over a decade in the British Basketball League
.
A big time player, over the years Tony has collected every honour in the game and is often touted as one of the greates players to grace the British leagues.
The 6ft5 small forward
began his pro career in 1994 when he signed for the London Towers
, after attending Georgia Southern University
. His debut for Towers came on November 11 in a home game against Leicester Riders
, and after many more successful appearances during the 1994-95 season, Windless was elcected to the All-Star game and made the final BBL All-Star Team, the first of many more accolades.
His three season spell at the Towers would be his most successful throughout his career. The 1995-96 season saw the beginning of the trophy spree, when Windless helped the Towers to a 70-58 National Cup final victory against the Sheffield Sharks
, on their own turf. A 90-84 win over Worthing Bears in the Trophy
final, in which he was named MVP, and a first place finish in the League bulked up Windless' trophy cabinet, along with his personal awards of an All-Star game appearance and a spot in the All-Star Team at the end of the season.
The following season, which saw another him elected to another All-Star game appearance, Tony helped Towers to another Trophy win and a victorious Playoff run, beating fierce rivals Greater London Leopards 89-88 in an intense Wembley
final. The victory made all the more sweeter, after Leopards had pipped Towers to the league crown just weeks earlier.
After claiming every title in the game at Towers, Windless headed north from the capital in 1997 when he signed for Derby Storm
, where he played in 22 games, averaging 15.15 PPG. After just a year in Derby, Tony relocated to Milton Keynes Lions
for two years, where he found increased minutes and an improved points average, achieving his career high in the 1999-00 season, posting 19.65. This record would be smashed the following season after signing for Newcastle Eagles
, where in 31 games played, Windless tallied an impressive 21.32 PPG, still his best season average to date.
While in Newcastle, he regained his impeccable form from the Towers days, leading the previously fledging franchise to a Trophy final, in which they finished runners-up to the victorious Chester Jets, 92-81. For the seventh consecutive season, Windless was featured in the All-Star game for 2001, where he was named as MVP for the final ever event. He was also reselected for the BBL All-Star Team following a three year absence.
It seemed as though his career was on the up, and a move to Europe was too good to turn down. After starring in the French leagues for Montpellier, Gravelines and Besançon
, Windless returned to the UK in 2004 to play for Scottish Rocks
.
After one season in Glasgow
, where he averaged just 13.5 PPG in 31.75 minutes-per-game, he was off again, returning to his former club Milton Keynes Lions
, where he starred alongside a squad of fellow veteran stars until 2008, when he signed for the Leicester Riders
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retired professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player with a notable career stretching over a decade in the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
.
A big time player, over the years Tony has collected every honour in the game and is often touted as one of the greates players to grace the British leagues.
The 6ft5 small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
began his pro career in 1994 when he signed for the London Towers
London Towers
London Towers was a professional basketball team based in London, England. They were one of the most successful and recognised British sports teams of the 1990s, collecting many titles in the British Basketball League as well as regularly competing in European competitions such as the Euroleague...
, after attending Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a national public university located on a campus in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1906, it is part of the University System of Georgia and is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia offering 117 academic majors in a comprehensive...
. His debut for Towers came on November 11 in a home game against Leicester Riders
Leicester Riders
The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League...
, and after many more successful appearances during the 1994-95 season, Windless was elcected to the All-Star game and made the final BBL All-Star Team, the first of many more accolades.
His three season spell at the Towers would be his most successful throughout his career. The 1995-96 season saw the beginning of the trophy spree, when Windless helped the Towers to a 70-58 National Cup final victory against the Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
, on their own turf. A 90-84 win over Worthing Bears in the Trophy
BBL Trophy
The BBL Trophy is one of three cup competitions operated by the British Basketball League. The competition begins with a regional group format and comprises the BBL clubs divided into four regional qualifying groups of three...
final, in which he was named MVP, and a first place finish in the League bulked up Windless' trophy cabinet, along with his personal awards of an All-Star game appearance and a spot in the All-Star Team at the end of the season.
The following season, which saw another him elected to another All-Star game appearance, Tony helped Towers to another Trophy win and a victorious Playoff run, beating fierce rivals Greater London Leopards 89-88 in an intense Wembley
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
final. The victory made all the more sweeter, after Leopards had pipped Towers to the league crown just weeks earlier.
After claiming every title in the game at Towers, Windless headed north from the capital in 1997 when he signed for Derby Storm
Derby Storm
Derby Storm was a former British Basketball League franchise from the city of Derby, Derbyshire. The team took the decision to sit out the 2002-03 season after failing to find a suitable venue for home games...
, where he played in 22 games, averaging 15.15 PPG. After just a year in Derby, Tony relocated to Milton Keynes Lions
Milton Keynes Lions
The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL...
for two years, where he found increased minutes and an improved points average, achieving his career high in the 1999-00 season, posting 19.65. This record would be smashed the following season after signing for Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
, where in 31 games played, Windless tallied an impressive 21.32 PPG, still his best season average to date.
While in Newcastle, he regained his impeccable form from the Towers days, leading the previously fledging franchise to a Trophy final, in which they finished runners-up to the victorious Chester Jets, 92-81. For the seventh consecutive season, Windless was featured in the All-Star game for 2001, where he was named as MVP for the final ever event. He was also reselected for the BBL All-Star Team following a three year absence.
It seemed as though his career was on the up, and a move to Europe was too good to turn down. After starring in the French leagues for Montpellier, Gravelines and Besançon
Besançon BCD
Besançon Basket Comté Doubs was a basketball club based in Besançon, France that played in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. Their home arena was the Palais des Sports. The club is placed in receivership and disappears on 1 September 2009....
, Windless returned to the UK in 2004 to play for Scottish Rocks
Scottish Rocks
The Glasgow Rocks is a basketball team which competes in the British Basketball League. Formerly known as Scottish Rocks and also Edinburgh Rocks, they are one of the leading franchises in the top-tier league, and the only team to be based outside of England, playing at the Kelvin Hall...
.
After one season in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, where he averaged just 13.5 PPG in 31.75 minutes-per-game, he was off again, returning to his former club Milton Keynes Lions
Milton Keynes Lions
The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL...
, where he starred alongside a squad of fellow veteran stars until 2008, when he signed for the Leicester Riders
Leicester Riders
The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League...
.
Career history
- 2008–2011 Leicester RidersLeicester RidersThe Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League...
- 2005-08 Milton Keynes LionsMilton Keynes LionsThe Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL...
- 2004-05 Scottish RocksScottish RocksThe Glasgow Rocks is a basketball team which competes in the British Basketball League. Formerly known as Scottish Rocks and also Edinburgh Rocks, they are one of the leading franchises in the top-tier league, and the only team to be based outside of England, playing at the Kelvin Hall...
- 2003-04
BesançonBesançon BCDBesançon Basket Comté Doubs was a basketball club based in Besançon, France that played in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. Their home arena was the Palais des Sports. The club is placed in receivership and disappears on 1 September 2009.... - 2002-03 Gravelines
- 2001-02 Montpellier Basket
- 2000-01 Newcastle EaglesNewcastle EaglesNewcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
- 1998-00 Milton Keynes LionsMilton Keynes LionsThe Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL...
- 1997-98 Derby StormDerby StormDerby Storm was a former British Basketball League franchise from the city of Derby, Derbyshire. The team took the decision to sit out the 2002-03 season after failing to find a suitable venue for home games...
- 1994-97 London TowersLondon TowersLondon Towers was a professional basketball team based in London, England. They were one of the most successful and recognised British sports teams of the 1990s, collecting many titles in the British Basketball League as well as regularly competing in European competitions such as the Euroleague...