Ron Charles (basketball)

Ron Charles
Personal information
Born	January 23, 1959; New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	July 21, 2024 (aged 65)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	Michigan State (1976–1980)
NBA draft	1980: 4th round, 74th overall pick
	Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Position	Power forward / center
Career history
1981–1982	Caja de Ronda
1982–1983	Detroit Spirits
1987	Segafredo Gorizia
Career highlights and awards
	NCAA champion (1979);
	Stats at Basketball Reference

Ronald Alexander Charles (January 23, 1959 – July 21, 2024) was an American basketball player. He was a member of Michigan State's 1979 national championship team and played professionally in many leagues, including Italy's Lega Basket Serie A. Charles died suddenly on July 21, 2024, at the age of 65.^[1]

College career

Charles, a 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) forward and center from the United States Virgin Islands played collegiate basketball at Michigan State University from 1976 to 1980. In his sophomore and junior seasons, Charles was a key contributor for the Spartans' back-to-back Big Ten championship teams, led by future Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. In the 1978–79 season, Charles was sixth man for the Spartans squad as they won the 1979 NCAA Tournament. Charles stepped into the starting lineup after Spartans sophomore Jay Vincent injured his foot and started for most of the NCAA tournament. He led the Spartans in field goal percentage that season, shooting .665 from the floor, establishing a school record for a season in the process.^[2]

As a senior, Charles was named a co-captain of the 1979–80 Spartans and entered the starting line-up full-time. While the team had a letdown after losing Johnson and Greg Kelser, Charles had a successful individual season. He broke his own record for season field goal percentage, shooting .676 from the floor, including a 12 for 12 shooting night against rival Michigan to tie the school record for single-game FG percentage as well. For the season, Charles averaged 8.9 rebounds per game. He ended his career holding all school records for field goal percentage, for a game, season and career (.639).^[2]

Professional career

Following his college career, Charles was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1980 NBA draft (4th round, 74th pick). He played professionally for several years, including stints in the Continental Basketball Association, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. He returned to the U. S. in 1989, settling in Atlanta.^[3]

References

^ Ron Charles, star basketball player from St. Croix, dies suddenly at age 65
^ ^a ^b 2011–12 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball media guide, accessed November 13, 2011
^ Ron Charles: Ultimate Role Player, accessed November 13, 2011

External links

[1] Ron Charles, star basketball player from St. Croix, dies suddenly at age 65

[MGUIDE-2] 2011–12 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball media guide, accessed November 13, 2011

[3] Ron Charles: Ultimate Role Player, accessed November 13, 2011

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