Cory Hightower

Cory Hightower (born July 30, 1979 in Flint, Michigan) is a professional basketball player who was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2nd round (54th pick) in the 2000 NBA Draft.

He played two years as a guard/forward with Indian Hills Community College, and had committed to play at Texas Christian University, but decided to leave early to declare for the draft. While at Indian Hills, Hightower was named NJCAA Tournament MVP his freshman year, and was named a First Team NJCAA All-American his sophomore year.

His draft rights were traded by the Spurs to the Los Angeles Lakers on the day of the draft. Hightower averaged 17 points per game for the Lakers in NBA Summer League and pre-season, but was eventually cut from the NBA Championship team to make room for a point guard.^[1] Rumors surrounded the ultra talented Hightower, that his NBA dreams were shattered as he refused to carry Kobe Bryants bags. Hightower denies the rumors.^[2] Flint natives Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and other Flint NBA Legends, confirm that Cory Hightower is the greatest player ever to come out of the basketball hotbed.

He split the 2000-01 season in the CBA with the Gary Steelheads before joining the Harlem Globetrotters. Participated in training camp with the Charlotte Hornets in 2001 before being released. He returned to the CBA in 2002 and played once again with the Gary Steelheads and later, the Rockford Lightning. Hightower would continue to leap around the CBA for the next few years, playing for the Great Lakes Storm, Yakima Sun Kings, and Michigan Mayhem. In 2004, Hightower began playing overseas for teams such as Marinos de Anzoategui in Venezuela. Hightower also played for the Albany Patroons of the United States Basketball League.

Notes

1. ^ Eric Woodyard (2010). "Catching up with a Flint Legend". SLAM. http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/2010/02/catching-up-with-a-flint-legend/. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 
2. ^ Eric Woodyard (2010). "Flint Legend Cory Hightower Wants One More Shot". Eric Woodyard. http://eric32woodyard.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/flint-legend-cory-hightower-wants-one-more-shot/. Retrieved 2011-02-23. 

External links

• NBDL Player's Page
• Albany Patroons Current Roster

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Name	Hightower, Cory
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Date of birth	July 30, 1979
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