So far, Ceballos has done well and looks to be on the road to recovery. As Cedric Ceballos “Ice,” 42, recovers in a Phoenix hospital from “a series of small heart attacks,” we take a look back at this former All-Star’s career.
Born in Maui, Hawaii, Ceballos went to Dominguez Hills High School, as did Tyson Chandler, Dennis Johnson, Tayshaun Prince, and Brandon Jennings.
Ceballos was a master at splitting defenses and getting to the bucket with reckless abandon.
Although Ceballos was a favorite of mine and I enjoyed watching him play, his career was affected by injuries, so in his 10-year career from 1991 to 2001, Ceballos only played 609 games. He played for the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and other teams. Ceballos continued his career in Europe and the ABA and played professionally until 2007.
Overall in the NBA, “Ice” averaged 14.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg and shot 50% from the floor.
In 1992, his blindfold dunk won him the Dunk Contest
Led by Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson, the 1993 Phoenix Suns and Ceballos made the NBA Finals, only to lose in dramatic fashion to the Chicago Bulls, and Michael Jordan, in six games.
John Paxson finishes game 6
That season, 1993, Ceballos led the NBA in field goal percentage (FG%) with 57.6%. In the playoffs, he shot 57.1% although he shared the spotlight, scoring a modest 6.0 ppg
In his prime, 1994-1996, Ceballos was a tremendous scorer, averaging 20+ ppg. But, even in his peak, he was never fully healthy, playing only 58, 78, and 50 games during those seasons. In his career, he never played a full 82-game season.
Though, in 1995, Ceballos had one of his best seasons, averaging 21.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, and 1.8 apg, all while shooting 50.9% FG’s, 39.7% 3’s, and 71.6% FT’s. That season, he was selected to the All-Star team, although Ceballos did not play due to injury; Dikembe Mutombo replaced him on the Western Conference All-Star’s bench.
Ceballos Goes for 50 (1994-1995)
In 1997, Ceballos became a piece of LA Lakers’ history when he was traded for Robert Horry. The addition of Horry to Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Rick Fox would solidify the team for the first Lakers’ three-peat (2000-2002).
During his career, Ceballos made three Western Conference Finals and one NBA Finals, always playing with his exuberant style, undeniable passion, and great determination.
What is also notable about Ceballos is that he put out a rap video, and it is not that bad, compared to some other NBA players’ raps.
“Flow on”
We hope for a quick and complete recovery for former All-Star Cedric Ceballos.
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
