Rodger Smith
July 23, 2020
Winston Crite
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 20/06/65
- Place of Birth: Bakersfield, California (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 106
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Texas A&M (1983–1987)
NBL CAREER OVERVIEW
NBL DEBUT
21/04/89
Age 23
LAST NBL GAME
20/08/89
Age 24
TEAM HISTORY
1 seasons | 1 team- 1989BB
Brisbane Bullets1 season
CHAMPIONSHIPS
NoneBIO: Winston Crite was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. He attended South High School Bakersfield, where, as a sophomore, he led his team to the San Joaquin Valley Championship. In his senior year, Crite was voted by the Bakersfield Californian as the All Area Player of the Year, and was later named to the All Northern California all-star team.
At 6’7″ (2.00 m) and 233 lb (106 kg), he played power forward and after a very successful career at Texas A&M University was selected with 53rd overall (7th in third round) pick in the 1987 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He spent two following seasons in the NBA playing for Suns before playing the remainder of his career in Europe.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Winston Crite made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 23 years of age. He scored 44 points in his first game.
After finishing third with an 18-6 record in 1988 before Perth eliminated them 113-98 in the quarterfinals, Brisbane entered 1989 without two of its top three scorers, with Shane Heal (to Geelong) and Emery Atkinson (to Canberra) departing. Head coach Brian Kerle added former Phoenix Suns forward Winston Crite and Greg Giddings (via Hobart) to a group still built around Leroy Loggins, Larry Sengstock, Ron Radliff, Robert Sibley and John Dorge. The new-look Bullets won the preseason title but were unable to reproduce the cohesion that had made Brisbane one of the NBL’s dominant teams throughout the decade.
Crite made an extraordinary NBL debut against Newcastle on April 21, scoring a season-high 44 points with 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block while making 20-of-28 field goals as Brisbane won 109-93. John Dorge (17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) and Loggins (16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) provided support, while Jerry Everett (39 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Falcons.
Crite (20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 20 games) immediately became Brisbane’s second-leading scorer and shot 56.8 percent from the field during his lone NBL season. His impact also earned him selection to the Northern All-Stars for the 1989 NBL All-Star Game at the Glass House.
On May 13, Crite (2 points and 4 rebounds) played limited minutes as Brisbane produced one of the highest-scoring performances in league history, defeating Wollongong 170-127. Loggins (43 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block) and Sibley (32 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) led an extraordinary offensive performance, while Norman Taylor (27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Wollongong’s best.
Crite’s best all-around game came against Perth on June 3, when he finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 1 block while making 17-of-28 field goals as Brisbane won 110-103. Loggins (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Sibley (12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) helped the Bullets hold off the Wildcats, while James Crawford (32 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Perth.
On August 5, Crite (22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) made 9-of-10 field goals as Brisbane defeated Hobart 110-97. Loggins (40 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks) dominated for the Bullets, while Wayne McDaniel (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist) was Hobart’s best. The victory improved Brisbane to 10-7, but the Bullets then lost six consecutive games.
Loggins (22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 steals across 24 games) remained Brisbane’s leading scorer, while Sibley (15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds across 24 games) made a significant jump from the previous season. Sengstock (12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds across 23 games), Radliff (12 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals across 24 games) and Giddings (9.2 points and 4.7 assists across 19 games) rounded out the main rotation.
Crite appeared in the first three losses of Brisbane’s six-game skid but did not play in the final four games of the season.
Crite did not play as Brisbane closed the season against Sydney on September 16, with Loggins (32 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Sengstock (29 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 assists) leading the Bullets to a 116-103 win, while Steve Carfino (29 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s best. The result left Brisbane eighth with an 11-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983.
Winston Crite played one season in the NBL. He averaged 20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 20 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 24 | Brisbane | 11-13 (8) | 20 | 640 | 416 | 150 | 18 | 48 | 102 | 20 | 28 | 61 | 80 | 171 | 301 | 57% | 1 | 3 | 33% | 73 | 106 | 69% | 60% | 57% | 44 | Totals | 20 | 640 | 416 | 150 | 18 | 48 | 102 | 20 | 28 | 61 | 80 | 171 | 301 | 56.8% | 1 | 3 | 33.3% | 73 | 106 | 68.9% | 60% | 57% | 44 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 24 | Brisbane | 11-13 (8) | 20 | 32.0 | 20.8 | 7.5 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 5.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 15.1 | 57% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 33% | 3.7 | 5.3 | 69% | 60% | 57% | 44 | Total | 20 | 32.0 | 20.8 | 7.5 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 5.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 15.1 | 56.8% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 33.3% | 3.7 | 5.3 | 68.9% | 60% | 57% | 44 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 44 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Winston Crite was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with pick #53 in the 1987 NBA Draft.
Crite played 31 games in the NBA. He averaged 2.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 22, 1987: Drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 3rd round (53rd pick) of the 1987 NBA Draft.
- September 1, 1987: Signed a multi-year contract with the Phoenix Suns.
- December 27, 1988: Waived by the Phoenix Suns.
- December 29, 1988: Became a free agent after being waived by the Phoenix Suns.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 94% | 53% | 81% | 97% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 44 | 5 | 4 | 3 | ||||||
| Total | 171 | 301 | 56.8% | 1 | 3 | 33.3% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 | 23 | Phoenix | SF | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | |||
| 1987-88 | 22 | Phoenix | SF | 29 | 0 | 258 | 87 | 64 | 15 | 27 | 37 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 42 | 34 | 68 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 25 | 55% | 50% | Total | 31 | 0 | 264 | 87 | 65 | 15 | 28 | 37 | 5 | 8 | 26 | 43 | 34 | 71 | 48% | 0 | 0 | 19 | 25 | 76% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 | 23 | Phoenix | SF | 2 | 0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | ||
| 1987-88 | 22 | Phoenix | SF | 29 | 0 | 8.9 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 50% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 55% | 50% | Total | 31 | 0 | 8.5 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 48% | 0.6 | 0.8 | 76% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
-
Philippines
- Manila Pure Foods1990
Spain
- Grupo IFA Granollers1991
France
- ASA Sceaux1992–1993
- Cholet Basket1993–1994
- BCM Gravelines1994–1995
- Montpellier Basket1995–1996
Argentina
- Racing de Avellaneda1996–1997
Winston Crite joined Manila Pure Foods for the 1990 Philippine Basketball Association season, playing his first season in the Philippines.
Crite moved to Spain in 1991, joining Grupo IFA Granollers for the 1991 season and beginning a run of European stops that continued through the mid-1990s.
In the 1990–91 Liga ACB season with Grupo IFA Granollers, Crite appeared in 17 games and averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in 32:30 minutes per game. He converted 51.7 percent of his two-point attempts and 76.4 percent of his free throws.
Crites Spanish league career highs included 25 points against Pamesa Valencia on 20 April 1991, 10 rebounds against Breogán on 18 May 1991, five assists against Ferrol on 14 April 1991 and four blocks against Joventut Badalona on 16 February 1991.
Crite played for ASA Sceaux in 1992–93 French second-tier Pro B, appearing in 25 domestic regular-season games at 22.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks in 37.8 minutes, shooting 60.6 percent from the field. Sceaux won the 1993 second-division championship, and Cholets official career record lists him as the 1992–93 Pro B Foreign Player MVP. These are Pro B, not Pro A statistics.
Crite joined Cholet Basket for 1993–94 and made 11 French top-division regular-season appearances at 16.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.9 minutes, shooting 61.7 percent from the field. At BCM Gravelines in 1994–95 he played 20 Pro A regular-season games at 21.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 35.6 minutes, shooting 64.9 percent overall. He joined Montpellier Basket for 1995–96, but a complete verified individual game count for that club was not established in the sources checked, so it is not guessed.
For the 1996–1997 season, Crite played in Argentina with Racing de Avellaneda, closing out his documented overseas career with the Buenos Aires club.
COLLEGE
Winston Crite played college basketball at Texas A&M from the 1983–84 season through the 1986–87 season, finishing his four-year career with 123 games played and 118 starts as a steady frontcourt scorer and rebounder in the Southwest Conference under head coach Shelby Metcalf.
As a freshman in 1983–84, Crite was part of a Texas A&M team that went 16–14 overall (7–9 SWC), and the official season stat sheet listed him in 30 games with 105 made field goals on 198 attempts (53.0%) and 56 made free throws on 83 attempts (67.4%).
In that 1983–84 campaign, he totaled 266 points (8.8 per game) and 184 rebounds (6.1 per game), with 35 assists, 70 turnovers, 26 steals, and a season-high 25 points against UT, while Texas A&M scored 1,881 points across 30 games (62.7 per game) and allowed 1,921 (64.0 per game).
Crite moved into a full-time starting role as a sophomore in 1984–85, and the official Texas A&M season totals listed him as starting all 30 games while helping the Aggies finish 19–11 overall and 10–6 in SWC play.
Across those 30 games in 1984–85, he logged 1,004 minutes, shot 140-for-247 from the field (56.7%), made 83-of-128 free throws (64.8%), collected 245 rebounds (8.2 per game), and produced 363 points (12.1 per game) with 65 blocks, 31 steals, 37 assists, and a season-high 26 points against Arkansas.
As a junior in 1985–86, the Aggies finished with a 20–12 team record with a 12–4 mark in league play, and Crite appeared in all 32 games with 31 starts during a season that also ended with an NIT appearance for the Aggies.
In that 1985–86 season, he played 1,046 minutes (32.7 per game), hit 166-of-286 field goals (58.0%), converted 94-of-134 free throws (70.1%), and finished with 426 points (13.3 per game) and 256 rebounds (8.0 per game) alongside 45 blocks, 32 steals, 52 assists, 86 turnovers, and a season-high 26 points against Prairie View.
Crite closed his Texas A&M career as a senior in 1986–87 on a 17–14 team that went 6–10 in the SWC before winning the SWC Tournament, a run that the official Texas A&M Hall of Fame bio notes included him earning tournament MVP honors as the Aggies advanced to the NCAA Tournament as the league’s automatic qualifier.
The official 1986–87 stat sheet credited him with starting all 31 games and averaging 16.8 points on 203-for-362 shooting (56.1%), with 115 made free throws on 173 attempts (66.5%) and 228 rebounds (7.4 per game), plus 40 assists, 67 turnovers, 25 steals, and a team-high 62 blocks, with his season best of 30 points listed as his high in the points column.
Texas A&M’s NCAA Tournament ended in the Midwest First Round with a 58–51 loss to Duke, and the 1986–87 stat report also specified that Crite’s 62 blocks accounted for the majority of the team’s 103 blocks on the season and that he had 32 of the team’s 52 blocks in SWC games.
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com