Memphis Legend William Bedford Named to 2025 American Basketball Hall of Fame Class
Jul 09, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Former Memphis State University standout William Bedford, a towering presence in Tiger basketball history and a key figure in the program's 1985 Final Four run, has been named to the American Basketball Hall of Fame (ABHOF) Class of 2025.
Bedford is one of 22 individuals selected for enshrinement this year. The 7th Annual ABHOF Induction Ceremony will take place on August 17, 2025, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan.
"This means so much to me," Bedford said. "It's an incredible honor to be recognized alongside the legends who came before me. I'm truly blessed."
A 7-footer from Melrose High School in Memphis, Bedford was a transformative talent for the Tigers in the mid-1980s, leaving a legacy as one of the program's most impactful big men.
During the 1985-86 season, he led the team in points (17.3 per game), rebounds (8.5), blocks (2.7) and field goal percentage (58.4%), showcasing his all-around dominance. He led the Tigers in field goal percentage for three-straight seasons (1983-84 to 1985-86) and his 56.7% career field goal mark ranks tied for eighth in program history.
Bedford recorded 21 double-doubles in 93 career games and remains one of just two players in Memphis history — alongside fellow Tiger legend Keith Lee — to register multiple seasons with 80+ blocked shots. His defensive prowess was especially evident during the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, when he averaged 2.6 and 2.7 blocks per game, respectively. His 86 blocks as a junior remain the most in a single season by a Tigers junior.
Despite not picking up organized basketball until high school, Bedford's rise was rapid. He earned Metro Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 1984, was named First-Team All-Metro Conference and a Third-Team Associated Press All-American in 1986, and played a vital role in Memphis State's NCAA Tournament runs. He was named to the All-Midwest Region Team in both 1984 and 1985, helping the Tigers reach the pinnacle with a Final Four appearance in 1985.
Bedford ranks 26th on the Tigers' all-time scoring list with 1,225 career points and still sits fourth in program history in total blocks (234). His 86 blocks during the 1985-86 season remain the most ever by a Memphis junior.
Bedford's collegiate success propelled him to the professional ranks, where he was selected 6th overall in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He played six seasons in the NBA with the Suns, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.
He was part of the 1990 NBA Champion Pistons and set a unique NBA record on November 6, 1990, becoming the first player to hit three or more three-pointers in a single minute of action —finishing a perfect 3-for-3 from deep against the Seattle SuperSonics.
Since its founding in 2019, the American Basketball Hall of Fame has honored more than 85 individuals across six classes — including legends such as Kobe Bryant, Meadowlark Lemon, Sam Jones, Tom Izzo, Dick Vitale, Isiah Thomas and Pee Wee Kirkland. The Hall celebrates those who have impacted the game at every level — from high school and college to the NBA, ABA, WNBA and beyond.
Bedford's enshrinement not only honors his on-court accomplishments, but also solidifies his lasting legacy as one of the most influential big men in Memphis basketball history.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Bedford is one of 22 individuals selected for enshrinement this year. The 7th Annual ABHOF Induction Ceremony will take place on August 17, 2025, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan.
"This means so much to me," Bedford said. "It's an incredible honor to be recognized alongside the legends who came before me. I'm truly blessed."
A 7-footer from Melrose High School in Memphis, Bedford was a transformative talent for the Tigers in the mid-1980s, leaving a legacy as one of the program's most impactful big men.
During the 1985-86 season, he led the team in points (17.3 per game), rebounds (8.5), blocks (2.7) and field goal percentage (58.4%), showcasing his all-around dominance. He led the Tigers in field goal percentage for three-straight seasons (1983-84 to 1985-86) and his 56.7% career field goal mark ranks tied for eighth in program history.
Bedford recorded 21 double-doubles in 93 career games and remains one of just two players in Memphis history — alongside fellow Tiger legend Keith Lee — to register multiple seasons with 80+ blocked shots. His defensive prowess was especially evident during the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, when he averaged 2.6 and 2.7 blocks per game, respectively. His 86 blocks as a junior remain the most in a single season by a Tigers junior.
Despite not picking up organized basketball until high school, Bedford's rise was rapid. He earned Metro Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 1984, was named First-Team All-Metro Conference and a Third-Team Associated Press All-American in 1986, and played a vital role in Memphis State's NCAA Tournament runs. He was named to the All-Midwest Region Team in both 1984 and 1985, helping the Tigers reach the pinnacle with a Final Four appearance in 1985.
Bedford ranks 26th on the Tigers' all-time scoring list with 1,225 career points and still sits fourth in program history in total blocks (234). His 86 blocks during the 1985-86 season remain the most ever by a Memphis junior.
Bedford's collegiate success propelled him to the professional ranks, where he was selected 6th overall in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He played six seasons in the NBA with the Suns, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.
He was part of the 1990 NBA Champion Pistons and set a unique NBA record on November 6, 1990, becoming the first player to hit three or more three-pointers in a single minute of action —finishing a perfect 3-for-3 from deep against the Seattle SuperSonics.
Since its founding in 2019, the American Basketball Hall of Fame has honored more than 85 individuals across six classes — including legends such as Kobe Bryant, Meadowlark Lemon, Sam Jones, Tom Izzo, Dick Vitale, Isiah Thomas and Pee Wee Kirkland. The Hall celebrates those who have impacted the game at every level — from high school and college to the NBA, ABA, WNBA and beyond.
Bedford's enshrinement not only honors his on-court accomplishments, but also solidifies his lasting legacy as one of the most influential big men in Memphis basketball history.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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