Bill Varner
Height6 ft
Height in6.75
Weight lb220
Birth dateAugust 1, 1960 (age 66)
Birth placePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Belgian
High schoolValley (New Kensington, Pennsylvania)
CollegeNotre Dame (1979–1983)
Draft year1983
Draft round9
Draft pick202
Draft teamMilwaukee Bucks
Career start1983
Career end2002
Career number11, 12
Years 11983–1984
Team 1Sarasota Stingers
Years 21984
Team 2Wisconsin Flyers
Years 31984–1986
Team 3PAOK
Years 41986–1987
Team 4Olympique Antibes
Years 51987–1988
Team 5Tenerife CB
Years 61988–1989
Team 6BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque
Years 71989–1995
Team 7R.C. Mechelen
Years 81995
Team 8Montpellier Paillade Basket
Years 91995–1996
Team 9Atléticos de San Germán
Years 101996–1998
Team 10Club Ourense Baloncesto
Years 111998
Team 11Gaiteros del Zulia
Years 121998–1999
Team 12Valencia Basket
Years 131999–2000
Team 13Spirou Charleroi
Years 142000
Team 14Cocodrilos de Caracas
Years 152000–2001
Team 15Cholet Basket
Years 162001–2002
Team 16Cantabria Baloncesto
Highlights

William Joseph Varner is an American-Belgian former professional basketball player. He played on several European clubs, including R.C. Mechelen.

College career

Varner played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame, with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After, a poor performance at his first two college years, Varner has 10 points per game at his junior season, and 11,1 points average at his senior season.

Professional career

Varner played at Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during 1983–84 season, with Sarasota Stingers and Wisconsin Flyers.

In 1984 signed with P.A.O.K. BC. Varner played two years only in European Cup, but his contribution was fabulous. At 1984–85 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup second round PAOK eliminated KK Bosna Royal and Varner scored 35 points at the first leg, and 31 at the second. At group stage PAOK lost all the games, but Varner shone with 36 and 32 points against CB Zaragoza games, and 33 against BC Žalgiris in the away game. In 1985–86 season Varner 1985–86 FIBA Korać Cup lead PAOK at group stage. At the first round after a 105–87 defeat from BC Levski Sofia, Varner scored 36 points and a goal-foul at the last second of the second game and gave the victory to his team with 104–83. At group stage Varner scored 35 against Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino, 30 against KK Zadar, and 33 against his later club Olympique Antibes.[1]

Varner was named LNB Pro A MVP foreigner player for his performance with Olympique Antibes.

His best era of his career was with R.C. Mechelen He played six years from 1989 to 1995 and he won 6 consecutive Belgian Championships, and 3 Belgian Cups. At European competitions his best average was 24,2 points for 1991–92 FIBA European League. He also scored 39 points against CB Estudiantes on 11 February 1993. Varner was like a hero in Mechelen.[2]

He also played in many clubs, such as Montpellier Paillade Basket, Valencia Basket, Spirou Charleroi, and Cantabria Baloncesto end his career at the age of 42.

References

  1. ^ "PAOK Basketball Retro: Μπίλυ, αυτός ο άγνωστος..". paok-basketballretro.blogspot.gr. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  2. ^ "Sports | U.S. Players Were Basketball Slaves -- NBA Rejects Find Europe Friendlier Now". community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2017-07-15.