When Spud Webb got off the airplane for his NC State visit, legend has it that Jim Valvano turned to birddog assistant Tom Abatemarco and said “you’re fired.”
Webb was just 5-6 but as Abatemarco knew, and Valvano would soon find out, he had breathtaking athleticism. He had nearly a 50” vertical and he was extremely quick too.
It all added up to a superb career. Webb spent two years at NC State as a JUCO transfer, then was off to the NBA where had a 13-year career, highlighted by an immortal win in the NBA dunk contest in 1986.