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Tim Perry
Tim Perry
Tim Perry
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Timothy D. Perry (born June 4, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player. Following his college career with the Temple Owls he played professionally for 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Liga ACB.

Key Information

Playing career

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Perry played college basketball for Temple University from 1984 to 1988[1] and left as the schools leader in blocks with 392.[2] He was selected seventh overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1988 NBA draft. Through eight NBA seasons, he averaged 6.8 points and 4 rebounds per game. Charles Barkley claims in Sir Charles: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles Barkley that the Suns had to trade Perry to Philadelphia in 1992 because he was #34, Barkley's number. Perry appeared in three NBA Slam Dunk Contests, finishing 5th in 1989, 7th in 1993, and 5th in 1995.

On February 7, 1994, while playing for the 76ers, Perry made seven 3-pointers (in 15 attempts) in a 125–117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets - after having made only 15 3-pointers total in his first five seasons in the league.[3] He finished the game with 31 points, which remained his career high throughout his time in the NBA.

For the 1996–1997 season, he moved over to Spain where he spent the next five seasons in the Liga ACB. In 1998, he won the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto with Pamesa Valencia.[4]

Later life

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Perry later became an assistant coach for Holy Family University, Pennsylvania of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference in NCAA Division II.[5] In 2011, he received a degree in liberal studies from Neumann University.[6]

On the October 25, 2017 broadcast of NBA Gametime on the NBA Channel, Shaquille O'Neal claimed that he had been "dunked on" only three times in his 20-year NBA career. Shaq said he had been dunked on by Michael Jordan, Derrick Coleman, and Tim Perry.

References

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Tim Perry

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Tim Perry is an American former professional player who played eight seasons in the (NBA) as a and , known for his shot-blocking ability and rebounding during his college and professional career. Born on June 4, 1965, in Freehold, , Perry attended Freehold Township High School before starring at from 1984 to 1988, where he amassed 985 rebounds and 392 blocks over 130 games. Selected seventh overall by the in the 1988 NBA Draft, he debuted in the league that November and went on to appear in 481 regular-season games across three teams, averaging 6.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Perry's NBA tenure began with the Suns (1988–1992), where he developed into a reliable role player, before being traded to the (1992–1996), contributing to their playoff runs with averages of 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in the 1992–93 season. He later played for the Nets (1995–1996), appearing in the during his rookie year with Phoenix, where he finished second. After leaving the NBA in 1996, Perry continued his career overseas, spending several seasons in Spain's with teams including Pamesa Valencia and , before retiring and later serving as a coach at and Alabama Christian Academy until his retirement in 2025.

Early life and education

Family background

Tim Perry was born on June 4, 1965, in Freehold, . He was the second son of Lee Darnell Perry Sr. and Annie (Ann) Perry. Perry's father, Lee, was himself a high school star who played a key role in guiding his sons' development, overseeing informal sessions that emphasized fundamentals and competition. Perry honed his early skills through frequent one-on-one matchups against his younger brother, Lee Darnell Perry Jr., born several years later, in backyard and neighborhood settings under their father's watchful eye. This , combined with paternal encouragement, instilled discipline and a passion for the game from a young age. The Perry household was close-knit, with basketball emerging as a central family activity amid Freehold's community-oriented environment, where local sports programs and athletics provided accessible outlets for youth engagement. Lee Jr. followed a similar path, becoming a standout high school player at Freehold Regional High School and later contributing at , further reinforcing the sport's significance within the family dynamic. Perry also had an older brother, Anthony Harold Marks, though less is documented about his involvement in sports.

High school career

Tim Perry attended in , where he initially faced challenges in making the varsity team, having been cut during his and years. With guidance from his father, who provided intensive training in post play during the summer after his year, Perry earned a spot on the varsity squad as a junior under coach Jack Kuhnert. Over his two varsity seasons, he emerged as a defensive standout, leveraging his quickness, leaping ability, and body control to disrupt opponents in the . As a senior in the 1982–83 season, Perry, standing at 6 feet 7 inches, averaged 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while showcasing exceptional shot-blocking skills, including a high of 17 blocks in a game against Somerville and 15 against . His defensive prowess helped lead the Freehold Colonials to a 15-game winning streak and a 17–5 overall record that year. For his performance, Perry was named to the First Team All-Shore by the Asbury Park Press. Despite his on-court impact as a shot-blocker and rebounder, Perry was not highly recruited out of high school, ultimately committing to , where his skills further developed under coach John Chaney. By graduation, he had grown to 6 feet 9 inches, setting the stage for his college success.

College career

Tim Perry enrolled at in 1984 and played for the from 1984 to 1988 under legendary coach John Chaney, emerging as a key defensive force on a program that achieved consistent success during that period. As a four-year starter, Perry anchored the frontcourt for teams that compiled a 114-18 record over his tenure, contributing to Temple's reputation for disciplined, defense-oriented play. His development from a raw freshman to a dominant senior showcased steady improvement, particularly in rebounding and shot-blocking, where he became the defensive backbone of the . Over 130 games, Perry amassed 1,368 points, ranking 32nd in Temple history, along with 985 rebounds, placing him seventh all-time at the school, and a record 392 blocked shots that stood as the program record. He also holds the top spot in Temple history for career at .544 (553 of 1,016 attempts). Perry led the Atlantic 10 in rebounds per game twice (9.5 in 1985-86 and 8.6 in 1986-87) and in blocks for three consecutive seasons (123 in 1985-86, 116 in 1986-87, and 118 in 1987-88). Nationally, his shot-blocking prowess ranked him second in 1985-86 (4.0 per game) and 1986-87 (3.2 per game), highlighting his role as one of the premier rim protectors in . Perry participated in four NCAA Tournaments during his college career, including as an eighth seed in the East region in 1985 (defeating before falling to Georgetown), a ninth seed in 1986 (beating Jacksonville but losing to ), a second seed in 1987 (over Southern but eliminated by LSU), and a first seed in 1988. The pinnacle came in his senior year of 1987-88, when the top-ranked Owls (32-2) advanced to the , defeating Lehigh and Georgetown before a 63-53 loss to . In his senior season, Perry averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting .585 from the field, earning him Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors and a fifth-place national ranking in blocked shots (3.4 per game). He was also a two-time first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection (1987 and 1988) and a two-time All-District honoree, solidifying his legacy as a cornerstone of Temple's late-1980s resurgence.

Professional playing career

NBA career

Tim Perry was selected by the with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the after a standout college career at . As a 6-foot-9 /, Perry quickly established himself as an athletic defender, leveraging his college blocking prowess—which saw him set Temple's all-time record with 392 swats—to contribute rim protection in the NBA from the outset. Perry spent his first four seasons (1988–1992) with the Suns, serving primarily as a reserve big man behind stars like Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers. In his rookie year, he appeared in 62 games, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53.7% from the field. His role expanded in the 1991–92 season, where he posted career-high averages of 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks over 80 games, helping the Suns reach the Western Conference Finals. Traded to the in 1992 as part of the deal acquiring , Perry played three seasons (1992–1995) in , where he started more regularly and provided energy off the bench, averaging 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in the 1992–93 season; though injuries limited his production in later years, his scoring dipped to 1.8 points per game in 1994–95 over 42 games. He split his final NBA season (1995–96) between the 76ers (8 games) and New Jersey Nets (22 games), appearing in 30 games total and averaging 2.4 points before being waived. Over eight NBA seasons, Perry appeared in 481 regular-season games, averaging 6.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. His defensive impact was evident in his career total of 414 blocks, with a high of 116 in the 1991–92 season. Notable offensive highlights included a career-high 31 points on February 7, 1994, against the Charlotte Hornets while with the 76ers. Perry's athleticism also shone in the , where he participated three times: placing fifth in 1989 with the Suns, seventh in 1993 with the 76ers, and fifth again in 1995.

European career

After being waived by the New Jersey Nets following the 1995–96 season, Tim Perry moved to to continue his professional basketball career in the , where he played as a veteran forward and until his retirement. His NBA experience as a defensive specialist made him a valuable import for European teams seeking size and shot-blocking prowess. Perry began his European stint with Xacobeo 99 for the 1996–1997 season, appearing in 4 games while adapting to the league amid injury challenges. He then joined for the 1997–1998 season, where he played a key role in the team's success, including contributing to their victory in the 1998 , Spain's premier national cup competition. During the 1997–1998 campaign with , Perry averaged 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.3 blocks per game over 34 appearances, showcasing his continued defensive impact with 79 total blocks. In 1998–1999, Perry signed with CB León (León Caja España), where he posted 12.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 16 outings. He then moved to TDK Manresa for the 1999–2000 season, averaging 12.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game over 30 games, again ranking among the league's top shot-blockers. His final season came with Cáceres CB in 2000–2001, where he averaged 7.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in 28 games, providing leadership as a 35-year-old before retiring from professional play at age 36. Over his tenure from 1996 to 2001, Perry appeared in 116 games, maintaining solid scoring and rebounding while excelling in defense, with averages of approximately 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game across his primary seasons.

Post-retirement activities

Coaching career

After retiring from professional , Tim Perry served as a part-time assistant coach for the men's team at , an program in the based in . He joined the staff under Alfred Johnson and was listed as an assistant during the 2009–2010 season. During his tenure, which Perry described as limited in scope, the team competed in the competitive CACC environment, drawing on his professional playing background to contribute to the program. Perry later coached preparatory basketball in and was named head coach of the varsity team in spring 2023. He has also been involved in youth basketball camps for over 30 years.

Academic pursuits

After retiring from professional basketball, Tim Perry returned to academia and completed his at in 2011. This milestone reflected his commitment to , allowing him to balance educational goals with the demands of post-retirement life. Perry's academic path built upon his earlier experiences at , where he began his higher education while competing in from 1984 to 1988.

Other activities

Perry obtained a and works as a , managing investment properties.

Personal life

Family

Tim Perry is married to Shelby Perry. The couple has a son, Tim Perry Jr., who pursued a career at during the 2020–2021 season. As a redshirt junior forward standing 6-foot-10, Perry Jr. appeared in 19 of Drexel's 20 games that year, contributing defensively and helping the team secure the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship with a 63-56 victory over Elon, which earned Drexel a No. 16 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. He majored in at Drexel and graduated in 2021. Perry has a younger brother, Lee Perry Jr. Throughout Perry's professional basketball career, his family provided consistent support, and in a 2021 interview following his son's CAA tournament success, he expressed immense pride in Tim Jr.'s accomplishments and the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament. As of 2023, Perry worked as a .

Legacy and notable mentions

Tim Perry is particularly noted for a rare feat acknowledged by , who identified him as one of only three players—alongside and —to dunk on him during O'Neal's entire 19-year NBA career. This athletic highlight took place while Perry was with the in the early , underscoring Perry's explosive leaping ability against one of basketball's most dominant big men.

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/perryti01.html
  2. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/tim-perry-1.html
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLWmOinOoHg
  4. https://owlsports.com/news/2023/8/18/mens-basketball-temple-mbb-alumni-spotlight-tim-perry
  5. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/spain-liga-acb/2001_per_minute.html
  6. https://njsportsheroes.com/timperrybk.html
  7. https://www.higginsmemorialhome.com/obituaries/Annie-Perry?obId=35202615
  8. https://www.app.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2021/01/05/nj-all-shore-boys-basketball-part-2-every-player-picked/3938661001/
  9. https://www.app.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2016/02/09/jersey-shores-greatest-basketball-players-1980s/79965284/
  10. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/high_school/new_jersey/20150529_Perry_2_0__Cherry_Hill_hoops_star_follows_in_father_s_footsteps.html
  11. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/temple/men/1987.html
  12. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/temple/men/1988-schedule.html
  13. https://owlsports.com/honors/hall-of-fame/tim-perry/257
  14. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/6050/timothy-perry
  15. https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/allstar/dunk/selections_by_season/1989
  16. https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/allstar/dunk/selections_by_season/1995
  17. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/tim-perry-1.html
  18. https://www.valenciabasket.com/en-1997-98
  19. https://www.acb.com/jugador/temporada-a-temporada/id/20200305
  20. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Pamesa-Valencia/145/Roster/1997-1998
  21. https://www.acb.com/jugador/ver/20200305-Tim-Perry
  22. https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Holy-Family-University/9353/Roster/2009-2010
  23. https://njsports.com/tim-perry/
  24. https://learn.neumann.edu/news/former-eagles-qb-at-celebrity-golf-classic
  25. https://drexeldragons.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/tim-perry-jr/6623
  26. https://www.phillytrib.com/sports/basketball/former-temple-star-tim-perry-elated-to-see-son-play-in-ncaa-tournament-for-drexel/article_22511738-b7dd-5351-a07f-35dcd6b12e91.html
  27. https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/03/19/shaquille-oneal-reveals-three-nba-players-derrick-coleman-michael-jordan-tim-perry-dunked
  28. https://www.givemesport.com/shaquille-oneal-named-nba-players-jordan-coleman-perry-dunk-on-him/
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