101 Greats of European Basketball

Barcelona’s
adopted son
With so many great players who
have worn the Barcelona jersey
over the years, I cannot be 100%
certain that Audie Norris was
the best foreign player ever on
that team. But if there was ever
a poll to determine the most beloved foreigner by the
Barcelona fans, I am sure he would win by a lot.
As appreciated and admired as Norris was – and, in
fact, still is – that can only be achieved with the ultimate
mix of sporting and humane qualities. Audie had both
to spare. He was an excellent player and a great human
being. During his six years in Barcelona, he became the
biggest idol at Palau Blaugrana, the club’s classic arena.
Today, whenever Norris comes to the gym to see a
game – which he often does because of his great love
for the club and the city – the fans still rise and give him
an ovation.
A mistake for Real Madrid
Audie James Norris, who was born on December
18, 1960, arrived in Europe as a well-known player.
After an excellent college basketball career at Jackson
State University, the NBA team of his native Portland,
the Trail Blazers, selected him with the 37th overall
pick in the 1982 draft. But after three years and 187
games, during which he averaged 4.4 points and 3.8
rebounds per night, Norris decided to try playing in
Europe. He chose to start with what, at the time, was a
humble Benetton Treviso team in Italy. Known later as
a perennial contender for European trophies, Benetton
then was mostly fighting just to stay in the Italian first
division. He enjoyed a brilliant debut season with 21.2
points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Of course, big
clubs began to eye the “Atomic Dog”, as he had been
nicknamed by Mychal Thompson because of his physical
attributes.
Norris landed next in the Spanish capital and everything
pointed to an imminent deal with Real Madrid, but
a contract difference of $10,000, according to Norris,
torpedoed the deal. Neither side was willing to budge
even a single dollar, the negotiations fell apart and, in
the end, Benetton won, as it was able to extend Norris
for another season. Norris shined again with 20.1
points and 10.6 rebounds per game. He deservedly
won the award for the best foreign player in the Italian
League that season.
In the summer of 1987, several teams fought again
to sign Norris. Something that had not happened
before, and has not happened since, took place. According
to the excellent book “Foreigners in the ACB”,
Barcelona and Bologna agreed to share the services
of Norris. He would play two years in Barcelona and
then go to play in Bologna. In the end it didn’t happen,
of course, because Norris, with his performances and
behavior, practically forced Barcelona to break the
agreement - and pay for it.
Aito Garcia Reneses, who was the Barcelona coach
at that time, had seen Norris play for Portland in the
San Diego summer league and from the first moment
he knew that he wanted that player for his Barça. It finally
happened three years later. Norris went on to stay
in Barcelona for six seasons, winning three Spanish
Leagues (1988, 1989 and 1990) and two Spanish King’s
101 greats of european basketball
Audie Norris
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