Cozell McQueen

Cozell McQueen
Personal information
Born(1962-01-18)January 18, 1962
Paris, France
DiedAugust 5, 2026(2026-08-05) (aged 64)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolBennettsville
(Bennettsville, South Carolina)
CollegeNC State (1981–1985)
NBA draft1985: 4th round, 91st overall pick
Drafted byMilwaukee Bucks
Playing career1985–1996
PositionCenter / power forward
Number40
Career history
1985–1986Wisconsin Flyers
1986Kansas City Sizzlers
1986–1987La Crosse Catbirds
1987Detroit Pistons
1987La Crosse Catbirds
1987–1988Tours
1988–1990Paini Napoli
1990–1991Philips Milano
1991–1992CAI Zaragoza
1992–1993Scaini Venezia
1994Rochester Renegade
1996Carolina Cardinals
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Cozell McQueen Jr. (January 18, 1962 – August 5, 2026) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the NC State Wolfpack, winning the 1983 national championship.

Though he briefly played in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons, the majority of his professional career took place in the minor leagues and in Europe. He played as a center.

College career

As a sophomore, McQueen took part in North Carolina State's 1983 NCAA title. He sank an off-balance shot to tie the overtime game against Pepperdine in the first round of the Tournament.[1] In the semifinal against Georgia, McQueen – who had more playing time than usual as the Wolfpack dropped their three-guard lineup – posted a career-high 13 rebounds and added 8 points.[2] In the final against favorites Houston, he had 12 rebounds and 4 points whilst also defending Hakeem Olajuwon as NC State earned an upset win to win the tournament.[1]

McQueen finished his collegiate career in 1985 with 5.3 points and 6 rebounds per game on average.[3]

Professional career

McQueen was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 4th round of the 1985 NBA draft, but was waived by the Bucks a week later.[4]

He signed with Spanish side Cacaolat Granollers the same year but was again released, having only played in the Catalan league.[5]

McQueen then moved to the Continental Basketball Association, playing with the Wisconsin Flyers.[6] He was signed as a free-agent by the New York Knicks in August 1986 but was released without playing a competitive game less than two months later.[4] He then returned to play in the CBA.

He averaged 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds for the La Crosse Catbirds in the CBA for the first half of the 1986–1987 season. McQueen was signed by the Detroit Pistons in January 1987 on a 10-day contract as an injury replacement for Rick Mahorn.[7] Though he posted 6 points (on 3 for 3 shooting) and 8 rebounds in 7 minutes,[8] he could not find space in a roster containing Adrian Dantley, John Salley and Dennis Rodman and left after 3 games,[9] finishing the season with the Catbirds.

McQueen then moved abroad, returning to his birth country, France, to play for Tours in the Pro A. He had 12 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 37.3 minutes per game for 1987–88.[10]

For the next season, he moved to the Italian Serie A, signing with Paini Napoli. He led the league in blocks with 2.1 per game in 1988–89, adding 16.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in 35.4 minutes. Joining Philips Milano in 1990, he had 10.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 32.7 minutes per game.[11]

The American then signed with Spanish side CAI Zaragoza in 1991. He averaged 9 points, 11 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 35 minutes on average in the Liga ACB during 1991–1992.[12]

A return to Italy followed, signing a $800,000 contract with Scaini Venezia. He was replaced by Shelton Jones in February 1993 after posting 9.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in nearly 33 minutes per game.[11][12][13]

He finished his career in the American minor leagues, retiring in 1996.

Death

McQueen died on August 5, 2026, aged 64, following a bout with brain cancer.[14]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Source[4]

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1986–87 Detroit 302.31.000––2.7.0.0.32.0

References

  1. 1 2 "1983 National Champions". NC State Wolfpack. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ Peeler, Tim (April 2, 1983). "Back to '83: Wolfpack streaks into NCAA title game". NC State Wolfpack. Albuquerque (New Mexico). Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Cozell McQueen". Sports Reference College Basketball. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Cozell McQueen NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ Rodríguez, Antonio (November 17, 2014). "Momentos épicos: el asalto de los "enanos"" [Epic moments: the attack of the "dwarves"]. espacioligaendesa.com (in Spanish). Liga ACB. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ Uschan, Michael V. (February 15, 1986). "Wisconsin has 3 pro cage teams. Wisconsin fields three pro basketball teams". United Press International. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ "For the record". The Washington Post. January 8, 1987. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ "40 – Cozell McQueen (Detroit Pistons)". NBA. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Pistons.com All-Time Teams". Detroit Pistons. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Cozell McQueen". Ligue Nationale de Basket (in French). Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Profilo" [Profile]. Lega Basket Serie A (in Italian). Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Historial estadístico – McQueen, Cozell" [Statistical history – McQueen, Cozell]. Liga ACB (in Spanish). Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  13. ↑ Viberti, Giorgio (February 9, 1996). "Respinta la richiesta d'amministrazione controllata per il più vecchio club di A di basket. La Reyer Venezia dichiarata fallita. Ha debiti per 17 miliardi e rischia di scomparire" [The controlled administration request for the oldest [Serie] A club is rejected. Reyer Venezia declares bankruptcy. It has debts of 17 billion and risks disappearing]. La Stampa (in Italian). Venice. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Wolfpack Family Remembers Cozell McQueen". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
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