[1][2] He later spent eight seasons (1985–1993) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Bullets, and Orlando Magic.

By August, he was back in Houston due to homesickness and enrolled at Itawamba Junior College in nearby Fulton, Mississippi.

His playing time increased in the playoffs, due to an injury to Moses Malone, and he went on to average 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds, including a 27-point outburst in the deciding game five of the 76ers first round clash against the Washington Bullets.

[7] In June 1986, he was traded along with Moses Malone and a draft pick to the Washington Bullets for Jeff Ruland and Cliff Robinson.

[8] He spent three seasons with the Bullets, averaging 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds, before being selected by the Orlando Magic with the fifth pick in the 1989 NBA expansion draft.

He appeared in two league games for the team, averaging 20.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, before returning to the United States in November of the same year.