Byron Dinkins


Byron Stewart Dinkins is a retired American professional basketball player who played two seasons in the NBA, from 1989 to 1991. He played college basketball for UNC Charlotte. After his stint in the NBA Dinkins pursued a professional career in Greece.

College career

After graduating East Mecklenburg Dinkins was recruited by UNC Charlotte. He stayed with the 49ers for four seasons averaging 15.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game and 1.2 steals per game in 107 games. Dinkins achieved career-high in scoring during his junior season averaging 21.4 points per game. Dinkins led his school to winning the Sun Belt Tournament and earned himself the honors of Sun Belt Player of the Year. He was also named in the All-Sun Belt first team in his junior and senior seasons.

Professional career

NBA

A 6'1" guard born in Charlotte, North Carolina and from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dinkins played for the Houston Rockets during the 1989–90 NBA season and split time with the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers during the 1990–91 season. In his NBA career, Dinkins played in 45 games and scored a total of 151 points.

Greece

Although Dinkins never played for an NBA team after 1991, he did have a prosperous basketball career playing professionally in the Greek League for Peristeri Athens, Panionios Athens, Panathinaikos Athens, and Iraklis Thessaloniki. In the 1996–97 season he played with Panathinaikos and in September 1996, he helped them win the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. He led the Greek League in assists per game in 1996 and 2000.

Personal life

After his basketball playing career ended, Dinkins returned to his birthplace of Charlotte, North Carolina. He now serves as the head coach of the Carmel Christian School varsity boys basketball team, and the middle school's gym teacher.
Basketball player K. C. Rivers is his nephew.