Joe Meriweather

Joe C. Meriweather (October 26, 1953 – October 13, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. A 6'10" center out of Southern Illinois University, he played ten seasons in the National Basketball Association from 1975 to 1985, appearing for the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, New York Knicks, and Kansas City Kings.

Meriweather earned NBA All-Rookie honors in his first season, averaging 10.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Across his NBA career he averaged 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.

He was among the few players to block ten shots in a single NBA game more than once, accomplishing the feat twice. The first came with the Jazz in 1977 — the only triple-double of his career — and the second with the Knicks in 1979. Both totals set franchise records. The Jazz mark was later surpassed by Mark Eaton on several occasions, but Meriweather still holds the Knicks record, since tied by Dikembe Mutombo.

Before his professional career, Meriweather represented the United States national team at the 1974 FIBA World Championship, where the squad won the bronze medal.