Born: July 2, 1957
Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS
Year of Induction: 1999
High School
Blair High School, Hattiesburg (1971-74)College
Jackson State University (1974-78)
• Three-time All-SWAC, All-American
• SWAC MVP 1977-78
• SWAC Hall of Fame 1998
• JSU carrer records for most points scored, highest scoring average, most field goals
Professional career
Golden State Warriors (1978-1987), Houston Rockets (1987-89), New Jersey Nets (1989-90)
• Fifth player taken overall in 1978 draft
• All NBA Rookie team 1979
• A 6-foot-7 small forward, Short averaged 17.3 points per game over his twelve-season NBA career
• On Nov. 17, 1984 in game against New Jersey, Short scored a career-high 59 points
Did You Know?
Purvis is the younger brother of former JSU and NBA first-round choice Eugene Short. He had more than 150 college offers, but chose to play with his brother at JSU. Learned to shoot his high-arching jump shot by shooting over Hattiesburg High coach Johnny Hurtt’s broomstick.
