Mitchell Lee Wiggins

1959 - 2024

Mitchell Lee Wiggins
09/28/1959 - 09/09/2024
Mitchell Lee Wiggins passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Monday the 9th of September 2024. He was born in Grifton, North Carolina, on the 28th of September 1959, to Carol Marie Wiggins and Johnny Ray Harris. He graduated from North Lenoir High School where his Jersey, number 22, was retired in 1978. He went on to attend Truett McConnell College, Clemson University, and Florida State University. During two seasons of college basketball, Mitchell became FSU's first, 1st team Metro Conference scoring champion twice, earned All-American honors twice, and was inducted into Florida State's 1994 Hall of Fame class.
Mitchell represented the U.S. national basketball team at the 1982 FIBA World Championship, where he won a silver medal. He then went on to play professional basketball for 15 years. He was the 23rd pick in the 1983 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers and was traded to the Chicago Bulls shortly after. He then played for the Houston Rockets, where he spent five seasons. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers. After 1992, his last season in the NBA, Mitchell went to play overseas in Greece, becoming a two-time Greek League top scorer and a three-time Greek League All-Star. After Greece, he played in France and the Philippines. Subsequently, Mitchell played in several minor league teams within the United States. Once Mitchell retired from playing, he became a coach of the game in Canada and held camps and clinics, including his "Let's Get It Done" camp.
Mitchell's greatest joys were spending time with his loving family, friends, and dogs, watching basketball, going to the gym, following the news, and inspiring young people in their lives and athletic pursuits. Mitchell had a lasting impact on everyone he met - his legacy will forever live on. Mitchell is survived by his loving wife, Marita Wiggins; his sons Mitchell Wiggins, Nick Wiggins, and Andrew Wiggins; his daughters Stephanie Wiggins, Angelica Wiggins, and Taya Wiggins; his sisters Linda Faye Johnson, Bettie Wiggins, and Sylvia Wiggins; his brothers Hazard Wiggins and Danny Wiggins; his aunt Grace Britt; his nephews Christopher Tyrone Wiggins and Brandon Walker; his niece Aaliyah Walker; and his grandchildren Amyah Wiggins, Zoey Wiggins, and Alayah Wiggins.
The family gathered for a private funeral service on Saturday, the 14th of September 2024.
Please visit Mitchell's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.