Chris Dudley, the journeyman NBA centre renowned for his historically poor free-throw shooting accuracy, has officially declared his intention to mount a second campaign for the Governor's office in Oregon. The 6ft11 former Portland Trail Blazers star, now aged 60, utilised a YouTube video to launch his bid, pledging to "stand tall" for the state's residents.
A Political Underdog in a Liberal Stronghold
In his campaign announcement, Dudley took aim at the current political climate, stating, "The empty promises, the name calling, the finger pointing and fear mongering that has solved nothing must stop. There are real solutions, and I have a plan." His path to victory is considered steep, as he seeks to become Oregon's first Republican Governor since Victor Atiyeh, who served from 1979 until 1987. However, his 2010 gubernatorial attempt provides a glimmer of hope; in that race, he came within a mere two percentage points of defeating the Democratic candidate, John Kitzhaber.
Sportsbooks Frame the Race with NBA Analogy
Betting markets have already begun framing the primary contest through the lens of Dudley's notorious basketball statistic. Sportsbooks are asking gamblers whether Dudley's share of the Republican primary vote will exceed or fall short of his dismal career free-throw percentage of 45.8%. Currently, BetOnline lists Dudley's free-throw percentage as a -170 favourite, while his share of the GOP primary vote is the underdog at +130. Furthermore, Dudley is listed as a +2000 longshot to ultimately secure the governorship.
From NBA Courts to Political Arena
Dudley's 15-year NBA career was marked by his defensive prowess and rebounding strength, but he became infamous for his struggles at the free-throw line. He notably missed a record 13 consecutive free throws while playing for the New Jersey Nets in 1990. Another memorable moment came in 1999 when Los Angeles Lakers centre Shaquille O'Neal executed a powerful, and arguably disrespectful, dunk over him. A furious Dudley responded by throwing the ball at O'Neal, an incident the Lakers legend later explained was motivated by his perception that the opposing team's failure to double-team him was a sign of disrespect.
Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987, Dudley's career included stints with the New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns, earning nearly $40 million. Off the court, his Yale University background connects him to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh; their friendship was scrutinised during Kavanaugh's 2018 confirmation hearings due to an alleged 1985 bar fight, which Dudley denied.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
A father of three, Dudley has long been involved in charitable work. He and his wife founded the Chris Dudley Foundation in 1994, an organisation dedicated to supporting children living with Type 1 Diabetes, a condition he has personally managed for decades. This philanthropic endeavour adds a layer of community commitment to his profile as he steps back into the political spotlight, aiming to translate his athletic discipline into electoral success.
