Dwayne Schintzius (1986-90) – Center
Let me preface this profile with a declaration of full disclosure: Dwayne Schintzius was my favorite Gators basketball player growing up. While there was also Stacey Poole and Livingston Chatman on that late-80s team — both players I also was very endeared to — Schintzius was larger-than-life during his career both on and off the court.
The 7-foot-tall Schintzius was born in Brandon, Fla., and attended Brandon High School where he made deep runs in the Class 4A state tournament his sophomore and junior years alongside prep legend Toney Mack. He averaged 21.1 points and 17 rebounds per game his senior season en route to honors from Parade magazine and a McDonald’s All-American nod, while also being listed as a finalist for Florida’s Mr. Basketball award.
With offers from various top college programs, Schintzius stayed in-state and attend the University of Florida on an athletic scholarship in 1987, where he played for four years. Under head coach Norm Sloan, he began strong in Gainesville, seizing the starting center job early on his freshman year averaging 10.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.8 blocked shots in 34 games played.
That same season the Gators earned its first-ever invite to the NCAA Tournament after winning its also first-ever regular-season SEC championship with a 12-6 record in conference play. Though the achievements were later vacated due to NCAA sanctions, Florida made it to the Sweet 16 that year behind the efforts of Schintzius, Andrew Moten and Vernon Maxwell — all names also seeded high in this bracket.
Florida made it back to the tournament the following two seasons as Schintzius continued to improve his game. During his sophomore campaign, he raised his production to the tune of 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.6 blocks over 35 games. However, it was this year that his disciplinary problems began to percolate to the surface, including clashes with Sloan as well as other minor incidents on and off the floor.
Schintzius took his game to the next level his final two seasons at Florida, over 30 games averaging 18 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks — the lowest number for swats during his collegiate career, but elevated numbers in the other categories. However, his behavioral issues reared its ugly head once more, with the big man receiving a four-game suspension from the university for an altercation outside of a Gainesville nightclub.
The center from Brandon was included on multiple All-American lists while also earning first-team All-SEC player honors his junior year when he led the Gators in scoring, rebounding, and free-throw percentage. He set the program record for career blocked shots (272), with all three of his season totals up to this point still holding the top-three spots in school history.
Unfortunately, that would be the last full season he would play in college.
While Schintzius’ senior season was marred by coach Sloan’s forced resignation from the program due to NCAA violations, he still put up big numbers in only 11 games played, averaging 19.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.5 blocks, along with a steal per game. After Sloan left the team, between his dislike for interim head coach Don DeVoe and further disciplinary issues, Schintzius officially quit the team.
Over the course of his career in Gainesville, Schintzius is the only player in SEC history to amass more than 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists and 250 blocks — a record that still stands. His 1,624 total points scored sits at No. 6 among Florida’s all-time scoring leaders.
The big man from Florida was taken by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft at No. 24 overall. He suited up for 42 games in San Antonio backing up future Hall of Fame center David Robinson before a back injury derailed his rookie campaign. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings before the 1990-91 season began; it was later revealed that part of the reason for the trade was a disagreement between the rookie center and general manager Bob Bass over his haircut.
Sadly, Schintzius’ career would be continually hampered by injuries, mainly problems with his back. His first two seasons were his best, though a resurgent year in 1995-96 with the Indiana Pacers saw one last hurrah from the storied former Gator. After his last gasp with the Boston Celtics in 1998-99, he retired from professional basketball. He averaged 2.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.5 blocks over eight seasons with six different teams over the course of his NBA career.
However, he ended up coming out of retirement in 2001-2002 to play with the Mobile Revelers of the NBA’s Development League. After one season in Alabama, Schintzius took a final stab at pro ball before calling it quits for good, suiting up for Brevard Blue Ducks of the United States Basketball League in 2003.
Known for both his brash behavior and his signature mullet — which he named “The Lobster” — Schintzius had a colorful, but ultimately underachieving basketball career overall due to a mix of attitude and injury issues. Nonetheless, he left an indelible mark on Florida’s basketball program as well as the Southeastern Conference.
Schintzius passed away in 2012 after a lengthy battle with a rare form of leukemia at the age of 43. He was quoted in saying the following at a Gators basketball game a year prior to his death.
“I’m very proud to be a Gator. I feel like I helped start something. It makes me feel good to see where the program has come.”