Retrospective: The Top-10 Power Forwards in Orlando Magic History

9. Bison Dele

This story is a tragic one. 

Bison Dele was known as Brian Williams while with the Magic, but changed his name to reflect his Native American heritage. 

Dele’s productive career would be cut short, due to a mysterious murder and disappearance that was never fully resolved. Dele spent his first two seasons in Orlando, while spending a good deal of that time injured. 

Even so, he averaged nine points, 5.7 rebounds and more than a block per game in just 18 minutes a night his rookie season.

Dele looked to have all the promise of a true NBA starting power forward.  He later showed just that, averaging 16.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for the Detroit Pistons in the 1998 season. 

The Magic took Dele with the 10th overall pick in the 1991 draft, and he fulfilled that promise after leaving Orlando.  He battled clinical depression during his career that drastically affected his productivity, and he became one of the first players to openly admit struggles with mental illness.

His death is still shrouded in a veil of mystery, and it’s tragic to reflect on his life due to that.  Reports tragically were that he was killed by his brother Miles.  He had spent the last three years of his life retired and traveling the world before his untimely death.

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