The Cleveland Cavaliers' group of selections in the 1986 NBA Draft was one of the best ever for the franchise, and among the best for any team. In that draft, the Cavaliers acquired the rights to future All-Stars
Mark Price,
Brad Daugherty, and
Ron Harper. Since Harper and Newman played the same position, Newman was forced to ride the bench during his
rookie season. Newman joined the New York Knicks for the
1987–1988 season, and slowly worked his way into the starting lineup. Along with teammates
Mark Jackson and
Patrick Ewing, Newman lead the Knicks into the playoffs and averaged 19.0 ppg (including 34 points in game 3) in an opening round loss to the
Boston Celtics. In
1988–89, Newman further grew into his role in the starting five. He averaged 16.0 ppg and led the Knicks to the NBA's Atlantic Division title. After the
1989–90 season, Newman signed as a free agent with the
Charlotte Hornets, an expansion franchise in its 3rd year of existence. Newman was traded by the
New Jersey Nets along with
Stephon Marbury after the
2000–01 NBA season in exchange for
Jason Kidd. Newman scored 12,740 points in his NBA career. Newman was inducted into the
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. == NBA career statistics ==