Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, Floyd received the nickname “Sleepy” playing baseball in the fourth grade, when a spectator yelled “Get that kid out of the game. He’s sleeping.”[1] A 6’3″ guard, Floyd played competitively at Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia. During Floyd’s junior season at Hunter Huss High, he led his team to win in the 1977 North Carolina state basketball championship over rival Ashbrook High, a team led by James Worthy. He also starred at Georgetown University where he is a member of the Georgetown University Athletic Hall of Fame.
At Georgetown, Floyd excelled all four seasons, leading the team in scoring in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and was team Captain in 1981 and 1982. Floyd was named an All-Big East selection in 1980, 1981, 1982, and an All-America in 1981 and 1982. Georgetown’s leading scorer in 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982, Floyd still holds the Georgetown record for Career Points, #1 (2,304)[2] a record that has stood for thirty-seven years.
Floyd was drafted by the New Jersey Nets with the 13th pick of the 1982 NBA draft. During the middle of an unspectacular rookie season, Floyd was traded to the Golden State Warriors. Floyd quickly blossomed while playing for the Warriors, averaging 16.8 points per game in his first full season with the franchise, and during the 1984–85 NBA season, he averaged a career high 19.5 points per game. Two seasons later, he averaged 18.8 points and 10.3 assists and earned a spot on the 1987NBA All-Star Team.
In December 1987, Floyd joined the Houston Rockets for Ralph Sampson and Steve Harris, where he played played 5½ seasons with the Rockets before signing as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs in 1993, a year before the Rockets would win their 2 consecutive championships. After one season in San Antonio, he returned to the New Jersey Nets, and he retired in 1995 with 12,260 career points and 5,175 career assists.
Floyd still holds the NBA playoff record for points scored in a quarter (29) and in half (39), in game 4 of the 1987 Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Floyd scored 12 consecutive field goals in the fourth quarter, finishing the game with 51 points.
Since retiring from the NBA, “Sleepy” has applied his education and what he learned from basketball to the world of business. His many diverse interests include running a restaurant, starting a financial management company, working as a brand ambassador for a bedding company, and coaching basketball at Gaston Day School.
In March of 2015, “Sleepy” joined JobsyWobsy as company President. “Sleepy” travels the country running career workshops that teach kids the importance of integrity, hard work, and preparation, both in sports and in life.
A hugely popular sports figure, Mr. Floyd continues to do personal appearances and donate his time to charity work. “If you are in a position to give back or affect someone in a positive way, please take advantage of it,” says Mr. Floyd. “It makes you feel good and it’s not monetary, it’s just you might be able to change a kid’s life for that day and make them feel good about themselves.”