In the 1997-98 season the Toronto Raptors had an amazing 24 players see game time. Included in this long list was centre Ed Stokes. Stokes was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Sonics (Supersonics back then) on October 21, 1997, however on the 30th of that same month, was placed on the IL with tendinitis in his right achilles tendon. As quickly as Stokes was placed on the IL, he was activated and would then see some game time.
How much game time? More than many of our "One-Hit Wonders." The Arizona alumni saw playing-time in four games and logged 17 minutes. The 7', 264lbs beast is in the Raptors history books for 3 points, going 1-3 from the floor and 1-2 from the line. Stokes actually filled the stat sheet with 4 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks. These performances however were not enough to secure Stokes a full time gig and by December 1 he again found himself on waivers. One can likely assume that the signing of Oliver Miller three days before contributed to Stokes' release.
Edward Kobie Stokes was drafted by the Miami Heat in the second round of the 1993 draft. For a plethora of reasons (mostly laziness) Stokes never cracked an NBA line-up other than the Raps although he was the property of the Heat and Wizards/Bullets. Perhaps little was expected of Stokes in the first place as his numbers after four years of college ball were not all that impressive, averaging 8.1 ppg and 7.7 rpg as a Wildcat. Stokes however was not simply a basketball player as he made an appearance alongside Nick Nolte, and other NBA players including Shaq, Penny Hardaway, and Allan Houston in the movie Blue Chips.
Other than the NBA, Stokes also played pro ball in Europe spending time in Greece and also Stefanel Milan.
Stokes now lives in Arizona with his wife Lisa and 8 year old daughter.