Basketball (Great Athletes)

BASKETBALL BASKETBALL Edited by The Editors of Salem Press Special Consultant Rafer Johnson Salem Press Pasadena,...

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BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

Edited by

The Editors of Salem Press Special Consultant

Rafer Johnson

Salem Press Pasadena, California

Hackensack, New Jersey

Editor in Chief: Dawn P. Dawson Editorial Director: Christina J. Moose Photo Editor: Cynthia Breslin Beres Managing Editor: R. Kent Rasmussen Acquisitions Editor: Mark Rehn Manuscript Editor: Christopher Rager Page Design and Layout: James Hutson Research Supervisor: Jeffry Jensen Additional Layout: Frank Montaño and Mary Overell Production Editor: Andrea Miller Editorial Assistant: Brett Weisberg Cover photo: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters/Landov

Copyright © 1992, 1994, 2002, 2010, by Salem Press All rights in this book are reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews or in the copying of images deemed to be freely licensed or in the public domain. For information, address the publisher, Salem Press, P.O. Box 50062, Pasadena, California 91115. ∞ The paper used in these volumes conforms to the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, Z39.48-1992 (R1997). Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Great athletes / edited by The Editors of Salem Press ; special consultant Rafer Johnson. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-58765-473-2 (set : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-58765-488-6 (basketball : alk. paper) 1. Athletes—Biography—Dictionaries. I. Johnson, Rafer, 1935II. Salem Press. GV697.A1G68 2009 796.0922—dc22 [B] 2009021905

First Printing

printed in the united states of america

Contents Publisher’s Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

Kevin Garnett . . . . . . Pau Gasol . . . . . . . . . George Gervin . . . . . . Artis Gilmore. . . . . . . Manu Ginóbili . . . . . . Tom Gola . . . . . . . . . Gail Goodrich . . . . . . Hal Greer. . . . . . . . . Cliff Hagan . . . . . . . . Penny Hardaway . . . . . Tim Hardaway . . . . . . John Havlicek . . . . . . Connie Hawkins . . . . . Elvin Hayes . . . . . . . . Marques Haynes . . . . . Walt Hazzard . . . . . . . Tom Heinsohn . . . . . . Grant Hill . . . . . . . . Chamique Holdsclaw . . Robert Horry. . . . . . . Dan Issel . . . . . . . . . Allen Iverson . . . . . . . Mark Jackson . . . . . . . LeBron James . . . . . . Gus Johnson . . . . . . . Larry Johnson . . . . . . Magic Johnson . . . . . . K. C. Jones . . . . . . . . Sam Jones . . . . . . . . Michael Jordan. . . . . . Jason Kidd . . . . . . . . Toni Kukoc . . . . . . . . Bob Kurland . . . . . . . Bob Lanier . . . . . . . . Joe Lapchick . . . . . . . Meadowlark Lemon . . . Lisa Leslie . . . . . . . . Nancy Lieberman-Cline . Rebecca Lobo . . . . . . Clyde Lovellette . . . . . Jerry Lucas . . . . . . . . Hank Luisetti. . . . . . . Bob McAdoo . . . . . . . Tracy McGrady . . . . . . Kevin McHale . . . . . .

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Ray Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Carmelo Anthony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Nate Archibald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Paul Arizin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Charles Barkley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Rick Barry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Elgin Baylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Sergei Belov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Mike Bibby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Dave Bing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Larry Bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Carol Blazejowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Bill Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Elton Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Kobe Bryant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Vince Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Sam Cassell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Tamika Catchings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Wilt Chamberlain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Cynthia Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Michael Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Krešimir ôsi6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Bob Cousy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Dave Cowens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Billy Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Dramen Dalipagi6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Bob Davies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Baron Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Dave DeBusschere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Vlade Divac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Anne Donovan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Clyde Drexler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Joe Dumars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Tim Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Alex English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Julius Erving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Patrick Ewing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Walt Frazier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Joe Fulks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Nick Galis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 v

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118 121 124 127 130 133 135 138 141 144 147 150 153 156 159 161 164 167 170 173 175 178 181 184 187 190 193 197 200 203 207 210 213 215 218 220 222 226 229 232 234 237 240 243 246

Great Athletes: Basketball Karl Malone . . . . Moses Malone . . . Pete Maravich . . . Hortåncia Marcari . Slater Martin . . . . Ann Meyers. . . . . George Mikan . . . Cheryl Miller . . . . Reggie Miller . . . . Earl Monroe . . . . Alonzo Mourning . Chris Mullin . . . . Dikembe Mutombo Steve Nash . . . . . Curly Neal . . . . . Dirk Nowitzki. . . . Hakeem Olajuwon . Shaquille O’Neal. . Robert Parish. . . . Candace Parker . . Tony Parker . . . . Chris Paul . . . . . Gary Payton . . . . Dramen Petrovi6 . . Bob Pettit . . . . . . Paul Pierce . . . . . Scottie Pippen . . . Frank Ramsey . . . Willis Reed . . . . . Oscar Robertson . . David Robinson . . Dennis Rodman . . Bill Russell . . . . . Arvydas Sabonis . . Dolph Schayes . . . Oscar Schmidt . . . Frank Selvy . . . . . Bill Sharman . . . . John Stockton . . . Amare Stoudemire. Sheryl Swoopes. . . Goose Tatum . . . . Diana Taurasi . . . Nikki Teasley . . . . Isiah Thomas . . . . Nate Thurmond . . Jack Twyman . . . .

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249 252 255 258 261 264 267 270 273 276 279 282 285 288 291 293 296 300 304 307 310 312 315 318 321 324 327 330 332 335 338 342 345 348 350 353 355 358 361 365 368 371 373 375 377 381 384

Wes Unseld . . . . . Dwyane Wade . . . Ben Wallace . . . . Bill Walton . . . . . Charlie Ward . . . . Spud Webb . . . . . Chris Webber. . . . Jerry West . . . . . Nera White . . . . . Lenny Wilkens . . . Dominique Wilkins Natalie Williams . . Lynette Woodard. . John Wooden. . . . James Worthy. . . . Yao Ming . . . . . .

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Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . Basketball Resources on the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Basketball Players Time Line . . . Fifty Greatest NBA Players . . . . . WNBA All-Decade Team. . . . . . Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . John R. Wooden Award . . . . . . USA Basketball Athlete of the Year Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NBA Top Draft Picks. . . . . . . . NBA Rookies of the Year . . . . . NBA Most Valuable Players . . . . NBA Defensive Players of the Year NBA Sixth Man Award . . . . . . . NBA Scoring Champions . . . . . WNBA Top Draft Picks . . . . . . WNBA Rookies of the Year . . . . WNBA Most Valuable Players . . . WNBA Defensive Player and Sixth Woman Awards . . . . . . WNBA Scoring Leaders . . . . . . Name Index . Country Index Position Index Team Index .

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Publisher’s Note Great Athletes: Basketball is part of Salem Press’s greatly expanded and redesigned Great Athletes series, which also includes self-contained volumes on baseball, boxing and soccer, football, golf and tennis, Olympic sports, and racing and individual sports. The full 13-volume series presents articles on the lives, sports careers, and unique achievements of 1,470 outstanding competitors and champions in the world of sports. These athletes—many of whom have achieved world renown—represent more than 75 different nations and territories and more than 80 different sports. Their stories are told in succinct, 1,000-word-long profiles accessible in tone and style to readers in grades 7 and up. The 13 Great Athletes volumes, which include a cumulative index volume, are built on the work of three earlier Salem Press publications designed for middle and high school readers—the 20 slender volumes of The Twentieth Century: Great Athletes (1992), their 3-volume supplement (1994), and the 8 stouter volumes of Great Athletes, Revised (2002). This new 13-volume edition retains articles on every athlete covered in those earlier editions and adds more than 415 entirely new articles—a 40 percent increase—to bring the overall total to 1,470 articles. This basketball volume adds 41 new articles to the 108 in the previous edition to cover a total of 149 basketball players. The content of other articles has been reviewed and updated as necessary, with many articles substantially revised, expanded, or replaced, and the bibliographical citations for virtually all articles have been updated. Information in every article is current through the late part of the 2008-2009 basketball season.

Schmidt. Consideration was next given to players who during the early twenty-first century appeared destined for great future achievements, such as Carmelo Anthony, Candace Parker, and Yao Ming. Organization Each article covers the life and career of a single basketball player, and all names are arranged in one alphabetical stream. Every article is accompanied by at least one boxed table, summarizing the career statistics, honors and awards, records, and other milestones that set apart each great player. Most articles are also accompanied by photographs of their subjects. Every article also lists up-to-date bibliographical notes under the heading “Additional Sources.” These sections list from three to five readily available books and articles containing information pertinent to the athlete and sport covered in the article. Appendixes at the end of the volume contain additional sources in published books and Web sites. Averaging three pages in length, each article is written in clear language and presented in a uniform, easily readable format. All articles are divided into four subheaded sections that cover the athlete’s life and achievements chronologically. • Early Life presents such basic biographical information as vital dates, parentage, siblings, and early education. It also sketches the social milieu in which the basketball player grew up and discusses other formative experiences. • The Road to Excellence picks up where the player’s earliest serious involvement in sports began. This section describes experiences and influences that shaped the subject’s athletic prowess and propelled the player toward basketball greatness. These sections also often discuss obstacles—such as poverty, discrimination, and physical disabilities—that many great athletes have had to overcome.

Criteria for Inclusion Within these pages, readers will find articles on virtually all the legends of basketball—from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Nate Archibald to John Wooden and James Worthy. In selecting new names to add to Great Athletes: Basketball, first consideration was given to undeniable players whose extraordinary achievements have made their names household words, such as Michael Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Steve Nash, and Brazil’s legendary Oscar

• The Emerging Champion traces the player’s advance from the threshold of basketball starvii

Great Athletes: Basketball • Women’s National Basketball Association has 5 appendixes listing the league’s top draft picks and annual award winners.

dom to higher levels of achievement. This section explains the characteristics and circumstances that combined to make the player among the best in the world in basketball.

The Cumulative Indexes volume, which accompanies the full Great Athletes series, includes every appendix found in this and other volumes on specific sports, plus additional appendixes containing information that pertains to all sports. These appendixes include a general bibliography, a comprehensive Web site list, a Time Line integrating the names of all 1,470 athletes in Great Athletes, 2 lists of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century, 3 multisport halls of fame, and 10 different athleteof-the-year awards.

• Continuing the Story tracks the player’s subsequent career, examining how the player may have set new goals and had achievements that inspired others. This section also offers insights into the player’s life away from sports. Readers will also learn about the innovations and contributions that these basketball players have made to their sports and, in many cases, to society at large. • Summary recapitulates the player’s story, paying special attention to honors that the subject has won and to the human qualities that have made the player special in the world of sports.

Indexes Following the Appendixes in Great Athletes: Basketball, readers will find four indexes listing athletes by their names, countries, positions played, and college and pro teams. The latter two indexes are completely new to this edition of Great Athletes. Because some athletes have competed in more than one sport, readers may wish also to consult the Cumulative Indexes volume. Its sport, country, and name indexes list all the athletes covered in the full Great Athletes series.

Appendixes At the back of this volume, readers will find 20 appendixes, most of which are entirely new to this edition. The appendixes are arranged under these five headings: • Resources contains a bibliography of recently published books on basketball and a detailed, categorized listing of sites on the World Wide Web that provide basketball information. This section is followed by a Glossary defining most of the specialized terms used in essays and a Time Line that lists names of all the players covered in essays in order of their birth dates.

Acknowledgments Once again, Salem Press takes great pleasure in thanking the 383 scholars and experts who wrote and updated the articles making Great Athletes possible. Their names can be found at the ends of the articles they have written and in the list of contributors that follows the “Introduction.” We also take immense pleasure in again thanking our special consultant, Rafer Johnson, for bringing his unique insights to this project. As an Olympic champion and world record-holder in track and field’s demanding decathlon, he has experienced an extraordinarily broad range of physical and mental challenges at the highest levels of competition. Moreover, he has a lifetime of experience working with, and closely observing, athletes at every level— from five-year-old soccer players to Olympic and professional champions. He truly understands what constitutes athletic greatness and what is required to achieve it. For this reason, readers will not want to overlook his “Introduction.”

• All-Time Great Players contains lists of the fifty greatest NBA players up to 1996, the WNBA’s first all-decade team, and all members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. • Annual Awards and Honors includes lists of John R. Wooden Award winners and USA Basketball Athletes of the Year. • National Basketball Association has 6 appendixes listing the league’s top draft picks and annual award winners.

viii

Publisher’s Note Acronyms Used in Articles Salem’s general practice is to use acronyms only after they have been explained within each essay. Because of the frequency with which many terms appear in Great Athletes: Basketball, that practice is partly suspended for the acronyms listed here:

ABC American Broadcasting Corporation CBS Columbia Broadcasting System ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network NBA National Basketball Association NBC National Broadcasting Corporation NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association WNBA Women’s National Basketball Association

ix

Introduction ous events in track and field. Men and women— such as Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner— who capture its world records are considered the fastest humans on earth. In a race that lasts only a few seconds, speed is everything, and there is no room for mistakes. Appropriately, speed is the first of the three standards of athletic excellence expressed in the Olympic motto, Citius, altius, fortius (faster, higher, stronger). Its importance in racing sports such as cycling, rowing, running, speed skating, swimming, and the triathlon is obvious: Athletes who reach the finish line soonest win; those who arrive later lose. Speed is also important in every sport that requires moving around a lot, such as baseball, basketball, boxing, football, handball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and virtually all the events of track and field. The best athletes in these sports are usually fast. Athletes who lack speed generally make up for it in other kinds of quickness. For example, while running speed has helped make some football quarterbacks—such as Vince Young—great, some quarterbacks who are slow afoot have achieved greatness with other forms of quickness. Joe Namath is an example. Although he was embarrassingly slow on his feet, he read opposing teams’ defenses so fast that he could make lightning-quick decisions and release his passes faster than almost any other quarterback who played the game. As important as speed is, there are a few sports in which it means little. Billiards, bowling, and golf, for example, all permit competitors to take considerable time responding to opponents’ moves. Even so, speed can be important where one may least expect it. For example, major chess competitions are clocked, and making moves too slowly can cost players games.

Five decades after reaching my own pinnacle of success in sports, I still get a thrill watching other athletes perform. I have competed with and against some of the greatest athletes in the world, watched others up close and from a distance, and read about still others. I admire the accomplishments of all of them, for I know something of what it takes to achieve greatness in sports, and I especially admire those who inspire others. This revised edition of Great Athletes provides a wonderful opportunity for young readers to learn about the finest athletes of the modern era of sports. Reading the stories of the men and women in these pages carries me back to my own youth, when I first began playing games and became interested in sports heroes. Almost all sports interested me, but I gravitated to baseball, basketball, football, and track and field. Eventually, I dedicated most of my young adult years to track and field’s decathlon, which I loved because its ten events allowed me to use many different skills. Throughout those years, one thing remained constant: I wanted to win. To do that meant being the best that I could be. I wondered what I could learn from the lives of great athletes. From an early age I enjoyed reading about sports champions and wondered how they did as well as they did. What traits and talents did the greatest of them have? I gradually came to understand that the essence of greatness in sports lies in competition. In fact, the very word athlete itself goes back to a Greek word for “competitor.” Being competitive is the single most important attribute any athlete can have, but other traits are important, too. Readers may gain insights into the athletes covered in these volumes by considering the ten events of the decathlon as symbols of ten traits that contribute to athletic greatness. All champions have at least a few of these traits; truly great champions have most of them.

Courage The decathlon’s second event, the long jump, represents one of the purest contests in sports: Competitors simply run up to a mark and jump as far as they can. Each jumper gets several tries, and only the best marks matter. While it sounds simple,

Speed and Quickness Decathlon events are spread over two days, with five events staged on each day. The first event is always the 100-meter dash—one of the most glamorxi

Great Athletes: Basketball it involves critical little things that can go wrong and ruin one’s chance of winning. When the great Jesse Owens jumped in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, for example, he missed his takeoff mark so many times that he risked disqualification. What saved him was the encouragement of a rival German jumper, who advised him to start his jump from well behind the regular takeoff mark. It takes courage to overcome the fear of making mistakes and concentrate on jumping. It also takes courage to overcome the fear of injury. A great athlete may have abundant courage but rarely need to call upon it. However, most truly great athletes eventually face moments when they would fail if their courage abandoned them. In fact, courage is often what separates being good from being great. True courage should not be confused with the absence of fear, for it is the ability to overcome fear, including the very natural fears of injury and pain. A wonderful example is gymnast Kerri Strug’s amazing spirit in the 1996 Olympics. Ignoring the pain of torn ligaments and a serious ankle sprain, she helped the U.S. women win a team gold medal by performing her final vault at great personal risk. Some sports challenge athletes with real and persistent threats of serious injuries and even death. Among the most dangerous are alpine skiing, auto racing, boxing, football, horse racing, mountaineering, and rodeo—all of which have killed and disabled many fine athletes. No one can achieve greatness in such sports without exceptional courage. Consider also the courage required to step up to bat against a baseball pitcher who throws hardballs mere inches away from your head at speeds of more than ninety miles an hour. Or, imagine preparing to dive from atop a 10-meter platform, resting only on your toes, with your heels projecting over the edge, knowing that your head will pass within inches of the rock-hard edge of the platform. Greg Louganis once cut his head open on such a dive. After he had his scalp stitched up, he returned to continue diving into a pool of water colored pink by his own blood. He won the competition. Another kind of courage is needed to perform in the face of adversity that may have nothing to do with sport itself. The best known example of that kind of courage is the immortal Jackie Robinson, who broke the color line in baseball in 1947. As the

first African American player in the modern major leagues, Jackie faced criticism, verbal harassment, and even physical abuse almost everywhere he played. He not only persevered but also had a career that would have been regarded as exceptional even if his color had never been an issue. Strength The shot put, the decathlon’s third event, requires many special traits, but the most obvious is strength. The metal ball male shot putters heave weighs 16 pounds—more than an average bowling ball. Agility, balance, and speed are all important to the event, but together they can accomplish nothing without great strength. Strength is also the third standard expressed in the Olympic motto, Citius, altius, fortius. Strength is especially valuable in sports that put competitors in direct physical contact with each other—sports such as basketball, boxing, football, and wrestling. Whenever athletes push and pull against each other, the stronger generally prevail. Strength is also crucial in sports requiring lifting, pulling, pushing, paddling, or propelling objects, or controlling vehicles or animals. Such sports include auto racing, baseball and softball, bodybuilding and weightlifting, canoeing and kayaking, golf, horse racing, rowing, and all track and field throwing events. One sport in which the role of strength has never been underestimated is wrestling. One of the most impressive demonstrations of strength in the sport occurred at the 2000 Olympic Games at Sydney when Rulon Gardner, in a performance of a lifetime, defeated former Olympic champion Aleksandr Karelin in the super-heavyweight class of Greco-Roman wrestling. Visualization Visualization is the ability to see what one needs to do before actually doing it. Perhaps no sport better exemplifies its importance than the high jump—the decathlon’s fourth event. In contrast to the long jump and throwing events—in which competitors strive to maximize distance in every effort, the high jump (like the pole vault) sets a bar at a fixed height that competitors must clear. Before jumping, they take time to study the bar and visualize what they must do to clear it. If the bar is set at 7 feet, a jump of 6 feet 113⁄4 inches fails; a jump of 8 xii

Introduction feet succeeds, but counts only for 7 feet. To conserve strength for later jumps, jumpers must carefully calculate how much effort to exert at each height, and to do this, they must be able to visualize. Great baseball and softball batters also visualize well. Before pitches even reach the plate, batters see the balls coming and visualize their bats hitting them. Likewise, great golfers see their balls landing on the greens before they even swing. Soccer players, such as Ronaldo, see the balls going into the goal before they even kick them. Billiard players, such as Jeanette Lee, see all the balls moving on the table before they even touch the cue balls. Bowlers, like Lisa Wagner, see the pins tumbling down before they release their balls. Visualization is especially important to shooters, such as Lones Wigger, and archers, such as Denise Parker and Jay Barrs, who know exactly what their targets look like, as well as the spots from where they will fire, before they even take aim. In contrast to most other sports, they can practice in conditions almost identical to those in which they compete. However, the athletes against whom they compete have the same advantage, so the edge usually goes to those who visualize better. Players in games such as basketball, hockey, soccer, and water polo fire upon fixed targets from constantly changing positions—often in the face of opponents doing everything they can to make them miss. Nevertheless, visualization is important to them as well. In basketball, players are said to be in a “groove,” or a “zone,” when they visualize shots so well they seem unable to miss. Kobe Bryant and Lisa Leslie are among the greatest visualizers in their sport, just as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Albert Pujols have been great at visualizing home runs in baseball. In tennis, I always admired Arthur Ashe’s knack for planning matches in his mind, then systematically dismantling his opponents. At another level, boxer Muhammad Ali was great at visualizing his entire future. Big, strong, and quick and able to move with the best of them, he had it all. I had the great pleasure of touring college campuses with him after we both won gold medals at the Rome Olympics in 1960. Muhammad (then known as Cassius Clay) had visualized his Olympic victory before it happened, and when I first knew him he was already reciting poetry and predicting what the future held for him. He saw it

all in advance and called every move—something he became famous for later, when he taunted opponents by predicting the rounds in which he would knock them out. Determination and Resilience The final event of the first day of decathlon competition is the 400-meter run. Almost exactly a quarter mile, this race stands at the point that divides sprints from middle-distances. Should runners go all out, as in a sprint, or pace themselves, as middle-distance runners do? Coming as it does, as the last event of the exhausting first day of decathlon competition, the 400-meter race tests the mettle of decathletes by extracting one last great effort from them before they can rest up for the next day’s grueling events. How they choose to run the race has to do with how determined they are to win the entire decathlon. Every great athlete who wants to be a champion must have the determination to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. Even so, determination alone is not enough. This was proven dramatically when basketball’s Michael Jordan—whom journalists later voted the greatest athlete of the twentieth century—quit basketball in 1994 to fulfill his lifelong dream to play professional baseball. Despite working hard, he spent a frustrating season and a half in the minor leagues and merely proved two things: that determination alone cannot guarantee success, and that baseball is a more difficult sport than many people had realized. Resilience, an extension of determination, is the ability to overcome adversity, or apparently hopeless situations, and to bounce back from outright defeat. Some might argue that no one can be greater than an athlete who never loses; however, athletes who continually win are never required to change what they do or do any soul searching. By contrast, athletes who lose must examine themselves closely and consider making changes. I have always felt that true greatness in sports is exemplified by the ability to come back from defeat, as heavyweight boxer Floyd Patterson did after losing his world title to Ingemar Johansson in a humiliating 3-round knockout in 1959. Only those athletes who face adversity and defeat can prove they have resilience. Among athletes who have impressed me the most with their determination and resilience is xiii

Great Athletes: Basketball pened to decathlete Dan O’Brien in the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials. Although Dan was the world’s top decathlete at that time, his failure to clear a height in the pole vault kept him off the Olympic team. (To his credit, he came back to win a gold medal in 1996.) Figure skating and gymnastics are other sports that measure execution with a microscope. In gymnastics, the standard of perfection is a score of ten—which was first achieved in the Olympics by Nadia Coma neci in 1976. However, scores in those sports are not based on objective measures but on the evaluations of judges, whose own standards can and do change. By contrast, archery, shooting, and bowling are unusual in being sports that offer objective standards of perfection. In bowling, that standard is the 300 points awarded to players who bowl all strikes. Among all athletes noted for their execution, one in particular stands out in my estimation: golf’s Tiger Woods. After Tiger had played professionally for only a few years, he established himself as one of the greatest golfers ever. He has beaten the best that golf has had to offer by record margins in major competitions, and wherever he plays, he is the favorite to win. Most impressive is his seeming ability to do whatever he needs to win, regardless of the situation. Few athletes in any sport, or in any era, have come close to matching Tiger’s versatile and consistent execution.

speed skater Eric Heiden, who was not only the first American to win world speed-skating championships, but the first speed skater ever to win all five events in the Winter Olympics. Another amazingly determined athlete is Jim Abbott, who refused to allow the fact that he was born with only one hand stop him from becoming a Major League Baseball pitcher—one who even pitched a no-hit game. Who could not admire Bo Jackson? An all-star in both professional football and Major League Baseball, he suffered what appeared to be a careerending football injury. After undergoing hip-joint replacement surgery, he defied all logic by returning to play several more seasons of baseball. Cyclist Lance Armstrong also falls into this category. He won multiple Tour de France championships after recovering from cancer. Execution Day two of the decathlon opens with the technically challenging 110-meter high hurdles. A brutally demanding event, it requires speed, leaping ability, and perfect timing. In short, it is an event that requires careful execution—the ability to perform precisely when it matters. Sports differ greatly in the precision of execution they demand. Getting off great throws in the discus, shot put, and javelin, for example, requires superb execution, but the direction in which the objects go is not critical. By contrast, archers, shooters, and golfers must hit precise targets. Some sports not only demand that execution be precise but also that it be repeated. A baseball pitcher who throws two perfect strikes fails if the opposing batter hits the third pitch over the fence. Likewise, a quarterback who leads his team down the field with five consecutive perfect passes fails if his next pass is intercepted. Consider the differences between the kind of execution demanded by diving and pole vaulting. Divers lose points if their toes are not straight the moment they enter the water. By contrast, pole vaulters can land any way they want, so long as they clear the bar. Moreover, a diver gets only one chance on each dive, while pole vaulters get three chances at each height they attempt—and they can even skip certain heights to save energy for later jumps at greater heights. On the other hand, a diver who executes a dive badly will merely get a poor score, while a pole vaulter who misses too many jumps will get no score at all—which is exactly what hap-

Focus After the high hurdles, the decathlon’s discus event is a comparative relief. Nevertheless, it presents its own special demands, one of which is focus—the ability to maintain uninterrupted concentration. Like shot putters, discus throwers work within a tiny circle, within which they must concentrate all their attention and all their energy into throwing the heavy disk as far as they can. Not surprisingly, one of the greatest discus throwers in history, Al Oerter, was also one of the greatest examples of focus in sports. His four gold medals between 1956 and 1968 made him the first track and field athlete in Olympic history to win any event four times in a row. In addition to beating out the best discus throwers in the world four consecutive times, he improved his own performance at each Olympiad and even won with a serious rib injury in 1964. Eight years after retiring from compexiv

Introduction tition, he returned at age forty to throw the discus farther than ever and earn a spot as an alternate on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Important in all sports, focus is especially important in those in which a single lapse in concentration may result in instant defeat. In boxing, a knockout can suddenly end a bout. Focus may be even more crucial in wrestling. Wrestlers grapple each other continuously, probing for openings that will allow them to pin their opponents. Few sports match wrestling in nonstop intensity; a single splitsecond lapse on the part of a wrestler can spell disaster. Great wrestlers, such as Cael Sanderson and Aleksandr Karelin, must therefore rank among the most focused athletes in history.

his offensive game together, he was also one of the greatest defensive players in the game. Moreover, his mere presence brought balance to his entire team. Preparation The ninth event of the decathlon is the javelin— a throwing event that goes back to ancient times. A more difficult event than it may appear to be, it requires more than its share of special preparation. This may be why we rarely see athletes who compete in both the javelin and other events, though the versatile Babe Didrikson Zaharias was an exception. Along with determination—to which it is closely allied—preparation is a vital trait of great athletes, especially in modern competition. It is no longer possible for even the greatest natural athletes to win against top competition without extensive preparation, which means practice, training for strength and stamina, proper diet and rest, and studying opponents diligently. Football players, especially quarterbacks and defensive backs, spend hours before every game studying films of opponents. I was fortunate to grow up with an athlete who exemplifies preparation: my younger brother, Jimmy Johnson, who would become defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers for seventeen years and later be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Every week, Jimmy had to face a completely different set of pass receivers, but he was always ready because he studied their moves and trained himself to run backward fast enough to keep offenses in front of him so he could see every move they made. Coach Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys once told me that he always had the Cowboys attack on the side opposite from Jimmy. Another exceptionally well prepared athlete was Magic Johnson, the great Lakers basketball guard, who played every position on the floor in more than one game. During his rookie season he had one of the greatest performances in playoff history during the NBA Finals. When a health problem prevented the Lakers’ great center, Kareem AbdulJabbar, from playing in the sixth game against Philadelphia, Magic stunned everyone by filling in for him at center and scoring 44 points. He went on to become one of the great point guards in basketball history because he always knew where every player on the court should be at every moment.

Balance and Coordination Of all the decathlon events, the most difficult to perform is the pole vault. Think of what it entails: Holding long skinny poles, vaulters run at full speed down a narrow path toward a pit; then, without breaking stride, push the tips of their poles into a tiny slot, propel their bodies upward, and use the poles to flip themselves over bars more than two or three times their height above the ground, finally to drop down on the opposite side. Success in the pole vault demands many traits, but the most important are balance and coordination. Vaulters use their hands, feet, and bodies, all at the same time, and do everything at breakneck speed, with almost no margin for error. There are no uncoordinated champion pole vaulters. Despite its difficulty, pole vaulting is an event in which some decathletes have performed especially well—perhaps because they, as a group, have versatile skills. I have long taken pride in the fact that my close friend, college teammate, and Olympic rival, C. K. Yang, once set a world record in the pole vault during a decathlon. C. K.’s record was all the more impressive because he achieved it midway through the second day of an intense competition. Imagine what balance and coordination he must have had to propel his body over the record-breaking height after having subjected it to the wear and tear of seven other events. I cannot think of any athlete, in any sport, who demonstrated more versatility in coordination and balance than Michael Jordan, who could seemingly score from any spot on the floor, at any time, and under any conditions. Not only did he always have xv

Great Athletes: Basketball Stamina If there is one event that most decathletes dread, it is the grueling 1,500-meter race that concludes the two-day competition. While C. K. Yang once set a world-record in the pole vault during a decathlon, no decathlete has ever come close to anything even resembling a world-class mark in the 1,500 meters. On the other hand, it is probable that no world-class middle-distance runner has ever run a 1,500-meter race immediately after competing in nine other events. To win a decathlon, the trick is not to come in first in this final race, but simply to survive it. For decathletes, it is not so much a race as a test of stamina. When I competed in the decathlon in the Rome Olympics of 1960, I had to go head-to-head against my friend C. K. Yang through nine events, all the while knowing that the gold medal would be decided in the last event—the 1,500 meters. C. K. was one of the toughest and most durable athletes I have ever known, and I realized I could not beat him in that race. However, after the javelin, I led by enough points so that all I had to do was stay close to him. I managed to do it and win the gold medal, but running that race was not an experience I would care to repeat. Stamina is not really a skill, but a measure of the strength to withstand or overcome exhaustion. Rare is the sport that does not demand some stamina. Stamina can be measured in a single performance— such as a long-distance race—in a tournament, or in the course of a long season. The classic models of stamina are marathon runners, whose 26-plus-mile race keeps them moving continuously for more than two hours. Soccer is one of the most demanding of stamina among team sports. Its players move almost constantly and may run as far as 5 miles in a 90-minute game that

allows few substitutions. Basketball players run nearly as much as soccer players, but their games are shorter and allow more substitutions and rest periods. However, the sport can be even more tiring than soccer because its teams play more frequently and play more games overall. Baseball players provide yet another contrast. They spend a great deal of time during their games sitting on the bench, and when they are on the field, players other than the pitcher and catcher rarely need to exert themselves more than a few seconds at a time. However, their season has the most games of all, and their constant travel is draining. All these sports and others demand great stamina from their players, and their greatest players are usually those who hold up the best. To most people, chess seems like a physically undemanding game. However, its greatest players must be in top physical condition to withstand the unrelenting mental pressure of tournament and match competitions, which can last for weeks. Bobby Fisher, one of the game’s greatest—and most eccentric—champions, exercised heavily when he competed in order to stay in shape. Even sprinters who spend only 10 or 11 seconds on the track in each race, need stamina. In order to reach the finals of major competitions, they must endure the physical and mental strains of several days of preliminary heats. In reducing what makes athletes great to just ten traits, I realize that I have oversimplified things, but that matters little, as my purpose here is merely to introduce readers to what makes the athletes in these volumes great. Within these pages you will find stories exemplifying many other traits, and that is good, as among the things that make athletes endlessly fascinating are their diversity and complexity. Rafer Johnson

xvi

Contributors Randy L. Abbott

Philip Bader

Stephen T. Bell

University of Evansville

Pasadena, California

Independent Scholar

Tony Abbott

Sylvia P. Baeza

Alvin K. Benson

Trumbull, Connecticut

Applied Ballet Theater

Utah Valley University

Michael Adams

Amanda J. Bahr-Evola

Chuck Berg

City College of New York Graduate Center

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

University of Kansas

Patrick Adcock

Alan Bairner

Henderson State University

Loughborough University

Amy Adelstein

JoAnn Balingit

Toluca Lake, California

University of Delaware

Richard Adler

Susan J. Bandy

University of Michigan, Dearborn

United States International University

Paul C. Alexander II

Jessie F. Banks

Southern Illinois University

University of Southern Colorado

Elizabeth Jeanne Alford

Linda Bannister

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Loyola Marymount University

S. Carol Berg College of St. Benedict

Milton Berman University of Rochester

Terry D. Bilhartz Sam Houston State University

Cynthia A. Bily Adrian College

Nicholas Birns Joe Blankenbaker C. Robert Barnett Eleanor B. Amico

Carol Blassingame David Barratt

Texas A&M University

Montreat College

Elaine M. Blinde

University of Findlay

Maryanne Barsotti Earl Andresen

Georgia Southern University

Marshall University

Whitewater, Wisconsin

Ronald L. Ammons

New School University

Warren, Michigan


Bijan Bayne

Harold R. Blythe, Jr.

Association for Professional Basketball Research

Eastern Kentucky University

University of Texas, Arlington

David L. Andrews University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign

Jo-Ellen Lipman Boon Barbara C. Beattie

Frank Ardolino

Trevor D. Bopp

University of Hawaii

Suzanne M. Beaudet Vikki M. Armstrong

Independent Scholar

Sarasota, Florida Texas A&M University

University of Maine, Presque Isle

Stephen Borelli

Fayetteville State University

Joseph Beerman

USA Today

Maharishi International University

Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY

John Boyd

Patti Auer

Keith J. Bell

United States Gymnastics Federation

Western Carolina University

Bryan Aubrey

Appalachian State University

xvii

Great Athletes: Basketball Marlene Bradford

Peter Carino

Michael Coulter


Indiana State University

Grove City College

Michael R. Bradley

Lewis H. Carlson

David A. Crain

Motlow College

Western Michigan University

South Dakota State University

Carmi Brandis

Russell N. Carney

Louise Crain

Fort Collins, Colorado

Missouri State University


Kevin L. Brennan

Bob Carroll

Scott A. G. M. Crawford

Ouachita Baptist University

Professional Football Researchers Association

Eastern Illinois University

Matt Brillinger Carleton University

Lee B. Croft Culley C. Carson

Arizona State University

University of North Carolina

John A. Britton Francis Marion University

Ronald L. Crosbie Craig Causer

Marshall University

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

Norbert Brockman

Thomas S. Cross

St. Mary’s University of San Antonio

David Chapman


Howard Bromberg

North American Society of Sports Historians

Brian Culp

University of Michigan Law School

Indiana University

Paul J. Chara, Jr. Valerie Brooke

Northwestern College

Riverside Community College

Michael D. Cummings, Jr. Madonna University

Frederick B. Chary Dana D. Brooks

Indiana University Northwest

West Virginia University

Joanna Davenport Auburn University

Jerry E. Clark Alan Brown

Creighton University

Livingston University

Kathy Davis North Carolina State University

Rhonda L. Clements Valerie Brown

Hofstra University

Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center

Douglas Clouatre

California State University, Sacramento MidPlains Community College

Thomas W. Buchanan Ancilla Domini College

International Swimming Hall of Fame University of Kansas

Pasadena, California West Texas A&M University

Los Angeles, California Quincy University

San Diego, California Namseoul University

Paul Dellinger Wytheville, Virginia

Carol Cooper University of Northern Iowa

Edmund J. Campion University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Bill Delaney

Brett Conway

Michael H. Burchett Limestone College

Margaret Debicki

Caroline Collins

Cathy M. Buell San Jose State University

Dawn P. Dawson

Susan Coleman

David Buehrer Valdosta State University

Buck Dawson

Kathryn A. Cochran

Fred Buchstein John Carroll University

Mary Virginia Davis

Andy DeRoche Front Range Community College

Richard Hauer Costa Texas A&M University

James I. Deutsch Smithsonian Institution

xviii

Contributors Joseph Dewey

Don Emmons

Thomas R. Garrett

University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown

Glendale News-Press

Society for American Baseball Research

M. Casey Diana

Robert T. Epling

Jan Giel

Arizona State University


Drexel University

Randy J. Dietz South Carolina State University

Daniel R. Gilbert Thomas L. Erskine

Moravian College

Salisbury University

Jonathan E. Dinneen VeriSign, Inc.

Duane A. Gill Steven G. Estes

Mississippi State University

California State University, Fullerton

Marcia B. Dinneen Bridgewater State College

Vincent F. A. Golphin Don Evans

The Writing Company

The College of New Jersey

Dennis M. Docheff Whitworth College

Bruce Gordon Jack Ewing

Auburn University, Montgomery

Boise, Idaho

Cecilia Donohue Madonna University

Margaret Bozenna Goscilo Kevin Eyster

University of Pittsburgh

Madonna University

Pamela D. Doughty Texas A&M University

John Gould Norman B. Ferris

Independent Scholar

Middle Tennessee State University

Thomas Drucker University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Karen Gould John W. Fiero

Austin, Texas

University of Southwestern Louisiana

Jill Dupont University of Chicago

Lewis L. Gould Paul Finkelman

University of Texas, Austin

Brooklyn Law School

William G. Durick Blue Valley School District

Larry Gragg Paul Finnicum

University of Missouri, Rolla

Arkansas State University

W. P. Edelstein

Lloyd J. Graybar

Los Angeles, California

Jane Brodsky Fitzpatrick


Bruce L. Edwards

Graduate Center, City University of New York

Wanda Green

Bowling Green State University

University of Northern Iowa

Michael J. Fratzke William U. Eiland

Indiana Wesleyan University

University of Georgia

William C. Griffin Appalachian State University

Tom Frazier Henry A. Eisenhart

Cumberland College

University of Oklahoma

Irwin Halfond McKendree College

A. Bruce Frederick Kenneth Ellingwood

International Gymnastics Hall of Fame and Museum

Jan Hall


Julie Elliott

Daniel J. Fuller

Roger D. Hardaway

Indiana University South Bend

Kent State University

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Mark R. Ellis

Jean C. Fulton

University of Nebraska, Kearney


Robert P. Ellis

Carter Gaddis

Northboro, Massachusetts

Tampa Tribune

Columbus, Ohio

William Harper Purdue University

xix

Great Athletes: Basketball Robert Harrison

Mary Hurd

Tom Kinder

University of Arkansas Community College

East Tennessee State University

Bridgewater College

Raymond Pierre Hylton

Joe King

Virginia Union University

Alameda Journal

Shirley Ito

Jane Kirkpatrick Auburn University, Montgomery

University of Texas, Dallas

Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles

Leslie Heaphy

Frederick Ivor-Campbell

Thiel College

Kent State University, Stark


Darlene A. Kluka

P. Graham Hatcher Shelton State Community College

Karen Hayslett-McCall

Paul M. Klenowski

Bernadette Zbicki Heiney Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

University of Alabama, Birmingham

Shakuntala Jayaswal University of New Haven

Timothy C. Hemmis Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

California State University, Sacramento

Doresa A. Jennings Bill Knight

Shorter College

Steve Hewitt University of Birmingham

Western Illinois University

Albert C. Jensen Central Florida Community College

Francis M. Kozub

Jeffry Jensen

College at Brockport, State University of New York

Carol L. Higy Methodist College

Lynne Klyse

Altadena, California

Randall W. Hines Susquehanna University

Lynn C. Kronzek Bruce E. Johansen

University of Judaism

University of Nebraska, Omaha

Joseph W. Hinton Portland, Oregon

Shawn Ladda Lloyd Johnson

Manhattan College

Campbell University

Arthur D. Hlavaty Yonkers, New York

P. Huston Ladner Mary Johnson

University of Mississippi

University of South Florida

Carl W. Hoagstrom Ohio Northern University

Philip E. Lampe Alexander Jordan

University of the Incarnate Word

Boston University

William H. Hoffman Fort Meyers, Florida

Tom Lansford David Kasserman

University of Southern Mississippi

Rowan University

Kimberley M. Holloway King College

Eugene Larson Robert B. Kebric

Los Angeles Pierce College

University of Louisville

John R. Holmes Franciscan University of Steubenville

Rustin Larson Rodney D. Keller


Ricks College

Joseph Horrigan Pro Football Hall of Fame

Kevin R. Lasley Barbara J. Kelly

Eastern Illinois University

University of Delaware

William L. Howard

Mary Lou LeCompte

Chicago State University

Kimberley H. Kidd

University of Texas, Austin

Shane L. Hudson

East Tennessee State University King College

Denyse Lemaire


Rowan University

Leigh Husband Kimmel Indianapolis, Indiana

xx

Contributors Victor Lindsey

H. R. Mahood

Michael V. Namorato

East Central University

Memphis State University

University of Mississippi

Alar Lipping

Barry Mann

Jerome L. Neapolitan

Northern Kentucky University

Atlanta, Georgia

Tennessee Technological University

Janet Long

Nancy Farm Mannikko

Alicia Neumann


Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

San Francisco, California

M. Philip Lucas Cornell College

Caryn E. Neumann Robert R. Mathisen

Miami University of Ohio, Middletown

Western Baptist College

Leonard K. Lucenko Montclair State College

Mark A. Newman Russell Medbery

University of Virginia

Colby-Sawyer College

R. C. Lutz Madison Advisors

Betsy L. Nichols Joella H. Mehrhof

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Emporia State University

Robert McClenaghan Pasadena, California

James W. Oberly Julia M. Meyers

University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Duquesne University

Arthur F. McClure Central Missouri State University

George O’Brien Ken Millen-Penn

Georgetown University

Fairmont State College

Roxanne McDonald New London, New Hampshire

Wendy Cobb Orrison Glenn A. Miller

Washington and Lee University


Alan McDougall University of Guelph

Sheril A. Palermo Lauren Mitchell

Cupertino, California

St. Louis, Missouri

Mary McElroy

R. K. L. Panjabi

Kansas State University

Christian H. Moe

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Thomas D. McGrath


Robert J. Paradowski

Baylor University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Mario Morelli Marcia J. Mackey

Western Illinois University

Central Michigan University

Thomas R. Park Florida State University

Caitlin Moriarity Michelle C. K. McKowen

Brisbane, California

New York, New York

Robert Passaro Tucson, Arizona

Elizabeth C. E. Morrish John McNamara

State University of New York, Oneonta

Beltsville, Maryland

Cheryl Pawlowski University of Northern Colorado

Todd Moye Joe McPherson

Leslie A. Pearl

Atlanta, Georgia


San Diego, California

Tinker D. Murray Paul Madden

Southwest Texas State University

Judy C. Peel

Alex Mwakikoti

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Hardin Simmons University

Mark J. Madigan

University of Texas, Arlington

Martha E. Pemberton

University of Vermont

Alice Myers Philip Magnier

Galesville, Wisconsin

Bard College at Simon’s Rock


xxi

Great Athletes: Basketball William E. Pemberton

Abe C. Ravitz

A. K. Ruffin

University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

California State University, Dominguez Hills

George Washington University

Lori A. Petersen Minot, North Dakota

Todd Runestad Nancy Raymond

American Ski Association

International Gymnast Magazine

Nis Petersen Jersey City State College

J. Edmund Rush Shirley H. M. Reekie

Boise, Idaho

San Jose State University

Douglas A. Phillips Sierra Vista, Arizona

Michael Salmon Christel Reges Grand Valley State University


Victoria Reynolds

Rebecca J. Sankner

Mandeville High School


Debra L. Picker Long Beach, California

Betty L. Plummer Dillard University

Betty Richardson Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Timothy M. Sawicki

Bill Plummer III Amateur Softball Association of America

Alice C. Richer

Ronald C. Sawyer

Spaulding Rehabilitation Center

State University of New York, Binghamton

Michael Polley Columbia College

David R. Rider Bloomsburg University

Ann M. Scanlon

Robert B. Ridinger

State University of New York, College at Cortland

Francis Poole University of Delaware

Canisius College

Northern Illinois University

Jon R. Poole

Daniel C. Scavone

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Edward A. Riedinger

David L. Porter

Edward J. Rielly

William Penn University

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

John G. Powell

Jan Rintala

Greenville, South Carolina

Northern Illinois University

Victoria Price

Thurman W. Robins

Lamar University

Texas Southern University

Maureen J. Puffer-Rothenberg

Vicki K. Robinson

Southeast Missouri State University

Valdosta State University

State University of New York, Farmingdale

Kathleen Schongar

University of Southern Indiana

Ohio State University Libraries

Elizabeth D. Schafer Loachapoka, Alabama

Lamia Nuseibeh Scherzinger Indiana University

Walter R. Schneider Central Michigan University

J. Christopher Schnell

Christopher Rager San Dimas, California

The May School

Mark Rogers University of Chicago

Steven J. Ramold Eastern Michigan University

Buffalo State College

Wynn Rogers San Dimas, California

C. Mervyn Rasmussen Renton, Washington

Deborah Service Los Angeles, California

Carl F. Rothfuss Central Michigan University

John David Rausch, Jr. West Texas A&M University

Stephen Schwartz

Chrissa Shamberger Ohio State University

William B. Roy United States Air Force Academy

xxii

Contributors Tom Shieber

Deborah Stroman

Hal J. Walker

Mt. Wilson, California

University of North Carolina

University of Connecticut

Theodore Shields

James Sullivan

Spencer Weber Waller

Surfside Beach, South Carolina

California State University, Los Angeles

Loyola University Chicago

Peter W. Shoun

Cynthia J. W. Svoboda

Annita Marie Ward


Bridgewater State College

Salem-Teikyo University

R. Baird Shuman

William R. Swanson

Shawncey Webb

University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign

South Carolina State College

Taylor University

J. K. Sweeney

Chuck Weis


American Canoe Association

Charles A. Sweet, Jr.

Michael J. Welch


Guilford College

Glenn L. Swygart

Paula D. Welch

Tennessee Temple University

University of Florida

James Tackach

Allen Wells

Roger Williams University

Bowdoin College

Felicia Friendly Thomas

Winifred Whelan St. Bonaventure University

Grove City College

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Harold L. Smith

Jennifer L. Titanski

University of Houston, Victoria

Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

Ira Smolensky

Evelyn Toft

Monmouth College

Fort Hays State University

A. J. Sobczak

Alecia C. Townsend Beckie

Santa Barbara, California

New York, New York

Ray Sobczak

Anh Tran

Salem, Wisconsin

Wichita State University

Mark Stanbrough

Marcella Bush Trevino

Emporia State University

Texas A&M University, Kingsville

Alison Stankrauff

Kathleen Tritschler

Indiana University South Bend

Guilford College

Michael Stellefson

Brad Tufts


Bucknell University

Glenn Ellen Starr Stilling

Karen M. Turner

Appalachian State University

Temple University


Gerald H. Strauss

Sara Vidar

John D. Windhausen

Bloomsburg University


St. Anselm College

Thomas J. Sienkewicz Monmouth College

Richard Slapsys University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Elizabeth Ferry Slocum Pasadena, California

John Slocum Pasadena, California

Gary Scott Smith

Nan White Maharishi International University

Nicholas White Maharishi International University

Rita S. Wiggs Methodist College

Ryan K. Williams University of Illinois, Springfield

Brook Wilson Independent Scholar

John Wilson Wheaton, Illinois

Rusty Wilson Ohio State University

Wayne Wilson

xxiii

Great Athletes: Basketball Michael Witkoski

Sheri Woodburn

Lisa A. Wroble

University of South Carolina

Cupertino, California

Redford Township District Library

Philip Wong

Jerry Jaye Wright

Frank Wu


Pennsylvania State University, Altoona

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Greg Woo

Scott Wright

Brooke K. Zibel

Independent Scholar

University of St. Thomas

University of North Texas

xxiv

BASKETBALL

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Born: April 16, 1947 New York, New York Also known as: Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. (birth name); Lew Alcindor Early Life Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr., was born in Harlem, New York, on April 16, 1947. Harlem was a traditionally lower-income community. However, Lew’s family was not poor. His father was a graduate of the famed Juilliard School of Music in virtuoso trombone. His family was Roman Catholic and lived in northern Manhattan’s Inwood district, an integrated neighborhood.

Lew inherited his height from his 6-foot 8-inch grandfather, who had come to the United States from Nigeria, Africa, via Trinidad, in the West Indies. Lew’s father worked as a bill collector, then as a New York subway policeman, because careers in serious music were virtually closed to African Americans. Lew learned to love jazz from hearing it played at the Elks Club by his father and other musicians. At St. Jude’s, the Inwood neighborhood elementary school, Lew was one of only two black students. His height, 6 feet 5 inches in seventh grade, drew the attention of Farrell Hopkins, his first coach. Hopkins urged Lew to lift weights, skip rope, and spend time alone on the court to perfect his basketball shots. The Road to Excellence At Power Memorial High School, Lew came under the protective care of coach Jack Donohue. He took charge of Lew’s life even in summer vacation, which Lew spent, lonesome and unhappy, at Donohue’s Friendship Farm basketball camp. Lew led Power to seventy-one consecutive victories and an overall 79-2 record. He was a prep all-American for three years. However, Lew finally came to resent the coach, who tried to take advantage of Lew’s skills for his own benefit. Later, Lew decided not to attend Holy Cross College, where Donohue took a coaching position. During his time at Power Memorial High School, Lew was growing increasingly resentful of white prejudice. One summer, while working for a Harlem newspaper, he learned from his journalism instructor, Al Calloway, about the great historical African kingdoms and about the courageous suffering of black people during the slavery period. He became proud of his black heritage. However, Lew “vowed to rise above hating whites” because his mother was light-skinned, with white blood.

Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar demonstrating his famous sky hook during a 1970’s game against the Washington Bullets. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion More than two hundred colleges made offers to Lew, one of the most publicized high school stars of all time. He chose the University of California at 1

Great Athletes

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

NBA Statistics Season

GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89

82 82 81 76 81 65 82 82 62 80 82 80 76 79 80 79 79 78 80 74

938 1,063 1,159 982 948 812 914 888 663 777 835 836 753 722 716 723 755 560 480 313

.518 .577 .574 .554 .539 .513 .529 .579 .550 .577 .604 .574 .579 .588 .578 .599 .564 .564 .532 .475

485 470 504 328 295 325 447 376 274 349 364 423 312 278 285 289 336 245 205 122

.653 .690 .689 .713 .702 .763 .703 .701 .783 .736 .765 .766 .706 .749 .723 .732 .765 .714 .762 .739

1,190 1,311 1,346 1,224 1,178 912 1,383 1,090 801 1,025 886 821 659 592 587 622 478 523 478 334

337 272 370 379 386 264 413 319 269 431 371 272 225 200 211 249 280 203 135 74

2,361 2,596 2,822 2,292 2,191 1,949 2,275 2,152 1,600 1,903 2,034 2,095 1,818 1,722 1,717 1,735 1,846 1,366 1,165 748

28.8 31.7 34.8 30.2 27.0 30.0 27.7 26.2 25.8 23.8 24.8 26.2 23.9 21.8 21.5 22.0 23.4 17.5 14.6 10.1

Totals

1,560

15,837

.559

6,712

.721

17,440

5,660

38,387

24.6

Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game

Los Angeles (UCLA). Coach John Wooden had led UCLA to a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title in 1964-1965. The school had built a new facility, Pauley Pavilion. In the first game ever played in the new arena, the UCLA freshman team—which was differentiated from the varsity squad under the NCAA rules of the time— defeated the NCAA-champion varsity team 75-60. Lew, at 7 feet 2 inches, scored 31 points and had 15 rebounds. The freshman team was 21-0 in 19651966. The next year, in his first varsity game, Lew scored 56 points. UCLA’s varsity team was unde-

NBA Records Most points, career, 38,387 Most playoff points, career, 5,762 Most All-Star Game appearances, 18 Most most valuable player awards, 6 Most seasons, and most consecutive seasons, 1,000 or more points, 19 Most seasons leading league in blocked shots, 4 Single-game record for most defensive rebounds, 29 Most playoff games played, 237 Single season record for most defensive rebounds, 1,111 Most field goals made, 15,837 Most minutes played, 57,446

2

feated in thirty games and again won the NCAA Championship. Lew was United Press International and Associated Press player of the year and a unanimous all-American. His ability to score baskets from above the rim resulted in the “Alcindor Rule,” which outlawed the slam-dunk shot in 1967; the NCAA rescinded the rule in 1977. Unable to dunk the basketball, Lew perfected a swooping hook shot that allowed him to elevate the ball above the rim from several feet away, utilizing his height yet abiding by the new rule. Because he delivered the shot so high in the air, Lew’s patented maneuver became known as the “skyhook.” In 1967-1968, UCLA’s unbeaten streak had reached forty-seven games before the University of Houston defeated the Bruins 71-69. Houston star Elvin Hayes boasted of his team’s victory and belittled Lew’s ability. However, Lew had played with a scratched eyeball that had kept him out of two games. When the teams met later in the NCAA tournament, Lew’s 19 points and 18 rebounds led UCLA to a thorough 101-69 victory and another NCAA title. Hayes had 10 points. In 1968-1969, Wooden won a fourth- and Lew a third-consecutive NCAA Championship. In all three seasons,

Basketball

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Lew was selected the most outstanding player of the name Habiba. In 1974, he grew a beard and the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In Lew’s three Afro hairstyle to emphasize his pride in his African seasons at UCLA, the Bruins’ record was 88-2. heritage. Also in 1974, Kareem began wearing proDuring his college years, Lew, a history major tective goggles, which became an identifying tradewith a 131 IQ and always troubled by the plight of mark. Just as in his days at UCLA, Kareem suffered black Americans, read The Autobiography of Malcolm a scratched eyeball during a preseason contest, and X (1965), about the American Black Muslim he missed the first sixteen games of the season. leader. He was attracted to Malcolm’s teachings of When he returned, Kareem used a set of goggles to universal brotherhood rather than his declaration protect his eyes, and he wore it for the rest of his caof black supremacy and hatred of whites. Lew bereer. came a Muslim in 1968. In an autobiographical, three-part series in Sports Illustrated in 1970, he anContinuing the Story nounced his conversion. When his five-year contract with the Bucks expired In 1969, Lew accepted the $1.4 million offer of in 1975, Kareem asked to be traded. He had led the last-place Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA over Milwaukee to the playoffs four times, but he had that of the New York Nets of the American Basketproblems with Costello’s coaching philosophy. In ball Association, although he had long dreamed of 1975, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, a medioplaying in New York. He also turned down an offer cre team at the time. In his second season, the to play with the Harlem Globetrotters, a famous Lakers had the best record in basketball but lost in all-black touring team. However, Lew did not consider their enterHonors and Awards taining and clownish form of basketball to be a serious sport. He was 1967-69 Helms Division I Player of the Year graceful and quick, but professional Sporting News College Player of the Year basketball was a rougher game than Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year he had known in college. He often NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player had to control his temper against NCAA All-Tournament Team veterans, especially Willis Reed of Consensus All-American the New York Knicks, who were try1967, 1969 Rupp Trophy ing to test him. Not surprisingly, Lew United Press International Division I Player of the Year was rookie of the year and second in United States Basketball Writers Association Division I scoring in 1969-1970. Player of the Year The following year, Milwaukee 1969 Naismith Trophy coach Larry Costello acquired Oscar Overall first choice in the NBA draft Robertson and Lucius Allen, Lew’s 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year former UCLA teammate. Robertson, a ten-year veteran, was regarded 1970-74, 1976-81, 1983-86 All-NBA Team as the best playmaker in the league. 1970-71, 1974-81, 1984 NBA All-Defensive Team The combination of Lew and Rob1971-72, 1974, 1976-77, 1980 NBA most valuable player ertson produced a 66-16 record and 1971, 1985 NBA Championship Finals, most valuable player a championship season. Lew won his 1989 Uniform number 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers first scoring title with 31.7 points per 1995 Inducted in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame game and received the NBA’s most 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team valuable player award. 1999 Uniform number 33 retired by Milwaukee Bucks After the season, Lew officially 2002 Inducted into Pacific Ten Conference Hall of Fame began using his new Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which means 2006 Named to NCAA’s One Hundred Most Influential Student-Athletes “Noble and Generous Servant of the 2007 Inducted into National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame All-Powerful Allah.” In May, 1971, he married Janice Brown, who took 3

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the playoff semifinals. The addition of Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 1979 created a powerhouse team that won five NBA Championships over a nine-year span. The Lakers teams of the 1980’s played a type of basketball known as “Showtime,” a fast-paced and high-scoring offense with Kareem and Johnson as the main assets. When he retired in 1989, after twenty seasons in the NBA, Kareem had scored 38,387 points—more than anyone in NBA history—and been named most valuable player an unprecedented six times. During the 1990’s, Kareem worked in the entertainment business, appearing in many television shows. His greatest claim to Hollywood fame was as a copilot in the film Airplane (1980). Afterward, he made minor appearances in a number of television shows. In 1995, Kareem was honored for his accomplishments in basketball when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During the 1996-1997 season, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. After retiring, Kareem served as a self-appointed “basketball ambassador,” trying to promote the values of the game wherever he went. In 1998, he signed a contract to coach the boys’ basketball team at Arizona’s Alchesay High School on the Fort Apache Indian reservation. His goals were to teach the young men how to play basketball and help develop a better relationship between Native Americans and African Americans. He has also worked with or coached for the Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks, and, beginning in 2005, the Lakers. Furthermore, in 2002, he coached the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League for one year.

4

Great Athletes Kareem authored several books, including Brothers In Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII’s Forgotten Heroes (2004), a history of an allblack armored unit in World War II. Summary In 1972, the former Boston Celtics superstar Bill Russell was asked whether he or Wilt Chamberlain was the better player. He responded, “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player to play this game.” At each increasing level of play—high school, college, and professional—Kareem succeeded in making his team the best. After retirement, he devoted himself to a career in movie production, acting, and coaching. As an indication of his impact on American sport, he has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated twenty-nine times. Daniel C. Scavone, updated by Steven J. Ramold Additional Sources Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem. A Champion Strategy. New York: William Morrow, 2000. Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem, and Raymond Obstfeld. On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007. Borrello, Helen A. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Basketball Legends. Broomall, Pa.: Chelsea House, 1995. Howard-Cooper, Scott, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Bruin One Hundred: The Greatest Games in the History of UCLA Basketball. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1999. Knieb, Martha. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. New York: Rosen, 2002. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Ray Allen Born: July 20, 1975 Merced, California Also known as: Walter Ray Allen (full name) Early Life Walter Ray Allen was born on July 20, 1975. His parents are Walter Allen, who worked as a welder in the U.S. Air Force, and Flora Allen. He has two older and two younger siblings. Because Ray’s father was in the military, the family moved frequently and lived overseas occasionally, including in the United Kingdom and Germany. Ray played baseball, football, and soccer at an early age. He immediately demonstrated superior athletic skills. At the age of eight, he was the only child in the local baseball Little League who could hit the ball far enough to reach the home-run line. In later years, Ray first played organized basketball when his father was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. His mother told him basketball was his best sport. The Road to Excellence After the family moved to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, Ray made the varsity basketball team as a freshman at Hillcrest High School. He eventually led Hillcrest to a state championship. His success at the high school level led several top college basketball programs to recruit him, and he decided to attend the University of Connecticut. During his freshman year, he did not start but was productive as a reserve. He became a starter his sophomore season. In 1994-1995, Connecticut was ranked number one for most of the season. The team won its second consecutive Big East Conference regular-season championship. In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament, Connecticut lost in the West Regional Finals to

the University of California at Los Angeles, the eventual national champion. Then, Ray was selected to play for the U.S. team at the World University Games in Japan, where the Americans finished undefeated and won the gold medal. Ray was named USA Basketball’s male athlete of the year. The Emerging Champion Ray had an even better year the following season. He led Connecticut to a 30-2 record, a top seed in

Ray Allen taking the ball to the hoop in a 2008 game against the Portland Trail Blazers. (NBAE/Getty Images)

5

Great Athletes

Ray Allen


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 82 50 82 82 69 76 56 78 78 55 73

390 563 303 642 628 530 598 447 640 681 505 439

.430 .428 .450 .455 .480 .462 .439 .440 .428 .454 .438 .445

205 343 176 353 348 214 316 245 378 324 279 215

.823 .875 .903 .887 .888 .873 .900 .904 .883 .903 .903 .907

326 405 212 259 428 312 381 286 347 332 247 268

210 356 178 308 374 271 334 268 289 286 228 225

1,102 1,602 856 1,809 1,806 1,503 1,713 1,287 1,867 1,955 1,454 1,273

13.4 19.5 17.1 22.1 22.0 21.8 22.5 23.0 23.9 25.1 26.4 17.4

Totals

863

6,366

.446

3,395

.889

3,903

3,327

18,227

21.1


the NCAA Basketball Tournament, and a Big East Conference tournament championship. Perhaps his best individual moment in college was making the game-winning shot in the conference-title game, providing Connecticut with a 75-74 win over Georgetown. He was named as a first-team allAmerican. After his junior season, Ray decided to move to the professional level, declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft in 1996. He was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fifth-overall pick in

Milwaukee Bucks Records Most consecutive games played, 400 Most three-pointers in career, 1,051 Most three-pointers attempted, 2,587

NBA Records Most regular-season three-pointers, 269 (2005-06) Most three-pointers attempted in one season, 653 (2006) Second most three-pointers made in career, 2,100 Most seasons as league leader in three-pointers, 3 (2001-02, 2002-03, 2005-06) Most three-pointers in one half, 8 (record shared)

Honors and Awards 1997 2000 2000-02, 2004-08 2001

NBA all-rookie second team Gold medal, Olympic Basketball NBA All-Star All-NBA Third Team NBA three-point shootout champion 2003 NBA sportsmanship award 2005 All-NBA Second Team

6

the draft. However, he was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Stephon Marbury and a future first-round pick. Ray had an instant impact on the team. He started all but one game his rookie season for the Bucks and finished third on the team in scoring, with 13.4 points per game. As his career continued, he was consistently one of the best players on his team. His strengths were three-point shooting and free throws. His performance helped the Bucks make the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, from 1999 to 2001. In the 1999-2000 season, he led the Bucks in scoring with 22.1 points per game, which was fourth best in the NBA. After the season, he played for the U.S. Olympic team, which won the gold medal. He served a key role for the United States, averaging more than 10 points per game. Continuing the Story The Bucks’ best season during Ray’s tenure was 2000-2001. The team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the seven-game series. Ray’s individual performance contributed to the Bucks’ success that year. He had career-best statistics in field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and steals. He also showed outstanding longevity, starting in 366 consecutive games and playing in 378 straight games, retroactive to his rookie year. Though the Bucks’ performance declined significantly following the 2000-2001 season, Ray’s

Basketball level did not. In the next year, he was named to his third-consecutive all-star team. He scored a careerhigh 47 points in a single game. He ranked among NBA leaders in scoring, three-point percentage, three-point field goals made, and free-throw percentage. He extended his streaks of consecutive games played to 400 and consecutive games started to 388, until tendinitis in his left knee briefly prevented him from playing. Halfway through the 2002-2003 season, Ray was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. In almost five seasons with the Sonics, he increased his pointsper-game average. Prior to the 2007-2008 season, he was traded to the Boston Celtics. Along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Ray helped lead the team to an NBA-best 66-16 regular-season record and an NBA Championship, the franchise’s first in twenty-two years. Ray also had a major impact off the court. He served as a member of the all-star advisory council for the Junior NBA youth basketball program. He has also been the NBA spokesperson for the

Ray Allen Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. In 2000 and 2001, he was named The Sporting News “good guy.” Summary Ray Allen has established himself as one of the best shooting guards in professional basketball. He has consistently ranked high in the categories of scoring, free-throw percentage, and three-point percentage. Furthermore, his endurance is noteworthy; he has put together remarkable streaks in games played and games started. These achievements helped make him an all-star eight times. Kevin L. Brennan Additional Sources Finkel, Jon, and Tomás Montalvo-Lagos. Greatest Stars of the NBA: Guards Edition. Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2007. Smallwood, John. National Basketball Association Superstars 2005. New York: Scholastic, 2005. Spears, Marc J. “Allen Takes a Strange Route to His Roots.” The Boston Globe, October 10, 2007.

7

Carmelo Anthony Born: May 29, 1984 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Carmelo Kiyan Anthony (full name); Melo Early Life Carmelo Kiyan Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 29, 1984. When Carmelo was young, his family lived in the Red Hook Projects in

Brooklyn. Carmelo’s father was of Puerto Rican descent, and his mother was of African American descent. Carmelo’s father, after whom Carmelo was named, died of cancer when Carmelo was two years old. Carmelo’s family lived briefly in Friona, Texas, before moving to the Druid Hill section of Baltimore, Maryland, when Carmelo was eight years old. The housing projects near Carmelo’s home were rife with drug dealing and violence. Carmelo and his friends used sports, most often basketball, as a diversion from such activities. As a teenager, Carmelo commuted to Towson Catholic High School for three years. During the summer after his sophomore year, he grew five inches, sprouting to 6 foot 5 inches. The following season, he was the Baltimore Catholic League’s player of the year as well as the Baltimore Sun’s metro player of the year. In order to gain more national exposure, Carmelo transferred to the famed Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. As a senior, he was a first-team all-American and a McDonald’s All-American.

Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets dunking the ball against the Toronto Raptors. (Gary C. Caskey/UPI/Landov)

8

The Road to Excellence While many of Carmelo’s contemporaries were heading straight to professional basketball after high school, his mother pressed him to go to college. Carmelo accepted a basketball scholarship from Syracuse University and moved to the upstate New York campus in 2002. He had a short but historical stay at Syracuse. During the 2002-2003 season, Carmelo led the team in most offensive categories, including scoring and rebounding. More significantly, he guided Syracuse to a 30-5 record and the school’s first National Collegiate Athletic Associ-

Basketball

Carmelo Anthony


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 75 80 65 77

624 530 756 691 728

.426 .431 .481 .476 .492

408 456 573 459 464

.777 .796 .808 .808 786

498 426 394 391 571

227 194 216 249 259

1,725 1,558 2,122 1,881 1,978

21.0 20.8 26.5 28.9 25.7

Totals

379

3,329

.462

2,360

.796

2,280

1,145

9,264

24.4


ation (NCAA) Basketball Tournament Championship. He was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four, the NCAA freshman of the year, and the Big East Conference freshman of the year and was an all-Big East first-team selection. Soon after Carmelo helped Syracuse to the championship, he declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. On June 26, 2003, he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the third overall pick. In July, 2003, Carmelo signed a four-year contract with the Nuggets that paid him more than $15 million, or $3.75 million per year. In a stellar rookie season, Carmelo averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.18 steals per game, while playing in all eighty-two games. He was the driving force in a tremendous turnaround for the Denver Nuggets. He led the team to a 43-39 record and a berth in the NBA playoffs. Before Carmelo’s arrival, the Nuggets were consistently one of the worst teams in the NBA. In fact, the year before Carmelo arrived in Denver, the Nuggets record was a horrible 17-65, which earned the team a share of the worst record in the league. Interestingly, the tie was with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who drafted LeBron James with the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft. Starting on draft day and continuing throughout their careers, James and Carmelo were linked in superstardom. In addition to his regular season statistics, Carmelo became the first rookie in fourteen years to lead a team in playoff scoring average. Though the Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, simply appearing in the playoffs was a testament to Carmelo’s impact. The Emerging Champion During the early part of his NBA career, Carmelo compiled impressive statistics, In the 2006-2007 season, he had a career-high average of 28.9 points

per game. As of 2008, his career per-game averages were 24.4 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 36.5 minutes. Though the Nuggets could not advance past the first round of the playoffs, Carmelo led the Nuggets to the postseason in each of his first five years in the league. Early in his career, he had some behavioral problems: He was suspended from the league for fifteen games for his involvement in a 2006 on-court brawl in Madison Square Garden in a game against the Knicks. However, as he matured, he left behind those problems. Continuing the Story Carmelo defined himself as one of the league’s most consistent scorers. In 2006, the Nuggets acquired Allen Iverson to help Carmelo lead the team deeper into the playoffs. In addition to his NBA experience, Carmelo played on several U.S.

Honors and Awards 2002 McDonald’s all-American

Parade first-team all-American USA Today first-team all-American 2003 Big East Conference freshman of the year National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament most outstanding player

The Sporting News first-team all-American 2004 NBA all-rookie team Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball 2006 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Championship all-tournament team USA Basketball men’s athlete of the year 2006, 2007 All-NBA Third Team 2007, 2008 NBA All-Star 2008 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

9

Carmelo Anthony national teams and was named USA Basketball male athlete of the year in 2006. He was a member of the U.S. team that won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Also, he was an NBA all-star in 2007 and 2008. Summary Carmelo Anthony rose from the Red Hook Projects in Brooklyn, New York, to lead the Syracuse University Orangemen to the 2003 NCAA national championship. In his first NBA season with the Denver Nuggets he helped his team reach the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. He became one of the best scorers in the NBA and, along with

10

Great Athletes LeBron James, a face of the next generation of basketball superstars. Theodore Shields Additional Sources Anthony, Carmelo, and Greg Brown. Carmelo Anthony: It’s Just the Beginning. Kirkland, Wash.: Positively For Kids, 2004. Chappell, Kevin. “The Future of the NBA: Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James are Positioned as the Sturdy Foundation of the Expanding League.” Ebony, May 1, 2007. Porterfield, Jason. Basketball in the Big East Conference. New York: Rosen Central, 2008.

Nate Archibald Born: September 2, 1948 New York, New York Also known as: Nathaniel Archibald (full name); Tiny Early Life Born in New York City, Nathaniel Archibald was the oldest child in a family of seven children. He spent his youth in the Patterson projects in New York’s South Bronx district. During the 1960’s, these projects were among the most notorious slum areas of New York City. His father abandoned the family when Nate was fourteen. Nate attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where he made the all-city team in basketball. At 6 feet l inch in height, he was usually one of the smaller players on the basketball court and was called “Tiny.” After playing one year at a community college in Arizona, he played college basketball at the University of Texas-El Paso, coached by the legendary Don Haskins, who had led an all-African American team to a national championship in the college finals when the school was known as Texas Western. The Road to Excellence In 1970, Nate joined the NBA after the Cincinnati Royals drafted him in the second round. The Royals’ general manager, Bob Cousy, who had been a great point guard, had confidence that Nate could handle the responsibilities of the point-guard position. At first, Nate was inconsistent and passed the ball too much. However, Cousy traded veteran Norm Van Uer and entrusted Nate with floor leadership. Because of this, Nate’s talent and zest for the game became evident. In 1973, the Royals moved to Kansas City— also playing some games in Omaha, Nebraska—where the franchise changed its name to the Kings because the city’s baseball team was already called the Royals. In Kansas City, Nate began playing spectacularly. In 19721973, he became the first man ever to lead the league in both scoring and assists. He was

named to the all-star game and became a regular fixture there for several years. Nate was the focal point of the team, but this brought both fame and problems. He was a star, but the other Kings players were no more than role players. This meant Nate was given the ball at nearly every opportunity, which made him seem like a show-off. The Kings never rose above mediocrity, and Nate’s career seemed to stall despite his individual success. The Emerging Champion In 1976, Nate was traded to the New York Nets, a former American Basketball Association (ABA)

Nate Archibald playing for the New York Nets in early 1976. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

11

Great Athletes

Nate Archibald


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84

82 76 80 35 82 78 34 69 80 80 68 66 46

1,095 1,511 2,108 492 1,664 1,583 560 573 794 766 652 553 279

486 734 1,028 222 759 717 250 259 383 382 308 235 136

.444 .486 .488 .451 .456 .453 .446 .452 .482 .499 .472 .425 .487

444 824 783 211 748 625 251 307 435 419 316 296 101

336 677 663 173 652 501 197 242 361 342 236 220 64

.757 .822 .847 .820 .872 .802 .785 .788 .830 .816 .747 .743 .634

242 222 223 85 222 213 80 103 197 176 116 91 76

450 701 910 266 557 615 254 324 671 618 541 409 160

1,308 2,145 2,719 617 2,170 1,935 697 760 1,131 1,106 858 695 340

16.0 28.2 34.0 17.6 26.5 24.8 20.5 11.0 14.1 13.8 12.6 10.5 7.4

Totals

876

12,628

5,899

.467

576

4,664

.810

2,046

6,476

16,481

18.8

Notes: GP = games played; FGA = field goals attempted; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTA = free throws attempted; FTM = free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game

Jo Jo White, who had been with the team for many years and did not want to give up their scoring opportunities. Nate played inconsistently as the Celtics suffered through an unsuccessful season. The next year, White left, and a new era dawned in Boston with the arrival of Larry Bird. With Bird, the Celtics became a team in which the front court led the offense. The team’s new coach, Bill Fitch, encouraged Nate to specialize in playmaking and to get the ball to forwards such as Bird and Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell. Nate meshed with the new offense, and Boston was the surprise team of the 1979-1980 season. Nate’s career, which had seemed to be virtually over, had suddenly changed course. With the arrival in the following season of center Robert Parish, the Celtics became a complete team. Nate’s role as floor Honors, Awards, and Milestones leader was crucial as the Celtics powered to a league championship, re1970 Honorable Mention All-America deeming the fortunes of a once-proud WAC most valuable player franchise that had fallen on hard WAC 20-year All-Star Team member times. Nate became a rare phenome1972, 1981 All-NBA Second Team non in basketball—the star who will1973 First player to lead NBA in both scoring average (34.0) and ingly accepts a reduced role in order average assists (11.4) to help his team win a championship. 1973, 1975-76 All-NBA First Team The Celtics had at least three players 1973, 1975-76, 1980-82 NBA All-Star Team who received more scoring chances 1981 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player than Nate. Nate concentrated on his 1991 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame role as a playmaker and distributor of 1996 NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996) the basketball. He became as famous 1997 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team as a passer as he earlier had been as a scorer. Playing an average thirty-five

franchise that was in its first year in the NBA. The Nets had been forced to trade Julius Erving, the team’s star, in order to pay league admissions costs and badly needed Nate’s scoring abilities. A serious foot injury, though, limited Nate’s season to thirtyfour games. Nate’s career entered a troubled phase. In 19771978, he was theoretically the property of the Buffalo Braves. However, the foot injury kept him out for the entire season, and he never played a game for the Braves. He was then traded to the Boston Celtics in a multiplayer deal. Neither the Celtics nor Nate was happy with his first year with the team. Nate considered himself a star player, and the Celtics had many players, such as Dave Cowens and

12

Basketball out of a possible forty-eight minutes a game, Nate was a key contributor to the Celtics’ success. Continuing the Story In the early 1980’s, Nate was in his mid-thirties, and the Celtics began to rely on other players as point guards. In 1983, after his skills begun to diminish, Nate left the Celtics. After playing one more year with the Milwaukee Bucks, he retired. He went back to his hometown, where he sponsored basketball clinics and was in charge of sports activities at a homeless shelter in Harlem. Nate was commended for his work with children by New York mayor David Dinkins. In 1991, Nate was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Summary Nate Archibald overcame adversity to reach the pinnacle of NBA stardom. He also epitomized unselfishness on the basketball court. Long after he had achieved fame as one of the league’s foremost players, he agreed to take fewer shots and concen-

Nate Archibald trate on passing so he could help the Celtics win a championship. His playmaking abilities were extraordinary. He distributed the ball in a spectacular and exciting manner. The fact that he was the only player ever to lead the league in both scoring and assists during the same season testifies to his versatility. He withstood potentially devastating injuries and gave new life to his career. Not surprisingly, when the NBA named its fifty greatest players ever in 1997, his name was on the list. Nicholas Birns Additional Sources Denlinger, Ken.“‘Tiny’ Came up Big in ’81.” The Washington Post, February 4, 2001, p. D8. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Shaughnessy, Dan. Ever Green: The Boston Celtics, a History in the Words of Their Players, Coaches, Fans, and Foes, from 1946 to the Present. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991.

13

Paul Arizin Born: April 9, 1928 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died: December 12, 2006 Springfield, Pennsylvania Also known as: Paul Joseph Arizin (full name); Pitchin’ Paul Early Life Paul Joseph Arizin was born to Roger and Ana Arizin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1928. Paul was the classic example of a “late bloomer.” He was not an outstanding athlete as a boy, and when he attended LaSalle High School in Philadelphia, he failed to make the school basketball team. Despite his awkwardness, he enjoyed playing the sport and joined several teams in the civic recreational leagues. After Paul graduated from high school at the age of eighteen, his father,

Paul Arizin of the Philadelphia Warriors cutting through three defenders in a 1951 game against the Baltimore Bullets. (AP/Wide World Photos)

14

a railroad mechanic, sent him to Villanova University. During his first year, he continued his play with the recreational leagues, and he so perfected his one-handed jump shot that he was averaging 30 points per game. Al Severance, coach of the university varsity team, heard about Paul’s exploits and asked Paul to try out for the university team the next year. By then, Paul had grown to his mature height of 6 feet 4 inches and had overcome his earlier ballhandling troubles. The Road to Excellence When Paul made Villanova’s varsity squad in his sophomore year, it was his first scholastic basketball experience under the direction of a paid coach. The first year was typical of his late start. Although he failed to get into the first seven games and went scoreless in the eighth game, Paul scored 10 points in the next contest, against Manhattan College, and managed to lead his team in scoring by the end of the year. As a college junior, his second full season of varsity play, Paul Arizin set a single-game college scoring record—since broken—with 85 points. That year, he led his Villanova Wildcats to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament, losing to eventual national champion Kentucky. In his last season at Villanova, Arizin became the nation’s most exciting offensive star. His 735 points and 25.3 average were tops in the NCAA. The Helms Athletic Foundation Division I player of the year and consensus all-American for 19491950, Paul was given even greater recognition when he was the first player chosen in the NBA draft in 1950. In three years of collegiate competition, Paul averaged 20 points per game for eighty contests. Furthermore, he graduated from Villanova as an honors student and was an active member of the university mathematics and accounting societies. The Emerging Champion Eddie Gottlieb, owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, chose Paul in the 1950 draft. In his first year of professional play, Paul gained many new

Basketball

Paul Arizin

Professional Statistics Season

GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1950-51 1951-52 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62

65 66 72 72 71 68 70 72 79 78

352 548 529 617 613 483 632 593 650 611

.407 .448 .399 .448 .422 .393 .431 .423 .425 .410

417 578 454 507 591 440 587 420 532 484

.793 .818 .776 .810 .829 .809 .813 .798 .832 .805

640 745 675 539 561 503 637 621 681 527

138 170 210 189 150 135 119 165 188 201

1,121 1,674 1,512 1,741 1,817 1,406 1,851 1,606 1,832 1,706

17.2 25.4 21.0 24.2 25.6 20.7 26.4 22.3 23.2 21.9

NBA Totals

713

5,628

.421

5,010

.810

6,129

1,665

16,266

22.8

1962-63 1963-64 1964-65

28 27 28

264 261 229

— — —

196 174 196

.787 .798 .803

203 226 164

42 52 50

724 696 657

27.4 25.8 23.5

EBL Totals

83

754

—

566

.796

593

144

2,077

25.0

Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game; EBL = Eastern Basketball League (1962-65)

fans by making line-drive jump shots after seeming to be suspended in mid-air. His 17.2-points-pergame average and his lead in team rebounding helped to transform Philadelphia from a last-place team to a league champion with a 40-26 record. In his second season, “Pitchin’ Paul” won the NBA scoring title, outdueling the famous center from the Minneapolis Lakers, George Mikan. Paul’s 25.4-points-per-game average, 1,674 points, and 45 percent field goal accuracy enabled him to deprive Mikan of the scoring championship for the first time in the center’s illustrious career. Paul was also selected for the all-NBA first team in 1951-1952. That year he also set a record by playing sixty-three minutes of a three-overtime game against Minneapolis on December 21, 1951. From 1952 to 1954, Paul left the NBA for active service with the United States Marine Corps and played basketball with the star-studded squad from the Quantico Marines. On October 18, 1952, he married Maureen McAdams, with whom he had five children: Michael, Alicia, Timothy, Dennis, and Chris. When he returned to the NBA, Paul was somewhat upstaged by a new Philadelphia star, center Neil Johnston. Paul finished the 1954-1955 season second in the league in scoring behind teammate Johnston. In 1956, he finished second in scoring again, behind St. Louis’s Bob Pettit, and his team won the NBA title with a record of 45-27 in the regular season and 7-3 in the playoffs.

Continuing the Story Reports began circulating that Paul suffered from a chronic asthmatic condition that threatened to shorten his career. Paul claimed that it was only a sinus problem and soon demonstrated that he was still on equal footing with the league leaders. In 1956-1957, Paul won the league scoring title for the second time with 1,817 points and a 25.6-pointsper-game average. Although he slipped to fifth

Honors and Awards 1950 Helms Division I Player of the Year

Sporting News College Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year Consensus All-American Overall first choice in the NBA draft 1951-52, 1955-62 NBA All-Star Team 1952 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1952, 1956-57, 1959 All-NBA Team 1963 EBL most valuable player 1963-65 EBL All-Star Team 1968 Inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame 1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team 1977 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

15

Paul Arizin place in 1957-1958, he rebounded to third place in 1958-1959, finishing behind Pettit and Jack Twyman with 1,851 points and a 26.4-points-per-game average. In 1959-1960, Wilt Chamberlain joined the NBA as Paul’s teammate. Despite yielding the team scoring leadership, Paul maintained his 20-plus-pointsper-game average through 1962, when he retired from the NBA. He might have continued playing were it not for the fact that Philadelphia’s Warriors moved to San Francisco the next year. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain scored his record 100th point in a single game on a layup off a pass from Paul. When his ten-year NBA career came to an end, Paul had become the league’s third-leading alltime scorer with 16,266 points and an average of 22.8 points per game. He appeared in nine NBA all-star games, three times as a starter. He was the most valuable player in the 1952 all-star game. After leaving the NBA, Paul played from 1962 through 1965 in the Eastern Basketball League (EBL), where he was the most valuable player. He remained active in promoting organizations such as the Catholic Youth Organization and the parents society of the College of William and Mary, and was cochair of the Multiple Sclerosis Liberty Bell Classic in 1973. He and his family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he worked for the IBM Corporation. In 1971, the NBA voted Paul to its Silver Anniversary Team, and in 1978, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

16

Great Athletes Summary Paul Arizin’s story is an inspiration to those who do not show exceptional abilities in their early years. His success as a scoring superstar was eclipsed by the high-scoring athletes of subsequent generations, but he should be remembered as a player who reached 10,000 points faster than anyone before his time. Legendary coach Joe Lapchick once described Paul’s jump shot as perfection, like a painting by Rembrandt or Renoir. His scoring talents do not tell the whole story; his rebounding and leadership also contributed to his teams’ successes. John D. Windhausen Additional Sources D’Alessandro, Dave. “Players for All Seasons.” The Sporting News 214, no. 14 (April 6, 1992): 20-23. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Pinckney, Ed, and Robert Gordon. Ed Pinckney’s Tales from the Villanova Hardwood: The Story of the 1985 NCAA Champs. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2004. Porter, David L., ed. Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: Basketball and Other Indoor Sports. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1989.

Charles Barkley Born: February 20, 1963 Leeds, Alabama Also known as: Charles Wade Barkley (full name); the Chuckster; Round Mound of Rebound; Sir Charles Early Life Born on February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama, Charles Wade Barkley was a small, anemic infant who required a complete blood transfusion at only six weeks old. His young parents, Frank and Charcey Glenn, married and divorced while Charles was still a baby. Charles was reared by his mother, who worked long hours as a domestic; his maternal grandmother, Johnnie Mae Mickins; and his stepfather, who was later killed in a car accident when Charles was in grade school. Charles had to help care for his two younger brothers, Darryl and John. Charles found release from his hard childhood in sports, practicing until curfew and hopping back and forth over a backyard fence in fifteen-minute intervals to develop his leaping ability. Although he was not tall for his age, his all-around athletic skills earned him a spot on his high school basketball team as a reserve. He failed to make the varsity team in his junior year. In his senior year, he grew to 6 feet 4 inches and 250 pounds and earned a starting position on the varsity team. His new size and strength helped him develop confidence and skill, and he led his team to the state semifinals. He was noticed and recruited by Coach Sonny Smith to play at Auburn University. The Road to Excellence In his freshman year, Charles experienced challenges that made him want to quit. However, he eventually proved he could excel at the college level, and he overcame his initial obstacles with the encouragement of his mother. He had grown to nearly 6 feet 5 inches and weighed nearly 270 pounds. Because of his weight, Charles faced ridicule from the press and opposing fans. However, his basket-

ball ability was unhindered by his size. He was an astonishingly quick and agile man and had exceptional jumping ability. These attributes combined with raw strength made Charles an unusually versatile player. He was strong enough to battle big men under the basket, and he was also fast and smooth enough to run the court with smaller players. At the end of his junior season, he was named player of the year in the Southeastern Conference. After three stellar seasons at Auburn, Charles was invited to try out for the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team. Even among players like Michael Jor-

Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley taking a shot over Portland Trail Blazers forward Buck Williams in the 1995 playoffs. (AP/Wide World Photos)

17

Great Athletes

Charles Barkley


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00

82 80 68 80 79 79 67 75 76 65 68 71 53 68 42 20

427 595 557 753 700 706 665 622 716 518 554 580 335 361 240 106

.545 .572 .594 .587 .579 .600 .570 .552 .520 .495 .486 .500 .484 .485 .478 .477

293 396 429 714 602 557 475 454 445 318 379 440 288 296 192 71

.733 .685 .761 .751 .753 .749 .722 .695 .765 .704 .748 .777 .694 .746 .719 .645

703 1,026 994 951 986 909 680 830 928 727 756 821 716 794 516 209

155 312 331 254 325 307 284 308 385 296 276 262 248 217 192 63

1,148 1,603 1,564 2,264 2,037 1,989 1,849 1,730 1,944 1,402 1,561 1,649 1,016 1,036 676 289

14.0 20.0 23.0 28.3 25.8 25.2 27.6 23.1 25.6 21.6 23.0 23.2 19.2 15.2 16.1 14.5

Totals

1,073

8,435

.541

6,349

.735

12,546

4,215

23,757

22.1


dan and Patrick Ewing, Charles was the sensation of the camp, but he quarreled with the team’s head coach and was cut from the squad. Though Charles did not make the 1984 Olympic team, his play at the Olympic trials made him one of the hottest professional prospects in basketball. He decided to forgo his senior year in college and make himself eligible for the 1984 NBA draft. The Philadelphia 76ers chose him in the first round, with the fifth pick, and signed him to a four-year $2million contract. The Emerging Champion Charles joined a 76ers team built around aging superstars Julius Erving and Moses Malone. That Charles represented the franchise’s future soon became clear. He played the power-forward position with the added skills of a point guard, and he quickly proved that he could score, rebound, run the court, and battle under the basket with the NBA’s best. He was named to the league’s allrookie team in 1985, and in 1986 and 1987, he was chosen for the all-NBA second team. In 1987, he played in his first all-star game. In 1988, he was named to the all-NBA first team for the first of many times. By then, Charles was more than a star: He had become one of the game’s best-known personalities as well as one of its dominant players. He earned lucrative endorsement contracts from shoe 18

companies and other manufacturers, and he soon became a familiar face on television commercials. He also became notorious for often outrageous behavior. Several scandalous incidents marred his career. He once spat at a heckler who had been taunting him and yelling racial epithets during a game. However, he missed and the saliva landed on a girl who was sitting near. He apologized for the incident and eventually developed a friendship with the girl. He also got into fights and created controversy by proclaiming in a Nike commercial that athletes should not be role models. Charles was often perceived as arrogant and hostile, although his defenders insisted that he was merely too honest to hide his feelings in public. Continuing the Story Charles was Philadelphia’s best player, but his bitter relationship with management never improved, and he grew increasingly frustrated with the team’s failure to approach his own perceived level of excellence. His standout status as a franchise player earned him his first appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated. After the 1991-1992 season, Charles demanded a trade. He was elated when the 76ers traded him to the Phoenix Suns, an already talented team that many experts predicted would become one of the league’s elite franchises with the addition of Charles. Although the Suns lost a closely contested six-game playoff series in

Basketball

Charles Barkley

1993, the team’s excellent season erased Honors and Awards doubts about Charles’s leadership abili1984 Selected SEC player of the year ties. At the end of the season his contribu1985 NBA All-Rookie Team tions were recognized with the NBA’s most 1986-87, 1992, 1994-95 All-NBA Second Team valuable player award. Although the Suns reached the confer1986-88 Schick Award ence semifinals in 1994 and 1995, the 1987-94 NBA All-Star Team team lost to the Houston Rockets both 1988-91, 1993 All-NBA First Team years. In 1996, Charles was traded to the 1990 Selected SEC player of the decade Rockets. In the 1997 playoffs, he aver1991 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player aged 17.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per 1992, 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball game; the latter mark was third all-time 1993 NBA most valuable player for the postseason. Named one of the fifty 1996 All-NBA Third Team greatest NBA players of all time, Charles NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team was a media favorite: He was selected for 1997-98 NBA All-Interview First Team the NBA all-interview team for each of his last thirteen seasons. 2001 Uniform number 34 retired by the University of Auburn and the Philadelphia 76ers In the 1999-2000 season, Charles’s ca2004 Inducted into Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor reer came to a disappointing end when he was sidelined with an injury for most of Uniform number 34 retired by Phoenix Suns the season and forced to retire without 2006 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame achieving his ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship. Even so, he became the fourth player in NBA history to reach when he served time for one of two drunk-driving 23,000 points, 12,000 rebounds, and 4,000 career arrests in Arizona. In his spare time, he has particiassists, and was inducted to the Naismith Memorial pated in the Celebrity Golf Association Tour and Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. unselfishly supported programs that benefited children. Summary Robert McClenaghan, updated by Vikki M. Armstrong Charles Barkley overcame doubts about his character and physical skills to become one of the best Additional Sources players in basketball history. His colorful personalBarkley, Charles, and Roy S. Johnson. Outrageous! ity and outspoken nature made him one of the The Fine Life and Flagrant Good Times of Basketball’s most recognizable athletes of his time. He comIrresistible Force. New York: Random House, 1994. peted as a member of the U.S. Dream Team and Barkley, Charles, and Michael Wilbon. I May Be win two gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Wrong but I Doubt It. New York: Random House, Games. 2002. In his post-basketball career, Charles coau_______. Who’s Afraid of a Large Black Man? New thored his autobiography, Outrageous! (1994) and York: Penguin, 2005. wrote several books, including I May Be Wrong, But I Dolan, Sean. Charles Barkley. Broomall, Pa.: Chelsea Doubt It (2002) and Who’s Afraid of a Large Black House, 1995. Man? (2005). As a studio analyst and commentator Macnow, Glen. Charles Barkley. Berkeley Heights, for Turner Network Television (TNT), Charles N.J.: Enslow, 1998. won an Emmy Award for his work on Inside the NBA. Tulumello, Mike. Breaking the Rules: A Season with Furthermore, Charles expressed interest in runSports’s Most Colorful Team—Charles Barkley’s Phoening for governor of Alabama in 2014. However, nix Suns. Atlanta, Ga.: Longstreet Press, 1997. that hope may have been damaged in early 2009,

19

Rick Barry Born: March 28, 1944 Elizabeth, New Jersey Also known as: Richard Francis Dennis Barry III (full name) Early Life Born on March 28, 1944, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Richard Francis Barry III was the second son of Richard Francis Barry II and Alpha Monica Barry. The elder Barry, who had played semiprofessional basketball, encouraged the sporting talents of sons Rick and Dennis. Rick became the leading scorer on the basketball team at Roselle High School. Despite some personality conflicts with his basketball

coach, he performed so brilliantly that he was chosen all-state in basketball during each of his last two years. The Road to Excellence Because tall scorers were rarely overlooked by recruiters, the 6-foot 4-inch athlete, who later grew an additional 3 inches, was sought by many universities. Rick chose the University of Miami, Florida because he was impressed with Coach Bruce Hale, whom, he said, “made me a pro in college.” Rick’s freshman team went undefeated as he averaged 28 points per game. During the next three years, the Miami Hurricanes became national contenders, with Rick as team leader. In his first varsity season, he averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds per game; the next year his statistics increased to 32 points and 16 rebounds, and in his senior year he averaged 37.4 points and 18 rebounds. He set fifteen Miami scoring records. In 1965, Rick was the nation’s top college scorer and a unanimous all-American selection. After graduating in June, 1965, with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Rick was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors in the first round of the NBA draft. Rick was hoping to play for the New York Knicks, but Alex Hannum of San Francisco had been impressed by Rick while scouting him at the college all-star game in Kentucky and at an exhibition game with a strong team from the Soviet Union. Rick signed a three-year contract with the Warriors for an estimated $18,000 a year, but bonuses brought the figure closer to $30,000. That summer he married Pamela Hale, daughter of his college coach.

Rick Barry of the Golden State Warriors going to the hoop against the Chicago Bulls. (NBAE/Getty Images)

20

The Emerging Champion In his remarkable first season with the Warriors, Rick was the fourth-highest scorer in the NBA, averaging 25.7 points per game. His 2,059 total points set a new rookie record for forwards. He also pulled

Basketball

Rick Barry


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

PPG

1965-66 1966-67 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80

80 78 82 80 80 81 79 82 80 72

745 1,011 737 796 1,028 707 682 760 461 325

.439 .451 .452 .456 .464 .435 .440 .451 .461 .422

569 753 358 417 394 287 359 378 160 143

.862 .884 .902 .899 .904 .923 .916 .924 .947 .935

850 714 728 540 456 496 422 449 277 236

25.7 35.6 22.3 25.1 30.6 21.0 21.8 23.1 13.5 12.0

NBA Totals

794

7,252

.449

3,818

.900

5,168

23.2

1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72

35 52 59 80

392 517 632 902

.511 .546 .469 .458

403 400 451 641

.888 .864 .890 .878

329 363 401 602

34.0 27.7 29.4 31.5

ABA Totals

226

2,443

.476

1,895

.880

1,695

30.5


down an average of 10 rebounds per game. Not surprisingly, he was selected NBA rookie of the year. Some supporters were concerned that Rick’s lack of muscular strength placed him at a disadvantage when competing with strong forwards such as Dave DeBusschere of Detroit. In his first meeting with DeBusschere, Rick scored only 8 points, but he scored 23 the next time they met. By year’s end, New York’s Harry Gallatin referred to Barry as the game’s next superstar. Nicknamed the “Big Cat,” Rick was tall but had the agility of a small guard. He could score from inside or outside the foul circle. Celtics coach Red Auerbach once called Rick one of the few pure shooters in the game. In his second season, 1966-1967, Rick won the NBA’s scoring title while leading San Francisco to the NBA Finals. He scored 38 points to win the all-star game’s most valuable player award. Rick’s stellar play resulted in a hefty pay raise to $43,000 for 1966-1967, and he again rewarded his owners by winning the NBA scoring title to end a string of seven straight scoring titles by Philadelphia’s Wilt Chamberlain. On April 18, 1967, he scored 55 points against Philadelphia. Rick scored 50 or more points in a game fourteen times in his NBA career. Troubles arose between Rick and new Warrior coach Bill Sharman. In 1967, with

one year left on his San Francisco contract, Rick signed a five-year contract with the Oakland Oaks of the newly formed American Basketball Association (ABA). Oakland boosted his salary to $75,000 and gave him 15 percent ownership of the team and 5 percent of all gate receipts more than $600,000. Easing Barry’s move to the Oaks was the fact that his father-in-law and former coach Hale was the team’s general manager. However, the War-

NBA Records First player to lead the NCAA, ABA, and NBA in scoring Highest career free throw percentage, .900 Highest scoring average in NBA finals, 40.8 (1967)

Honors and Awards 1965 Consensus All-American 1966 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team Citizens Savings Northern California Athlete of the Year 1966-67, 1973-76 All-NBA Team 1966-67, 1973-78 NBA All-Star Team 1967 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1969-72 ABA All-Star Team 1975 NBA finals most valuable player 1980 Writers’ Team of the Decade 1987 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time Uniform number 24 retired by Golden State Warriors

21

Rick Barry riors won a court judgment that caused Rick to sit out the Oaks’ 1967-1968 season. When he returned to action the next year, he resumed his shooting touch. His league-leading scoring helped the Oaks to the ABA playoffs. Continuing the Story Rick soon had new legal problems. When new owner Earl Foreman moved the Oaks to Washington, D.C., and renamed the team the Capitals, Rick re-signed with the NBA Warriors for five years. When a court decision forced him to live up to his ABA contract, he played for the Capitals in 19691970, averaging 27.7 points, including a leagueleading .864 free-throw percentage. In the playoffs he averaged 40.1 points in seven games. In 1970, when the Capitals moved south to become the Virginia Squires, Rick demanded a trade. Foreman sent him to the New York Nets for $200,000 and a future first-round draft pick. He played in New York for two seasons and, although bothered by knee problems, continued his high scoring and led the league in free-throw percentage both years. Rick made the ABA all-star team each of the four years he was in the league. In 1972, another legal decision sent Rick back to the NBA, to his old team, by then known as the Golden State Warriors. He was elected team captain and made the NBA all-star team from 1973 to 1976. In 1975, he led the league in steals. He led the league in free-throw percentage in 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1978. In 1975, the Warriors won the NBA Championship, and, after averaging a remarkable 30.6 points, Rick was named the most valuable player in the playoffs. Two years later, knee problems again slowed Rick, and he was released to sign with the Houston Rockets for $500,000 per year. Rick’s scoring average dropped dramatically to 13.5 in 1978-1979, and to 12.0 in 1979-1980, but he strengthened his career by specializing in the new three-point field goal; he shot 33 percent from outside the threepoint line during the 1979-1980 season. Rick was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. Even after retiring, Rick remained passionate about basketball. He briefly coached the Fort Wayne Fury of the Conti-

22

Great Athletes nental Basketball Association (CBA) and also coached in the Global Basketball Association. He was selected as the first coach in the history of the New Jersey ShoreCats of the United States Basketball League. He worked as a broadcaster and cohosted a radio talk show in San Francisco. Four of Rick’s sons—“Scooter,” Jon, Brent, and Drew— played professional basketball. In 2005, when Brent won an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs, he and Rick became the second father-and-son combination to win NBA titles. In 1996, Rick was named one of the NBA’s fifty greatest players of all time. Three years later, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. He was the only player to be the leading scorer for at least one season in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the ABA, and the NBA. Summary Rick Barry’s scoring statistics may overshadow his other contributions. An excellent passer and rebounder, he was also emotional and intense. His combative, aggressive style may have resulted from early criticism that he was too timid for the rugged professional game. Rick’s scoring was multidimensional and included mastery of the three-point shot. His free-throw success was accomplished by the use of the old-fashioned underhand style of shooting. His all-around play once caused Coach Sharman to compare him favorably to hall-of-fame forward Elgin Baylor. John D. Windhausen Additional Sources Barry, Rick. Rick Barry’s Pro Basketball Bible: 1996-97. New York: Basketball Books, 1996. _______. Rick Barry’s Super Sports Trivia Game. Garden City Park, N.Y.: Square One, 2005. Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Geline, Robert, and Priscilla Turner. Forward: Rick Barry. Milwaukee, Wis.: Raintree, 1976. Wilner, Barry, and Ken Rappoport. Miracles, Shockers, and Long Shots: The Greatest Sports Upsets of All Time. Lanham, Md.: Taylor Trade, 2006.

Elgin Baylor Born: September 16, 1934 Washington, D.C. Also known as: Elgin Gay Baylor (full name) Early Life The third son of John and Uzzel Baylor, Elgin Gay Baylor was born on September 16, 1934, in Washington, D.C. When Elgin was a child, public playgrounds were not open to black children, so he did not play basketball until he was fourteen years old. He attended one year at the Phelps Vocational High School, where he was given his initial instruction in the game. He made such rapid progress that he was selected to the all-city team when only a freshman. He was unhappy in school, however, and left after one year to work in a furniture store. His mother persuaded him to return to school, this time at Springarn High School. The Road to Excellence After joining the high school basketball team at Springarn, Elgin soon established a District of Columbia scoring record, compiling 68 points in a single game. He became the first black player selected to the metropolitan area allstar team. In his senior year, 1953-1954, Elgin was named a high school all-American. He graduated later that spring. After leaving Springarn, Elgin aimed for a college basketball career but was not recruited by major universities. His poor academic record in high school was an obstacle to big-time success, but Elgin did secure an athletic scholarship to the College of Idaho to play both basketball and football. Though Elgin had an outstanding year, Idaho’s sports program was de-emphasized, and Elgin was persuaded by Seattle car dealer Ralph Malone to transfer to Seattle University. Malone’s dealership sponsored an amateur team for which Elgin played while waiting one year to reestablish his athletic eligibility.

The Emerging Champion Elgin was the answer to Seattle’s basketball needs. After finishing third in the national scoring race and first in rebounds, with 508, he was selected to the all-West Coast all-stars and as a second-team allAmerican. Most important, his Seattle squad won twenty-two of twenty-five contests. Coach John Castellani capitalized on Elgin’s quick hands and punishing, powerful style of play to direct Seattle to national attention. Elgin’s 23.5-rebound-per-game average was a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record. In his last season at Seattle, Elgin was the second leading scorer in the nation, averaging 31.5 points per game and securing 590 rebounds. He again made the all-West Coast all-star team and was a first-

Los Angeles Laker Elgin Baylor in 1965. (NBAE/Getty Images)

23

Great Athletes

Elgin Baylor


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72

70 70 73 48 80 78 74 65 70 77 76 54 2 9

605 755 931 680 1,029 756 763 415 711 757 730 511 8 42

.408 .424 .430 .428 .453 .425 .401 .401 .429 .443 .447 .486 .421 .433

532 564 676 476 661 471 483 249 440 488 421 276 4 22

.777 .732 .783 .754 .837 .804 .792 .739 .813 .786 .743 .773 .667 .815

1,050 1,150 1,447 892 1,146 936 950 621 898 941 805 559 11 57

287 243 371 222 386 347 280 224 215 355 408 292 2 18

1,742 2,074 2,538 1,836 2,719 1,983 2,009 1,079 1,862 2,002 1,881 1,298 20 106

24.9 29.6 34.8 38.3 34.0 25.4 27.1 16.6 26.6 26.0 24.8 24.0 10.0 11.8

Totals

846

8,693

.431

5,763

.780

11,463

3,650

23,149

27.4


team all-American. Elgin was the star of the team that defeated the University of Wyoming, the University of San Francisco, and the University of California in the preliminary rounds of the NCAA playoffs. In the semifinal game at Louisville, Kentucky, Seattle surprised everyone by defeating the tournament favorite Kansas State University, 73-51. However, in the championship contest against Adolph Rupp’s University of Kentucky team, Elgin was outplayed by rival John Crigler, who drew three fouls from Elgin in the first ten minutes. Thereafter, Elgin was severely hampered on defense, and Kentucky took the national title, 84-42. Nonetheless, Elgin, who scored 25 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a losing game, was selected the tournament’s most outstanding player and named to the Final Four all-tournament team. Elgin had one more year of collegiate eligibility but chose to enter the NBA draft. He was signed to a contract with the Minneapolis Lakers and fulfilled owner Bob Short’s expectations. In his rookie season, 1958-1959, he averaged 24.9 points per game, was selected to the all-NBA team, and was easily the NBA rookie of the year. The 6-foot 5-inch forward excited the spectators with his apparent ability to suspend himself in air. Elgin’s graceful, fluid movements were like those of a small guard, yet his unusual rebounding talents enabled him to score on a second or third attempt. Further highlighting his impressive debut season, he was named the all-star game most valuable player in 1959. 24

Continuing the Story In 1960, the Lakers moved to Los Angeles, and the team acquired another star, Jerry West. Together, Elgin and West made the Lakers’ franchise one of the most powerful in the NBA for many years. On November 16, 1960, Elgin scored a record 71 points in a single game. During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, he was recalled to military service and missed thirty-two games in the regular season. During that spring, 1962, Elgin set two more scoring records: He scored 30 or more points in eleven consecutive games, and he scored 284 points in the playoffs against Boston, the most ever in a seven-game series. In 1962-1963, he was second in the league in scoring with 2,719 points. In 1963-1964, Elgin’s effectiveness was severely reduced by calcium deposits, but Elgin was back to peak form in the following year. In the playoff games in 1964, however, Elgin tore part of his kneecap, and some feared he would never play again. An operation was successful, and after a lengthy rehabilitation, he returned to nearly top form by February, 1965. Despite the series of misfortunes, Elgin managed to win election to the first-team NBA all-star squad ten times in his thirteen-year career: from 1958-1959 to 1964-1965 and from 19661967 to 1968-1969. Elgin coached the New Orleans Jazz from 19761977 to 1978-1979. His coaching record was an undistinguished 86-134. In 1977, Elgin was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Basketball

Elgin Baylor

Beginning in 1986, he became the Honors, Awards, and Records vice president of basketball operations and the general manager of the 1957-58 Consensus All-American Los Angeles Clippers. Elgin’s initial 1958 Helms Division I Player of the Year achievements as an administrator Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year bore little resemblance to his accomNCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player plishments as a player. Because of Record for the most rebounds in an NCAA Tournament (97) some unwise player trades and the NCAA All-Tournament Team poor performance of the Clippers, 1959 NBA Rookie of the Year Elgin was named the worst general NBA All-Star Game co-most valuable player manager in the NBA in the 1995-1996 1959-65, 1967-69 All-NBA Team edition of Athlon Sports Pro Basketball. 1959-65, 1967-70 NBA All-Star Team By the 2000-2001 season, however, his 1962 NBA record for the most free throws made in an All-Star Game (12) draft picks and trades were helping to 1975 Inducted into Black Athletes Hall of Fame turn the team around. At the start of 1977 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the 2001-2001 season, Elgin’s reputa1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team tion as a manager was rising. After the 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team team made the playoffs in the 20051999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time 2006 season, the league voted him exUniform number 22 retired by Los Angeles Lakers ecutive of the year. 2006 NBA executive of the year Meanwhile, in 1996, Elgin was se2007 Inducted into California Sports Hall of Fame lected one of the NBA’s fifty greatest players of all time. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA Additional Sources players of all time. Because of his dominant play as a Batchelor, Bob. Basketball in America: From the Playsuperstar in the NBA, Elgin is credited by many basgrounds to Jordan’s Game and Beyond. New York: ketball experts as a key figure in the redefinition of Haworth Press, 2005. the NBA’s image. Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. Summary Grabowski, John F. The Los Angeles Lakers. San In 1971, when Elgin Baylor was selected to the NBA Diego, Calif.: Lucent Books, 2002. silver anniversary team, he was widely considered Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling the greatest forward in basketball history. He Kindersley, 2003. played his entire thirteen years as a Laker. He reMallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the tired early in the 1971-1972 season, and his team Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. won the NBA title, a goal that eluded him. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Elgin’s accomplishments as a player included Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: 27.4 points per game, which is second highest in Addax, 1998. history. Furthermore, he ranked third in playoff reThomas, Ron. They Cleared the Lane: The NBA’s Black bounds and scored 23,149 regular-season points. Pioneers. 2d ed. Lincoln: University of Nebraska As a collegian, he scored 2,500 points for a 31.3Press, 2004. point average in three years of competition. John D. Windhausen

25

Sergei Belov Born: January 23, 1944 Nashchyokovo, Soviet Union (now in Russia) Also known as: Sergei Alexandrovich Belov (full name); Jerry West of Russia Early Life Sergei Alexandrovich Belov was born during World War II in a backwater village in harsh, unforgiving Western Siberia. He attended factory and vocational schools. Like most Soviet children at that time and place, he joined a Voluntary Sports Society (VSS) as soon as he was able. Part of tradeunion-organized physical-education collectives, for more than forty sports, the VSS helped develop athletic skills by providing facilities and training. The VSS produced dozens of world-class athletes, including such Olympic gold medalists as Svetlana Boginskaya (artistic gymnastic, 1988 and 1992), Oleg Grigoryev (boxing, 1960), and Ivan Klementievs (canoeing, 1988). As a teenager, Sergei trained at the Trud (labor) VSS of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and began to excel in his favorite sport, basketball. He participated in Spartakiad—Olympictype competitions held every two years on local, regional, and national levels that attracted millions of competitors, from amateurs to top-tier Soviet athletes. The Road to Excellence In 1964, the 6-foot 3-inch Sergei joined the Uralmash Sverdlovsk Army Sports Club in Yekaterinberg, east of the Urals. Noticed for his ballhandling abilities, superior court awareness, and keen shooting eye, he became part of the Russian national team in 1967. Sergei helped lead the national team to the European Championship in Finland and the FIBA World Championship in Uruguay that year. In 1968, Sergei moved to Moscow to join the Central Sports Club of the Army (CSKA) and continued his winning ways while playing for both CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team. In Sergei’s first year with CSKA, the team 26

won a bronze medal in the Russian League Championships. In 1968, the Russian national team won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. That same year, Sergei was named as an Honored Master of Sports of the Soviet Union, his country’s highest athletic award, in recognition of his caliber of play and his contributions to international sports. Because of Sergei’s pinpoint passing and sharp shooting, CSKA Moscow won six consecutive championships in the Russian League, from 1969 to 1974. Meanwhile, in 1969 and 1971, under Sergei’s leadership, the Russian national team captured its second and third consecutive European Championships and was poised to perform well at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany (now in Germany). The Emerging Champion Though marked by tragedy—terrorists murdered eleven Israeli athletes during the Games—the 1972 Olympics were a triumph for Sergei and the Russian national basketball team. In the finals, Russia faced a powerful U.S. team that was a prohibitive favorite to repeat as gold medalists. The United States had compiled more than sixty consecutive Olympic basketball victories since 1932, when the game was officially added as an Olympic sport, en

Honors and Awards 1967, 1969, 1971, 1979 Gold medal, European Championships 1967, 1974 Gold medal, World Championships 1968 Soviet Honored Master of Sports 1968, 1976, 1980 Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball 1972 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1973 Bronze medal, European Championships 1975, 1977 Silver medal, European Championships 1978 Silver medal, World Championships 1991 Designated FIBA best European player ever 1992 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2007 Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame 2008 Fifty Greatest Euroleague Contributors

Basketball route to winning seven consecutive gold medals. Before the final game on September 10, 1972, the undefeated U.S. team looked to be the inevitable champions. The Americans, in winning seven consecutive preliminary games, had hardly been challenged. Only Brazil, which lost 61 to 54, had come close to an upset, as the Americans averaged a margin of victory exceeding 32 points per game over teams from such countries as Japan, Egypt, and Spain. The Russians, meanwhile, had also dominated, crushing lesser opponents from Senegal, the Philippines, and Poland. During the gold-medal game, because of Sergei’s heady court play and a canny slowdown strategy planned by Soviet coach Vladimir Kondrashin, Russia led throughout and by as many as 10 points. However, with just seconds remaining, the United States went ahead by a single point. The ending of the game remained controversial long after the event. After two seemingly unsuccessful attempts to inbound the ball, the Russians were awarded a third try on a technicality and made a layup for a 51-50 victory. The American team, angered by the outcome, which it deemed unfair, and by a subsequent failed appeal, refused to accept silver medals for second place. The medals were unclaimed more than thirty-five years later. Continuing the Story Though the 1972 victory over the U.S. team was undoubtedly the highlight of Sergei’s career, he continued to play basketball for many years afterward. Between 1969 and 1980, he inspired his CSKA Moscow team to eleven Russian League Championships in twelve years. During his tenure, the Russian national team also collected a fourth European Championship in 1979, as well as a bronze medal in 1973 and silver medals in 1975 and 1977. The team won another FIBA World Championship

Sergei Belov in 1974 and finished second in 1978 and third in 1980. At the Olympics, Sergei’s team added bronze medals at Montreal in 1976 and Moscow in 1980. In Spartakiada, Sergei guided his teams to gold medals in 1971, 1975, and 1979. After retiring following the 1980 season, Sergei became a trainer and coach in his native country and demonstrated skills in the new profession equal to his playing ability. In 1995, he was awarded the title of honored trainer of Russia. He served as president of the Russian Basketball Federation from 1993 to 1998. Sergei received other honors as well. In 1991, FIBA, the governing body for international basketball, named Sergei as one of the fifty greatest players. In 1992, he attained his sport’s highest honor and became the first European to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame. Summary Considered one of the best basketball players not from the United States, Sergei Belov continually demonstrated his playing abilities on a global scale. Winner of numerous medals within Russia, in European Championships, in World Championships, and at four Olympics, he helped make basketball an international sport. Jack Ewing Additional Sources Gifford, Clive. Summer Olympics: The Definitive Guide to the World’s Greatest Sports Celebration. Boston: Kingfisher, 2004. Hofstetter, Adam B. Olympic Basketball. New York: Rosen, 2007. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

27

Mike Bibby Born: May 13, 1978 Cherry Hill, New Jersey Also known as: Michael Bibby (full name); Bib Early Life Michael Bibby was born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in May of 1978, to Hank and Virginia Bibby. He has four siblings: Dane, Hank, Charlsie, and Roslyn. Sports, especially basketball, were a focus in the Bibby household. Mike’s father Hank was a nineyear veteran of the NBA, playing in New York, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and San Diego. At an early age, Mike moved with his family to Arizona. At Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Mike made a name for himself. He was a threetime Arizona high school player of the year, an unprecedented accomplishment. Also, Mike was selected to the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Team. Because he lived in Arizona, Mike choose to attend the University of Arizona and further his playing career under Coach Lute Olsen. The Road to Excellence Mike’s career at Arizona was short but not because of injuries or academic failures. He left college early because of talent. As a freshman at Arizona, he was named to the Pac-10 Conference all-freshman team and received the Pac10 Conference freshman of the year award. Furthermore, Mike led the Wildcats to the 1996 National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament Championship. He averaged more than thirteen points and five assists a game during the regular season for the Wildcats, but his tournament averages of eighteen points and nearly 50 percent shooting from three-point range propelled the Wildcats to the championship with wins over basketball powerhouses the University of North Carolina and the University of Kentucky. As a sophomore, Mike was named first-team all-American and Pac-10 Conference player of the year. Therefore, he opted out of his final two years of collegiate eligibility for the NBA draft. At Ar28

izona, Mike started all sixty-nine games the Wildcats played during his tenure. Additionally, he finished third in the Wooden Award voting in 1998 and became the third Arizona Wildcats basketball player to have his jersey retired. The Emerging Champion Mike was selected second overall in the 1998 NBA draft, the highest an Arizona player had ever been selected. In his rookie year with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Mike led his team and all NBA rookies in assists, ranked third in rookie scoring, and was se-

Mike Bibby dribbling the ball up the court while playing for the Sacramento Kings. (Ken James/UPI/Landov)

Basketball

Mike Bibby


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

50 82 82 80 55 82 80 82 82 48

260 459 525 446 329 527 560 597 471 248

.430 .445 .454 .453 .470 .450 .443 .432 .404 .411

127 195 143 155 131 304 320 342 288 78

.751 .780 .761 .803 .861 .815 .775 .849 .830 .780

136 306 304 222 147 277 332 240 263 160

325 665 685 403 285 444 541 444 388 290

662 1,190 1,301 1,098 875 1,506 1,571 1,728 1,403 667

13.2 14.5 15.9 13.7 15.9 18.4 19.6 21.1 17.1 13.9

Totals

723

4,422

.439

2,133

.806

2,387

4,470

12,001

16.6


lected to the 1998-1999 all-rookie first team. Mike’s success continued throughout the 1999-2000 season: He averaged about 15 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds a game. However, in 2000-2001, the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and Mike was traded to the Sacramento Kings for Jason Williams and Nick Anderson. The trade was productive for Mike. He helped lead the Kings to the 2001-2002 Western Conference Finals and was awarded with the most lucrative contract of his career after the season. The Kings signed him to a seven-year, $11.5-million contract for his performance. The following year, Mike was slowed by a nagging foot injury but helped lead the Kings to another Western Conference playoff appearance. Additionally in 2003, Mike became a member of the U.S. basketball team. He was influential in the U.S. gold-medal victory at the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Puerto Rico. He was the team leader in minutes played, three-point percentage, and steals. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, Mike helped lead the Kings to the playoffs. However, the team missed the NBA Finals all three years. Following the rocky 2006-2007 campaign in which the Kings missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, the team needed a change. After a dismal start for the Kings in 2007, Mike was traded to the Eastern Conference Atlanta Hawks, a team competing for a playoff spot. Mike averaged more than ten points a game for the Hawks and helped lead the team against the Boston Celtics. Boston, the eventual champions, defeated Atlanta, but Bibby and the Hawks ex-

tended the series to seven games. Mike’s performance added to his reputation as a big-game player, team leader, and explosive point guard. Continuing the Story Although Mike did not win a championship in his first decade in the NBA, his statistics highlight a successful career. In 2003, a foot injury forced him to miss twenty-seven games. However, other than those games, Mike missed fewer than 10 of the 666 games preceding and following the injury. He became the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in assists and started in all 675 regular-season and 58 playoff games, as of 2008. Mike averaged more than seventeen points a game in the playoffs and ranked fifth all-time in assists for the Kings. Mike is the father of

Honors and Awards 1994-96 Arizona High School Player of the Year 1997 NCAA Basketball Tournament champion (with University of Arizona) Pacific Ten Conference Freshman of the Year

Basketball Weekly national Freshman of the Year All-Final Four team 1998 First-team all-American Pacific Ten Conference Player of the Year All-Pacific Ten Conference 1999 NBA All-Rookie First Team 2000 NBA rookie all-star 2004 Uniform number 10 retired by University of Arizona 2006 Averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game

29

Mike Bibby three children and has used his fame to help underprivileged youth in his hometown. Most notably, Mike ran successful basketball camps in both Sacramento and Phoenix. He was a leader in the NBA’s attempts to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina and took part in several relief efforts. Through golf tournaments, hospital visits, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and basketball camps, Mike became an outstanding role model. An example of his status is illustrated by his promotion of Nike shoes: Only six other NBA players have been featured in advertisements for the company. Summary Mike Bibby’s personality and play on and off the court made him a good representative for the

30

Great Athletes NBA. He continued to assist the NBA, most notably through the NBA/WNBA advisory council, aimed at renewing sportsmanship in the game. His approachable personality and overall demeanor allowed Mike to become a prominent role model. He became recognized as a team player and one of the best assists men and guards in the game. Keith J. Bell Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “Sacramento Kings.” Sports Illustrated 99, no. 16 (October 27, 2003): 96. Layden, Joseph. NBA Up and Coming Stars of the New Millennium. New York: Scholastic, 2000. McCallum, Jack. “Pair of Kings.” Sports Illustrated 98, no. 19 (May 12, 2003): 50-56.

Dave Bing Born: November 24, 1943 Washington, D.C. Also known as: David Bing (full name) Early Life David Bing was born November 24, 1943, in Washington, D.C. Money was scarce for the Bing family when Dave was growing up. Dave’s father was a bricklayer and his mother was a parttime domestic. Dave realized early that there was more to life than what the streets of Washington offered him, so he set about trying to earn a scholarship to college. Still, the lure of the fast life on the street had its appeal. Many of Dave’s friends cared only about getting some nice clothes, some spending money, or a car. The Road to Excellence Dave became a standout basketball player at Spingarn High, leading his team to the city title game in his senior year. He was selected to play on a national all-star team and was voted the most valuable player of the tournament. Suddenly, colleges were clamoring for him to visit. Dave weighed his options and finally picked Syracuse University from among the many schools that recruited him. Although he spurned scholarship offers from big-name schools where he would have more exposure, such as the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Michigan, Dave quickly became a college standout. Syracuse was not a top name in college basketball in the 1960’s. Dave’s play helped focus attention on the school. Dave averaged close to 25 points per game. In his senior year, he helped his team reach the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament and was also named all-American.

By the time Dave finished at Syracuse, he was considered one of the top college players in the country. He became the second pick in the 1966 draft by the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. Dave was known as an outstanding all-around player, but his particular skill was driving to the basket for either two points or a quick pass to a teammate when defenses converged on him.

Dave Bing taking a shot while with the Washington Bullets. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

31

Great Athletes

Dave Bing


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78

80 79 77 70 82 45 82 81 79 82 64 80

664 835 678 575 799 369 692 582 578 497 271 422

.436 .441 .425 .444 .467 .414 .448 .436 .434 .447 .454 .449

273 472 444 454 615 278 456 356 343 332 136 244

.738 .707 .713 .783 .797 .785 .814 .813 .809 .787 .773 .824

359 373 382 299 364 186 298 281 286 237 143 212

330 509 546 418 408 317 637 555 610 492 275 300

1,601 2,142 1,800 1,604 2,213 1,016 1,840 1,520 1,499 1,326 678 1,088

20.6 27.1 23.4 22.9 27.0 22.6 22.4 18.0 19.0 16.2 10.6 13.6

Totals

901

6,962

.441

4,403

.775

3,420

5,397

18,327

20.3


The Emerging Champion Washington, D.C., after the 1974-1975 season and Despite Dave’s great success in college ball, life in helped the Bullets to reach the playoffs in each of the NBA was difficult at the start. The Detroit team the next two seasons. He finished his professional was not very good, and the fans there would have career as a member of the Boston Celtics in 1977preferred that the Pistons take Cazzie Russell, a lo1978. cal star at Michigan; however, Russell was chosen first in the draft. Soon, Dave learned his way Continuing the Story around the league and became accustomed to the Dave’s success did not end when his playing career bigger, faster players. He was voted the league’s top did. Throughout his life, he showed a good instinct for business. When trying to secure a loan from a rookie at the end of that season after averaging bank to buy a house in Detroit early in his basketmore than 20 points per game. The next year, he was even better. In a league dominated by 7-foot ball career, Dave so impressed officials at the bank centers and high-scoring forwards, Dave won the that they gave him a job. scoring title, averaging more than 27 points per Even after his playing days were over, Dave congame. He became the first guard to lead the league in scoring in twenty years. Honors and Awards Dave’s scoring and selfless play earned him seven trips to the NBA all1965 Sporting News All-American 1966 Consensus All-American star game, and he was voted the most 1967 NBA Rookie of the Year valuable player of the 1976 game. He NBA All-Rookie Team was not a particularly flashy player, but 1968-69, 1971, 1973-76 NBA All-Star Team he was certainly a sound one. Other 1968, 1971, 1974 All-NBA Team 1976 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player guards of that time—Jerry West, Walt 1977 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Frazier, and Oscar Robertson—gained 1984 National Small Business Person of the Year more fame, but Dave simply scored and 1990 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame passed as well as he could, trying to Schick Award 1991 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award make his team a winner. 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Dave was never able to turn the PisUniform number 21 retired by Detroit Pistons tons into a contender, but it was not for 2003 Ford Diversity Development award for community service lack of trying. He played eight years in Rainbow/PUSH’s entrepreneur of the year award Detroit and never averaged fewer than 2006 Honorary Doctorate, Syracuse University 18 points per game. He returned to 32

Basketball tributed to the city of Detroit. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, when tough economic times hit and many companies closed down or moved away, Dave remained in Detroit, creating jobs and bringing prosperity to the area. He owned and ran his own company, providing steel and other metals to the auto industry. He was almost as successful in the boardroom as he was on the court. In 1984, Dave was named the national small business person of the year and the national minority supplier of the year. In time, his company grew to become one of the largest African American-owned companies in the country. By 1990, Bing Steel had grown into a $61million-a-year company. At the 1990 NBA all-star game, Dave received the Schick Achievement Award for his business accomplishments after his successful basketball career. In the early 1990’s, Dave acquired Superb Manufacturing, a metalstamping company, as well as a small construction firm. The Bing Group, composed of ten companies, was eventually worth more than $500 million. Dave’s companies help the community by building homes and providing jobs for people in the Detroit area. Dave’s many years of contributions on the basketball court were not forgotten, and in 1990, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the highest honor any basketball player can achieve. By 1996, Dave was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Serving

Dave Bing as the vice president of the NBA’s retired players association, Dave worked with superstars to help them plan ahead by making wise investments and preparing for the transition from basketball. He also spent time sharing with young athletes the lessons that he learned in life. Summary Dave Bing realized early that hustling on the street was not for him. This motivated him to earn a college scholarship. After becoming a college star, he worked hard to become a good professional player as well. Similarly, he knew that he had to find a way to prosper once he was through with basketball, and he did. He continually looked ahead and planned how to be successful at the next level. John McNamara Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Telander, R. “Life Lessons from a Man of Steel.” Sports Illustrated 75, no. 8 (August 19, 1991): 48-51.

33

Larry Bird Born: December 7, 1956 West Baden Springs, Indiana Also known as: Larry Joe Bird (full name); Hick from French Lick Early Life Larry Joe Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, on December 7, 1956. His father, Joe Bird, was a working man who had many jobs over the years. The family and the community at large were poor. Larry’s family had sports as a common interest and goal. All five boys played every sport available to them, and Larry competed fiercely with his two older brothers. Baseball was Larry’s first love, but when he saw his brother become a hero in a high school basketball game, he became interested in the sport. He was a natural, but he refined his game with day-and-night practice. The Road to Excellence Larry played on the B team as a high school freshman. However, as he began to grow, he became the best player on his team and in Southern Indiana. After a successful senior year, he received a scholarship to Indiana University. The school of 33,000 was like a big city to him, however, and the established players and Coach Bobby Knight ignored him. Larry left Indiana University after a few months. This disappointed his family and friends, who thought he would never amount to anything. A year later, he found a place at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. His first year at the new school was difficult. His father committed suicide, and as a transfer student, Larry had to sit out of competition. Larry’s first success was at Indiana State. His game matured, and his shooting improved remarkably. In his first two seasons at Indiana State he averaged 30 points a game and was named first-team allAmerican. In his junior year, he turned a mediocre team into a contender for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship. Suddenly, everyone became interested in this superb player. In his senior year, 1979, Larry took the team 34

to the championship game of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, where it lost to Magic Johnson and his Michigan State University team. The meeting between the two players was a harbinger of the next decade in the NBA. Larry’s next stop was the Boston Celtics, which chose Larry in the first round of the 1978 NBA draft. The Emerging Champion Larry knew little of the Celtics’ tradition, but he caught on quickly. In a few short years, he became an important part of that legacy. Before Larry’s arrival, the Celtics had fallen on hard times. In this first season, 1979-1980, Larry led the Celtics to an excellent record. The team won thirty-two more games than in the previous year, the largest oneyear improvement in NBA history at the time, and Larry was chosen the NBA’s rookie of the year. Bos-

Larry Bird taking a free throw. (Jim Cummins/NBAE/ Getty Images)

Basketball

Larry Bird


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92

82 82 77 79 79 80 82 74 76 6 75 60 45

693 719 711 747 758 918 796 786 881 49 718 462 353

.474 .478 .503 .504 .492 .522 .496 .525 .527 .471 .473 .454 .466

301 283 328 351 374 403 441 414 415 18 319 163 150

.836 .863 .863 .840 .888 .882 .896 .910 .916 .947 .930 .891 .926

852 895 837 870 796 842 805 682 703 37 712 509 434

370 451 447 458 520 531 557 566 467 29 562 431 306

1,745 1,741 1,761 1,867 1,908 2,295 2,115 2,076 2,275 116 1,820 1,164 908

21.3 21.2 22.9 23.6 24.2 28.7 25.8 28.1 29.9 19.3 24.3 19.4 20.2

Totals

897

8,591

.496

3,960

.886

8,974

5,695

21,791

24.3


ton was eliminated in the Eastern Conference playoffs by a powerful Philadelphia 76ers team, though; Larry needed more help to make the Celtics champions. In 1980, the Celtics acquired Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to team with Larry on one of the best front lines in NBA history, and the team cruised to an NBA Championship, defeating the Houston Rockets in the finals. The Celtics were champions, but Larry’s best years were still to come, as he developed his already remarkable skills even further. Larry had splendid 1981-1982 and 1982-1983 seasons. The Celtics lost to Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the playoffs, however, and did not repeat as champions. In the first game of the Milwaukee series, Larry suffered an injury when he bent his finger. He was to have continual problems with minor injuries to his back, feet, and hands, but he continued to play and to contribute to the Celtics’ success. In 1983, the Celtics acquired Dennis Johnson, an all-star point guard who worked beautifully with Larry. Johnson was the missing piece to the Celtics’ puzzle, and during the 1983-1984 season, the team won the NBA title again, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in an exciting seven-game final. That year, Larry was named NBA most valuable player (MVP) for the first time. His play had reached such a level of excellence that some sportswriters began calling him the greatest player of all time. He prepared himself more fully over the off-season and came into the year with new range and power.

Continuing the Story During the 1984-1985 season, the Celtics lost a return match in the NBA Finals to the Lakers, and Larry’s old rival Johnson, the Lakers’ brilliant leader, emerged to challenge Larry for recognition as the game’s best player. In that series, Larry was guarded closely by the Lakers’ defensive wizard Michael Cooper, and Magic played superbly as the Lakers won in six games. Larry won the regularseason MVP award again, however. In 1985-1986, Larry had one of his best seasons; he seemed to do everything for his team. Boston won the title again, and Larry was named MVP one more time. In 1986-1987, Larry had another fine year. He brought the Celtics back from certain defeat by stealing the ball with only seconds left in the sixth game of the Eastern Conference Championship against the Detroit Pistons, and the Celtics returned to the finals. The Celtics lost to the Lakers again in the championship series, though, and Magic was named the league’s MVP for the first time. In 1987-1988, Larry had a number of injuries, although he was able to score more points than in any other year of his career. His injuries caught up with him in the playoffs, and, this time, the Celtics lost to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. In 1988-1989, Larry managed to play in only six games. His foot injuries proved too great for him to come back and rescue his aging team. Many people thought that Larry was finished as a great player, but he returned to action during the 35

Larry Bird

Great Athletes

1989-1990 season and showed some flashes Honors and Awards of his former greatness. The Celtics, how1978-79 Consensus All-American ever, were too thin, and the stellar front 1979 Rupp Trophy line of Larry, McHale, and Parish looked United Press International Division I Player of the Year old at times. Boston lost in the first round U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year Eastman Award of the playoffs. Johnson won the MVP Naismith Award award again, and Larr y’s dominance Wooden Award seemed over. Sporting News College Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year At this time, Larry met and married Lapchick Award Dinah Mattingly. They adopted two chilNCAA All-Tournament Team dren, a boy and a girl. Larry already had 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team one daughter from a previous and brief 1980-90 All-NBA Team marriage in 1975. 1980-91 NBA All-Star Team After having a disk removed from his 1982 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1982-84 NBA All-Defensive Team back at the end of the 1990-1991 season, 1983-84, 1986 Seagram’s Seven Crowns of Sports Award Larry missed thirty-seven games during 1984-86 NBA most valuable player the 1991-1992 season because of continu1984, 1986 NBA Finals most valuable player 1986 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year ing back problems. The end of his illustriSporting News Man of the Year ous career seemed imminent, but he had 1992 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball one more major achievement. Larry won 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1998 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a gold medal as a member of the 1992 U.S. 1998-99 NBA Coach of the Year Olympic Dream Team. As the 1992-1993 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time NBA season approached, Larry decided Uniform number 33 retired by Boston Celtics 2000 Library of Congress Living Legend Award that his body could no longer stand up to the physical rigors of NBA play, and he retired. with Larry as the coach. As of 2008, the Pacers had After retiring as a player on August 18, 1992, not returned to the Eastern Conference Finals. Larry served as a special assistant in the Boston Celtics’ front office until 1997. During that time, Summary he was actively involved in team personnel deciLarry Bird will be remembered as the ultimate sions and in scouting college players. Also, Larry team player. He subordinated his scoring skills to appeared in three movies, including Blue Chips such team elements as assists, steals, and rebound(1994) and Space Jam (1996) with Michael Jordan. ing. He was the epitome of an all-around basketball In 1993, Larry also appeared in a McDonald’s ad player. Critics said he could not jump, that he was alongside Jordan. Meanwhile, in 1996, Larry was too slow, and that he could not play defense, but he named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all usually got the job done and led his team to victory. time. In 1999, he was named as one of the twenty Larry also proved to be an effective NBA coach best NBA players of all time. and, as president of basketball operations, tried On May 8, 1997, Larry accepted the job as head hard to make the Pacers competitive. coach of the Indiana Pacers. He possessed the James Sullivan, updated by Shane L. Hudson knowledge, skills, enthusiasm, experience, and ability to be an excellent coach. After only one year Additional Sources with the Pacers, Larry was named the NBA coach of Bird, Larry, and Jackie MacMullan. Bird Watching: the year. Declaring the 1999-2000 campaign to be On Playing and Coaching the Game I Love. New his last, Larry coached the Pacers into the NBA FiYork: Warner Books, 1999. nals, where the team lost to the Lakers. Lazenby, Roland. Bird: Portrait of a Competitor. LeAfter coaching, in 2003, Larry returned to the nexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Pacers organization as president of basketball opShaw, Mark. Larry Legend. Chicago: Masters Press, erations. However, the Pacers did not have as much 1999. success with Larry in the front office as the team did 36

Carol Blazejowski Born: September 29, 1956 Elizabeth, New Jersey Also known as: Carol Ann Blazejowski (full name); Blaze Early Life Carol Ann Blazejowski, daughter of Leon and Grace Blazejowski, was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and grew up in a blue-collar family in Cranford, New Jersey, with one older sister. A self-described “tomboy,” she played softball for the Linden Arians in the Western Major Women’s Softball League beginning at the age of fourteen. As shortstop, she was rookie of the year and an all-star. Carol played baseball, football, and basketball with the neighborhood boys. With short hair, she dressed as and was often mistaken for a boy. She spent all day on the playground and practiced shooting on weekends. The tallest in her class, Carol played basketball for the Catholic Youth Organization. Not until 1974, as a senior at Cranford High School, did Carol play on an organized team. She threatened to play on the boys’ team, leading to the formation of the first girls’ team in Cranford. As captain, she led the team to 19 straight wins, which earned the squad a playoff spot. The Road to Excellence Despite excellent shooting, including an accurate 15-foot jumper, Carol did not receive an athletic scholarship, few of which were offered to women at the time. Having scored perfectly on her Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), she attended Montclair State College (now University) in New Jersey from 1975 to 1978. There, she played basketball for the Squaws (now Red Hawks). The 5-foot 10-inch forward averaged 19.9 points per game in her freshman year and made 43 percent of her shots. As a sophomore, Carol averaged 28.5 points per game, improving to a nation-leading 33.5 points per game as a junior and 38.8 as a senior, with a 55 or better shooting percentage

each year. She was an all-American three times, from 1976 to 1978. As captain of the Squaws, Carol had an 87.3 free-throw average, led the team in steals and rebounds, and averaged 31.7 points per game. She was the first athlete from Montclair to have her jersey retired, and in 2008, she remained the team’s all-time leading scorer. In 1977, Carol was the Converse women’s player of the year, and played in the World University Games, in Sofia, Bulgaria, winning a silver medal on the American team. She led all scorers with 164 total points for 20.5 points per game. On March 6, 1977, playing against Queens College at Madison Square Garden, “Blaze” scored 52 points, despite having scored only 14 points in the first half and playing with four fouls. She set a collegiate record for both male and female basketball players, not beaten until 1983. Honoring this record, her name was placed on the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame on September 8, 2003. Her 3,199 career points were more than any other college player, male or female, at the time. She was fourth in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) with more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. The AIAW was the organization for women’s basketball playoffs until the NCAA took over in the 1981-1982 season. Carol graduated from Montclair State with honors, with a 3.6 grade point average.

Basketball Records Most career points, Women’s Division I (3,199) Highest career point-per-game average, Women’s Division I (31.7) (1974-78) Most points in a single season, Women’s Division I (1,235) (1978) Most points scored by college player at Madison Square Garden, New York (52)

Honors and Awards 1977 Converse women’s player of the year 1978 Wade Trophy All-American 1979 Silver medal, Pan-American Games 1980 United States Basketball female athlete of the year 1994 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted into National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame 1999 Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

37

Carol Blazejowski The Emerging Champion In 1978, Blaze was awarded the first annual Wade Trophy for excellence in playing and leadership, achieving her goal of becoming the best player in the United States. She did not make the final cut for the 1976 Olympic team because Coach Billie Moore thought Carol was not a good defensive player. In 1979, in Mexico City, Carol was on the first U.S. team to win a gold medal in the World University Games, leading all scorers with 129 points total, for an 18.4 points-per-game average. In 1979, she played on the Pan-American Games silver-medal-winning team. After graduating, Carol still dreamed of playing on an Olympic team. She refused to become professional, despite having been drafted by the New Jersey Gems of the Women’s Basketball League (WBL). She continued to train while enrolled in the graduate physical-education program at Montclair State. She worked as a graduate assistant, and played basketball for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Crestettes of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Carol sacrificed a lot of potential money in endorsements and salary for her goal of playing in the Olympics. Selected for the 1980 Olympic team, Carol never played because the United States boycotted the Games that year. Blaze then signed a three-year contract for $150,000 with the Gems, becoming the highest-paid woman player. She was the Gems’ most valuable player and leading scorer, with 1,067 points, and made the all-star team before the WBL went bankrupt in 1981. In 1980, she was the first woman to earn the U.S. Basketball female athlete of the year award and was part of the team’s all-star roster. Continuing the Story From 1980 to 1990, Carol worked for Adidas to develop marketing for women’s sports. In 1994, she was inducted into the National Polish Hall of Fame. She was director of licensing for the NBA from 1990 to 1995 and director of women’s basket-

38

Great Athletes ball programs from 1995 to 1996. She became director of basketball development when the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was formed in 1996; then she was named vice president and general manager of the New York Liberty on January 7, 1997. At a media event in 1999, Carol came out as a lesbian without fanfare, simply listing her partner’s name, along with those of their two children, in a biographical note. She became one of the first, and few, sports executives to openly state their sexual orientation. In 2000, she was promoted to senior vice president and became the Liberty’s president in 2008, while continuing as general manager. In 2005, Carol, was inducted into the Nutley, New Jersey, Hall of Fame, for “outstanding accomplishments beyond the boundaries of Nutley.” Summary Carol Blazejowski’s scoring records in women’s basketball have stood for more than thirty years. Her total career points would be the second highest ever in NCAA statistics, despite playing before the era of the three-point shot. One of the first women inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Carol was also in the inaugural group inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. She excelled in basketball before women’s professional athletics became mainstream, and she remained involved in the sport as a leader and executive. Jane Brodsky Fitzpatrick Additional Sources Edelson, Paula. A to Z of American Women in Sports. New York: Facts On File, 2002. Gutman, Bill. More Modern Women Superstars. New York: Dodd, 1979. McGovern, Mike. The Encyclopedia of TwentiethCentury Athletes. New York: Facts On File, 2001. Porter, Karra. Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women’s Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2006.

Bill Bradley Born: July 28, 1943 Crystal City, Missouri Also known as: William Warren Bradley (full name) Early Life William Warren Bradley was born July 28, 1943, to Warren Bradley and Susie Crowe Bradley, in Crystal City, Missouri, south of St. Louis. His father was a banker. Although Crystal City was the prosperous family’s permanent home, the Bradleys usually spent the winters in Florida. Reared to become a well-rounded gentleman, Bill took lessons in everything from boxing to the French horn. As he got older, he discovered his own source of motivation and amusement: basketball.

The Road to Excellence At the age of fourteen, Bill, already standing 6 feet 3 inches, was spending four hours a day in the gym, sharpening skills he had learned at basketball camps and polishing his natural shooting touch. To overcome one of his liabilities—poor jumping ability—he fastened weights to his shoes. Bill was so dedicated to becoming a better basketball player that he had little time for activities that occupy most teenagers. He once told an admiring girl that he was already dating someone: a basketball. In addition to playing high school ball in the winter, Bill drove fifty miles a day in the summer to play in St. Louis. On those playgrounds he faced a level of competition he seldom encountered in Crystal City. By his senior year, Bill, 6 feet 5 inches tall, was regarded as Missouri’s top basketball prospect. Many college coaches visited the Bradley home to recruit him for their schools. Bill, an honor student, decided to attend Princeton University because of its academic quality. At that time, 1961, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity basketball. Instead, they played a shorter schedule on teams composed entirely of freshmen. Bill still made a strong impression, hitting 57 consecutive free throws. Had he been on the varsity team, he would have set a national record.

New York Knick Bill Bradley dribbling against the defense of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970. (NBAE/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion Bill was not the only new member of Princeton’s team in the 1962-1963 season. Under new coach Butch van Breda Kolff, the Tigers won the Ivy League Championship, with Bill averaging 27.2 points per game. In a first-round victory in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament, Bill scored 40 points. Bill’s junior season was a successful one for both him and Princeton. The Tigers won another Ivy League title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Bill established himself as one of col39

Great Athletes

Bill Bradley


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77

45 82 67 78 78 82 82 79 82 67

142 407 413 413 504 575 502 452 392 127

.416 .429 .460 .453 .465 .459 .451 .436 .433 .464

76 206 145 144 169 169 146 144 130 34

0.731 .814 .824 .823 .849 .871 .874 .873 .878 .810

113 350 239 260 250 301 253 251 234 103

137 302 268 280 315 367 242 247 247 128

360 1,020 971 970 1,177 1,319 1,150 1,048 914 288

8.0 12.4 14.5 12.4 15.1 16.1 14.0 13.3 11.1 4.3

Totals

742

3,927

.448

1,363

.840

2,354

2,363

9,217

12.4


lege basketball’s true stars by averaging 32.2 points per game, an mark that was especially impressive since it was established in the days before the shot clock and the three-point shot increased scoring in college games. The following summer, Bill was chosen for the U.S. team in the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. He was the team’s youngest member. The U.S. team overwhelmed every opponent, defeating the Soviet Union, 73-59, for the gold medal. Bill played so well that Olympic teammate Walt Hazzard called him “the white O,” comparing him to the legendary Oscar Robertson, high praise for any basketball player. After his Olympic success, Bill put together one of the finest seasons ever witnessed in college basketball. Early in the 1964-1965 season, Princeton faced one of the country’s best teams, the University of Michigan, in New York City’s Madison

Honors and Awards 1964 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame 1964-65 Consensus All-American 1965 Rupp Trophy United Press International Division I Player of the Year U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year Helms Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Co-Player of the Year NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player NCAA All-Tournament Team James E. Sullivan Award Rhodes Scholar 1982 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1984 Uniform number 24 retired by New York Knicks

40

Square Garden. Like Princeton, Michigan had a superstar, Cazzie Russell, who later was Bill’s teammate in the NBA. In 36 minutes, Bill put on a brilliant display of defense and rebounding while scoring 41 points. Then, with about 4 minutes remaining and the Tigers leading by 13 points, Bill fouled out. Recognizing his outstanding performance, the twenty thousand fans gave Bill a 2minute standing ovation. Without Bill’s leadership, Princeton lost, 80-75. Nevertheless, Bill’s performance was not forgotten. Said Joe Lapchick, coach at St. John’s University, “I have never seen one player so humiliate a whole team, and a top-ranked team at that.” Princeton went on to win yet another Ivy League Championship. This time, the team advanced to the Final Four in the NCAA Basketball Tournament and again faced Michigan. The rematch was no contest; despite Bill’s 29 points, Michigan won, 93-76. In the consolation game, with his coach’s encouragement, Bill abandoned his usual team concept and scored 58 points, breaking Oscar Robertson’s single-game tournament record. Bill’s 177 points in the five-game tournament was also a record. Following graduation in 1965, Bill was selected by the New York Knicks in the NBA draft. Although the dream of any basketball player is to play in the NBA, Bill had another opportunity. He had been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship and chose to study at Oxford University in England for the next two years.

Basketball Continuing the Story After completing his studies, Bill joined the Knicks. Many fans and sportswriters thought he would score as much as he had in college and become an instant NBA star, but Bill, a forward in college, had difficulty adjusting to the guard position, where he had to face smaller, quicker players. Realizing that he needed to improve his game, Bill worked hard after his rookie season, as he had in high school. Following a summer spent playing in tough playground leagues in New York and Philadelphia, he was prepared for his second NBA season. When Cazzie Russell was injured, Bill was able to make his move. At his natural forward position, Bill, an all-around player, complemented his Knicks teammates. In 1970, Bill was a vital member of the first Knicks team to win an NBA Championship. The team won the championship again in 1973, sparked by Bill’s outstanding play throughout the playoffs. After retiring from basketball in 1977, Bill was elected to the U.S Senate in 1978, representing New Jersey. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982, and the Knicks retired his jersey in 1984. After his reelection to the Senate in 1984, Bill focused on tax reform. One of his proposals passed as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In 1990, he was elected to his third term. Choosing not to run for a fourth term in 1996, Bill concentrated on other endeavors. He served as the chair of the National Civic League and spent some time teaching at the University of Maryland, Stanford University, and University of Notre Dame. Between 1976 and 2007, Bill authored several books, including Life on the Run (1976), Values of the Game (1998), The Journey from Here (2000), and The New American Story (2007). Many of his writings focus on U.S. ideals and the challenges that United States faces in the future, particularly healing racial wounds, eliminating child poverty, and providing basic health care for every citizen. His writings also apply the basic principles of hard work and dedication that he learned in the NBA to success in every-

Bill Bradley day life. In 2000, Bill sought the Democratic nomination for president of the United States but lost to vice president Al Gore. During his campaign for president, he was supported by several prominent individuals, including Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Bob Kerrey, Mario Cuomo, Robert Reich, Ed Koch, Cornel West, Spike Lee, Betty Friedan, Michael Jordan, and Phil Jackson. Bill and Jackson had been teammates on the Knicks. After his unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination in 2000, Bill worked as an investment banker and a corporate consultant. He remained primarily out of the public eye. In 2003, Oxford University gave him an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree. Bill served on the board of directors of several companies, including Meetup and Superprotonic. He and his wife of thirty-three years separated in 2007. Summary Bill Bradley embodied the value of college athletics. He was an Ivy League great, an all-American basketball player, a Rhodes Scholar, an NBA allstar, a senator, and an all-around champion. He helped the New York Knicks to two NBA Championships in the early 1970’s. Stephen T. Bell, updated by Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Andryszewski, Tricia. Bill Bradley: Scholar, Athlete, Statesman. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 2000. Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. Bradley, Bill. The Journey from Here. New York: Workman, 2000. _______. The New American Story. New York: Random House, 2007. _______. Time Present, Time Past: A Memoir. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1996. _______. Values of the Game. New York: Dell, 2000. Buckley, James. Bill Bradley. New York: Rosen, 2002. McPhee, Phil. A Sense of Where You Are: A Profile of Bill Bradley at Princeton. 2d ed. New York: Noonday Press, 1995.

41

Elton Brand Born: March 11, 1979 Peekskill, New York Also known as: Elton Tyrone Brand (full name) Early Life Elton Brand was raised in the Dunbar Heights housing complex in Peekskill, New York, by his mother, Daisy Brand. Although there were drugs in the neighborhood, Elton was not approached by the dealers because they knew he was not inter-

ested. His mother instilled religion in Elton, who regularly attended church. He began playing basketball when he was ten and went out for the Peekskill High School basketball team when he was thirteen. He impressed his coach, Lou Panzanaro, winning the tip-off, scoring 30 points, and rebounding each of his shots in the scrimmage. Although Elton also liked football, a sport in which he lettered one year, his mother believed that his future was in basketball. He led his high school team to two state championships and averaged more than 26 points per game over his four years. As a senior, he was named to the McDonald’s high school all-American basketball team. An excellent student who took honors and Advanced Placement classes, he graduated sixteenth in a class of 160 students.

Elton Brand, playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, slams the ball in a 2007 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. (Noah Graham/ NBAE/Getty Images)

42

The Road to Excellence More than 250 colleges and universities contacted Elton, but he finally chose Duke University, primarily because of its high graduation rate for basketball players. Coach Mike Krzyzewski gave him no assurances about playing time, and Panzanaro told Elton not to expect to play a great deal. However, he started for the Blue Devils, and, despite missing fifteen games because of a broken left foot, averaged more than 13 points and 7 rebounds per game, earning him Associated Press All-American honorable-mention status. In his sophomore year, he led Duke to the NCAA finals, averaging more than 17 points and 8 blocked shots per game. Despite playing for Duke for just two years, as of 2008, he remained fifth in blocked shots at Duke and the all-time leader in field-goal percentage. He was a unanimous first team all-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference, USA Basketball, and The Sporting News player of the year. The only other college sophomores to receive the latter award were Michael Jordan and Bill Walton. In addition to his play at Duke, in 1998, he was a member

Basketball

Elton Brand


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

81 74 80 62 69 81 79 80 8

630 578 532 451 484 629 756 645 52

.482 .476 .527 .502 .493 .503 .527 .533 .456

367 334 389 244 411 364 440 351 37

.685 .708 .742 .685 .773 .752 .775 .761 .787

810 746 925 703 714 770 790 744 64

155 240 191 157 227 208 208 235 16

1,627 1,490 1,453 1,146 1,379 1,622 1,942 1,642 141

20.1 20.1 18.2 18.5 20.0 20.0 24.7 20.5 17.6

Totals

614

4,757

.505

2,937

.738

6,266

1,637

12,453

20.3


of the U.S. basketball team at the Goodwill Games, where he averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 blocked shot per game. The following year he was one of three collegians chosen for the American team in the Olympic qualifying tournament.

his two years with the Bulls he averaged more than 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots per game.

Continuing the Story In 2001, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Brian Skinner and the draft rights to Tyrone The Emerging Champion Chandler. He was largely responsible for turning In 1999, because of his ability and maturity, Elton the long-dormant Clippers into a playoff team. In was ready to leave Duke for the NBA. He was the his initial year with the Clippers he appeared in his first Duke player to leave the school for the NBA first NBA all-star game; he also made the all-star before graduation and was selected first overall, game in 2006, in which he had 12 points, 1 block, joining the Chicago Bulls. He had been an underand 7 rebounds. During his NBA career, he has avsized center in college, where his long arms, quick eraged more than 20 points per game and has been feet, and wide body enabled him to battle taller opin the top ten in blocked shots and offensive reponents. However, in the NBA, he was moved to bounds per game. His career field-goal percentage power forward, where he had to develop an effecis more than 50 and his free-throw average almost tive jump shot. Despite his youth, he became a 75 percent. He has also been among the leaders in leader on the team and was co-rookie of the year with Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets. During minutes played per game, a testimony to his stamina and determination. Although Elton has had his share of Honors and Awards injuries, he has been incredibly dura1999 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year ble; the only serious injury he suffered Adolph Rupp Trophy as a professional was a ruptured Achilles John R. Wooden Award tendon, which occurred during a daily Naismith College Player of the Year Oscar Robertson Trophy workout on August 3, 2007. The injury 2000 NBA Rookie of the Year (cowinner with Steve Francis) was a major blow to the Clippers 2002 Magic Johnson Award chances during the 2007-2008 season. 2002, 2006 NBA All-Star Team 2004 Pacific Division Sportsmanship Award He was one of the twenty-five players on NBA All-Interview First Team the roster for the 2008 Olympic basketWestern Conference Player of the Week (January 4) ball team but had to withdraw because 2005 Western Conference Player of the Week (November 12, December 12) NBA Player of the Month (November) of injuries. In 2008, he bought an Amer2006 All-NBA Second Team ican Basketball League team franchise NBA Sportsmanship Award for his mother and named his half Western Conference Player of the Week (January 30) brother Artie McGriff general manager. 43

Elton Brand In July, 2008, he opted out of his contract with the Clippers and, after entertaining an offer from the Golden State Warriors, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition to his basketball career, he was the producer of the film Rescue Dawn (2007). Summary After playing on winning teams in high school and at Duke, Elton Brand has had the misfortune of playing on mediocre NBA teams. However, he helped the Clippers establish a level of respectability. He has shown himself to be a hardworking and highly motivated player competing against the world’s best basketball players. He said that Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber were his biggest challengers at power forward, but he is in elite company. In addition to his fierceness and high level of skills, he was one of the best-liked Clipper players. He es-

44

Great Athletes tablished a foundation to help others and participated in Clippers community children projects. Thomas L. Erskine Additional Sources Beck, Howard. “A Genuine Nice Guy Finally Has a Chance to Finish First.” The New York Times, April 26, 2006, p. 7. Boeck, Greg. “A Very Special Brand.” USA Today, January 18, 2007, p. C7. Brand, Elton. “One on One with Elton Brand.” The Sporting News, October 29, 2001, p. 43. Deveney, Sean. “Everybody Loves Elton.” The Sporting News, March 10, 2006, pp. 12-14. Jacobs, Dan, and Brian Spurlock. “Brand Recognition.” Sport 90, no. 1 (January, 1999): 84. Michaels, Vicky. “Clippers Have Classy Brand.” USA Today, May 3, 2006, p. C13.

Kobe Bryant Born: August 23, 1978 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Also known as: Kobe Bean Bryant (full name); Black Mamba; KB24; KB81; Kobe

ticed with him individually. Kobe realized early that he wanted to be a professional basketball player and worked toward this goal.

The Road to Excellence Although high school freshman rarely play on a varsity team, Kobe’s talent was recognized, and he immediately became a valuable player for his varsity basketball team when he entered Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. He was dedicated to improving his skills and often went to school more than an hour before his first class to work out in the gym. According to his high school athletic director, Tom McGovern, Kobe had a “tremendous work ethic” and frequently played by himself, practicing dribbling, shooting, and other components of the game. After his junior year, Kobe started to attract the interest of the national media. In the summer, he played well at the Adidas ABCD camp and was selected by USA Today and Parade magazine as the national high school player of the year. He was allowed to work out with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he shared the court with NBA players for the first time. Kobe’s senior year at Lower Merion was a triumphant prelude to his impending international fame. His team, which had low rankings before he joined, won the state championship. Before leaving high school, he broke the first of many records when he exceeded Wilt Chamberlain’s forty-year-old southeastern Pennsylvania high school scoring record of 2,359 points with his own 2,883. This total also made him the all-time leading point scorer in Pennsylvania history. It became obvious that Kobe could fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA, but there was a question of whether or not he should Kobe Bryant going above the rim to score. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters/Landov) Early Life On August 23, 1978, Kobe Bryant was born to Pamela and Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant, who played for the NBA Philadelphia 76ers. Between the ages of three and eleven, Kobe lived in Italy, where his father played professional basketball in the Italian league. Because of soccer’s great popularity in Europe, Kobe developed a love for that sport as well as for his father’s specialty. However, he was inspired by his father, who had averaged 8.7 points per game in 606 career NBA games before moving to Italy. Both of Kobe’s sisters, Sharia and Shaya, were excellent athletes who used to practice with Kobe. At the age of eleven, Kobe experienced a growth spurt. He returned to the United States with his family, and his skills in basketball helped him to make new friends. His talent continued to develop under the tutelage of his father, who often prac-

45

Great Athletes

Kobe Bryant attend college first; he was academically, as well as athletically, talented. At that time, only six American players in the previous three decades had joined the NBA without first playing college basketball. In May, however, Kobe announced his intentions to enter the NBA draft. He was drafted in the first round by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Emerging Champion On November 3, 1996, at the age of eighteen, Kobe played against the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the youngest player at the time ever to play in an NBA game. He made his first career start playing against the Dallas Mavericks on January 28, 1997, and was named to the 1996-1997 NBA allrookie second team, averaging 7.6 points per game and 15.5 minutes per game in seventy-one games. Kobe’s second professional season was also successful; he scored a career high of 33 points in a game against the Chicago Bulls on December 17, 1997, and won the slam-dunk contest during the 1997 NBA all-star weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. In his third season, he broke yet another record, when he became the youngest all-star in NBA history. At the 1998 NBA all-star game in New York, he posted team highs of 18 points and 6 rebounds. Continuing the Story As Kobe continued to develop, he began to play a strong but mainly supportive role with the Lakers, a team that also relied heavily on the skills of center Shaquille O’Neal. After leading the Lakers in steals

and ranking second on the team in scoring and free-throw percentage, Kobe was named to the 1998-1999 all-NBA third team. During the 1999-2000 season, Kobe was able to utilize his strengths in precise coordination with teammate O’Neal, resulting in a highly successful period for the Lakers under Coach Phil Jackson. Individually, Kobe improved as well, scoring a career-high 40 points in a game with the Sacramento Kings on March 12, 2000. The season culminated in a bitterly contested but ultimately victorious struggle with the Indiana Pacers for the NBA title. Kobe sprained his left ankle in game two and missed game three, which the Pacers won. Many doubted that Kobe could recover in time to appear in the remainder of the series. With an intense therapy program, Kobe was able to return in game four, in which he scored 28 points, including 2 points during overtime after O’Neal had fouled out. After losing game five, the Lakers won the decisive but close game six, with Kobe clinching the game with four free throws in the final 13 seconds. In all, Kobe scored 26 points in the final game, securing the first NBA title won by the Lakers since 1988. With his first championship ring in hand, Kobe worked hard during the off-season and returned stronger than ever at the start of the 2000-2001 season. Though returning league most valuable player (MVP) O’Neal began the season slowly, Kobe became one of the dominant players in the league. For several weeks, However, all was not well in Lakerdom. The team was not close to the previ-

NBA Statistics Season 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Totals

GP 71 79 50 66 68 80 82 65 66 20 77 82 868

FGA 422 913 779 1,183 1,510 1,597 1,924 1,178 1,324 2,173 1,757 1,690 16,450

FGM 176 391 362 554 701 749 868 516 573 978 813 775 7,456

FG% .417 .428 .465 .468 .464 .469 .451 .438 .433 .450 .463 .459 .454

FTA 166 457 292 403 557 589 713 533 664 819 768 742 6,703

FTM 136 363 245 331 475 488 601 454 542 696 667 623 5,621

FT% .819 .794 .839 .821 .853 0.829 0.843 0.852 0.816 0.850 0.868 .840 .839

Reb. 132 242 264 416 359 441 564 359 392 425 439 517 4,590

Ast. 91 199 190 323 338 438 481 33 398 360 413 441 4,002

TP 539 1,220 996 1,485 1,938 2,019 2,461 1,557 1,819 2,832 2,430 2,323 21,619


46

PPG 7.6 15.4 19.9 22.5 28.5 25.2 30.0 24.0 27.6 35.4 31.6 28.3 25.0

Basketball

Kobe Bryant

Milestones 1996 Became youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game 1998 Became youngest All-Star in NBA history 2006 Scored 81 points in one game, second most in NBA history (Jan. 22)

Honors and Awards 1995-96 USA Today, Parade magazine National High School Player of the Year 1996 Naismith Prep Player of the Year 1996-97 NBA All-Rookie Second Team 1997 NBA slam dunk champion 1998-99 All-NBA Third Team 1998, 2000-2009 NBA All-Star Team 1999-2008 All-NBA 2000-2008 NBA All-Defense Team 2002, 2007 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 2006, 2007 NBA scoring champion 2008 NBA most valuable player Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

The assault case was dropped by prosecutors, and a separate civil lawsuit was settled. Kobe’s endorsement deals with companies such as Coca-Cola, Spalding, Nike, and Adidas eventually resumed. Jackson returned to coach the Lakers for the 2005-2006 season. The conflict between Kobe and O’Neal had also ended by early 2006. They were publicly amicable at the game between the Lakers and Miami Heat in January, 2006, and at the 2006 NBA all-star game. In the seasons from 2000 to 2008, Kobe was named to the NBA’s all-defensive team eight times. From March 16 to March 23, 2007, he had four consecutive games with at least 50 points, the most since Chamberlain. With his 39 points in a game in December, 2007, Kobe became the youngest player ever to score 20,000 career points. He was the NBA all-star game MVP in 2002 and 2007, the NBA MVP in 2007-2008, and NBA scoring champion in 20052006 and 2006-2007. In January, 2006, Kobe scored 81 points in a game, the second-highest total in NBA history behind Chamberlain’s 100.

2009 NBA Finals most valuable player

ous season’s win-loss pace, and Kobe was increasingly criticized for selfish play. Rumors arose that he and O’Neal could not get along and that one of them would have to go. Late in the season, however, the team experienced a miraculous turnaround, with Kobe and O’Neal playing together almost perfectly. The Lakers finished the regular season with a winning streak that lifted them to a tie for the division championship, and then the team went on a roll in the playoffs: The Lakers won a league-record fifteen of sixteen playoff games and had a second consecutive championship. Equally important, Kobe reestablished himself as a consummate team player, and the rest of the league trembled at the thought of how much better he might get in the future. The Lakers won a third title in 2002, sweeping the New Jersey Nets in four games. In 2003-2004 Coach Jackson, O’Neal, and Kobe spent their last season together. In 2003, Kobe was charged with the sexual assault of a Colorado hotel employee, and the court proceedings and publicity were distracting for the team. Many of Kobe’s endorsement deals were also terminated. After the season, O’Neal was traded to Miami, and Jackson resigned.

Summary Kobe Bryant has become one of the world’s highest paid athletes. He signed a three-year, $3.5-million contract when he joined the Lakers in 1996, followed by a six-year, $71-million contract in 1999. In July, 2004, Kobe signed a seven-year, $136.4-million contract, with the ability to opt out of the contract after the fifth year. The timing of Kobe’s opt-out clause was remarkable, as it went into effect immediately after Kobe led the Lakers to the 2009 NBA Championship with one of the most dominating performances in NBA Finals history. Averaging 32.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds a game, he was the runaway winner of his first most valuable player award. As a highly paid star, Kobe devoted some of his resources to philanthropic activities. He was involved with the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and other community programs. In 2006, he established the charitable VIVO Foundation to provide educational and cultural opportunities for young people, especially African American and Hispanic students. Kobe, the youngest person ever to be chosen as an NBA all-star, was a consummate athlete and role model for young athletes worldwide. At the 2008 47

Kobe Bryant Beijing Olympics, he became an Olympic champion, taking over the latter stages of the championship game against Spain. This led to a 118-107 victory for the Redeem Team (Team USA) and a gold medal for the United States. Earlier in the summer he had guided the Lakers to the NBA Finals, his fifth appearance in the championship series. Alice Myers Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “Kobe’s Killer Instinct.” Sports Illustrated 108, no. 22 (June 2, 2008): 38.

48

Great Athletes Coffey, Wayne. The Kobe Bryant Story. New York: Scholastic, 1999. Finkel, Jon. Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2007. Kaye, Elizabeth. Ain’t No Tomorrow: Kobe, Shaq, and the Making of a Lakers Dynasty. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2002. Layden, Joseph. Kobe: The Story of the NBA’s Rising Young Star. New York: Harper, 1998. Lazenby, Roland. Mad Game: The NBA Education of Kobe Bryant. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Macnow, Glen. Sports Great Kobe Bryant. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2000.

Vince Carter jerseys of notable players Phil Ford, James Worthy, and Michael Jordan.

Born: January 26, 1977 Daytona Beach, Florida Also known as: Vincent Lamar Carter (full name); Air Canada Early Life Vince Carter was born on January 26, 1977, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Like many exceptional athletes, he began his athletic career with great doubts. At the age of thirteen and less than 5 feet 5 inches tall, he was bowlegged and did not make the basketball team because the coach thought he was too slow and too small despite his excellent shooting touch. As a high school freshman, Vince was an average, 5-foot 7-inch player who dreamed of NBA stardom. However, during his sophomore year, Vince grew more than 6 inches and improved his jumping ability. By his senior year of high school, he was embraced as the best high school basketball player in the state of Florida. He played for Daytona Beach Mainland High School, near his hometown. He soon matured into a 6-foot 6-inch, 210-pound guard/forward. The Road to Excellence After completing a career as an outstanding high school basketball player, which included selection to the McDonald’s All-American Team, Vince entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a college basketball player, Vince was named to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament all-East Regional team in both 1997 and 1998. He was also named an Associated Press second-team all-American and first team all-Atlantic Coast Conference after his junior season. During his college career, Vince gained fame for his slam dunks and explosive athletic moves. His exploits in college were so impressive that on December 8, 2000, his jersey was hung in the rafters of Dean Smith Athletic Center in Chapel Hill, joining the

The Emerging Champion After college, Vince was drafted by the Toronto Raptors, a perpetually underperforming team. On February 5, 1999, in his NBA debut, he scored 16 points and had 3 rebounds in a 103-92 victory over the Boston Celtics. He was the first player in Raptors’ franchise history to be named NBA player of the week. By March, 1999, he was averaging 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. One

Vince Carter illustrating his dunking ability in the 2000 all-star game. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

49

Great Athletes

Vince Carter


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

50 82 75 60 43 73 77 79 82 76

766 1,696 1,656 1,307 760 1,457 1,541 1,518 1,598 1,287

345 788 762 559 355 608 696 653 726 587

.450 .465 .460 .428 .467 .417 .452 .430 .454 .456

268 551 502 307 160 417 460 601 576 429

204 436 384 245 129 336 367 480 462 350

.761 .791 .765 .798 .806 .806 .800 .799 .802 .816

283 476 416 313 188 349 401 462 492 453

149 322 291 239 143 348 327 338 393 389

913 2,107 2,070 1,484 884 1,645 1,886 1,911 2,070 1,622

18.3 25.7 27.6 24.7 20.6 22.5 24.5 24.2 25.2 21.3

Totals

714

13,586

6,221

.448

4,271

3,474

.794

3,906

3,020

16,988

23.8


week later against the Houston Rockets, he scored a game high of 32 points with 6 assists. The “invincible” Vince pushed the Raptors into the playoffs. In his rookie year, he led the team in scoring, at 18.3 points per game; blocked shots, at 1.54 per game; and field-goal percentage, at .450. That year, he led all NBA rookies in scoring and blocked shots; was third in assists and “doubledoubles,” double figures in two major statistical categories; fourth in rebounds; and fifth in steals. He was selected as Schick rookie of the year and was a unanimous selection to the 1998-1999 Schick allrookie first team. In 2000, he won the NBA slam-dunk competition handily. During the same weekend, he also scored 12 points as a starter in the 2000 NBA all-star game. In his second season, he scored more than 50 points in five games and compiled multiple triple-doubles, double figures in three major statistical categories. His first triple-double occurred on April 10, 2000, when he totaled 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Furthermore, in 2000, he was a member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, which swept the competition in Sydney, Australia. Vince’s third season in the NBA was a turning point for both Vince and the Raptors. While raising his scoring average to 27.6 points per game, he led the Raptors back to the playoffs, where the team shocked the New York Knicks in the first round. In the second round, Toronto faced the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, led by league most valuable player Allen Iverson. Vince’s detractors were silenced in the second 50

round, as Vince and Iverson scored at will in what became one of the marquee matches of the playoffs. After the Raptors stole a first-game victory on Philadelphia’s home court, the 76ers stormed back in game two, led by Iverson’s 54-points. In game three, Vince countered by scoring 50 points and tied an NBA record with nine 3-point baskets to lead the Raptors to a surprising 24-point victory. Two more 76er victories put the Raptors within one loss of elimination, but Vince scored 39 points in the sixth game to tie the series. The final game, however, was a heartbreaking loss for the Raptors. After trailing throughout the game, Toronto rallied under Vince’s leadership, only to lose by a single point as the team’s final shot missed as time ran out. Vince finished the series with an average of 30.4 points per game—one of the top performances of the playoffs. Continuing the Story On the eve of his last playoff game of the 2000-2001 season, Vince captured national headlines for chartering a jet to attend his graduation at the University of North Carolina. When he left college to enter the NBA three years earlier, he had promised his mother he would complete his degree; he fulfilled that promise. Some observers criticized him for mixing up his priorities, suggesting that he needed to stay focused on basketball. Others feared that an unexpected mishap—such as bad weather—might cause him to be late for the decisive game with the 76ers. However, calmer observers countered that Vince did have his priorities right, and that his actions were a demonstration of

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1995 McDonald’s High School All-American 1997-98 NCAA Basketball Tournament All-East Regional Team 1998-99 Associated Press All-American Second Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team 1999 Schick NBA Rookie of the Year Schick NBA All-Rookie First Team 2000 Uniform number 15 retired by University of North Carolina All-NBA Third Team NBA Slam Dunk champion Gold medal, Olympic basketball 2000-07 NBA All-Star Team 2001 All-NBA Second Team

Vince Carter New Jersey into the playoffs. Vince played exceptionally well all three playoffs, averaging 25.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in twentyseven games. The 2007-2008 season was disastrous for New Jersey. Vince suffered an early-season injury, and the Nets traded Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets finished with a 34-48 record. Despite playing most of the season with an ankle injury, Vince had another fine year, averaging 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. After the season, Vince had surgery on his ankle. Vince’s numbers went down slightly during the 2008-2009 season, but he played in eighty games, and the Nets again finished 34-48.

2007 Statue unveiled at Mainland High School

the importance of education. In the end, Vince attended his graduation and returned to Philadelphia five and one-half hours before the playoff game began. In 2001-2002 and 2002-2003, Vince suffered through injuries. In 2002, Toronto earned the last playoff spot but, without Vince, fell to the Detroit Pistons in the first round. In 2002-2003, the Raptors won only twenty-four games. That season, Vince was voted to his fourth consecutive all-star game, but he gave up his starting spot to allow Michael Jordan to make his final start as an all-star. Vince was at his best early in the 2003-2004 campaign, particularly in his ability to control close games in the fourth quarter. He received more allstar votes than anyone else in the league for the fourth time in his career. After Vince suffered an ankle injury in February, the Raptors played miserably and failed to make the playoffs. In the offseason, Vince was traded to the New Jersey Nets. The next three seasons, Vince and Jason Kidd led

Summary Vince Carter became one of the best and most spectacular players in the NBA during his era. He was not only a great athlete but also a caring citizen. In 1998, Vince founded the Embassy of Hope Foundation to assist needy children and also donated substantial time and money to his former school, Mainland High School. On February 3, 2007, a statue of Vince was unveiled at Mainland. Culley C. Carson, updated by Jerome L. Neapolitan Additional Sources Carter, Vince. Vince Carter: Slam Dunk Artist. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2004. Harris, Bill. Vince Carter: The Air Apparent. Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2000. Stewart, Mark. Vince Carter: The Fire Burns Bright. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 2001. Taylor, Phil, and David Sabino. “Fresh Vince.” Sports Illustrated 92 (February 28, 2000): 36-43. Winderman, Ira. “The Six Habits of the Highly Effective Vince Carter.” The Sporting News 224 (January 24, 2000): 10-16.

51

Sam Cassell Born: November 18, 1969 Baltimore, Maryland Also known as: Samuel James Cassell (full name); Sudden Sam; Sam I Am Early Life Samuel James Cassell was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was graduated from Dunbar High School and became a legend—in his own words—in playground basketball. He began his college education at San Jacinto College in Texas, but after two years there, he transferred to Florida State University in Tallahassee. At Florida State, he played point guard and averaged more than 18 points, almost 5 assists, and more than 4 rebounds per game. The Road to Excellence In the 1993 NBA draft, the Houston Rockets made Sam the twenty-fourth overall pick in the first round. Professional success came quickly to Sam. Thanks to his uncanny ability to hit a high percentage of midrange jump shots, he became Houston’s valuable sixth man during his first season on the

team. Teamed with future Hall of Fame players Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Sam brought instant offense off the bench, along with fresh energy. He became nicknamed Sudden Sam for his ability to score points quickly. Sam also brought a nonstop commentary to the floor and became known as one of the great outgoing personalities in the game. During games, he spoke to everyone within earshot: his teammates, opposing players, referees, even himself. His constant chatter helped motivate both him and his teammates and got under the skin of opposing players and coaches. During his time under Coach Rudy Tomjanovich at Houston, he played an important role in the Rockets’ back-to-back NBA Championships during the 1993-1994 and 19941995 seasons. In 1996, Sam’s run with the Rockets ended. His fourth season found him bouncing from the Rockets to the Phoenix Suns in a trade that brought Charles Barkley to Houston. Then, after playing fewer than twenty-five games for the Suns, Sam was traded again, this time to the Dallas Mavericks. His stay with that team was also short-lived; he played


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

66 82 61 61 75 8 81 76 74 78 81 59 78 58 55

162 253 289 337 510 39 545 537 554 546 620 319 493 261 233

.418 .427 .439 .430 .441 .419 .466 .474 .463 .470 .488 .464 .443 .455 .438

90 214 235 212 436 47 390 277 282 385 289 134 289 160 127

.841 .843 .825 .844 .860 .940 .876 .858 .860 .861 .873 .865 .863 .891 .882

134 211 188 182 228 15 301 290 312 342 271 157 287 167 136

192 405 278 305 603 36 729 580 493 450 592 301 491 270 214

440 783 886 967 1,471 127 1,506 1,381 1,461 1,536 1,603 799 1,345 714 616

6.7 9.5 14.5 15.9 19.6 15.9 18.6 18.2 19.7 19.7 19.8 13.5 17.2 12.8 11.2

Totals

993

5,698

.454

3,567

.861

3,221

5,939

15,635

15.7


52

Basketball

Sam Cassell

fewer than twenty games for the Mav2005-2006 season, Sam proved that Career Highs ericks. In 1997, he became the starthe could elevate any team on which Points, 40 ing point guard for the New Jersey he played by leading the long-sufferAssists, 19 Nets. ing Clippers to the Western ConferRebounds, 11 Sam was criticized for not working ence semifinals. Steals, 6 hard enough in practices, having limDuring the 2007-2008 season, Sam ited defensive skills, and playing selfaccepted a buyout from the Clippers, ishly on offense. In reality, Sam was usually among and he was waived by the team. His release freed the league leaders in steals, and his midrange shoothim to sign with any team he wished. Several teams ing percentage was excellent. Never a driving, slashshowed an interest, but he accepted the offer of the ing player and seldom a ball dunker, he was an outBoston Celtics, which his former teammates Garstanding midrange jump shooter—a type of player nett and Allen had also recently joined. By signing in short supply in the NBA. However, he did admit Sam, the Celtics hoped that his scoring bursts, leadthat he saw little to gain from running the same ership, and playoff experience would provide a plays repeatedly in practice sessions. spark to help propel the Celtics to the NBA Finals for the first time in two decades. Although Sam was The Emerging Champion reduced to a role player behind the Celtics’ young Although Sam had already played on two champipoint guard Rajan Rondo, his presence and timely onship teams, his court skills were yet to peak. His scoring helped the team reach the 2008 finals best statistical years were still ahead of him. A pivagainst the Los Angeles Lakers, and he collected otal trade during the 1998-1999 season had Sam his third championship ring. The following season, join Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson on the Milwauthe Celtics did not use Sam. In early 2009, they kee Bucks. There, he found a home for four seatraded him to the Sacramento Kings, who quickly sons under Coach George Karl. In his last seasons released him. with the team, he was paired in the backcourt with Gary Payton—another point guard. This was a rare Summary combination, as few NBA teams put two point Although not a high draft choice or a franchise guards on the floor at the same time. However, Sam player, Sam Cassell had a fifteen-year career with and Payton’s games complemented each other. Toeight NBA teams and was an important member of gether, they almost led the Bucks to the championthree championship teams. Throughout all those ship series in 2001, only to be eliminated in game seasons, except the first and last, he was a starting seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. point guard, and he improved the fortunes of evAfter narrowly missing his third trip to the NBA ery team for which he played. His perpetual grin Finals, Sam was more determined than ever to eleand bubbling personality made him a fan favorite vate his game. However, the Bucks traded him to the everywhere he played and reflected his deep love Minnesota Timberwolves in 2003. There he joined of the game. with center Kevin Garnett and forward Latrell SpreRandy L. Abbott well to form a high-performing scoring triangle. Sam had his best season in 2003-2004, when he was Additional Sources named to the all-star game squad for the first and Howard, Johnette. “Sam I Am.” Sports Illustrated 83, only time. During this same year, he helped the no. 21 (November 13, 1995): 82. Timberwolves reach the Western Conference FiMcCallum, Jack. “Mighty Mouth.” Sports Illustrated nals for the first time in the team’s history. 100, no. 3 (January 26, 2004): 54-57. MacMullen, Jackie. “Sam’s Jam.” Sports Illustrated Continuing the Story 99, no. 10 (March 8, 1999): 92. After three seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves Ryan, Jeff. “Raggedy Sam.” The Sporting News 224, traded Sam to the Los Angeles Clippers. In the no. 9 (February 28, 2000): 10.

53

Tamika Catchings Born: July 21, 1979 Stratford, New Jersey Also known as: Tamika Devonne Catchings (full name); Mika; Catch

wear a hearing aid as a young girl; she worked hard to overcome her impediment. The Catchings siblings participated in a variety of sports, including volleyball, soccer, baseball, and tennis.

Early Life Tamika Catchings was born on July 21, 1979, in Stratford, New Jersey, to Har vey and Wanda Catchings. Her father played in the NBA for eleven years. She has a brother, Kenyon, and sister, Tajua. She was born with a hearing disability and had to

The Road to Excellence By the time Tamika was in seventh grade, she knew that she wanted to play professional basketball. She chose to wear uniform number 24 because it was the numerical inversion of her father’s, which was 42. She played basketball for two years at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Tamika was shy and often felt different from her classmates because of her hearing disability, but she found confidence by playing basketball. She was even known to be a flashy player. Tamika and her older sister Tajua played on the same team in high school. They played together until 1995, when Tamika moved to Texas with her mother, and Tajua stayed in Illinois with their father. Tamika was named Miss Illinois Basketball in 1995. In Duncanville, Texas, Tamika, playing as a guard and a forward, averaged 23.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 4.3 steals per game—making her a top college prospect. Tamika was also a straight-A student. She was a top-ten finalist for the Dial Award, an honor given to top scholastic athletes in the country. She was recruited by more than 140 colleges.

Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever dribbling to the basket in the 2008 WNBA playoffs. (NBAE/Getty Images)

54

The Emerging Champion Tamika considered joining her sister at the University of Illinois because of the close bond the two shared. Eventually she chose to attend the University of Tennessee, her first choice since junior high

Basketball

Tamika Catchings

school. There, she teamed with two more of the top-five high-school prospects in a well-established women’s program led by Coach Pat Summitt. The summer between high school and college, Tamika won a gold medal on the U.S. junior women’s basketball team. At Tennessee, Tamika was an all-around player. She could pass, shoot, and rebound. She joined Chamique Holdsclaw and Semeka Randall, and the trio became known as “The Three Meeks.” Tamika broke the freshman scoring record with more than 600 points. The Lady Volunteers went on to win the national championship that year, with Tamika averaging 18 points per game. In 2000, Tamika suffered a moderate to severe ankle sprain, but she refused to let that stop her from playing. Three days following the injury, Tamika was back on the court. That year, she won the nation’s top honor, the Naismith Award, and was designated the Associated Press’s top women’s player. In January of 2001, Tamika tore her knee ligament and was forced to sit out the rest of the season, which ended her college basketball career. Not only was she a star on the court, but also she excelled in academics. She graduated with honors a semester early. Even though she was still recovering from her injury, Tamika was selected third in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft by the Indiana Fever. Continuing the Story Tamika made her professional debut in the 2002 season. She quickly became a leading player for the Fever, with more than 20 points in many of her games. She was soon discussed as a top candidate for WBNA rookie of the year, which she later re-

Honors and Awards 2002 2002-07 2004 2005, 2006 2006

WNBA Rookie of the Year WNBA All-Star Team Gold medal, Olympic Basketball WNBA Defensive Player of the Year WNBA All-Decade Team

ceived. She also made the U.S. women’s national team and played summer basketball in the Women’s Korean Basketball League. For Tamika, the year 2004 was special. Not only did she lead the Fever in points scored, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, but also she became the first Fever player to score 1,000 points. She was the two-time WNBA defensive player of the year, in 2005 and 2006, and one of twelve women chosen for the U.S. Women’s Olympic team in 2004. The team won the gold medal. Furthermore, Tamika was considered a star off the court for her community involvement. She founded the Catch the Stars Foundation, which works with at-risk youth in the Indianapolis area to provide academic and sports-related programs. She wanted children never to give up on their dreams and goals by helping them realize that with hard work they could achieve their objectives. Tamika participated in the National Basketball/ WNBA “Read to Achieve” program. For the 2003 season, Tamika purchased a block of tickets that she donated to local children and the section became known as “Catchings’ Corner.” She was a three-time winner of the WNBA Community Assist Award, which honored her involvement in her community, and was a finalist for the John Wooden Citizenship Cup Award.

WNBA Statistics Season

GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

32 34 34 34 32 21 25

439 512 468 410 398 259 258

184 221 180 157 162 108 101

.419 .432 .385 .383 .407 .417 .391

184 183 178 193 204 133 115

150 155 152 152 165 109 92

.815 .847 .854 .788 .809 .820 .800

276 272 249 264 240 189 157

118 114 115 143 119 98 83

594 671 568 501 521 348 332

18.6 19.7 16.7 14.7 16.3 16.6 13.3

Totals

212

2,744

1,113

.406

1,190

975

.819

1,647

790

3,535

16.7


55

Tamika Catchings Summary Tamika Catchings is a success on and off the basketball court. She continues to lead her Indiana Fever team to the playoffs and has been a WNBA all-star every year she has played in the league. In 2006, Tamika was chosen as a member of the all-decade team. Her passion and sheer determination makes her a great player and person. She also served as president of the WNBA Players Association and became a mainstay on the USA senior national team. In 2007, she received the Major Taylor Award, which recognizes African Americans in sport who encourage excellence among future generations. Tamika inspired many as she overcame a hearing

56

Great Athletes disability to become one of the greatest basketball players in the world. She also recognized her status as a role model and continued to help children achieve their own goals. Deborah Stroman Additional Sources Buren, Jodi, Donna Lopiano, and Billie Jean King. Superwomen: One Hundred Women, One Hundred Sports. New York: Bulfinch, 2004. Catchings, Tamika, et al. My Favorite Moves: Making the Big Plays. Terre Haute, Ind.: Wish, 2003. Smith, Michelle. Megastars. New York: Scholastic, 2003.

Wilt Chamberlain Born: August 21, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died: October 12, 1999 Bel-Air, California Also known as: Wilton Norman Chamberlain (full name); Big Dipper; Wilt the Stilt Early Life Wilt Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of nine children of William and Olivia Chamberlain. His father was a handyman and his mother, a domestic worker. Wilt soon dwarfed his 5-foot 8-inch father and reached the height of 6 feet 10 inches by the age of fifteen. Even at that early age, he attracted considerable attention when he played basketball in junior high school. At Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School, Wilt averaged 36.3 points per game over a three-year period. He also played during the summers at a resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York and competed in track and field events. In high school, he scored 2,252 points in three years, including 90 points in one game. Overbrook was 58-3 and won two city championships. After his senior year, Wilt was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA. The Road to Excellence When Wilt graduated from high school, he received more than two hundred scholarship offers from colleges. He finally settled on the University of Kansas, under the legendary coach Forrest C. “Phog” Allen. Wilt participated in track as well as in basketball. As a sophomore at Kansas, Wilt opened his collegiate career on December 3, 1956, scoring 52 points against Northwestern. He used his famed one- and two-hand dunk shots as well as short-range right hand fadeaway jumpers. The crowd of more than 17,000 went wild at Allen Fieldhouse.

Wilt earned seven all-American first-team berths as a sophomore. However, Kansas lost to the University of North Carolina, led by Lennie Rosenbluth, in a triple-overtime game, 53-52, for the 1957 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship, played at Kansas City, Missouri. Wilt played at Kansas through his junior year, when he signed for a year with the Harlem Globetrotters. He also won the Big Eight Conference outdoor high-jump crown at 6 feet 5 inches, and tied for first place at the Drake Relays with a jump of 6 feet 61⁄2 inches in the spring of 1957. Wilt was the most dominant player in college basketball history. He was dubbed “Wilt the Stilt,” a

Center Wilt Chamberlain as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. (Library of Congress)

57

Great Athletes

Wilt Chamberlain


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73

72 79 80 80 80 73 79 81 82 81 12 82 82 82

1,065 1,251 1,597 1,463 1,204 1,063 1,074 785 819 641 129 668 496 426

.461 .509 .505 .528 .524 .510 .540 .683 .595 .583 .568 .545 .649 .727

577 531 835 660 540 408 501 386 354 382 70 360 221 232

.582 .504 .613 .593 .531 .464 .513 .441 .380 .466 .446 .538 .422 .510

1,941 2,149 2,052 1,946 1,787 1,673 1,943 1,957 1,952 1,712 221 1,493 1,572 1,526

168 148 192 275 403 250 414 630 702 366 49 352 329 365

2,707 3,033 4,029 3,586 2,948 2,534 2,649 1,956 1,992 1,664 328 1,696 1,213 1,084

37.6 38.4 50.4 44.8 36.9 34.7 33.5 24.1 24.3 20.5 27.3 20.7 14.8 13.2

Totals

1,045

12,681

.540

6,057

.511

23,924

4,643

31,419

30.1


name he disliked; he preferred the nickname “The Big Dipper.” His presence changed the sport, and several rule changes were made in order to contain his overwhelming abilities. The Emerging Champion Wilt signed with the Philadelphia Warriors and played his first year in the NBA in 1960, a year in which he was named both rookie of the year and most valuable player. He possessed amazing power, coordination, and stamina, and an unexpected grace that once led Red Auerbach, the Boston Celtics coach, to comment that the first time he saw Wilt he “just stood and watched him walk. Just watched him walk. It was incredible.” On March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Wilt scored 100 points in an NBA game against the New York Knicks. Wilt’s mark remains an almost unbelievable achievement for a single player. In his 100-point game, Wilt also had 25 rebounds, and his league-leading average that season was 25.7. In the category of scoring, Wilt reached a level that has never been approached. In the 1961-1962 season, he averaged 50.4 points per game. His dominance of the game during a career that lasted from 1959 through 1973 can best be understood by these statistics: Up to the end of Wilt’s career, there were seven 70-point-plus performances, and Wilt had six of them. Elgin Baylor had the other, a 71-point performance. Of the forty-one 60-point-plus performances, thirty-two were achieved by Wilt and nine 58

by others. Since Wilt retired, the highest singlegame point total was 81, achieved by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant in 2006. Continuing the Story Basketball styles and times have changed, but Wilt’s dominance of the game is apparent when his statistics are compared with those of his contemporaries. When one player accounts for more than 75 percent of all of the highest-scoring performances in thirty-three years, his accomplishments cannot be described as anything other than awesome. Before he retired, Wilt scored 31,419 points and grabbed 23,924 rebounds, both NBA career records at the time. Meanwhile, in 1972, Wilt led the Los Angeles Lakers to the franchise’s first NBA Championship since its move from Minneapolis, Minnesota. A year later, he left the Lakers and coached the San Diego Conquistadores of the American Basketball Association (ABA)—a move that triggered a lengthy contract dispute. After leaving the NBA in 1972, Wilt pursued a number of different interests. He played professional volleyball and sponsored a women’s track team. In later years, the Cleveland Cavaliers publicly confirmed attempting to lure Wilt out of retirement. In 1978, rumors circulated that Wilt was considering signing to play with the Chicago Bulls, and he reportedly also held discussions with the Phoenix Suns. In the late 1970’s, he even seriously

Basketball considered challenging Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight boxing championship but later abandoned the idea. He made many television commercials and played a role in the 1984 film Conan the Destroyer. Wilt wrote a number of books, including A View from Above (1992) and Who’s Running the Asylum: The Insane World of Sports Today (1998). His writings range from recollections of his playing career to his opinions on sports, politics, and social issues in the 1990’s. Large portions of the proceeds from the sale of his books were donated to Operation Smile to help provide health care for needy children. For many years, he sponsored the Wilt Chamberlain Rising Star Shootout Tournament in Florida to provide an environment where young basketball players could compete and showcase their skills. Wilt made a fortune in the restaurant business, designed homes, owned racehorses, sponsored youth track and volleyball teams, and developed land in countries all over the world. In February, 1979, Wilt was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named as one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. He died of heart failure on October 12, 1999, at his home in Bel-Air, California. Summary Wilt Chamberlain’s achievements on the basketball court are legendary and border on mythical. Many NBA players, coaches, and experts say that Wilt was the strongest man and best athlete ever to play the game. His ferocious battles with Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics are engraved in NBA history. Wilt singularly dominated the game like no other NBA player ever had. He was particularly proud of the fact that he was the only nonguard to win an NBA assist title (1967-1968). When Wilt announced his retirement in 1972, Bob Cousy was reported to have remarked with relief that the NBA could “go back to playing basketball.” Arthur F. McClure

Wilt Chamberlain Additional Sources Chamberlain, Wilt. A View from Above. New York: Dutton Books, 1992. Cherry, Robert Allen. Wilt: Larger than Life. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2004. Goudsouzian, Aram. “Can Basketball Survive Chamberlain? The Kansas Years of Wilt the Stilt.” Kansas History 28, no. 3 (Autumn, 2005). Lynch, Wayne. Season of the 76ers: The Story of Wilt Chamberlain and the 1967 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers. New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press, 2002. Platt, Jim, and James Buckley. Sports Immortals: Stories of Inspiration and Achievement. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2002. Pomerantz, Gary M. Wilt, 1962: The Night of One Hundred Points and the Dawn of a New Era. New York: Crown, 2005. Taylor, John. The Rivalry: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and the Golden Age of Basketball. New York: Random House, 2005. Wahl, Grant. “Wilt’s World.” Sports Illustrated 99, no. 18 (November 10, 2003): 41.

NBA Records Most rebounds, 23,924 Highest average in rebounds per game, 22.9 Most points in a season, 4,029 Highest scoring average in a season, 50.4 Most rebounds in a season, 2,149 Highest single-season average in rebounds per game, 27.2 (1960-61) Highest field goal percentage in a season, .727 Most points in a game, 100 (1962) Most field goals in a game, 36 (1962) Most free throws made in a game, 28 (1962) Most rebounds in a game, 55 (1960)

Honors and Awards 1957 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player NCAA All-Tournament Team 1957-58 Consensus All-American 1960 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1960-68, 1972 All-NBA Team 1960-69, 1971-73 NBA All-Star Team 1960, 1966-68 NBA most valuable player 1972 NBA Finals most valuable player 1972-73 NBA All-Defensive Team 1978 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time Uniform number 13 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

59

Cynthia Cooper Born: April 14, 1963 Chicago, Illinois Also known as: Cynthia Lynne Cooper (full name); Cynthia Cooper-Dyke Early Life Cynthia Lynne Cooper grew up in a big family, with three brothers and four sisters. She was the middle child. Her mother, Mary Cobb, taught her children the importance of hard work and trusting in the Lord. Her mother raised eight children by herself, working for the rapid transit department in Los Angeles. The family had moved from Chicago when Cynthia was about one year old. For a number of years, they lived in the area known as Watts. Cynthia faced tough times living in that area, and she desired to get out of the neighborhood someday.

The Road to Excellence While attending Gompers Junior High School, Cynthia had her first introduction to basketball while watching others practice. She persuaded one of the high school coaches, Lucias Franklin, to teach her how to play the summer before she entered Locke High School. As a result, Cynthia made the varsity team her first year in high school. In addition to developing as a basketball star, she also ran track, devoting her energies to the 400 meters. During her senior year the Locke Saints won the California AAAA state championship. Cynthia was named the league’s most valuable player (MVP) and Los Angeles player of the year in 1981.

The Emerging Champion Cynthia attended the University of Southern California (USC), graduating as a physical education major in 1986. While at college she helped the USC Lady Trojans to three Final Four competitions and to national championships in 1983 and 1984. After the victory in 1983, Cynthia and her teammates received an invitation to the White House to meet President Ronald Reagan. In 1985, Cynthia’s basketball career took a backseat to family obligations when she dropped out of school to work for a bank in Inglewood, California. After spending a season away from the game, Cynthia began playing pickup games and joined a local touring team that played in Mexico. From this experience came an offer to play professionally in Austria. Instead, Cynthia reenrolled in college to finish her senior year and graduate. While at USC Cynthia never really had the chance to shine; She played in the backcourt and was overshadowed by stars like Cheryl Miller. She never was named to an all-American team, but she did make the all-Pac-10 Conference team in 19851986. When she graduated, her choices Cynthia Cooper of the Houston Comets in 2003. (Bill Baptist/NBAE/ Getty Images) for continuing her basketball career were 60

Basketball

Cynthia Cooper


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1997 1998 1999 2000 2003

28 30 31 31 4

406 455 458 392 38

191 203 212 180 16

.470 .446 .463 .459 .421

199 246 229 168 28

172 210 204 147 25

.864 .854 .891 .875 .893

111 110 87 85 10

131 131 162 156 22

621 680 686 550 64

22.2 22.7 22.1 17.7 16.0

Totals

124

1,749

802

.459

870

758

.871

403

602

2,601

21.0


fairly limited and outside the United States. In 1986 and 1987, she played in Segovia, Spain, followed by more than a decade of playing in both Parma and Alcamo, Italy. While in Italy, Cynthia was named rookie of the year and player of the year in 1987. Cynthia played in the Goodwill Games in 1986 and 1990 and the Pan-American Games in 1987, when her team won the gold medal. In addition, she played in the 1986 FIBA Women’s World Championship with the U.S. national team. She also had the joy of representing her country in the Olympics in 1988, 1992, and 2000, winning three medals: two gold and one bronze. She was not asked to play in 1996, when the call seemed to go to younger, better known players. Continuing the Story In 1997, Cynthia finally had the chance to play professionally in the United States following the creation of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). In 1997, she joined the Houston Comets, and the team won WNBA Championships in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Cynthia was named MVP in each of those four series. She was selected to the all-WNBA first team for four consecutive years and was a Western Conference all-star in 1997

Honors, Awards, and Milestones 1987 1988, 2000 1992 1996 1997-98 1997-2000

Most valuable player, European All-Star Game Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball Leading scorer (37.5 ppg) in European Cup WNBA Most Valuable Award Most valuable player of the WNBA Championship All-WNBA First Team 1998 First WNBA player to top 1,000 career points 1999-2000 All-Star Team

and 1998. She led the league in scoring from 1997 to 1999. Finally, Cynthia was a star in her own country. In 1997-1998, she won the ESPY Award for female basketball player of the year. That same year, she was second in the voting to soccer star Mia Hamm for the woman athlete of the year award. Cynthia also won an Arete Award for courage in sports in 1998. In 1999, Cynthia wrote a book about her basketball journey, She Got Game. In this book Cynthia talked about her life from humble beginnings in Watts to her later stardom in the WNBA. She also discussed her family and the people in her life who helped and inspired her to become the best she could be. In December, 2000, Cynthia was named the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, replacing Cheryl Miller. Having married sports agent Brian Dyke earlier in 2000, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke returned briefly to the WNBA in 2003, hoping to recapture her past glory on the court. At the age of forty and after two years out of the league, she received a loud ovation during player introductions her first night, and she scored eleven points and had seven assists in her first game back, reunited with teammate Sheryl Swoopes and the Comets. Her comeback was short-lived, however, as she retired from the league in 2004. In 2005, Cynthia was named the women’s basketball coach at Prairie View A&M University, a small school in Texas primarily known for a losing sports program. The football team had an eightygame losing streak and the men’s basketball team finished 0-28 in one season during the 1990’s. Cynthia, a noted disciplinarian who approached the game with a fierce intensity, made an immediate impact on her new team, leading the Panthers to the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament title and the school’s first women’s National 61

Cynthia Cooper Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament bid. However, success came with a high price for Cynthia, who was penalized by the NCAA for rules violations in 2008. Prairie View was placed on probation for four years, scholarships were cut, and practice hours were curtailed. Violations committed by Cynthia ranged from giving small amounts of money to players, holding unauthorized practices, and giving away free Comets game tickets to her players. School officials at Prairie View accounted for the violations, citing inexperience on the part of coaches and other athletic staff. Summary Cynthia Cooper retired from professional basketball competition at the end of the 2004 season, having won four consecutive WNBA Championships with the Houston Comets from 1997 to 2000. She left behind much more than that legacy, however. She played basketball with high intensity. The only retired player to be named to the WNBA’s first alldecade team, Cynthia averaged 21 points in 124 games over five seasons. She considered herself a

62

Great Athletes role model for others, showing them what was possible with hard work. She used her time in the WNBA to become a positive example for others from the inner city and beyond. Cynthia also became a spokesperson for breast cancer awareness and research both on and off the court, wearing a pink ribbon on her uniform as a constant reminder of the disease that killed her mother in 1999. Leslie Heaphy, updated by Randy L. Abbott Additional Sources Berkow, Ira. “Cooper Leaving Behind a Legacy of Greatness.” The New York Times, August 28, 2000, p. D4. Cooper, Cynthia. She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey. New York: Warner Books, 2000. Deitsch, Richard, Richard O’Brien, and Mark Bechtel. “Q and A: Cynthia Cooper.” Sports Illustrated 98, no. 22 (June 2, 2003): 31-33. Ponti, James. WNBA: Stars of Women’s Basketball. New York: Pocket Books, 1999. Rutledge, Rachel. The Best of the Best in Basketball. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 1998.

Michael Cooper Born: April 15, 1956 Los Angeles, California Also known as: Michael Jerome Cooper (full name); Coop Early Life Michael Jerome Cooper was born April 15, 1956. Basketball was Michael’s sport of choice at an early age. However, he had to overcome several challenges to eventually excel at the sport. At less than 6 feet and undersized for his position, he was cut from his high school basketball team in Pasadena, California, his freshman and sophomore years. After a growth spurt late in his junior year, Michael excelled at the sport and was integral in his team’s 1973 league championship. However, after finishing his senior season, national collegiate powerhouses were not knocking on “Coop’s” door.

chael played sparingly in his first year, competing in only three games in the season. However, in 1979 Michael emerged as a solid, hybrid guard/forward. Michael finished his sophomore NBA season with 722 points, 229 rebounds, and 221 assists and shot more than 52 percent from the field. The addition of the three-point basket to the NBA in the 1979-1980 season was critical in Michael’s later success with the Lakers. In 1979, the selection of 6-foot 9-inch guard Magic Johnson from Michigan State University increased Michael’s statistics profoundly.

The Road to Excellence Michael chose little-known Pasadena City College to further his studies and keep busy with basketball. After two productive years at Pasadena, Michael transferred to the University of New Mexico, home of the Lobos. Quickly his contributions to the team were recognized. After a few unsuccessful seasons, the Lobos won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 1977-1978 thanks to Michael and a talented team. After averaging more than 16 points per game, Michael finished the season as an all-WAC first team addition. His well-rounded ability to score, rebound, and play solid defense was recognized in the 1978 NBA draft. The 5-foot 10inch adolescent who was twice cut from his high school basketball team had grown to 6 feet 7 inches and could play both guard and forward in the National Basketball Association. The Emerging Champion In 1978, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Michael in the third round, sixtieth overall. Mi-

Michael Cooper completing an uncontested layup. (Bill Baptist/ NBAE/Getty Images)

63

Great Athletes

Michael Cooper


GP 3 81 81 76 82 82 82 82 82 61 80 80 872

FGM 3 303 321 383 266 273 276 274 322 189 213 191 3,014

FG% .500 .524 .491 .517 .535 .497 .465 .452 .438 392 .431 .387 .469

FTM 0 111 117 139 102 155 115 147 126 97 81 83 1,273

FT% .000 .776 .785 .813 .785 .838 .865 .865 .851 .858 .871 .883 .883

Reb. 0 229 336 269 274 262 255 244 254 228 191 227 2,769

Ast. 0 221 332 230 315 482 429 466 373 289 314 215 3,666

TP 6 722 763 907 639 739 702 758 859 532 587 515 7,729

PPG 2.0 8.9 9.4 11.9 7.8 9.0 8.6 9.2 10.5 8.7 7.3 6.4 8.9


The Lakers had evolved from an undersized perimeter team, dependent upon the interior big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to a dominant perimeter team that could outhustle, outrun, outshoot, and outrebound many of its foes. This fast-paced, electric style of offense earned the Lakers the nickname “Showtime.” Michael’s production as a shooter, especially in important playoff games, earned “Coop” the respect of the players and, especially, the fans. During the 1980’s, whenever Michael touched the ball, Lakers fans chanted “Coooooop.” From 1978 to 1990, Michael played twelve seasons for the Lakers and helped lead the club to five NBA Championships, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988. He was part of a Lakers dynasty that included Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Byron Scott, and James Worthy. Although he was noted for defensive abilities and won the NBA defensive player of the year award in 1987, his popularity among Lakers fans was earned through playoff production. For a man who averaged fewer than 9 points a game for his career, his 39.2 percent average from three-point range in the playoffs was notable. Michael was known not only for his defen-

Honors and Awards 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987-88 1981, 1983, 1986 1982, 1984-85, 1987-88 1986 1987 2000

64

NBA Championship NBA All-Defensive Second Team NBA All-Defensive First Team J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award NBA Defensive Player of the Year WNBA Coach of the Year

sive abilities but also his ability to hit the big shot. He ranked among the club’s best in assists, rebounds, steals, and three-point field goals upon his retirement in 1990. Continuing the Story Michael’s legacy is as a solid role player with one of the NBA’s most dominant dynasties of all time. However, Michael’s story goes beyond the NBA and the “Showtime” era of the Los Angeles Lakers. Michael quickly remerged on the basketball scene after retirement and was introduced as an assistant coach for the Lakers in 1994. He held this job under two coaches and until 1997. After leaving the game for a year, Michael reemerged as a coach in the recently formed Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Michael began as an assistant coach. As head coach, he led his hometown Los Angeles Sparks to WNBA Championships in 2001 and 2002. “Coop” coached the Sparks until the 2004 season when he reentered the NBA arena as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets. One fourth of the way into the 2004 season, the Nuggets fired its head coach Jeff Bzdelik, and Michael was named interim coach. The Nuggets replaced Michael at the end of the 2004 season, and Michael resurfaced in the National Basketball Association Developmental League (NBADL), a minor-league affiliate of the NBA, coaching the Albuquerque Thunderbirds to a championship in 2006. At the start of the 2007 season, Michael again found himself in Los Angeles. After a successful playing campaign with the

Basketball Lakers, and coaching stints with the Lakers and Sparks, he accepted the head coaching position of the Sparks once again. Summary Michael Cooper’s contribution to basketball is appreciated in many ways. His hard work and determination at an early age encouraged many aspiring players to never quit on their dreams. Michael was a champion at every level of competition. Beginning with his 1973 high school championship and continuing with his WAC Championship at New Mexico, five NBA Championships, two WNBA Championships as the coach of the Sparks, and a title in the floundering NBADL in 2006, wherever Michael

Michael Cooper went, championships followed. More important, Michael’s ability to cross gender lines and become a successful coach of a WNBA team opened the door for other past NBA greats, such as Bill Laimbeer, to succeed in the WNBA as a coach. Keith J. Bell Additional Sources Lazenby, Roland. The Show: Inside the Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Riley, Pat. The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players. New York: Putnam’s Sons, 1993. Springer, Steve. The Los Angeles Times Encyclopedia of the Lakers. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Times, 1998.

65

Krešimir ôsi6 Born: November 26, 1948 Zagreb, Croatia, Yugoslavia (now in Croatia) Died: May 25, 1995 Baltimore, Maryland Also known as: Kreso; Kresh Early Life Born in Croatia, Krešimir ôsi6 spent his younger years in Zadar, Yugoslavia, a Croatian city along the Adriatic coast and, at the time, under the influence of communism. Encouraged by his parents, Krešimir developed his athletic skills, particularly in basketball. On November 28, 1964, just two days after turning sixteen, he played his first game for the Zadar Yugoslav team and soon became its key player. In addition to winning games, he believed in entertaining the fans with his basketball skills. He led Zadar to the Yugoslavian championship in 1965, 1967, and 1968. By that time, Krešimir sometimes scored as many as 60 points or more in a game. After leading Yugoslavia to an Olympic silver medal in 1968, Krešimir was recruited to play basketball at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. After arriving at BYU, Krešimir had second thoughts about staying. Not only did he have to cut his long hair, but also he had to adhere to a strict honors code that included no smoking, no alcohol, and no immoral conduct. Krešimir finally decided to accept the challenge and became a BYU Cougar in 1970. The Road to Excellence Since National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules at the time did not allow freshmen to play varsity basketball, the 6-foot 11-inch Krešimir waited until 1971 to become the starting center at BYU. An athletic, versatile big man, Krešimir played equally as well on the perimeter as he did near the basket. He enjoyed playing like a big guard and often dribbled the ball down the floor, threw passes between his legs, and made shots from a distance equal to the modern-day three-point line. He soon became a crowd favorite with Cou66

gars fans. Due to his inspired play, the Marriott Center, where BYU played, was consistently packed to capacity with 22,700 excited fans. Krešimir led BYU to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title and the NCAA Basketball Tournament regional finals in both 1971 and 1972. He was selected as a first-team all-WAC player three times and earned all-American accolades in 1972 and 1973. Krešimir was the first international player to earn all-American honors and was chosen to play in the NCAA East-West all-star game in 1973. During his three-year career at BYU, Krešimir scored 1,512 points, fourth best in the school’s history; had 919 rebounds, second in BYU history; and garnered double figures in points and rebounds in forty-seven games. While at BYU, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which played a significant role throughout the rest of his life. The Emerging Champion Krešimir was selected to play in the NBA three different times. He was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1972 and by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973 and was chosen to fill a roster spot on the Boston Celtics in 1976. He turned down each offer and chose to live in his native Croatia, where he played professional basketball for Zadar, from 1973 to 1975, and for Cibona Zagreb, from 1980 to 1983, for about $250 per week. His basketball career soared as he led Yugoslavia to a second Olympic silver medal in 1976 and the Olympic gold medal in 1980. He served his military commitment in the Yugoslav army between 1976 and 1980. Krešimir earned first-team all-European honors seven different times. In 1970 and 1978, he led his country to FIBA World Championship gold medals; in 1973, 1975, 1977, he guided Yugoslavia to European titles. He was recognized by many as the greatest player in the history of Yugoslav basketball. Krešimir also played for Virtus Bologna and led the team to Italian National championships in 1979 and 1980 and a third-place finish in the European Cup of Champions in 1980. In addition to basketball, Krešimir devoted a

Krešimir ôsi6

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1967, 1974 1968, 1976 1969, 1971, 1981 1970, 1978 1973, 1975, 1977 1979 1980 1993 1994 1996

Silver medal, World Championships Silver medal, Olympic Basketball Silver medal, European Championships Gold medal, World Championships Gold medal, European Championships Bronze medal, European Championships Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Freedom Award FIBA Order of Merit Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2006 Uniform number retired by Brigham Young University 2007 Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame

great deal of his time to his wife and two daughters and to building up The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his native country. He was responsible for translating the Book of Mormon and other church materials into the Croatian language. Due to his zealous missionary spirit, he helped convert many fellow Croatians to the Mormon religion. He became a hero on and off of the basketball court. Continuing the Story After his successful playing career, Krešimir accepted the opportunity to coach the Yugoslav national team. He coached it to third place in the 1986 FIBA World Championship and the 1987 European Championship and to a silver medal in the 1988 Olympics. He was a mentor and coach to several of the first Europeans to play in the NBA. In September, 1992, Krešimir was appointed the Croatian deputy ambassador to the United States. He and his family moved to Washington, D.C. Due to his hard work and devotion to his native country

and the principles of democracy and freedom, Krešimir was presented the prestigious Freedom Award in 1993. In 1994, he served as Croatia’s acting ambassador to the United States. That same year, he was awarded the Order of Merit by FIBA for his contributions to basketball. After a bout with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes, Krešimir passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 25, 1995. To honor his contributions as a collegiate player, he was inducted into the Utah Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001, and his jersey, number 11, was retired by BYU on March 4, 2006. Summary As the first foreign player to earn all-American honors in basketball, Krešimir ôsi6 paved the way for other international players to participate in collegiate and professional basketball in the United States. He also became a highly successful professional basketball coach in Yugoslavia and served as a prominent political diplomat to the United States. Due to his national and international accomplishments in basketball and human relations, Krešimir was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 6, 1996, and into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007. Alvin K. Benson Additional Sources Bertin5evi6, Neven. Krešo: The Legend of Krešimir ôsi6. Provo, Utah: BYU Academic, 2005. Perica, Vjekoslav. Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslav States. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2002. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

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Bob Cousy Born: August 9, 1928 New York, New York Also known as: Robert Joseph Cousy (full name); the Cooz; Houdini of the Hardwood Early Life Robert Joseph Cousy was born on August 9, 1928, the only child of immigrant parents who had recently settled in the Upper East Side of Manhattan

Island. Bob spent his early years in an urban ghetto. Like his parents, he spoke French. He did not master the English language until he began attending elementary school in New York City. At the age of twelve, Bob and his parents left the inner city for St. Albans, Queens. Before moving to the suburbs, Bob had demonstrated his athletic abilities in handball and stickball, but he had never played basketball. At Andrew Jackson High School in St. Albans, however, basketball was socially popular, and the varsity players were treated as heroes. At this time, Bob became determined to learn the game.

Bob Cousy, shown here in 1953, guided the Boston Celtics to six championships. (AP/Wide World Photos)

68

The Road to Excellence As a high school freshman, Bob failed to make even the junior varsity team. Although disappointed, he became more determined to develop his inborn basketball skills. His hard work soon paid off. By the time he graduated from high school, Bob was among the most highly recruited basketball players in the country. In selecting a college to attend, Bob had two requirements. To fulfill a promise he had made to his grandmother, the school had to be a Catholic college. To satisfy his own sense of adventure, the school had to be away from home. Bob narrowed his choices to Boston College and Holy Cross. At the persuasion of Ken Haggerty, a high school buddy already playing at the latter school, Bob decided to attend Holy Cross. During Bob’s freshman and sophomore years at Holy Cross, the school’s team, the Crusaders, twice made it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four, defeating Oklahoma for the championship in 1947, and losing to the eventual champions, Kentucky, in 1948. Although pleased with his team’s successes, Bob was frustrated with his lack of playing time. After becoming a starter in his junior year, however, the self-confident Bob began to impress others with his court wizardry. An honorable mention all-Ameri-

Basketball

Bob Cousy


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1969-70

69 66 71 72 71 72 64 65 65 75 76 75 76 7

401 512 464 486 522 440 478 445 484 568 513 462 392 1

.352 .369 .352 .385 .397 .360 .378 .353 .384 .383 .371 .391 .397 .333

276 409 479 411 460 476 363 277 329 319 352 251 219 3

.756 .808 .816 .787 .807 .844 .821 .850 .855 .791 .779 .754 .735 1.000

474 421 449 394 424 492 309 322 359 352 331 261 193 5

341 441 547 518 557 642 478 463 557 715 587 584 515 10

1,078 1,433 1,407 1,383 1,504 1,356 1,319 1,167 1,297 1,455 1,378 1,175 1,003 5

15.6 21.7 19.8 19.2 21.2 18.8 20.6 18.0 20.0 19.4 18.1 15.7 13.2 0.7

Totals

924

6,168

.375

4,624

.803

4,786

6,955

16,960

18.4


can in 1949 and a consensus all-American in 1950, Bob ended his collegiate career in a sensational fashion. Although lacking in size and leaping ability, Bob proved that a good shooter with quickness, exceptional court vision, and a masterful knowledge of the game could compete with the best of the nation’s collegiate stars.

and college, it did not take the court magician long to prove that he could play with the big boys. As the NBA’s rookie of the year in 1951, Bob averaged 15.6 points per game—ninth best in the league— and helped to turn the last-place Celtics into division contenders. Throughout the next decade, Bob dazzled both fans and opponents with his ballhandling and backcourt skills. Early in his career, when the Celtics desperately needed a scorer, Bob proved he could score. A long-distance shooter in the days before the three-point shot, Bob placed among the top three in scoring for four consecutive years, from 1951-1952 to 1954-1955, and became the first player to score 50 points in a playoff game. As a playmaker and backcourt artist, however, Bob achieved his greatest fame. As the NBA’s

The Emerging Champion Although a local favorite in the Boston area, Bob was overlooked in the professional draft by his beloved Boston Celtics, a team whose scouting reports labeled him too small to make it in the NBA. Selected instead by the Tri-Cities Black Hawks, and then promptly traded to the Chicago Stags, Cousy made his way back to Boston when the Stags franchise folded and its players were distributed around the league. Honors, Awards, and Records When the Boston Celtics drew Cousy’s name out of the hat, the 1950 Consensus All-American 1951 NBA Rookie of the Year franchise had some hopes that 1951-63 NBA All-Star Team Cousy’s popularity would bring 1952-63 All-NBA Team additional fans to the Boston 1953 NBA record for the most free throws made in a playoff game (30) (four overtimes) 1954, 1957 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player Garden. At the start of the 19501957 NBA most valuable player 1951 season, however, few basket1970 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ball minds—including Boston’s NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team new coach, Red Auerbach—were 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team optimistic that the 6-foot 1-inch 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time guard could contribute much on ESPN Sports Century top 100 Athletes of the 20th Century Uniform number 14 retired by Boston Celtics the court. In the NBA, as in high school

69

Bob Cousy assist leader for eight consecutive seasons, from 1952-1953 to 1959-1960, Bob, at the time of his retirement, held NBA records for most career assists, 6,955, and most career minutes played, 30,230. While amassing these career statistics, Bob performed a number of amazing basketball stunts that stand among the great moments in NBA history. Once in 1954, with Boston trailing by four points with half a minute remaining, Bob pulled a Celtics victory out of defeat with two steals in the final 30 seconds. On another occasion, in 1960, Bob preserved a dramatic one-point Boston victory by killing the final 23 seconds with a fabulous dribbling exhibition around and between five frustrated New York Knicks. In 1963, Bob ended his playing career in razzle-dazzle style by dribbling off the final seconds to preserve a hard-fought victory in the seventh game of the NBA Finals. This victory marked the fifth consecutive NBA title for the Celtics franchise led by the man known by sport enthusiasts as “Mr. Basketball.” Continuing the Story After retiring as a player, Bob did not leave basketball. In 1963, he became coach of the Boston College team. Over the next six years, Bob took the Eagles to five national tournaments while compiling a record of 117 wins against 38 losses. Upon leaving collegiate coaching, he spent five years as coach of the Cincinnati Royals and the Kansas City Kings in the NBA. In 1973, he coached the United States national team, which successfully avenged the controversial defeat by the Soviet Union in the 1972 Olympics. Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971, Bob was selected to the NBA silver anniversary team, which recognized the ten best players during the NBA’s first quarter century. Also, Bob served as a general goodwill ambassador for the sport. Bob began broadcasting games for the Celtics in

70

Great Athletes 1974. He wrote an acclaimed book on basketball titled Basketball: Concepts and Techniques (1970). He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the United States Congress and served as the commissioner of the American Soccer League from 1974 to 1979. He conducted basketball clinics in Europe and in Asia. In 1980, Bob was selected to the NBA’s thirtyfifth anniversary team. Possessing exceptional peripheral vision, large hands, and extremely sturdy legs, Bob was known as the “Houdini of the Hardwood,” the ultimate point guard. In 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named as one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. Furthermore, Bob provided color commentary on Celtics telecasts and was one of the most respected NBA analysts on television. Summary One of the greatest playmakers of all time, Bob Cousy was selected to every all-star game throughout his thirteen-year career and made the all-NBA first team for ten consecutive years. Bob demonstrated that there was room in basketball for the average-sized player who has the talent and determination to be successful. Terry D. Bilhartz Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. The Boston Collection: The Best Boston Sports Stories from the Pages of SI. Los Angeles: Time, 1998. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Reynolds, Bill. Cousy: His Life, Career, and the Birth of Big-Time Basketball. New York: Pocket Star, 2006. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Dave Cowens Born: October 25, 1948 Newport, Kentucky Also known as: David William Cowens (full name); the Cow

play basketball again. During his senior year, Dave averaged 13 points and 20 rebounds per game, and Newport, boasting a 29-3 record, headed for the state tournament.

Early Life David William Cowens learned basketball early, and by the age of eight he joined his first basketball team. He planned to play for his high school, Newport Catholic High; however, a conflict with his coach during his freshman year caused him to quit. Instead of basketball, the 6-foot 1-inch freshman joined the swimming and track and field teams. By his junior year, Dave was 5 inches taller, and the basketball team had a new head coach. He decided to

The Road to Excellence Many universities actively recruited Dave. Ultimately, he chose Florida State University (FSU). As promised by Coach Hugh Durham, Dave was a starter during his sophomore year. The 6-foot 9inch, red-haired left-hander—a highly energetic, consistent performer and a master playmaker— helped develop FSU’s fast-break offense. After an 11-15 record in Dave’s sophomore year, FSU improved to 18-8 his junior year and 23-3 his senior year. His soft jump shot from the 15- to 20foot range and his driving layup provided Dave with a 19-point average and shooting percentage of 52 percent, for a total of 1,479 career points. Dave ranked eighth in total points for the Seminoles. However, his remarkable 17.2 rebounds per game and aggressive playmaking made Dave unique. He became the Seminole leader in total rebounds and per-game rebounds. To honor his accomplishments, Dave’s number, 13, was retired by FSU. On the recommendation of retiring center Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics sought Dave. He was selected fourth overall in the 1970 NBA draft. Although Dave, at 6 feet 9 inches, lacked Russell’s size as a center, he compensated by nonstop hustle and resourcefulness. His 32 points and 12 rebounds in the preseason Maurice Stokes Benefit Game in August, 1970, earned Dave the title of most valuable player and set the tone for his rapid acceptance by the Celtics.

Dave Cowens. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion During his first year with the Celtics, Dave averaged 17.0 points and 15.4 rebounds, setting a Celtic record second only to that of Bill Russell. He shared rookie of the year honors with Geoff Petrie of the Portland 71

Great Athletes

Dave Cowens


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1982-83

81 79 82 80 65 78 50 77 68 66 40

550 657 740 645 569 611 328 598 488 422 136

.422 .484 .452 .437 .475 .468 .434 .490 .483 .453 .444

273 175 204 228 191 257 162 239 151 95 52

.732 .720 .779 .832 .783 .756 .818 .842 .807 .779 .825

1,216 1,203 1,329 1,257 958 1,246 697 1,078 652 534 274

228 245 333 354 296 325 248 351 242 206 82

1,373 1,489 1,684 1,518 1,329 1,479 818 1,435 1,127 940 324

17.0 18.8 20.5 19.0 20.4 19.0 16.4 18.6 16.6 14.2 8.1

Totals

766

5,744

.460

2,027

.783

10,444

2,910

13,516

17.6


Trail Blazers. Dave’s aggressive ballplaying also had its drawbacks. He committed a league-high 350 fouls. During his first year, Dave was up and down court, setting picks, making daring passes, diving after loose balls, and continually getting in the faces of the opposing team by blocking shots. His daring aggressiveness and dogged determination quickly won over the hearts of normally tough Boston fans. During his second season, Dave improved his average to 18.8 points per game, shooting .484 on field goals. He was selected to appear in the first of six all-star games. In his first all-star game, Dave scored 14 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, playing against giants such as Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. At the end of Dave’s second season, Boston won the Atlantic Division title with a 56-26 record. In his third season, 1972-1973, Dave averaged a career-high 20.5 points per game and averaged 16.2 rebounds. For his performance he was awarded

Honors and Awards 1970 1971 1972-78 1973 1973, 1975-76 1975, 1980 1976 1990 1996

72

Sporting News All-America Second Team NBA Co-Rookie of the Year NBA All-Star Game NBA most valuable player NBA All-Star Game most valuable player All-NBA Second Team NBA All-Defensive Second Team NBA All-Defensive First Team Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

the league’s most valuable player award, joining the two Celtics greats Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. That year Dave also received the all-star game MVP award for his 15 points and 13 rebounds during the game. The Celtics went on to a 68-14 record in 1972-1973. Dave averaged 19.0 points and 15.7 rebounds during his fourth season, 1973-1974. Boston finished with an impressive 56-26 record and faced the Milwaukee Bucks for the championship. In the seventh game, Dave scored 28 points and made 14 rebounds to give Boston an easy 102-87 victory over the Bucks. The Celtics won sixty games during the 19741975 season, with Dave averaging 20.4 points and 14.7 rebounds. However, they fell to the Washington Bullets in the Eastern Division Championship. The next season, 1975-1976, Dave averaged 19.0 points with 16.0 rebounds per game. Boston went on to the finals, winning against the Phoenix Suns in game five, a 128-126 triple-overtime basketball classic. Fortunes for both Boston and Dave had peaked. Continuing the Story Following the championship, Boston traded Paul Silas, a close friend of Dave, to the Denver Nuggets. Following this, Dave announced his plans to retire from basketball. He was only twenty-eight and was leaving at the peak of his career, giving as his only reason that the game was no longer fun. The retirement lasted only thirty games. However, when he

Basketball returned in the 1976-1977 season, Dave was not in his old form. He averaged 16.6 points and 11.4 rebounds. This was a bad season for Boston, and the next season was even worse. After a miserable start in the 1978-1979 season, Dave became a player/coach. He had never coached before, and Boston finished the season with only twenty-nine victories. The Celtics had fallen from great heights. Dave headed for his second retirement; his uniform number, 18, was retired in 1981. Dave emerged in the 1982-1983 season playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 8.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. At the end of the season, he entered his third and final retirement as a player. In 1990, Dave was selected for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and ranked among the NBA’s top fifty players. Reacting to these honors, a humble Dave commented: “I never considered myself a superstar. I feel I represent the working class of the NBA.” In August, 1994, Dave was hired as assistant coach by the San Antonio Spurs. In 1996, he moved to the head coaching position for the Charlotte Hornets. He led the Hornets to two consecutive fifty-win seasons. However, with a 4-11 record in the 1998-1999 season he quit, dissatisfied with being one of the NBA’s lowest paid coaches. In 2005,

Dave Cowens Dave became the first head coach of the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). After a season in which the team compiled a 5-29 record, Dave resigned from his coaching duties. Subsequently, Dave became a coach for the Detroit Pistons. Summary Dave Cowens played ten seasons for the Boston Celtics and one season for the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 13,516 points in 766 regular-season games and averaging 17.6 points per game. He had 10,444 rebounds and 2,910 assists. His nonstop hustle led Boston to two NBA Championships and helped earn for him a place among the NBA’s top fifty players. After 1994, his career in basketball continued in a coaching capacity. Irwin Halfond Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Johnson, Dick, and Robert Hamilton Johnson. The Celtics in Black and White. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2006.

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Billy Cunningham Born: June 3, 1943 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: William John Cunningham (full name); Kangaroo Kid Early Life Billy Cunningham was born on June 3, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York. Billy’s father was a fire chief. Billy’s early basketball experience was gained on the outdoor courts of Manhattan Beach, New York. Billy and a boyhood friend, Lewis Schaffel, spent many hours shooting baskets, and Schaffel helped Billy perfect his slashing style. Billy played in all kinds of weather on the playgrounds, where windy conditions encouraged players to drive to the basket rather than shoot outside jump shots. Billy’s strong competitive spirit soon earned him the nickname “Billy the Kid.” The highlight of Billy’s early career was leading Erasmus Hall High School to an undefeated season and the New York City title in 1961. The Road to Excellence Billy was recruited by the legendary coach Frank McGuire to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina (UNC). McGuire, originally from New York, was successful at luring many outstanding high school stars to UNC. Although recruited by McGuire, Billy played for Coach Dean Smith, after McGuire took a coaching position in the professional ranks. During Billy’s time at UNC, Smith was trying to develop his program and establish a winning basketball tradition. The UNC basketball team did not experience great success those first years of Smith’s coaching, but Billy was an instant star. He is remembered by Smith as a dedicated and intelligent player who always gave 100 percent. At UNC, Billy earned the nickname the “Kangaroo Kid” for his tremendous leaping ability. He was considered to be the first of Smith’s many great players. Billy set many UNC scoring 74

and rebounding records, which is particularly impressive because he played in an era when freshmen were ineligible. Billy’s collegiate accomplishments include selections as UNC’s most valuable player, from 1963 to 1965; all-Atlantic Coast Conference, from 1963 to 1965; and first-team all-American, 1964 and 1965. Billy’s hard work in the classroom also was rewarded; in 1965, he was selected to the academic all-American team. He was one of the few athletes to receive all-American and academic all-American selection in the same season.

Billy Cunningham. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Basketball

Billy Cunningham


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76

80 81 74 82 81 81 32 80 20

431 556 516 739 802 702 253 609 103

.426 .459 .438 .426 .469 .462 .471 .428 .410

281 383 368 556 510 455 149 345 68

.634 .686 .723 .737 .729 .734 .797 .777 .773

599 589 562 1,050 1,101 946 331 726 147

207 205 187 287 352 395 150 442 107

1,143 1,495 1,400 2,034 2,114 1,859 656 1,563 274

14.3 18.5 18.9 24.8 26.1 23.0 20.5 19.5 13.7

NBA Totals

654

5,116

.446

3,394

.720

6,638

2,625

13,626

20.8

1971-72 1972-73

75 84

658 771

.461 .487

428 472

.712 .789

918 1,012

443 530

1,744 2,028

23.3 24.1

ABA Totals

116

1,024

.483

621

.791

1,343

680

2,684

23.1


The Emerging Champion Billy’s professional career began in 1965, when he was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. Early in his professional career, he proved his ability and was named to the NBA’s 1966 all-rookie team. Billy spent seven seasons, 1966-1972, with the 76ers, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s top players. In Philadelphia, Billy was fortunate to play with some of the greatest players in NBA history; his teammates included Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, and Chet Walker. In 1966-1967, the 76ers won the NBA Championship. The 1966-1967 team won a league-record sixtyeight games while losing only thirteen and is considered by some experts to be the greatest team in the history of professional basketball. Billy became a free agent after the 1971-1972 season and signed with the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association (ABA). In his first season, he captured the MVP award and led Carolina to the best ABA regular-season record. The year before Billy arrived, the Cougars were only a fifth-place team. Billy showed all-around ability by leading the Cougars in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. Billy was just what a new professional basketball league needed—an established star who could put people in the seats at arenas around the league. After two ABA seasons, Billy returned to the 76ers. In 1976, his playing time was limited by a kidney ailment, and he sustained a serious knee injury

and was forced to retire before the start of the 19761977 season. During his professional career, which lasted eleven years, Billy averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game and played in more than eight hundred games. He was a starter on the NBA all-star team from 1969 to 1971 and played on the ABA all-star team in 1973. Continuing the Story Following his retirement from the NBA, Billy was named head coach of the 76ers in 1977. His success continued as a coach. He won two hundred and

Honors and Awards 1963-65 All-ACC Team 1964-65 College All-American 1965 Academic All-American 1966 NBA All-Rookie Team 1969-71 NBA All-Star Team 1969-72 All-NBA Team 1973 ABA most valuable player ABA All-Star Team 1986 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1989 Inducted into New York City Sports Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Uniform number 32 retired by Philadelphia 76ers

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Billy Cunningham three hundred games faster than any coach in NBA history. During Billy’s tenure, the 76ers compiled a record of 454 wins and 196 losses for a winning percentage of .698. He also guided the 76ers to the NBA Championship series in 1980 and 1982 and won the NBA Championship in 1983. Billy’s numerous accomplishments have been recognized by many. The 76ers retired his jersey, number 32, and in 1986, Billy was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1989, Billy was one of the ten initial inductees into the New York Sports Hall of Fame. Never one to rest, Billy took on a new challenge when he became a Columbia Broadcast System (CBS) television commentator for the NBA. Because of his insights into the game and his ability to verbally express himself, he received recognition as one of the top television analysts for NBA games. Following his stint with CBS, Billy worked with the city of Miami to acquire an NBA franchise. As in the past, Billy’s hard work paid off, and he became vice president and part owner of the Miami Heat, an NBA expansion team. Billy was named to the fifty greatest NBA players of all time in 1996. A well-

76

Great Athletes known basketball personality, Billy was a strong advocate for the values of the game and was a respected goodwill ambassador for the NBA. Summary Whether as a player, coach, broadcaster, or team owner, Billy Cunningham was always known for his desire to excel and his complete dedication to the game. His success came from a combination of the intensity of a New York City playground child and the intelligence of a Wall Street business executive. Billy knew the fundamentals of success and used them in all aspects of his life. Joe McPherson Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Sachare, Alex, and Joe Hubbard. The Official NBA Basketball Encyclopedia. London: Hi Marketing, 2000. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Dramen Dalipagi6 Born: November 27, 1951 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia (now in Bosnia and Herzegovina) Also known as: Praja Early Life Dramen Dalipagi6 was born November 27, 1951, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the time, Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the provinces that made up the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia (later the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). Yugoslavia splintered during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990’s and was divided into several independent states including Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia. Ethnicity was a major cause of the vicious sectarian wars that fragmented Yugoslavia. Dramen was born to a Bosnian father and a Croatian mother, who, despite their ethnic differences, maintained a harmonious family life. Dramen attended Mostar Technical School, where he excelled in a number of sports, including soccer, gymnastics, and handball. After graduation, he enrolled at the teachers’ college in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now in Serbia), where, at the age of nineteen, he first encountered the game of basketball. Dramen quickly mastered

Honors and Awards 1973, 1975, 1977 1974 1976 1976-78 1977-78, 1980 1978

1979 1980 1981 1982, 1986 1984 2004 2007 2008

Gold medal, European Championships Silver medal, FIBA World Championships Silver medal, Olympic Basketball Belgrade’s Best Athlete European Player of the Year Yugoslavia’s Best Athlete FIBA World Championship most valuable player Gold medal, FIBA World Championships Bronze medal, European Championships Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Silver medal, European Championships Bronze medal, FIBA World Championships Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame Fifty Greatest Euroleague Contributors

the fine points of the game. Within a year, the solid, 235-pound, 6-foot 6-inch athlete had become a slick-playing, sharp-shooting guard for the Partizan Belgrade team. The Road to Excellence Dramen, while completing his education, starred for Partizan Belgrade from 1971 to 1978. In the process, he became one of the highest-scoring players in the history of European basketball, equally capable of making layups and long jump shots. Not only a dynamic offensive machine but also an accurate passer with superior court awareness, Dramen led his team to the 1973 European Championship in Spain. He repeated the feat in 1975, in Yugoslavia, and in 1977, in Belgium, as Partizan Belgrade again captured the gold medal as European champions. Between those victories was a silver medal in men’s basketball at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympic Games, when Serbian-speaking Dramen played for the unified Yugoslavia team—which consisted of players from Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1978, after winning a silver medal at the 1974 FIBA World Championship in Puerto Rico, Dramen led Partizan to the gold medal in the Philippines. During his seven seasons with Partizan Belgrade, Dramen averaged more than 33 points per game and scored more than 50 points more than a dozen times. He led the league in scoring in 1977, at 34.6 points per game, and was named European player of the year in 1978 and 1980. In 1978, while tallying 48 points in the final game—the most ever scored in the finals of the tournament—he guided his team to the Korac Cup, which was named in honor of late Yugoslav basketball star Radivoj Korac, killed in a 1969 automobile accident. The Emerging Champion After serving in the military in 1979, Dramen returned to the Partizan Belgrade team for the 1979-1980 season. Again named 77

Dramen Dalipagi6 European player of the year, Dramen led a powerful Yugoslav team to the men’s basketball gold medal at the Olympic Games in Moscow, Soviet Union. For the 1980-1981 season, Dramen was lured away to play for Reyer Venice but returned the following year to Partizan Belgrade, again leading the league in scoring, with 42.9 points per game. During his final years of competition, he played for Real Madrid, APU Undine, Reyer Venice, Verona, and Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, before retiring in 1991. In a career spanning more than 240 games for the Yugoslav men’s basketball team between 1973 and 1986, Dramen garnered a dozen international medals. He won three Olympic team medals, four World Championship medals, and five European Championship medals. Continuing the Story Following his retirement from competition, Dramen coached MZT Skopje in the men’s professional Super League of Macedonia basketball. He managed and eventually became president of the Novi Belgrade basketball club, a position he continued to maintain. In 2004, in recognition of his talents and for on-court performances that helped make basketball a prominent sport worldwide, Dramen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basket-

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Great Athletes ball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, one of only a handful of international stars so honored. In 2007, Dramen was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame in Alcobendas, Spain. He was one in the initial class of inductees that included such stars as Sergei Belov, Dramen Petrovi6, Oscar Furlong, Teófilo Cruz, Ann Meyers, and Bill Russell. Summary One of the most prolific guards in the history of international basketball, Dramen Dalipagi6 scored 3,131 points while playing in 243 games for the Yugoslav national team over a two-decade career. Winner of a dozen team medals for his prowess at international competitions, Dramen was one of the first international players to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Jack Ewing Additional Sources Caraccioli, Jerry, and Tom Caraccioli. Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. New York: New Chapter Press, 2008. Riordan, James, and Arnd Kruger, eds. European Cultures in Sport: Examining the Nations and Regions. London: Intellect, 2003. Wolff, Alexander. Big Game, Small World: A Basketball Adventure. New York: Warner Books, 2002.

Bob Davies Born: January 15, 1920 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Died: April 22, 1990 Hilton Head, South Carolina Also known as: Robert Edris Davies (full name); Harrisburg Houdini; Li’l Abner Early Life Robert Edris Davies was born on January 15, 1920, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state capital. Robert grew up in a middle-class neighborhood, the younger of two brothers. His father, Edris, was a sales executive, and his mother, Esther, a homemaker. Bob learned about sports from his father and brother at an early age. With a loving family and comfortable lifestyle, he found plenty of time to devote to a variety of sporting activities. Bob first discovered baseball while playing catch in the family’s backyard at the age of five. He soon discovered football and basketball and enjoyed many hours playing on neighborhood sandlots and playground courts. The Road to Excellence Bob’s first organized sport was baseball, which he began playing at the age of nine on a Harrisburg recreation league team. By the time Bob entered John Harris High School in Harrisburg, he was developing into a fine all-around athlete. In addition to baseball, football, and basketball, Bob participated in track and field. Upon graduation in 1937, he was the second four-sport letterman in the school’s history. Bob’s enthusiasm for basketball soon began to overshadow his interest in other sports. He read magazine articles about Hank Luisetti and copied the Stanford star’s behind-the-back dribble and onehanded shooting style. Bob’s basketball prowess during high school did not attract college recruiters.

His baseball ability, however, attracted professional baseball scouts. After his high school graduation, Bob attended Seton Hall University on a baseball scholarship arranged by the Boston Red Sox. In his first year of college, Bob played baseball and basketball, but he chose to concentrate on basketball the remainder of his collegiate career. His decision voided the scholarship arrangement with the Red Sox, but basketball coach John “Honey” Russell recognized Bob’s basketball ability and granted him a scholarship. Coach Russell moved Bob to a starting guard po-

Bob Davies of the Rochester Royals posing in 1946. (NBAE/Getty Images)

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Great Athletes

Bob Davies

Honors and Awards 1941-42 College All-American 1942 College All-Star Game most valuable player 1947 NBL most valuable player All-NBL Team 1949-53 All-NBA Team 1951-54 NBA All-Star Team 1966 Inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame 1969 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team Uniform number 11 retired by Sacramento Kings

sition in his sophomore year. Although barely 6 feet tall, blond-haired and baby-faced, Bob was an intimidating figure. With his defense, shooting, passing, and freelance play, the Seton Hall Pirates won the last twenty games of the 1939-1940 season. As team captain in 1940-1941, Bob led the Pirates to a 23-0 season and a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) bid. The Pirates won the firstround NIT game over Rhode Island State 70-54. In the second-round game against Long Island University, however, Bob was held scoreless in the first half and scored only 4 points in the second half before fouling out with 7 minutes left in the game. Without Bob’s leadership, Seton Hall lost 49-26, ending the team’s forty-three-game win streak. Twice during his college career, in 1940-1941 and 1941-1942, Bob earned all-American honors. He was named most valuable player of the 1942 college all-star game following his senior season.

The Emerging Champion Bob’s outstanding collegiate basketball career did not go unnoticed by professional basketball scouts, and the Boston Red Sox baseball scouts still showed interest. Following graduation in 1942, however, Bob felt a strong duty to serve his country during World War II. Bob joined the United States Navy in late summer of 1942. Before reporting for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Bob married his collegiate sweetheart, Mary Helfrich. They were to have four children: James, Robert, Richard, and Carole. During his first year of military service, Bob spent most of his time playing basketball. In 1943, he led his Great Lakes Naval Training Station team to the service title. Following his discharge in 1945, Bob joined the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League (NBL), which soon merged with another league to form the NBA. Bob played ten seasons with the Royals, leading them to championships in 1946 and 1951. As a professional, Bob did not score with the same proficiency as he did in college. In 569 career games, Bob scored 7,771 points for a 13.7 pointsper-game average. To compensate for his point production, Bob became an excellent playmaker. A magician with a basketball, he led the NBA in assists with 321 in 1949, and set a single-game record for assists with 20 in 1951. Bob led the league in assists seven times and finished his career with 2,250 total assists. In 1947, Bob was named to the all-NBL team and received the league’s most valuable player award.


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55

27 32 48 60 64 63 65 66 72 72

86 166 176 317 317 326 379 339 288 326

— — — .364 .357 .372 .383 .385 .371 .415

70 130 121 270 261 303 294 351 311 220

.680 .783 .752 .776 .752 .795 .776 .753 .718 .751

— — — — — 197 189 195 194 205

— — — 321 294 287 390 280 323 155

242 462 473 904 895 955 1,052 1,029 887 872

9.0 14.4 9.9 15.1 14.0 15.2 16.2 15.6 12.3 12.1

Totals

569

2,720

—

2,331

.758

—

—

7,771

13.7

Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game (complete records not available.)

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Basketball After the merger, Bob received all-NBA honors five times from 1949 to 1953, and he played in the NBA’s first four all-star games, from 1951 to 1954. Continuing the Story In 1947, while playing with the Royals, Bob joined the college coaching ranks, guiding his Seton Hall alma mater to a 24-3 season. After retiring from professional basketball at the end of the 1954 season, Bob spent two seasons as coach of six sports at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, and track and field. In 1957, Bob left coaching and joined the Converse Rubber Company to take charge of promotion and sales of athletic footwear.

Bob Davies Summary For his size, Bob Davies was an exceptional athlete. He probably could have played several sports professionally, but his love for and dedication to basketball helped to establish the game at the professional level and to ensure the success of the NBA. Jerry Jaye Wright Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hickok, Ralph. A Who’s Who of Sports Champions. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995. LaBlanc, Michael L., and Mary K. Ruby, eds. Professional Sports Team Histories: Basketball. Detroit: Gale, 1994.

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Baron Davis Born: April 13, 1979 Los Angeles, California Also known as: Baron Walter Louis Davis (full name); BD; B-Diddy; B-Dazzled; Bulletproof; Boom Dizzle; the Bodyguard Early Life Baron Davis was born on April 13, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. He and his sister, Lisa, were raised by their grandparents, Luke and Lela Nicholson. Not much is known about Baron’s parents. Living in South Central Los Angeles during the 1980’s, the Nicholsons knew well what lurked out on the streets and did everything in their power to keep Baron and his sister off them. Baron grew up in the middle of the South Central street gang explosion of the 1980’s. Baron’s grandparents were strict and this, coupled with Baron’s love for sports, kept him on the right path. If he lapsed in his behavior or brought home poor grades, he could not play basketball. Baron’s grandparents only had to take his

basketball privileges away from him once before he learned not to test them. To be sure Baron never had to go far for a game, his grandfather erected a makeshift court in the backyard. By the time Baron finished elementary school, he was so accomplished that he was given a scholarship to attend the both academically and athletically prestigious Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences.

The Road to Excellence By 1996, when Baron was a junior at Crossroads, his coach was receiving upward of twenty calls a week from college coaches. A point guard with lightning quickness and a scorer’s mentality, Baron became one of the top recruits in the United States. During his senior year at Crossroads, he averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. The college coaches waited for Baron to make a decision. When Steve Lavin, who had become close with Baron during the recruiting process, was named head coach of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins, the deal was sealed. Baron attended hometown UCLA and played for the storied Bruins basketball team. While Baron only stayed a short time at UCLA, he made an impact. During his sophomore season, Baron averaged 15.9 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game and was named by Associated Press as a third-team all-American. Baron’s incredible speed, shooting, passing, and jumping ability were beginning to garner the attention of NBA scouts. Baron decided to forgo his final two years at UCLA and enter the NBA draft. Though Baron had a great desire to stay in Los Angeles and play for either the Lakers or Clippers, the Charlotte Hornets selected Baron Golden State Warriors guard Baron Davis shielding the ball from a Dallas with the third pick in the draft. Mavericks defender in 2008. (Terry Schmitt/UPI/Landov) 82

Basketball

Baron Davis


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 82 82 50 67 46 54 63 82

182 409 559 332 554 291 335 452 650

.420 .427 .417 .416 .395 .387 .389 .439 .426

97 228 196 93 237 185 111 195 275

.634 .677 .580 .710 .673 .761 .675 .745 .750

165 408 349 186 287 175 236 276 385

309 598 698 320 501 362 480 509 623

486 1,311 1,484 856 1,532 885 967 1,264 1,791

5.9 13.8 18.1 17.1 22.9 19.2 17.9 20.1 21.8

Totals

608

3,764

.414

1,824

.692

2,467

4,400

10,396

17.1


The Emerging Champion Baron was a reserve guard his initial season with the Hornets, but in his second season, he started every game. He led the Hornets to the second round of the playoffs in consecutive years. Then, in 2002, the team moved to New Orleans. There, Baron prospered, making the NBA all-star team in 2002 and 2004. However, off the court, Baron did not seem to get along with Hornets management. This was confirmed when, in February, 2005, Baron was traded to the Golden State Warriors. After a five-year stint in the east, Baron was headed back home to California. At Golden State, Baron solidified himself as one of the elite guards in the game. Baron’s first two years with the Warriors were a disappointment. While Baron’s numbers were fine, the talented team underachieved. Things changed when the Warriors replaced Coach Mike Montgomery with offensive-minded Don Nelson, who instituted a fast-paced, “run-and-gun” offense that was perfect for Baron. In 2006-2007, though Baron battled knee problems the entire season, he helped the Warriors capture the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. In the first round, against the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks, Baron and the Warriors made history. In the 2007 NBA playoffs, Baron displayed his skills for a national audience. He averaged 25.3 points, 6.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 steals in the series against the Mavericks. The Mavericks had been heavily favored after winning an astounding sixty-seven games in the regular season. Moreover, no number-eight seed had ever beaten a number-one seed since the league lengthened the opening round of the playoffs to a seven-game se-

ries. Undeterred by history, the Warriors defeated the Mavericks four games to two. During this series, Baron was clearly the best player on the court. Continuing the Story After a disappointing 2007-2008 season in which the Warriors failed to make the playoffs, a rift developed between Baron and Nelson. Then, in July, 2008, Baron signed a five-year, $65-million contract to play with the Los Angeles Clippers. Baron was ecstatic to return to Los Angeles, but both he and the Clippers struggled throughout the 2008-2009 season. Summary Baron Davis was one of the biggest college recruits of the 1990’s. As a professional, he made the NBA all-star team on several occasions. He staged one of the greatest single-series performances in NBA playoff history, guiding his team to victory over the heavily favored Dallas Mavericks. In 2008, he returned to Los Angeles, where he had grown up and played college basketball, joining the Clippers. Baron was one of the most exciting players of his generation. Theodore Shields Additional Sources “Davis Is Face of a Warriors Team Made of Castoffs and Renegades.” The New York Times, May 1, 2007. Deitsch, Richard. “Q and A: Baron Davis.” Sports Illustrated 100, no. 16 (April 19, 2004): 22. Thomsen, Ian. “Hornets’ Hopes Hinge on Davis.” Sports Illustrated 98, no. 9 (March 3, 2003): 77. 83

Dave DeBusschere Born: October 16, 1940 Detroit, Michigan Died: May 14, 2003 New York, New York Also known as: David Albert DeBusschere (full name); Big D Early Life David Albert DeBusschere, born October 16, 1940, spent the first twenty years of his life in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. He developed some of his physical strength by spending his afternoons and summers unloading boxcars for his father’s business. Dave attended Austin High School, a Catholic, allboys institution. He was a top-notch athlete, successful in any sport he tried. “From as early as I can remember,” Dave once recalled, “I just had the drive to excel in sport— football, baseball, basketball, you name it.” The Road to Excellence Over the course of his career at Austin, Dave became the most highly publicized basketball player in the state of Michigan up to that time. As a senior, he led Austin to a state championship victory over Benton Harbor. In that game, Dave went up against Benton Harbor’s star, Chet Walker. Their rivalry continued over the years, as both Dave and Walker later became stars in the NBA. Dave decided to stay home to attend college, receiving an athletic scholarship from the University of Detroit. The team got a bargain in Dave. Not only was he an excellent basketball player, but also he was equally talented on the baseball diamond, where he was a star pitcher. By the time his collegiate career was 84

over, Dave was Detroit’s all-time leading scorer and the top rebounder in school history. Shortly after graduation in 1962, Dave received a baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox that included a $160,000 bonus, and also signed a contract with the Detroit Pistons to play basketball. Over the next four years, Dave played both sports professionally. The forty-eight consecutive months of competition were very strenuous, and Dave had doubts about his curveball and control on the Ma-

Dave DeBusschere leaping toward the basket in a 1972 game. (AP/Wide World Photos)

Basketball

Dave DeBusschere

In the media spotlight of New York, Dave, although an all-star 1963 NBA All-Rookie Team in Detroit, began to gain recog1966-68, 1970-73 NBA All-Star Team nition as one of the best for1967 NBA record for the most field goals in one quarter of an All-Star Game (18) wards in the NBA. He was much 1969 All-NBA Team more comfortable on the Knicks, 1969-74 NBA All-Defensive Team a more balanced and talented 1982 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame team than the Pistons. He did 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team not score as much as he had in Uniform number 22 retired by New York Knicks Detroit, but he was able to excel 1999 National Collegiate Athletic Association Silver Anniversary Award in the areas in which he was most 2005 Minerva Award United States Olympic Committee’s Olympic Torch Award skilled: rebounding and scoring. An intense, tough player, Dave almost always guarded the opjor League Baseball level. He was quite successful posing teams’ best forwards, usually holding them on the basketball court, however. In his first four well below their scoring averages. His outstandseasons with Detroit, he averaged nearly 15 points ing defensive efforts were appreciated by other per game. When the Pistons, hoping he would play players and coaches, as he was named to the NBA’s basketball exclusively, offered him a new contract all-defensive team every year he played with the as both player and coach, Dave accepted. Knicks. New York certainly benefited from Dave’s teamThe Emerging Champion oriented play, and he was a vital member of the At twenty-four, Dave was the youngest head coach teams that won NBA Championships in 1970 and in professional sports. With his additional respon1973. In the latter year, Dave had his best scoring sibilities of coaching, Dave’s record at the helm of season with the Knicks up to that point, 16.3 points the Pistons was not spectacular. Dave was greatly reper game. During the 1973 playoffs, with Knick lieved when he was traded to the New York Knicks captain Willis Reed, the center, out with an injury, on December 19, 1968. Dave proved his worth. Without Reed at center, Dave broke the hearts of Detroit fans during his New York coach Red Holzman turned to Dave to first game with the Knicks. Although he had yet to guard the great Wilt Chamberlain, who towered practice with New York, he scorched his former over Dave by 7 inches. The unorthodox move paid teammates for 21 points and 15 rebounds on the off, and the Knicks won the contest. Dave, Paul Pistons’ home court. Zimmerman, and Dick Schaap wrote an insightful

Honors, Awards, and Records


GP 80 15 79 79 78 80 76 79 81 80 77 71 875

FGM 406 52 508 524 531 573 506 488 523 520 532 559 13,249

FG% .430 .391 .425 .408 .415 .442 .444 .451 .421 .427 .435 .461 .432

FTM 206 25 306 249 361 289 229 176 217 193 194 164 2,609

FT% .718 .581 .700 .659 .705 .664 .698 .688 .696 .728 .746 .756 .699

Reb. 694 105 874 916 924 1,081 888 790 901 901 787 757 9,618

Ast. 207 23 253 209 216 181 191 194 220 291 259 253 2,497

PPG 12.7 8.6 16.7 16.4 18.2 17.9 16.3 14.6 15.6 15.4 16.3 18.1 16.1


85

Dave DeBusschere book about the 1970 champion Knicks titled The Open Man: A Championship Diary (1970). Continuing the Story Dave’s high standards of play continued despite his advancing age. When the Knicks needed someone to help pick up the scoring load in the 1973-1974 season, Dave responded with a remarkable 18.1 points per game at thirty-three years of age. That was Dave’s last season as a professional basketball player, but his presence was still felt off the court, as he put to good use his degree in business administration. Dave was named commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) following his retirement, overseeing spectacular performances from the likes of Julius Erving and George McGinnis. Following the 1976 season, the ABA merged with its longtime rival, the NBA. Without a league to direct, Dave moved to the front office of a team close to where he had won two NBA Championships with the Knicks, becoming general manager of the New Jersey Nets. In 1982, he was given one of the greatest honors a basketball player can receive: election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Between 1982 and 1986, Dave served as the general manager of the Knicks. He was responsible for choosing Patrick Ewing from Georgetown as the first overall draft pick in the 1985 NBA lottery. After his days as general manager, he became involved in the commercial real estate business. In 1996, Dave was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 2003, he suffered a heart at-

86

Great Athletes tack and died. Dave will be remembered for his work ethic, superb rebounding skills, and important contribution to two NBA Championship teams. Summary It takes not only great talent to play two sports professionally, but hard work and desire as well. Dave DeBusschere possessed all these qualities, as he was able to play both professional baseball and professional basketball for four years. Once dedicated solely to basketball, Dave’s attributes were obvious, and he will always be thought of as one of the grittiest forwards ever to play the game. Stephen T. Bell Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. DeBusschere, Dave. The Open Man: A Championship Diary. Edited by Paul D. Zimmerman and Dick Schaap. New York: Random House, 1970. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kalinsky, George, and Phil Berger. The New York Knicks: The Official Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. New York: Macmillan, 1996. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Vlade Divac Born: February 3, 1968 Prijepolje, Serbia, Yugoslavia (now in Serbia) Early Life Vlade Divac was born in the small town of Prijepolje, in Serbia, Yugoslavia (now in Serbia). His father, Milenko Divac, was an executive of an electronics firm. His mother was named Rada Divac. When Vlade was twelve years old, he left Prijepolje to play on a club team in Kraljevo, a town larger than his about four hours away. He quickly ad-

vanced through the Yugoslav basketball levels. By the time he was sixteen, he was already playing in the senior leagues of the Yugoslav basketball system and had signed a contract with the professional team Sloga. In the United States, his feat was comparable to a sixteen-year-old joining the NBA. Meanwhile, as a member of the national team, Vlade traveled throughout Europe. The Road to Excellence In 1985, while still only seventeen, Vlade helped lead the Yugoslavian Junior Olympic team to the gold medal in the World University Games, beating a group of soon-to-be superstars from the United States that included Gary Payton and Larry Johnson. When he was eighteen, he began playing for Belgrade Partizan, one of the leading teams in the Yugoslav league. During his seasons with Partizan, he averaged approximately 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Three years later, in 1988, he was the starting center on the Yugoslav Olympic team at Seoul, Korea, where he averaged 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. That year, his team won the silver medal.

Vlade Divac playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1990. (Tim Defrisco/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion When 7-foot 1-inch Vlade was drafted as a center by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989, he faced huge challenges. He was selected to replace the legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had retired the year before, so expectations were high. Moreover, as NBA basketball tended toward a much rougher style of play than the European game, Vlade had to adjust to a different set of rules. However, he was fortunate to have excellent teachers. His new teammates—including Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, and Byron Scott—were NBA champions ready to help him, and his new coach, Pat Riley, was also willing to teach him the intricacies of NBA basketball. His playing experience and athleticism earned 87

Great Athletes

Vlade Divac

NBA Statistics Season 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Totals

GP 82 82 36 82 79 80 79 81 64 50 82 81 80 80 81 15 1,134

FGA 549 637 317 819 895 957 807 847 536 557 764 755 716 655 668 31 10,510

FGM 274 360 157 397 453 485 414 418 267 262 384 364 338 305 314 12 5,205

FG% .499 .565 .495 .485 .506 .507 .513 .494 .498 .470 .503 .482 .472 .466 .470 .419 .495

FTA 216 279 112 341 303 382 295 259 188 255 333 350 340 251 260 12 4,176

FTM 153 196 86 235 208 297 189 177 130 179 230 242 209 179 170 8 2,888

FT% .708 .703 .768 .689 .686 .777 .641 .683 .691 .702 .691 .691 .615 .713 .654 .667 .692

Reb. 512 666 247 729 851 829 679 725 518 501 656 673 671 574 463 32 9,326

Ast. 75 92 60 232 307 329 261 301 172 215 244 231 297 274 432 19 3,541

TP 701 921 405 1,050 1,123 1,277 1,020 1,024 667 714 1,005 974 888 795 800 34 13,398

PPG 8.5 11.2 11.3 12.8 14.2 16.0 12.9 12.6 10.4 14.3 12.3 12.0 11.1 9.9 9.9 2.3 11.8


him a spot on the all-rookie first team, and his obvious love for the game and impressive agility and speed quickly endeared him to Los Angeles fans. The summer after his first season in the NBA, Vlade married his girlfriend, Snevana. As a testament to his popularity in his homeland, his wedding—which was attended by more than one thousand people—was filmed by a television crew and later broadcast on Yugoslav national television. Meanwhile, his apprenticeship in the NBA continued. Over the next five seasons, his production steadily increased in all areas. During the 19941995 season, while starting all eighty games for the Lakers, he averaged 16 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists—leading all NBA centers in that category that year—and 2.17 blocks per game. Following this impressive season, he helped the Yugoslav national team to a victory in the European Championships in the summer of 1995. Continuing the Story After the 1995-1996 season, the Lakers traded Vlade to the Charlotte Hornets for a superstar-tobe Kobe Bryant and an opportunity to sign freeagent center Shaquille O’Neal. Before he reported to the Hornets, Vlade helped the Yugoslav team win a silver medal in the Atlanta, Georgia, Olympics during the summer of 1996. Afterward, although he was disappointed to leave Los Angeles, he performed well for the Hornets. During his first 88

season for his new team he averaged 12.6 points, 9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a career-high 2.22 blocks per game. During his two years as a Hornet, he led the team in blocked shots and set a team record for blocks in one game, with 12. In a statistic that demonstrates Vlade’s quick-handedness, he also led the Hornets in steals during his first season and was second in steals during his second season. After Vlade completed his contract with the Hornets, he exercised his rights as a free agent by signing with the Sacramento Kings so he could return to California for the 1998-1999 season. During his first year with the Kings, he averaged 14.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. His experience served the Kings well as the team challenged the favored Utah Jazz in a strong first-round playoff match. During the playoff series, Vlade led the Kings in points, rebounds, and assists. After that season, he signed a five-year extension to his contract with the Kings. No longer a newcomer to the NBA game, Vlade became a wily veteran who contributed eleven years of experience to a young Sacramento team that quickly became one of the best in the league. In 2001, when the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal could not play in the all-star game, Vlade was named to replace him. In 2001-2002, Vlade and teammates Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovi6, and Mike Bibby led the Kings to the franchise’s best-ever record and a tie for first place in the NBA’s Pacific Division. At

Basketball the end of the season, the Kings met the Lakers in the conference finals, only to lose in a heartbreaking seven-game series. After the Kings came within one game of making the NBA Finals in 2002, Vlade continued to perform at a high level through his last two seasons with the team. The Kings remained competitive but did not pose another serious challenge for the league championship during those years. At the end of the 2003-2004 season, Vlade again became a free agent. By then, O’Neal was no longer with the Lakers, who signed Vlade. However, Vlade struggled with serious back problems and was unable to put in much time on the court. During the 20042005 season, he appeared in only fifteen games and had limited minutes of playing time. In July, 2005, he announced his retirement. Despite the considerable wealth and fame that NBA stars acquire, Vlade never forgot his roots. While he was earning millions of dollars playing basketball in the United States during the 1990’s, the violence in Yugoslavia was never far from his mind, as he had left many family members and friends behind when he moved to the United States. Throughout his playing career, he used his status as a professional athlete to bring attention to the human side of the political confrontation. Aside from his two sons, Luka and Matia, Vlade and his wife adopted a Yugoslav orphan girl, Petra. In 1995, Vlade, along with teammates from his Yugoslav basketball days, founded the Divac Childrens’ Foundation/Group 7, which raised funds for children of all ethnic backgrounds affected by the war in Yugoslavia. He also took part in a number of activities dedicated to disadvantaged children in the United States. Thanks to his work in these fields, in 2000, he became the first foreignborn player ever awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. After retiring from playing, Vlade invested in business enterprises in the Sacramento area and in his native Serbia, which gained its independence from Yugoslavia in 2006. Toward the end of 2007, he founded an organization to assist Serbian refugees from the disorders of the previous decade. Summary Vlade Divac matured significantly as a player during his sixteen-year career in the NBA. When he began his NBA career, he could barely speak English,

Vlade Divac

Milestones 1993 Matched Lakers franchise record of 13 offensive rebounds 1997 1,000th career blocked shot 5,000th career rebound

Honors and Awards 1989-90 NBA All-Rookie First Team 1988, 1996 Silver medal, Olympic Basketball 2008 Fifty Greatest Euroleague Competitors 2009 Uniform number 21 retired by Sacramento Kings

but he eventually performed well enough in his adopted language to appear in many commercials, television programs, and films. Initially unaccustomed to the pace and the physicality of the NBA game, he quickly mastered the various tricks of veteran American players and was generous in passing along his knowledge and experience to younger teammates. However, although he showed remarkable development throughout his NBA career, he already had many of the skills that made him one of the league’s best players. For a center, he was an exceptional outside shooter, passer, and ball-handler. Moreover, his enthusiasm and love for the game were always obvious and contributed to both his success on the court and the respect he earned from his teammates, opponents, and fans in both his homeland and the United States. Alexander Jordan, updated by the Editors Additional Sources Grabowski, John F. The Los Angeles Lakers. San Diego, Calif.: Lucent Books, 2002. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. LeBoutillier, Nate. The Story of the Sacramento Kings. Mankato, Minn.: Creative Education, 2006. Reilly, Rick. “Vlade Divac’s Private War.” Sports Illustrated 90, no. 21 (May 24, 1999): 114. Reynolds, Jerry. Reynolds Remembers: Twenty Years with the Sacramento Kings. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2006. Wolff, Alexander. “Prisoners of War: Nine Years Ago, as Yugoslavs and Friends, They Beat the U.S. to Win the World Junior Basketball Title.” Sports Illustrated, June 3, 1996, 80. 89

Anne Donovan Born: November 1, 1961 Ridgewood, New Jersey Early Life Anne Donovan was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on November 1, 1961. The youngest of eight children, Anne was picked on as the baby of the family. However, at school, she was teased for a dif-

ferent reason: her height. Anne’s father was 6 feet 6 inches, her mother was 5 feet 11 inches, and all her brothers and sisters ranged from 5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 1 inch. Everywhere she traveled, Anne was looked upon differently because of her tallness, which caused her much frustration. Eventually, she found a sport in which she could release her frustrations: basketball. Although Anne’s father died when she was five years old, he instilled a love of the sport. He set up a basketball hoop outside the family’s house, and the older children played while Anne watched. She received the most valuable player trophy in fifth grade and felt that she was destined to be a great women’s basketball player.

Anne Donovan of Old Dominion University taking a shot in 1985. (Collegiate Images/Getty Images)

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The Road to Excellence Anne and each of her siblings loved basketball, and they all continued to play the sport into their adolescences. Anne’s mother raised eight children by herself, so when they misbehaved she sent them out to play basketball. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that during these times, talent was turning into skill in most of her children. In her youngest child particularly, a champion was developing. Anne attended Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey. As a freshman Anne had reached 6 feet tall. Although she was ridiculed, her height was an advantage in basketball. With her skill and determination, she was one of the best players in the nation. Throughout high school she continued to grow until she reached the astonishing height of 6 feet 8 inches. Five of her other siblings continued to play basketball as well, and they all received athletic scholarships to attend college. As a senior, Anne was the most highly recruited player in the nation and chose to attend Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia.

Basketball

Basketball Records Most points, women’s basketball, Old Dominion University (ODU) (2,719) Most rebounds, women’s basketball, ODU (1,976) Most blocked shots, women’s basketball, National Collegiate Athletic Association (801)

Honors and Awards 1979 Parade Player of the Year 1981-83 All-American 1983 Naismith College Player of the Year 1984, 1988 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1988 Inducted into Old Dominion University Hall of Fame 1995 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 Inducted into Virginia Sports Hall of Fame 1999 Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame 2004 Sun Belt Conference All-Time Women’s Basketball Player

The Emerging Champion In 1979, Anne started her collegiate career with ODU. In 1980, Anne led her ODU team to victory in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics Women’s Basketball Championship, which was the forerunner to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. She led the team to two more championship appearances during her four years as a Lady Monarch player. She earned Kodak All-American honors for three years as well as academic all-American honors for two straight seasons. In 1983, she was awarded the Naismith Award, becoming the first female to receive this honor. Not only was Anne the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in ODU history and the NCAA’s all-time shot-blocker, but also she graduated college with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5, with a major in leisure studies. This achievement qualified her for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship for her academic achievements. Along with all the athletic accomplishments, Anne had deeper aspirations: She wished to compete at the Olympics and on the professional level. Because of the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympics, Anne was unable to compete. However, in 1984, she became an Olympic gold medalist when the U.S. women’s basketball team won in the final

Anne Donovan round of the Olympic Games. Anne continued playing with the U.S. basketball team, until moving onto the professional level after the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. As a professional, Anne played in both Japan and Italy. Anne’s time in Japan was difficult. The overly intense training became a major distraction to her and her team. She played in Japan for five years before moving to Italy to play with a less extreme coaching staff on a respectable professional team. Although Italian basketball was considered a less competitive brand than Japanese basketball, Anne described her experience as the most memorable and fun of her playing career. Continuing the Story Anne’s accomplishments as a basketball player were impressive, and she would have accumulated many more accolades in future years. However, while playing professionally in Italy, she was informed of a health issue in a routine medical examination, which forced her to end her career. This decision was hard for Anne because she had such a strong passion for playing basketball. She continued her involvement in the sport and became the assistant coach for ODU from 1989 to 1995. After the assistantship at her alma mater, she accepted a position as the head coach at East Carolina University from 1995 to 1997. After working at the collegiate level, Anne became the head coach of the Philadelphia Rage of the American Basketball League, which eventually folded with the formation of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBA). Anne was the interim coach with the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. In 2001, Anne became head coach of the Charlotte Sting and led the team to the WNBA Finals in 2001, losing to the Los Angeles Sparks. In 2003, Anne moved to Seattle, where she became the second head coach of the Seattle Storm. Under Anne’s leadership, the Storm won the WNBA Championship in 2004. The next season, Anne became the first female coach to win one hundred games in the WNBA and, after another successful year, her contract with Seattle was extended. In 2006, she continued her winning tradition, compiling the third-most coaching victories in WNBA history. Anne’s passion led her to achieve many great accomplishments; in the fall of 2007, Anne resigned as coach of the Seattle Storm. How91

Anne Donovan ever, this legend in the basketball world was not finished with the sport. In January of 2006, she was named the head coach of the U.S. women’s team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and led the team to a gold medal. Summary Anne Donovan was one of the most influential women’s basketball players in the United States and world. She has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Virginia’s Sports Hall of Fame, and ODU’s Sports Hall of Fame. Anne’s will and enthusiasm for her sport gave her the drive

92

Great Athletes she needed to be successful. She was a groundbreaking player and coach and became a legend in basketball. Deborah Stroman Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters, 1998. Donovan, Anne. Women’s Basketball: The Post Player’s Handbook. Terre Haute, Ind.: Wish, 2001. Taragano, Martin. Basketball Biographies: 434 U.S. Players, Coaches, and Contributors of the Game, 1891-1990. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1991.

Clyde Drexler Born: June 22, 1962 New Orleans, Louisiana Also known as: Clyde Austin Drexler (full name); Clyde the Glide Early Life Clyde Drexler was born on June 22, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family moved to Houston, Texas, when he was four years old. Clyde grew up in a family of five children. His mother, Eunice Drexler Scott, was a single parent who stressed education as the first priority for her children. Like most of his friends, Clyde played Little League baseball and basketball during his early adolescence. Although he enjoyed sports and games and loved the thrill of competing and winning, he also spent a great deal of time on his schoolwork. The Road to Excellence Clyde was fascinated with the dunk shot, which became one of his most thrilling, powerful, acrobatic moves. The first time he dunked was on the playground behind Albert Thomas Junior High School. He was fifteen years old and 6 feet 1 inch tall. Two tall youths who were guarding the basket scared him as he drove for the basket, but he made the shot. As a sophomore, Clyde declined an invitation to play for Sterling, his high school team. His height increased to 6 feet 4 inches by his junior year. He was again invited by the coach to join the school’s team. He wanted to play, but, because of the hard practices and time involved, he could not make the commitment. All his life, he was told by family members to go to school and get a good education. After talking with Clyde’s mother, however, the coach persuaded Clyde to play. Clyde’s basketball ability improved with each practice and game. He worked hard to enhance his game, playing al-

most every position on the team. His hard work, dedication, and patience began to pay off. His improvement was steady, but he was not yet a complete ballplayer. He was recruited by only three major colleges: Texas Tech, New Mexico State, and the University of Houston. Although he was overlooked by most college recruiters in high school, he was a two-year starter, the team’s most valuable player, and an all-Houston Independent School District selection as a senior. The Emerging Champion One of Clyde’s friends, Michael Young, attended Jack Yates High School and was the most sought-

Clyde Drexler handling the ball for the Portland Trail Blazers. (Courtesy of Portland Trail Blazers)

93

Great Athletes

Clyde Drexler


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98

82 80 75 82 81 78 73 82 76 49 68 76 52 62 70

252 573 542 707 849 829 670 645 694 350 473 571 331 397 452

.451 .494 .475 .502 .506 .496 .494 .482 .470 .429 .428 .461 .433 .442 .427

123 223 293 357 476 438 333 416 401 245 286 364 265 201 277

.728 .759 .769 .760 .811 .799 .774 .794 .794 .839 .777 .824 .784 .750 .801

235 476 421 518 533 615 507 546 500 309 445 480 373 373 346

153 441 600 566 467 450 432 493 512 278 333 362 302 354 382

628 1,377 1,389 1,782 2,185 2,123 1,703 1,767 1,903 976 1,303 1,653 1,005 1,114 1,287

7.7 17.2 18.5 21.7 27.0 27.2 23.3 21.5 25.0 19.9 19.2 21.8 19.3 18.0 18.4

Totals

1,086

8,335

.472

4,698

.788

6,677

6,125

22,195

20.4


after basketball player in the state. When the Uniof the best college teams of the decade. The team versity of Houston signed Michael, he told Coach was nicknamed “Phi Slamma Jamma” because of its Guy Lewis that Clyde was the best player he had propensity for the dunk shot. Clyde was the most played against. That convinced Coach Lewis to sign creative and spectacular of the players. The team Clyde. Clyde and Michael were roommates as freshadvanced to the finals of the National Collegiate men, but their friendship had begun long before, Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Touron the playgrounds of MacGregor Park, less than nament, only to lose to North Carolina State Unione mile south of the University of Houston’s camversity. pus. During Clyde’s freshman year, a Houston After the NCAA loss, Clyde decided to forgo his sports reporter said that Clyde’s style was reminissenior year and turn professional. He agonized for cent of Julius Erving, who was one of Clyde’s idols. weeks over whether to remain in school or declare Coach Lewis said that Clyde was improving all the himself eligible for the NBA. Becoming a profestime. sional basketball player was one of Clyde’s childThrough Clyde’s first three seasons, the Univerhood dreams. His mother wanted him to stay in sity of Houston had eighty-six wins and only twelve school to get his degree, but she left the decision to losses. Clyde’s individual play was remarkable durClyde. ing that period. He was called “Clyde the Glide” because of his style of play. He played Honors and Awards smoothly on the basketball court and often scored with improbable open-court moves. 1981 Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year 1982-83 Consensus All-Southwest Conference Team His versatility as a player was evident; he be1983 Consensus All-American came the first Houston player to score at Dallas Times-Herald Southwest Conference Player of the Year least 1,000 points, collect at least 800 re1988, 1990-92 All-NBA Team 1992 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball bounds, and pass for at least 3,000 assists. Continuing the Story The 1983 season was thrilling for all Houston Cougars basketball fans. Clyde was joined by future NBA star Akeem Olajuwon (later know as Hakeem Olajuwon) on one 94

1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 All-Star 2ball Championship (with Cynthia Cooper) Inducted into Texas Sports Hall of Fame Inducted into Houston Hall of Fame 2001 Uniform number 22 retired by Portland Trail Blazers 2001 Inducted into Oregon Sports Hall of Fame 2004 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Basketball In 1983, Clyde was drafted in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. His on-court displays thrilled the fans in the NBA. Magic Johnson ranked Clyde with other stars of the NBA such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and himself, considering Clyde a tremendous player on both ends of the court. Clyde had seasons where he averaged more than 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game for his team. During his playing years, Clyde worked in a Houston bank during the off-season to gain financial knowledge to help him handle his investments. He also continued to be involved with community activities during the off-season. He sponsored a summer inner-city youth basketball camp for eightto eighteen-year-olds in Houston. The 1991-1992 season was one of Clyde’s most memorable. He averaged 25.0 points per game, became only the second player in Trail Blazers history to make the all-NBA first team, finished second to Jordan for the most valuable player award, and took the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals against Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Later in 1992, Clyde earned a gold medal as a member of the 1992 U.S. Dream Team at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. In the middle of the 1994-1995 season, Clyde was traded to the Houston Rockets. He left Portland as the team’s all-time leader in scoring, games played, minutes played, field goals, free throws, rebounds, and steals. The trade reunited him with his former college teammate Olajuwon, and the two led the Rockets to the 1995 NBA Championship. In 1996, Clyde was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Because of a number of injuries and the addition of Charles Barkley to the Rockets, Clyde’s output began to diminish. He announced his retirement during the 1997-1998 sea-

Clyde Drexler son. He ended his NBA career ranked seventeenth on the all-time scoring list with 22,195 points and fourth in steals with 2,207. He became only the third player in NBA history—after Oscar Robertson and John Havlicek—to amass more than 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists in a career. On March 18, 1998, Clyde announced his acceptance of the head coaching job with his alma mater, the Houston Cougars. Although his first year of coaching produced only a 10-17 record, Clyde seldom changed his calm courtside demeanor in games. He resigned from his head-coaching position in March, 2000. In 2004, Clyde received basketball’s highest honor: He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Summary “Clyde the Glide” Drexler was a superstar in the NBA. He exhibited genuine concern for his teammates and was considered a team player even when he had achieved superstar status. He has contributed to the community by sponsoring basketball camps and making frequent personal appearances. His commitment to education and personal growth continued in his post-NBA life. Thurman W. Robins Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Deitsch, Richard. “Clyde Drexler.” Sports Illustrated 106, no. 12 (March 19, 2007): 26-29. Drexler, Clyde, Kerry Eggers, and Jim Nantz. Clyde the Glide. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2004. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003.

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Joe Dumars Born: May 24, 1963 Shreveport, Louisiana Also known as: Joe Dumars III (full name); G.I. Joe; Joe Cool Early Life Joe Dumars was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1963, the youngest of seven children of Joe and Ophelia Dumars. The children’s participation in athletics was viewed as an additional disciplinary tool for Joe’s hardworking parents. Joe was a multisport athlete and excelled on the football field before becoming nationally recognized as a college basketball standout. Much like his five brothers, at an early age, Joe believed football was the path to stardom and played defensive back for his junior high school squad. However, unlike his siblings, during junior high, Joe acquired an appreciation for basketball. His athleticism earned him an invitation to McNeese State University, in Louisiana, and a spot on the Cowboys’ basketball team.

the year award. His ability continued to evolve, and after four years in the Cowboys’ basketball program he had become one of the top scorers in college basketball history. His ability to score his senior year at McNeese State propelled him into the first round of the 1985 NBA draft. During his senior year of college, Joe averaged almost 26 points a game and become nationally recognized despite the scant exposure his university’s basketball program received.

The Emerging Champion In 1985, with the eighteenth pick in the NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons selected Joe, pairing him in the backcourt with future hall-of-fame point guard Isiah Thomas. However, Joe’s joy quickly diminished because he had to begin his career as a backup and role player. Nonetheless, Joe had an opportunity to excel in the Pistons’ organization. Coach Chuck Daly believed in a physical style of defense. Winning in Daly’s system meant outhustling, outrebounding, and physically dominating oppoThe Road to Excellence nents. Thus, Joe had a way into the lineup. By beMcNeese State University was not nationally recogcoming a feared defensive player, Joe gained an innized as a basketball powerhouse, and Joe’s emercrease in his playing time; he emerged as a star. Joe gence as a future NBA first-round draft pick did not was credited as one of the best defenders of his occur immediately. Joe chose McNeese State over time and one of few players who could slow down larger, nationally known programs because of the Michael Jordan. close proximity of the school to his family. The Although Joe was a defensive standout for the small conference, and therefore less media attenPistons of the 1980’s and 1990’s, known as the “Bad tion, did not deter Joe. He became a star in his first Boys,” he also had the ability to score, becoming year of college. After his freshman season, in 1982, a dominant one-two offensive punch with teamJoe was given the Southland Conference rookie of mate Thomas. The famous duo led the Pistons to NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. Joe was selected as the NBA Finals most Honors and Awards valuable player in 1989 and was the NBA defensive player of the year in 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team 1989 NBA Finals most valuable player 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1993. Further1989-90, 1992-93 NBA All-Defensive First Team more, he was a six-time NBA all-star, 1990-93, 1995, 1997 NBA All-Star Team from 1990 to 1993 and in 1995 and 1990-91 All-NBA Third Team 1993 All-NBA Second Team 1997. 1994 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Joe also contributed as the captain to 1996 Sportsmanship Award (renamed the “Joe Dumars Award”) the gold-medal-winning U.S. basketball 2000 Uniform number 4 retired by the Detroit Pistons team at the 1994 FIBA World Champi2003 NBA executive of the year onship. His ability to mold his game to96

Basketball ward the needs of his team may not have won Joe the national fame some athletes desire, but Joe was one of the most respected men on his team and in the league. He set records for most three-pointers in a game and most three-pointers in a half. He ended his career with 16,401 points, 2,203 rebounds, and 4,612 assists. A statistic often overlooked is his 1,388 career steals, several of which came when assigned to the game’s top offensive talents.

Joe Dumars


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99

82 79 82 69 75 80 82 77 69 67 67 79 72 38

287 369 453 456 508 622 587 677 505 417 255 385 329 144

.480 .492 .471 .504 .480 .481 .447 .465 .451 .429 .426 .440 .415 .411

190 184 251 260 297 371 412 343 276 277 162 222 127 51

.798 .747 .814 .849 .900 .889 .867 .863 .836 .805 .822 .867 .824 .836

119 167 200 172 212 187 188 148 151 158 138 191 104 68

390 352 387 390 368 443 375 308 261 368 265 318 253 134

769 931 1,161 1,186 1,335 1,629 1,635 1,809 1,410 1,214 793 1,158 943 428

9.37 11.8 14.2 17.2 17.8 20.4 19.9 23.5 20.4 18.1 11.8 14.7 13.1 11.3

Totals

1,018

5,994

.460

3,423

.843

2,203

4,612 16,401

16.1

Continuing the Story Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = Joe played an intense, tough, and free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game physical style of defense on the court. His offensive abilities were equal to many of the greats in the agency allowed the Pistons to contend for confergame. However, he managed to keep his physical ence and league championships beginning with style of play and his determination to win within his arrival. Additionally, Joe did not forget his the confines of the game. Joe could trash talk if roots. He became president of and sat on the board needed, but his play often dictated the tone of the for several inner-city programs aimed at education game. Joe’s playing days ended after the 1999 seaand awareness for Detroit youth. Most notably, Joe son, but his ability to manage a basketball team did was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketnot. Beginning in 2000, Joe became the president ball Hall of Fame in 2006. of basketball operations for the Pistons, building Keith J. Bell the team that won an NBA Championship in 2004. His most innovative trade was of Grant Hill—his Additional Sources friend, ex-teammate, and a player he helped beFarrell, Perry A., Rick Mahorn, and Joe Dumars. come an NBA all-star—for little-known Ben WalTales from the Detroit Pistons: With Reflections of Rick lace. Wallace, much like Joe, became known for deMahorn and Joe Dumars. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, fensive abilities, stifling some of the best centers in 2004. the game and leading the Pistons to the title. “NBA Preview—Can Anyone Shut Down Michael? Of Course Not, but Joe Dumars and the Pistons Summary Come Closest.” Sports Illustrated 71, no. 19 (NoJoe Dumars’s significance to basketball was in his vember, 6, 1989). playing ability and position as a positive role “Sports Illustrated Presents the 101 Most Influential model. Joe was born into a working-class environMinorities in Sports.” Sports Illustrated 98, no. 18 ment and overcame numerous setbacks during his (May 5, 2003). college and professional career. He played hard Thomas, Isiah, and Mark Dobek. Bad Boys: An Inand was often hurt, doing whatever his team needed side Look at the Detroit Pistons’ 1988-89 Championto win. This determination proceeded him to the ship Season. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Masters Press, management aspect of basketball, where Joe’s abil1989. ity to recognize talent in the draft and in free

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Tim Duncan Born: April 25, 1976 Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands Also known as: Timothy Theodore Duncan (full name); Big Fundamental Early Life Tim Duncan was born in Christiansted, St. Croix, in the Virgin Islands, on April 25, 1976, and only came to the attention of NBA scouts when he left home to play at Wake Forest University. Tim’s father, William, was a mason and hotel employee, while his mother, Ione, was a midwife. Interestingly, Tim’s favorite sport when he was growing up was swimming, not basketball. He seemed to be following in the steps of his sister Tricia, who swam in the 1988 Olympics in the 100and 200-meter backstroke. Tim’s best event was the 400-meter freestyle. His participation in swimming ended when Hurricane Hugo swept through his home island and destroyed the swimming complex where he trained. At the same time, Tim’s mother lost her battle with breast cancer, passing away in April, 1990. She had always been Tim’s biggest fan at his swimming meets. Tim turned to basketball his freshman year of high school and never looked back. He played for St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School, where he averaged 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots per game during his senior season. Tim was discovered by an alumnus of Wake Forest, Chris King, when an exhibition team toured the island. King watched Tim play well against Alonzo Mourning. Wake Forest coach Dave Odom visited Tim at his home, and Tim went on to enjoy a great college career for the Demon Deacons. The Road to Excellence Once Tim committed to playing basketball for Wake Forest, he steadily improved. By his senior year in college he was named National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) player of the year and the national defensive player of the year for the third consecutive season. Some had thought Tim might leave after his junior year and enter the NBA, but Tim returned to Wake Forest for his final 98

season. He wanted to earn his degree, as he had promised his mother he would. He also wanted one more chance to lead his team to an NCAA Championship. Tim ended his career as the all-time leading shot-blocker in Atlantic Athletic Conference history. To honor his achievements, the Demon Deacons retired Tim’s number, 21, at the Joel Coliseum. While at Wake Forest, Tim earned a degree in psychology. The Emerging Champion In 1997, the San Antonio Spurs picked Tim first in the NBA draft. The franchise’s faith was rewarded when Tim won rookie of the year honors, beating out New Jersey’s Keith Van Horn with 113 points out of a possible 116. Tim was also named to the

Tim Duncan about to grab a rebound. (Joe Mitchell/ Reuters/Landov)

Basketball

Tim Duncan game. In addition to playing in the all-star game, he helped his team win the NBA Championship; he was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the championship series. After the Spurs eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs in a four-game sweep, some reporters began referring to Tim as basketball’s newest and best player. During the summer of 1999, Tim was named to Team USA and played in the Tournament of the Americas in preparation for the Olympics. The team finished 10-0 and won the gold medal over Canada.

Honors, Awards, and Milestones 1997 Finished his college career first in Atlantic Coast Conference and second in NCAA history with 481 blocked shots, and third all-time in the ACC in rebounds (1,570) 1997-98 Schick Rookie of the Year Schick All-Rookie First Team, unanimous selection Schick Rookie of the Month for all six months of the season 1997-2005, 2007 All-NBA First Team 1998-2000 NBA All-Defensive First Team 1998, 2000-09 NBA All-Star Team 1999 NBA Player of the Month: March U.S. Basketball Men’s Senior National Team for 1999 Americas Qualifying Tournament for the 2000 Olympic Games 1999, 2003, 2005 NBA Finals most valuable player 2000 NBA All-Star Game, co-most valuable player 2001-03, 2005, 2007-08 NBA All-Defensive First Team 2002-03 NBA most valuable player

Schick all-rookie first team. Tim and Van Horn were the only unanimous selections, receiving all twenty-eight first-place votes. In his rookie year, Tim averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocked shots in approximately thirty-nine minutes a game. He started all eighty-two games for San Antonio and played in the all-star game. In his second year Tim played in only fifty games because of the strike-shortened season, but he still averaged more than 21 points and 11 rebounds a

Continuing the Story During the 1999-2000 season, Tim continued where he finished the previous year. He started in seventy-four contests, averaging nearly 39 minutes a game. Injuries kept him sidelined during some games that season and prevented him from participating in the playoffs, from which the Spurs were quickly eliminated. After the season, Tim became a free agent and negotiated with the Orlando Magic. However, he chose to remain with the Spurs. Tim and his teammate David Robinson became one of the most feared tandems in the NBA. Their skills and style complemented each other, though at times, some criticized Tim as too easygoing. However, Tim played with a quiet style that did not fit with many of the younger players in the NBA, who are vocal and emotional.


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 50 74 82 82 81 69 66 80 80 78

1,287 845 1,281 1,406 1,504 1,392 1,181 1,042 1,185 1,131 1,178

706 418 628 702 764 714 592 517 574 618 585

.549 .495 .490 .499 .508 .513 .501 .496 .484 .546 .497

482 358 603 662 701 634 588 455 533 568 463

319 247 459 409 560 450 352 305 335 362 338

.662 .690 .761 .618 .799 .710 .599 .670 .629 .637 .730

977 571 918 997 1,042 1,043 859 732 881 846 881

224 121 234 245 307 316 213 179 253 273 218

1,731 1,084 1,716 1,820 2,089 1,884 1,538 1,342 1,485 1,599 1,599

21.1 21.7 23.2 22.2 25.5 23.3 22.3 20.3 18.6 20.0 19.3

Totals

824

13,432

6,818

.508

6,047

4,136

.684

9,747

2,583

17,796

21.6


99

Tim Duncan In 2000-2001, Tim led the league in “doubledoubles,” double figures in two major statistical categories, for the third time in his career. In 20012002, he became only the fifth player in NBA history to be in the top five in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. The following season, he became the eighth player to win consecutive MVP honors for the regular season; furthermore, he was the MVP of the NBA Finals. Each year, he was selected to play in the all-star game. In his first five years, Tim led the NBA four times in doubledoubles. Tim’s career continued to be an example of excellence and quiet leadership. Although his teammates changed over the years, the success of his team remained constant. Through the 2007-2008 season, he had been named to the all-NBA first team nine times and the defensive first team eight times. In 2009, he played in his tenth consecutive all-star game. Tim helped lead the Spurs to the team’s only championships, in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007. In the process, Tim was named NBA Finals MVP in the first three championships, becoming only the fourth player ever to be so honored. Since 1999, in terms of championships, the Spurs have been the most successful professional team in the four major North American sports—basketball, football, baseball, and hockey—and have thereby been re-

100

Great Athletes ferred to as a dynasty. According to Player Efficiency Rating—a system devised by ESPN’s John Hollinger that adds points scored, rebounds, and assists minus shots missed and turnovers—Tim’s score is sixth best all time. He is considered by many to be the best player of his era and one of the greatest power forwards to have ever played the game. Summary Tim Duncan began playing in the NBA in 1997, and he made his mark on the game in a short time. His accomplishments with the San Antonio Spurs placed him among the league’s best. His stoic demeanor on the court has helped distinguish Tim from his NBA colleagues, and his consistently exemplary play ranks him with the greatest NBA players of all time. Leslie Heaphy, updated by Philip E. Lampe Additional Sources Byman, Jeremy. Tim Duncan. Greensboro, N.C.: Morgan Reynolds, 2000. Kernan, Kevin. Tim Duncan: Slam Duncan. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2000. Roselius, J. Chris. Tim Duncan: Champion on and off the Court. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2006. Thornley, Stew. Super Sports Star Tim Duncan. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2001.

Alex English Born: January 5, 1954 Columbia, South Carolina Also known as: Alexander English (full name); the Blade Early Life Alexander English was born on January 5, 1954, in Columbia, South Carolina. Alex came from a large family. With twelve hungry mouths to feed, his grandparents—who raised the children—continually struggled to make enough money to support the family. Despite the hardships, Alex had a happy childhood in Columbia. His first contact with organized basketball was at Dunbar High School. Alex was an outstanding high school player, and quickly became a recognized talent. Although basketball was a major part of Alex’s high school experience, he was always interested in his studies. Unlike many of his teammates, Alex was determined that basketball would not distract him from his schoolwork. The Road to Excellence Following his impressive high school basketball performances, Alex was recruited by many universities from all over the United States. In the end, he chose to stay near home, and he committed to the University of South Carolina. Alex was a promising player in high school, but at the collegiate level, he blossomed into an outstanding player who displayed the potential to go to the NBA. Alex made the transition to college basketball smoothly. He started every game in his four-year college career at South Carolina. Playing under coach Frank McGuire, Alex produced scintillating performances that endeared him to the Gamecocks fans. He became one of the first black sports stars on the South Carolina campus. In four years as a Gamecocks forward, Alex had more than 1,000 rebounds and shot more than 50 percent from the field. In all, he amassed a school record of 1,972 points. Alex realized that basketball had given him a great opportunity to become educated. While at South Carolina, Alex took the opportunity to further his academic development as much as possible. As a result he emerged as a gifted student. Alex

was particularly interested in the humanities, especially creative writing. As an undergraduate student, Alex developed an interest in poetry. As a result of his hard work in the classroom, Alex graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1976, with a bachelor’s degree in English. The Emerging Champion In the 1976 NBA draft, Alex was the second-round pick of the Milwaukee Bucks. Once again, Alex had to prove himself at a higher level of basketball, without assurance that he could succeed in the professional game. In his first two seasons, Alex, a shy, unassuming, and 6-foot 7-inch forward, adjusted slowly to the rigors of the NBA. He made steady progress, and in his second season shot an excellent 54.2 percent from the field.

Alex English, who ranked ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list at the time of his retirement. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

101

Great Athletes

Alex English Inexplicably, Don Nelson, the shrewd Bucks coach, released Alex following the 1978-1979 season. The Indiana Pacers signed him in June of the same year. With the Pacers, Alex developed into a highly competent NBA player. In his only season with Indiana, Alex was fourth on the team in scoring, with 16.0 points per game; third in assists, with 271; second in rebounding, averaging 8.1 per game; and second in field goal percentage, at 51.1 percent. Indiana had acquired a prized asset in Alex. However, rather than hold on to its emerging superstar, the Pacers decided to trade him for an established palyer. In 1979, Indiana traded Alex and a first-round draft pick to Denver for George McGinnis, who had starred for the Pacers in the team’s American Basketball Association (ABA) days. The trade was a disaster for the Pacers. Whereas McGinnis failed to rediscover his glory days, Alex moved to the Nuggets and established himself as one of the NBA’s best forwards. Continuing the Story By the time of his arrival in Denver, Alex was rapidly maturing into an outstanding NBA player. His first full season with the Nuggets gave a hint of what was to come in the next nine seasons: Alex scored 23.8 points per game and shot 49.4 percent from the field. Alex became renowned throughout the NBA for his elegant and productive shooting. From

1982 to 1988, he consistently finished among the top scorers in the league. Averaging at least 23 points per game, Alex was a perennial NBA all-star. In 1982-1983, he topped the NBA scorers with an average of 28.4 points per game. However, it was the 1984-1985 season that best demonstrated Alex’s qualities as an all-around basketball player. In that season, in addition to scoring 27.9 points per game, he led the Denver franchise in offensive rebounds, blocked shots, and minutes played. For much of the 1980’s, Alex was the key component in the Nuggets team. However, off the court Alex proved that he was more than a mere basketball player. While with Denver, Alex became well known for his poetry, and he even published a volume of his own work. During this period Alex also starred in the motion picture Amazing Grace and Chuck (1987). Playing the role of a member of the Boston Celtics, Alex tackled the thorny antinuclear question in what proved to be one of the most novel sports films ever made. Alex finally left Denver at the end of the 1989-1990 season and signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Although his career was drawing to a close, Alex still possessed the scoring skills with which he had made his mark in the NBA. In 1991, after having scored 25,613 points in his illustrious career, Alex retired from the NBA. In 1991-1992, at the age of thirty-seven, he played one year in Italy for Depi Napoli, averaging 13.9 points


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91

60 82 81 78 81 82 82 82 81 81 82 80 82 80 79

132 343 563 553 768 855 959 907 939 951 965 843 924 635 322

.477 .542 .511 .501 .494 .551 .516 .529 .518 .504 .503 .495 .491 .491 .439

46 104 173 210 390 372 406 352 383 511 411 314 325 161 118

.767 .727 .752 .789 .850 .840 .829 .824 .829 .862 .844 .828 .858 .880 .850

168 395 655 605 646 558 601 464 458 405 344 373 326 286 254

25 129 271 224 290 433 397 406 344 320 422 377 383 225 105

310 790 1,299 1,318 1,929 2,082 2,326 2,167 2,262 2,414 2,345 2,000 2,175 1,433 763

5.2 9.6 16.0 16.9 23.8 25.4 28.4 26.4 27.9 29.8 28.6 25.0 26.5 17.9 9.7

Totals

1,193

10,659

.507

4,276

.832

6,538

4,351

25,613

21.5


102

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1982-89 NBA All-Star Team 1982-83, 1986 All-NBA Team 1988 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award 1993 Uniform number 2 retired by Denver Nuggets 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1997 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

in eighteen games. In 1992, he was named the director of player programs of the National Basketball Players Association. His duties included managing programs such as player orientation in the NBA, alcohol and drug abuse, education, careerplanning, and improvement of the communities where NBA teams were located. In 1993, the Denver Nuggets retired Alex’s number 2 uniform. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA in 1996, Alex was named one the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1997, he received the ultimate basketball honor when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The following year, Alex was appointed as the first commissioner of the International Basketball Association (IBA). Alex oversaw league operations, resolved game disputes, and enhanced the league’s profile, as he continued

Alex English to develop a positive working relationship between the IBA and the NBA. In 2004, he became the Toronto Raptors director of player development and assistant coach. Alex also served as the director for the Africa 100 Camp, a program that combined basketball instruction with education for the top one hundred young basketball players in Africa. Summary Alex English was one of the superstars of basketball during the 1980’s and one of the top NBA scorers of all time. Basketball gave Alex the opportunity to get an education and have a comfortable lifestyle. Despite fame and fortune, Alex remained a levelheaded individual and developed interests in other areas, all of which enabled him to become a thoughtful, sensitive, and well-rounded individual. David L. Andrews Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

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Julius Erving Born: February 22, 1950 Hempstead, New York Also known as: Julius Winfield Erving II (full name); Dr. J Early Life Julius Winfield Erving II was born on February 22, 1950, at Hempstead on Long Island, New York. Julius’s early life was very hard. His father left home

when Julius was only three, leaving his mother to support two sons and a daughter. Money was scarce in the household, and Julius’s mother had a variety of jobs to make ends meet. Julius was often left on his own, and he usually ended up playing in the streets. Julius discovered basketball, and as he got older, he spent more and more of his time practicing. The local Salvation Army Youth Center was the first organized team for which Julius played, and with it he traveled all over Long Island. Playing for the Salvation Army, Julius visited places that he would never have gone were it not for basketball. From a very early age, Julius understood that basketball could provide him with many opportunities in life.

Julius Erving, one of the first “high flyers” in professional basketball, slam dunking the ball during the 1977 all-star game. (AP/Wide World Photos)

104

The Road to Excellence After years of struggling, Julius’s family gained a bit of stability following Julius’s mother’s remarriage in 1963. The family moved to Roosevelt, Long Island. Julius’s basketball skills grew stronger, as he spent hours at the Roosevelt Park playground perfecting his game and developing the incredible moves for which he became famous. By the time Julius entered Roosevelt High School, he was already an accomplished player. He started on the freshman basketball team and was quickly promoted to the varsity. While at Roosevelt High, Julius picked up the nickname of “The Doctor.” Throughout his high school career, Julius continued to improve. By his senior year, the 6foot 3-inch, 165-pound wisp was the star of the team. Julius’s play was brought to the attention of college coaches. He was recruited by more than one

Basketball

Julius Erving


GP 84 71 84 84 84 82 74 78 78 82 81 72 77 78 74 60 1,243

FGM 910 894 914 914 949 685 611 715 838 794 780 605 678 610 521 400 11,818

FG% .498 .496 .512 .506 .507 .499 .502 .491 .519 .521 .546 .517 .512 .494 .480 .471 .506

FTM 467 475 454 486 530 400 306 373 420 422 411 330 364 338 289 191 6,256

FT% .745 .776 .766 .799 .801 .777 .845 .745 .787 .787 .763 .759 .754 .765 .785 .813 .777

Reb. 1,319 867 899 914 925 695 481 564 576 657 557 491 532 414 370 264 10,525

Ast. 335 298 434 462 423 306 279 357 355 364 319 263 309 233 248 191 5,176

TP 2,290 2,268 2,299 2,343 2,462 1,770 1,528 1,803 2,100 2,014 1,974 1,542 1,727 1,561 1,340 1,005 30,026

PPG 27.3 31.9 27.4 27.9 29.3 21.6 20.6 23.1 26.9 24.6 24.4 21.4 22.4 20.0 18.1 16.8 24.2


hundred universities. He thought long and hard about which college to attend; he was determined to go to the institution that would give him the best education. In the end, Julius decided to go to the University of Massachusetts. In the fall of 1968, he started college and swiftly became a well-known figure on campus. Spectators got to games early in order to watch Julius’s spectacular warm-up drills. Under the guidance of the Massachusetts coach Jack Leaman, Julius developed into a complete basketball player. He was capable of dominating a game with his scoring, rebounding, passing, and defensive skills. As a sophomore, Julius averaged 25.7 points and 20.9 rebounds per game, and 26.9 points and 19.5 rebounds per game as a junior. Julius was destined to have an outstanding career in professional basketball, but as it happened, his entry into the pro game occurred slightly earlier than expected. The Emerging Champion In 1967, the American Basketball Association (ABA) was set up in competition with the NBA. The ABA was committed to stealing some of the NBA’s popularity, and signed top college players before they had used up their four years of college eligibility. As one of the premier college players in the nation, Julius was predictably offered pro contracts by numerous ABA teams. These offers

put him in an extremely difficult position. Julius valued his education and had a great deal of affection for and loyalty to the University of Massachusetts. In the end, however, Julius decided that a professional contract would give his family much needed financial support. In 1971, following his junior year, Julius signed a four-year contract with the Virginia Squires of the ABA. The contract was worth $500,000.

Honors and Awards 1972 ABA All-Rookie Team All-ABA Second Team 1972-76 ABA All-Star Team 1973-76 All-ABA First Team 1974-76 ABA most valuable player 1974, 1976 ABA Playoffs most valuable player 1976 ABA All-Defensive Team 1977-87 NBA All-Star Team 1977, 1983 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1977, 1984 All-NBA Second Team 1978, 1980-83 All-NBA First Team 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team 1981 NBA most valuable player 1983 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award 1993 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time Uniform number 32 retired by New Jersey Nets Uniform number 6 retired by Philadelphia 76ers

105

Julius Erving In 1971-1972, Julius had an outstanding rookie season in the ABA, averaging 27.3 points and 15.7 rebounds per game. He quickly became one of the best players in the league. In his second season, Julius won the ABA scoring title, averaging 31.9 points per game. By this time, he was the best player in the league. Julius’s play—a mixture of power and finesse characterized by breathtaking dunks, delicate lay-ups, and athletic rebounding—made him very popular with the fans and ensured the Squires a large following. Unfortunately for Julius, the Virginia Squires had financial problems and found it increasingly harder to honor Julius’s contract. Julius had already made an unsuccessful attempt to sign with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, so, in 1973, when the Squires could not pay Julius the money he was owed, the team agreed to trade him. Subsequently, Julius signed a seven-year, $2 million contract with the ABA’s New York Nets. In doing so, Julius made a triumphant return to his hometown as one of the finest players in professional basketball. Continuing the Story Julius continued his outstanding exploits with the Nets. In his three seasons with the team, the Nets won two ABA Championships. Julius garnered three league and two playoff most valuable player (MVP) awards. Julius was fast becoming a legendary figure in basketball. His awesome displays dominated both the play of his team and that of the whole league. In many respects, Julius Erving had become the American Basketball Association. While Julius was setting basketball alight in the ABA, there were skeptics who said he could never survive in the more demanding setting of the NBA. In 1976, Julius was handed the opportunity to prove that he was one of the greatest players to play the game. In 1976, after concerted financial pressure was put on the league, the ABA folded. Following an elongated contract dispute with the Nets— who were one of the four ABA teams to join the NBA—Julius started his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers. The star of the ABA soon became the star of the NBA, as Julius steered the 76ers to the playoffs in each of his eleven seasons with the club. Julius was also an NBA all-star in all eleven seasons, winning the all-star game MVP award in 1977 and 1983, and winning the NBA’s MVP award in 1981. However, 106

Great Athletes Julius’s proudest achievement came in 1983, when he led the 76ers to a coveted NBA Championship. In the last few years of his professional career, Julius helped the 76ers build for the future by guiding upand-coming stars such as Charles Barkley. Most basketball experts say that “Doctor J.” saved the ABA and kept the NBA afloat with his exciting, free-form style of basketball. During his career in professional basketball, he represented the essence of citizenship and sportsmanship. In 1993, he was justly honored for his basketball heroics as an inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, Julius was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. After his retirement from the NBA, Julius forged a successful business and broadcasting career. He purchased a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Philadelphia and cable television stations in New York and New Jersey. Julius served as the in-studio analyst for NBC during its coverage of NBA action. In 2000, Julius accepted a job as executive vice president of the Orlando Magic. During 2008, he began appearing frequently on television as a spokesman for Dr. Pepper soft drinks. Summary Julius Erving was arguably the most complete basketball player of all time. His skill, grace, and commitment dominated the professional game for more than fifteen years. However, without his caring, supportive, and unselfish attitude, Julius would not have become the great champion that he was. David L. Andrews Additional Sources Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Orr, Frank, and George Tracz. The Dominators: The Remarkable Athletes Who Changed Their Sport Forever. Toronto: Warwick, 2004. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Taylor, Phil. “Julius Erving.” Sports Illustrated 95, no. 8 (August 27, 2001): 47-49.

Patrick Ewing Born: August 5, 1962 Kingston, Jamaica Also known as: Patrick Aloysius Ewing (full name); the Beast; Hoya Detroya

Center Patrick Ewing, who was one of the premier NBA players of his era with the New York Knicks. (Courtesy of NBA)

Early Life Patrick Ewing was born into a poor family in Kingston, Jamaica, on August 5, 1962, the fifth of seven children of Carl and Dorothy Ewing. As a boy, Patrick, who was always big for his age, enjoyed drawing and demonstrated a talent for soccer and cricket, Jamaica’s most popular sports. When he was nine, his mother immigrated to the United States, and the other family members followed her over the next few years. In 1975, thirteen-year-old Patrick joined his family in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his parents had found work. He was already more than 6 feet tall. Soon, he was invited to try basketball, a sport he had never played before. At Cambridge’s Rindge and Latin High School, he blossomed under the coaching of Mike Jarvis, leading the school to three consecutive state titles. He also continued to grow; by his senior year, he was more than 7 feet tall. In 1980, after his junior year, he became the first high-school player to be invited to try out for the U.S. Olympic basketball team. His height and obvious basketball talent made him one of the most sought-after college recruits in the country, and he received dozens of scholarship offers. The Road to Excellence Patrick chose to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in part because the school’s coach, John Thompson, was himself nearly 7 feet tall. Patrick said that he thought another tall man would be better able to relate to him, both as a player and as a person. In his freshman season, Patrick, a huge yet agile center, led the Hoyas into the finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament. He had grown to almost 240 pounds, and he was enormously strong. He became known for his powerful dunks, and his exceptionally long arms made him an intimidating shot-blocker. Although the Hoyas lost the championship game to a University of North Carolina team that starred Michael Jordan and James Worthy, Patrick impressed fans around the country with his rebounding and ferocious defense. 107

Great Athletes

Patrick Ewing


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02

50 63 82 80 82 81 82 81 79 79 76 78 26 38 62 79 65

386 530 656 727 922 845 796 779 745 730 678 655 203 247 361 294 148

.474 .503 .555 .567 .551 .514 .522 .503 .496 .503 .466 .488 .504 .435 .466 .430 .444

226 296 341 361 502 464 377 400 445 420 351 439 134 163 207 172 94

.739 .713 .716 .746 .775 .745 .738 .719 .765 .750 .761 .754 .720 .706 .731 .685 .701

451 555 676 740 893 905 921 980 885 867 806 834 265 377 604 585 263

102 104 125 188 182 244 156 151 179 212 160 156 28 43 58 92 35

998 1,356 1,653 1,815 2,347 2,154 1,970 1,959 1,939 1,886 1,711 1,751 540 657 929 760 390

20.0 21.5 20.2 22.7 28.6 26.6 24.0 24.2 24.5 23.9 22.5 22.4 20.8 17.3 15.0 9.6 6.0

Totals

1,183

9,702

.504

5,392

.740

11,607

2,215

24,815

21.0


In his junior year, Patrick led Georgetown back to the finals. This time the Hoyas emerged victorious, beating the University of Houston Cougars and its star center, Hakeem Olajuwon, for the NCAA Championship. That summer, too, Patrick helped the U.S. team to a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. Despite the temptation of the enormous amount of money he could make by turning professional, Patrick chose to stay in school and earn his degree in four years. He had promised his mother, who died shortly before his graduation, to finish on time. In Patrick’s senior year, Honors Georgetown advanced to the NCAA Finals again. Although the favored Hoyas were upset by Villanova University, Patrick received the Naismith Award, the Rupp Trophy, and the Eastman Award as college player of the year. The Emerging Champion After Patrick’s senior season, the New York Knicks chose him with the first pick of the 1985 NBA draft. The Knicks, a once-proud team that had fallen on hard times, looked to the huge young center as a potential savior. He thus began the challenge of a 108

professional career with the added burden of meeting the high expectations of the tough New York fans and media. In his first NBA season, Patrick won the league’s rookie of the year award, averaging 20 points and 9 rebounds a game and playing impressive defense. The Knicks finished last in the NBA’s Atlantic Division in Patrick’s first two seasons with the team, however. Though he had established himself as one of the game’s top players, he was criticized for failing to lead the team out of its doldrums.

and Awards 1983-85 1984 1984, 1992 1985

1986

1986, 1988-94 1988-89, 1990-93, 1996-97 1988-89, 1992 1990 1996 1997-2001 2003 2008

College All-American NCAA Division I Tournament most outstanding player Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Eastman Award Naismith College Player of the Year Award Rupp Trophy NBA All-Rookie Team NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Star Team All-NBA Second Team NBA All-Defensive Second Team All-NBA First Team NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team President of NBA Players Association Uniform number 33 retired by Knicks Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Basketball Continuing the Story Patrick silenced his critics by continuing to improve. He led the Knicks into the playoffs in the 1987-1988 season, and by the 1990’s, New York was again one of the NBA’s premier franchises. Patrick became a perennial all-star selection, pulling down more than 10 rebounds a game year after year and averaging as many as 28.6 points a game. In 1992, Patrick’s status among the game’s greatest players was confirmed when he was named to the U.S. Dream Team at the Barcelona Olympics. He started at center on the American team alongside such stars as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley, becoming one of the first players to win a second Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball. Patrick led the Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1994, but New York lost in seven games to the Houston Rockets. In 1996, Patrick was named to the prestigious list of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. On an attempted dunk play in December, 1997, he tore ligaments and dislocated the lunate bone in his right wrist and spent the rest of the season in rehabilitation. After some rather rapid healing, Patrick returned to play against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Patrick was elected the president of the NBA Players Association for a four-year term in 1997. He was the key man for the players during the 1998 NBA lockout and eventually helped work out a settlement. He took some criticism for the role he played in the negotiations; some accused him of dragging out the proceedings longer than needed and frustrating fans by saying that the players were only fighting for their livelihoods. On September 1, 2000, Patrick was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in a complicated three-team deal. He left the Knicks as the all-time leader in franchise history in scoring, rebounding, and other major statistical categories. After one disappointing season with the Sonics, Patrick became a free agent and signed with the Orlando Magic

Patrick Ewing but retired September 18, 2002. In recognition of his numerous records for the New York Knicks, the team retired his number 33 jersey on February 28, 2003. Patrick served as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, retired again, and then became an assistant coach for the Magic for the 20072008 season. To cap his outstanding career, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September, 2008. During that career, he scored 24,815 points and had 2,894 blocks and 11,607 rebounds. He also made the all-NBA first team once and the all-NBA second team six times. Summary Patrick Ewing allied his tremendous talent with a ferocity that made him one of the most intimidating basketball players of all time. His natural skills and his will to win helped to make his amateur teams champions and made him a top professional as well. He is considered one of the finest centers in the history of the game. Robert McClenaghan, updated by Thomas L. Erskine Additional Sources DeCourcey, Mike. “College Should Be the Developmental League: College Basketball Was Good Enough for Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Isiah Thomas but It Has Become Obvious David Stern Has No Use for It.” The Sporting News, 229 (April 29, 2005): 58. Kalinsky, George, and Phil Berger. The New York Knicks: The Official Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. New York: Macmillan, 1996. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Saraceno, Jon. “Ewing Leads Seven into Tonight’s Hall Induction.” USA Today, September 6, 2008, p. 7c. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

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Walt Frazier Born: March 29, 1945 Atlanta, Georgia Also known as: Walter Frazier, Jr. (full name); Clyde Early Life Walter Frazier, Jr., was born on March 29, 1945, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the oldest child of Walter, Sr., and Eula Wynn Frazier’s nine children. Walt learned early that as the oldest, he had more responsibility. The Frazier family lived in a duplex in a poor section of Atlanta. Growing up in a large

family gave Walt little privacy. Walt was a shy child, but he loved sports. Because of the stress related to a large family, he had to find an inner calm to help him through the chaos of everyday life. Walt’s ability to remain calm in crises later helped him to excel in close games.

The Road to Excellence By the time Walt reached high school, he had matured enough both physically and emotionally to become the guiding force on his school basketball, baseball, and football teams. He attended David T. Howard High School, which was a segregated school in Atlanta. Walt was the quarterback on the football team, not only because of his leadership ability but also because he could throw a forward pass more than 70 yards. On the baseball team, he was the catcher, a position that demands leadership skills. Walt was the playmaker on the basketball team. At the guard position, he had a wonderful command of game situations and adjusted quickly to the needs of his team. Because of his skill as a football player, Walt received offers of football scholarships from Indiana University and Kansas University. Walt wanted to continue playing quarterback, but neither college would guarantee that he would be used at that position. Black quarterbacks were rare at both the college and the professional level, so Walt decided to turn down the schools’ offers. Instead, he accepted a basketball scholarship from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Walt decided that he could go further in basketball without having to learn a new position, as he would have had to do if he wanted to continue playing football. Jack Hartman was the basketball coach at Southern Illinois. He and Walt were ideally suited for each other because they both believed that defense was of prime imporNew York Knicks guard Walt Frazier. (Courtesy of New York tance. Walt became more efficient as a player Knickerbockers) 110

Basketball

Walt Frazier

under the tutelage of Hartman. During his sophomore year, he was named all-American. The Southern Illinois Salukis became a potent team that could compete against the major college teams of the country. The Emerging Champion Walt became an outstanding college player, but he was struggling academically. Because he had failed too many courses, he became ineligible to play basketball during the 1965-1966 season. Walt decided to stay in school and straighten out his academic standing so that he would regain his eligibility for the next season. During the year away from varsity basketball, Walt worked hard on his defensive skills by playing against the varsity squad. In scrimmages against the varsity, he was so tenacious on defense that no one wanted to practice against him. The 1966-1967 season, with Walt back on the team, was Southern Illinois’ most successful. Walt averaged 18.2 points per game as he led the Salukis to the United Press International top ranking for small-college teams. Southern Illnois also became the first small-college team to be invited to the National Invitational Tournament, held in New York City. Walt was outstanding in the tournament and helped his team to capture the championship. The Salukis defeated Marquette University in the finals 71-56. Walt was named most valuable player for the tournament. He was also named first-team allAmerican for the season. Although Walt had one more year of college eligibility, he decided to drop

out of Southern Illinois and pursue a basketball career after the New York Knicks of the NBA drafted him in the first round. Walt’s rookie year was disappointing, but by his second year, Walt had become accustomed to the professional style of play. He finished his second season with a 17.5 points-per-game average. He also finished the season averaging 7.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game. The Knicks were a contender for the championship. The starting five included Walt and Dick Barnett at the guards, Bill Bradley and Dave DeBusschere at the forwards, and Willis Reed at the center position. Everything came together in the 1969-1970 season, and the New York Knicks won its first NBA Championship. Continuing the Story With Red Holzman as the Knicks coach, New York was the toughest defensive team in the league. Having Walt on the team made the task that much easier. From 1969 through 1975, he was named to the NBA’s all-defensive first team. The Knicks won the championship again in 1972-1973. Always cool on the court, Walt played his best in pressure situations. He remained composed and was rarely visibly angry. Throughout his career, Walt never got overly excited. He played the game with grace, never wasting a single movement. Walt became known as “Clyde” because he liked to dress in the style of the movie Bonnie and Clyde (1967). He was considered one of the best-dressed athletes in the country. Walt may have been a quiet individ-


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80

74 80 77 80 77 78 80 78 59 76 51 12 3

256 531 600 651 669 681 674 672 470 532 336 54 4

.451 .505 .518 .494 .512 .490 .472 .483 .485 .489 .471 .443 .364

154 341 409 434 450 286 295 331 186 259 153 21 2

.655 .746 .748 .779 .808 .817 .838 .828 .823 .771 .850 .778 1.000

313 499 465 544 513 570 536 465 400 293 209 20 3

305 635 629 536 446 461 551 474 351 403 209 32 8

666 1,403 1,609 1,736 1,788 1,648 1,643 1,675 1,126 1,323 825 129 10

9.0 17.5 20.9 21.7 23.2 21.1 20.5 21.5 19.1 17.4 16.2 10.8 3.3

Totals

825

6,130

.490

3,321

.786

4,830

5,040

15,581

18.9


111

Great Athletes

Walt Frazier ual, but when it came to clothes, he certainly stood out. Walt led the Knicks in scoring from 1971 through 1975 and in assists from 1968 through 1977. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers before the 1977-1978 season. He played for the Cavaliers for two years before retiring. For his career, he averaged 18.9 points and 6.1 assists per game. After retiring, Walt invested in a variety of businesses. He served as president of All-Star Sports, setting up promotional work for athletes. He also started Walt Frazier Enterprises, which offered representation for athletes. Walt had married in 1965; although the marriage ended in divorce, it produced a son, Walter III. In 1981, Walt made his way into broadcasting by working as a television analyst for the Atlanta Hawks. He also worked on several NBA telecasts for Turner Broadcasting. In 1987, he joined the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Network as a radio analyst for the Knicks. In 1996, as part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA, Walt was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. After eleven seasons on the radio with MSG, Walt teamed up with Mike Breen to do MSG Network’s telecasts of the Knick games. Walt brought a unique and innovative style to the booth, using a smooth voice, an array of rhymes, and an extensive vocabulary. He and Breen ranked as one of the best commentator pairs in basketball broadcasting. Walt became a member of the Madison Square Garden Wall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Walt established the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, a nonprofit organization to help inner-city high school students achieve their full potential. In the off-season, he spent a great deal of time in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, where he owned a bed and breakfast. Summary In 1987, Walt Frazier was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is one of the NBA’s greatest defensive players ever. As a player

112

Honors and Awards 1965, 1967 Little All-American 1967 NIT most valuable player

Sporting News All-American 1968 NBA All-Rookie Team 1969-75 NBA All-Defensive Team 1970-75 All-NBA Team 1970-76 NBA All-Star Team 1975 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1979 Uniform number 10 retired by New York Knicks 1984 Inducted into Madison Square Garden Wall of Fame 1986 Inducted into Georgia Sports Hall of Fame 1987 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

who knew how to remain calm even in the most stressful game situations, Walt helped lead the New York Knicks to two NBA Championships. He will be remembered for the grace, savvy, and quiet leadership he brought to every team on which he played. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. D’Agostino, Dennis. Garden Glory: An Oral History of the New York Knicks. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2005. Elliott, Josh. “Walt Frazier, Debonair Knick.” Sports Illustrated 94, no. 16 (April 16, 2001): 19-21. Frazier, Walt. Game Within the Game. New York: Hyperion, 2007. Frazier, Walt, Alex Sachare, and Bill Walton. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Basketball. New York: Macmillan, 1999. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Joe Fulks Born: October 26, 1921 Birmingham, Kentucky Died: March 21, 1976 Eddyville, Kentucky Also known as: Joseph Franklin Fulks (full name); Jumpin’ Joe Early Life Joseph Franklin Fulks was born on October 26, 1921, in a rural farmhouse on the banks of the Marshall River, outside of Birmingham, Kentucky. Joe’s early childhood sports were hunting and fishing. He was always busy with chores. Joe’s introduction to basketball occurred one autumn afternoon in 1929, at the age of eight. He had wandered into Birmingham, where he observed the local high school team practicing on an outdoor court. From that brief introduction, Joe was fascinated with the game. He spent every spare moment tossing a tin can through the baskets on the outside court. When the high school coach discovered who had been cutting up his nets each night, he gave Joe an old ball with which to practice. In a short time, Joe was imitating all the shots and moves of the high school players. The Road to Excellence In Birmingham in the 1920’s, there were no youth leagues. Therefore, Joe did not play organized basketball until he joined the Marshall County High School team. As a lanky 6-foot freshman forward, Joe easily became the team’s star player. He shot the ball with either hand, while moving and jumping into the air. He took turnaround shots and frequently transferred the ball from one hand to the other to shoot or pass. Joe was criticized by his coach for his unorthodox playing style. Joe limited his offensive style during games, but continued to practice his technique at every opportunity. In the summer of 1938, Joe’s family

moved to Kuttawa, Kentucky, where he made the Kuttawa High School team. As a junior, Joe was 6 feet 41⁄2 inches, and his new coach was in awe of Joe’s unique shooting ability. By the end of his senior year at Kuttawa High School, Joe was Kentucky’s top high school player, having broken every state scoring record. Following graduation, Joe entered tiny Murray State Teachers’ College (later Murray State University), where he played varsity basketball for two seasons, from 1941 to 1943. At Murray State, Joe perfected his innovative jump-shooting skills, and his exceptional leaping ability made him a fine college rebounder. In forty-seven collegiate games, Joe

Joe Fulks. (NBAE/Getty Images)

113

Great Athletes

Joe Fulks

Honors and Awards 1942-43 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Star Team 1943 NAIA All-American 1947-49, 1951 All-NBA Team 1951-52 NBA All-Star Team 1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team 1977 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

scored 621 points for an average of 13.2 points per game. He was selected as Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference all-star both of his college seasons, and named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes all-American in 1943. Joe left school following the 1943 season to serve in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. While undergoing training in San Diego, California, Joe played service basketball. In the service, he saw action at Guam and Iwo Jima. The Emerging Champion In 1947, upon discharge from military service, Joe signed an $8,000 contract with the Philadelphia Warriors of the newly formed Basketball Association of America. Warriors coach Eddie Gottlieb needed a player like Joe to attract fans and ensure the success of the first-year franchise. Coach Gottlieb instructed Warriors team members to get the ball to Joe. Joe did not disappoint Gottlieb or the fans. From the forward position, he was the sparkplug of the Philadelphia offense and a virtual scoring machine. In his rookie year, Joe led the league in scoring with 1,389 points for a 23.2-points-per-game average. Joe was not an all-around player, and he was

often criticized by sportswriters and opposing coaches for taking too many shots. Although he was 6 feet 5 inches tall and an excellent jumper, Joe was not a rebounding threat in the professional league. Also, he was slow on his feet and not a great defensive player. However, few denied Joe’s value to the Warriors as he led them to the professional basketball championship in 1947. The 1948-1949 season was Joe’s best. Despite missing five games with injuries and suffering nearly two weeks with a stomach ailment, Joe led the league in scoring with a 26.0-points-per-game average. This average was aided significantly by a single-game performance on February 10, 1949, in a game against the Indianapolis Jets. Everything came together for Joe during the game as he scored on every kind of shot. By halftime, he had 30 points and the Warriors led 49-38. Joe did not miss two shots in a row until late in the third quarter, and when the quarter ended, he had 49 points, eclipsing George Mikan’s previous single-game record. With four minutes remaining in the final quarter, Joe had scored 59 points and was exhausted, but his teammates continued to get him the ball. When Coach Gottlieb finally substituted for Joe with 56 seconds remaining, he had scored a league record of 63 points, and the Warriors won 108-87. Joe’s record stood for ten seasons until Elgin Baylor scored 64 points against the Boston Celtics. Continuing the Story Joe enjoyed eight seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors from 1947 to 1954. During his career, he scored 8,003 points in 489 regular season games for

NBA Statistics Season 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 Totals

GP 60 43 60 68 66 61 70 61 489

FGM 475 326 529 336 429 336 332 61 2,824

FG% .305 .259 .313 .278 .316 .312 .346 .266 .302

FTM 439 297 502 293 378 250 168 28 2,355

FT% .730 .762 .787 .696 .855 .825 .727 .571 .766

Reb. — — — — 523 368 387 101 —

Ast. 25 26 74 56 117 123 138 28 587

TP 1,389 949 1,560 965 1,236 922 832 150 8,003

PPG 23.2 22.1 26.0 14.2 18.7 15.1 11.9 2.5 16.4


114

Basketball 16.4 points per game. In thirty-one playoff contests, Joe averaged 19 points per game. He led the league in free-throw percentage in 1950-1951, played in two NBA all-star games, and was selected to the all-NBA first team three times. After retiring from basketball, Joe worked as a production foreman for the GAF Corporation in Calvert, Kentucky, and scouted for the Philadelphia 76ers until 1965. Summary In the sometimes slow, almost predictable, game of basketball played during the 1940’s, Joe Fulks’s wide-open, freelance offensive style was exciting

Joe Fulks for the fans. His style helped to shape the fastpaced, high-scoring game that became popular at every level of basketball. Jerry Jaye Wright Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Macnow, Glen, and Big Daddy Graham. The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2006.

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Nick Galis Born: July 23, 1957 New Jersey Also known as: Nikos Georgalkis (birth name); Nick the Greek; Nikos Galis; Michael Jordan of Greece; Nik the Greek Early Life Nick Galis was born the youngest of four children of George Georgalis, a poor immigrant from the Greek island of Rhodes and a boxer in his youth. Nick tried boxing, but his mother dissuaded him because of the brutality inherent in the sport. As a student at Union Hill High School in Union City, New Jersey, Nick was a star player on the school’s basketball team. College scouts, impressed by his performance, offered him athletic scholarships. In 1975, he accepted the invitation of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, to play on its basketball team, the Pirates. The Road to Excellence Nick had an impressive career playing for Seton Hall. As a senior, he played shooting guard and scored an impressive 27.5 points per game. He ranked third among the NCAA’s highest scorers, behind Larry Bird and Lawrence Butler. In the 1979 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics chose him in the fourth round. At this point, Nick incurred a life-changing and serious injury while playing in the Celtics’ preseason camp. Because of the injury, he could not play for several months. By the time he recovered, the Celtics had replaced him and showed no interest in

Honors and Awards 1980-94 Greek League scoring champion 1987 Eurobasket most valuable player FIBA Europe Player of the Year 1987-91 Greek League playoff most valuable player 1987-90, 1992-93 Greek Cup most valuable player 1987, 1989, 1991 Eurobasket All-Tournament Team 1988-91 Greek League most valuable player 2007 Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame 2008 Fifty Greatest Euroleague Competitors

116

offering him a contract. Nick was left with an uncertain future in American sports. Nick decided to go to Greece, where he signed with Aris Thessaloniki. At that time, Greece had made little impact on worldwide basketball, but Nick changed that situation quickly. His extraordinary basketball capability was highly valued in Greek athletics. Two teams besides Aris—Panathinaikos and Olympiakos—were interested in having Nick join them, but he loved Thessaloniki and cast his lot with Aris. Almost immediately, Nick transformed his Greek basketball team into one of the best teams in Europe. Emerging Champion Nick helped Aris achieve first place in the 1987 Eurobasket contest, scoring 37 points per game in that championship competition. In the previous year, Nick participated in the FIBA World Championship, during which he maintained a 33-pointsper-game average and scored 53 points against the Panamanian team. In 1989, he played a stunning game in the Eurobasket semifinals, scoring 45 of his team’s 81 points. He helped to assure an Aris victory in a last-minute surge that resulted in a onepoint victory. During his years with Aris, Nick averaged more than 30 points a game in every season until 1991. He won seven Greek Championships and six Greek Basketball Cups and was the leader during the team’s participation in the European Champions League Final Four of 1988, 1989, and 1990. Despite Nick’s excellent play and his phenomenal popularity among Greeks, his team was defeated in the semifinal round of the Final Four. Continuing the Story In 1992, Aris appointed a new team president who feared that the team was declining. In his efforts to revive it, he was not supportive of Nick, who was adamant about remaining on the team and continuing his life in Thessaloniki, a place that he loved. The team’s president refused to retain Nick. This intransigence on his part was devastating to Nick, who considered joining Aris’ chief rival PAOK.

Basketball Instead, Nick joined Panathinaikos in Athens. In his first year on that team, he helped the team win the Greek Basketball Cup. In 1994, he played in the European Final Four with his new team. History seemed to repeat itself: Panathinaikos lost in the semifinals, just as Aris had in three consecutive competitions when Nick was a member of that team. Nick was the highest scorer in the third-place match against Barcelona, which was of meager comfort to him. His career was in decline, and at the end of the 1994 season, Kostas Politis, the head coach of Panathinaikos, refused to include him in the starting lineup in the Greek Championship game against Ambelokipi. Nick, discouraged and defeated, turned his back on the team and, for a time, on basketball. Summary Feeling that he had been forced into an involuntary retirement, Nick Galis was understandably bitter for some time. However, he loved basketball too

Nick Galis much to completely leave the sport. In 1995, he became the owner and director of a summer basketball camp for young people in Halkidiki, Greece. This organization was a significant business with shares listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. In 2004, in recognition of his contributions to sports in Greece, Nick was the first torchbearer in the final round of the Olympic-torch relay. He entered the Olympic stadium at the end of the Opening Ceremony and carried the flame to the altar. R. Baird Shuman Additional Sources Delozier, Alan B. Seton Hall Pirates: A Basketball History. Mount Pleasant, S.C.: Arcadia, 2002. Gould, Don. “Stopping Nick Galis.” Jerusalem Post, April 4, 1989, p. 11. Thomsen, Ian. “He Conquered Greece, but Failed to Win Europe.” International Herald Tribune, April 20, 1994, p. 23.

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Kevin Garnett Born: May 19, 1976 Maudlin, South Carolina Also known as: Kevin Maurice Garnett (full name); the Big Ticket; KG; the Kid Early Life Kevin Maurice Garnett was born in Maudlin, South Carolina, on May 19, 1976, to Shirley Garnett and O’Lewis McCullough, an outstanding high school basketball player who played for local leagues and in the Army. Kevin was not encouraged to play basketball—his stepfather did not allow a hoop at home, and his mother wanted him to study so he could go to college. That did not deter him from shooting baskets at the local park until midnight or from getting up early during the summer to play ball. He did not tell his mother that he had made the Maudlin High School basketball team until after the season began. The Road to Excellence By Kevin’s junior year, the Maudlin team was playing to standing-roomonly crowds. Kevin’s exceptional talent earned him the title of “Mr. Basketball” for the state of South Carolina. However, Kevin had trouble at school, motivating his mother to move with him and his younger sister to Chicago, Illinois. Kevin played his senior year at Farragut Academy; he had met the school’s coach at a Nike summer basketball camp. He averaged 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 6.5 blocked shots per game. These numbers earned Kevin numerous honors, including the title of “Mr. Basketball” for the state of Illinois, the USA Today national high school player of the year award, and Parade magazine’s first-team all-American selection. At the McDonald’s All118

American Game he was named most outstanding player for his 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocked shots. Kevin’s four-year high school totals included 2,533 points, 1,807 rebounds, and 739 blocked shots. During these years he grew a foot in height. After failing to pass the American College Test (ACT) college entrance examination, Kevin declared himself eligible for the 1995 NBA draft. The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Kevin in the first round; Kevin initiated a trend of the late 1990’s and 2000’s by skipping college and entering the NBA directly after high school. The Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett slamming the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals. (Jeff Haynes/Reuters/Landov)

Basketball

Kevin Garnett


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

80 77 82 47 81 81 81 82 82 82 76 76 71

735 1,100 1,293 900 1,526 1,475 1,401 1,481 1,611 1,360 1,191 1,341 990

361 549 635 414 759 704 659 743 804 683 626 638 534

.491 .499 .491 .460 .497 .477 .470 .502 .499 .502 .526 .476 .539

149 272 332 206 404 467 448 502 465 549 489 498 336

105 205 332 206 309 357 359 377 368 445 396 416 269

.705 .754 .738 .704 .765 .764 .801 .751 .791 .811 .810 .835 .801

501 618 786 489 956 921 981 1,102 1,139 1,108 966 975 655

145 236 348 202 401 401 422 495 409 466 308 313 244

835 1,309 1,518 977 1,857 1,784 1,714 1,883 1,987 1,817 1,656 1,704 1,337

10.4 17.0 18.5 20.8 22.9 22.0 21.2 23.0 24.2 22.2 21.8 22.4 18.8

Totals

998

16,404

8,109

.494

5,117

3,762

.781

10,695

4,185

20,378

20.3


signed the fifth-overall pick to a $5.6-million threeyear contract. The Emerging Champion On January 9, 1996, at the age of nineteen, Kevin started his first professional game and became the third-youngest player at that time to start an NBA game. As a rookie, he averaged 10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocked shots per game. His 131 blocked shots set a franchise record. In his second season his averages of 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks earned him a spot on the NBA all-star team. In 1997, the Timberwolves signed Kevin to a contract extension worth $125 million over six years, the largest multiyear deal in professional sports at the time.

Honors and Awards 1997, 1998, 2000-09 NBA All-Star Team 1999, 2007 All-NBA Third Team 2000-05, 2008 All-NBA Defensive First Team 2000, 2003-04, 2008 All-NBA First Team 2001-02, 2005 All-NBA Second Team 2003 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 2004 NBA most valuable player 2006 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award 2006-07 All-NBA Defensive Second Team 2008 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Continuing the Story Kevin continued to improve and annually led his team into the playoffs only to lose in the first round every year from 1998 to 2002. Despite playing as well or better than anyone in the league, Kevin was criticized for not taking charge of games in crucial situations. In 2002-2003, Kevin elevated his game to a new level, playing with tremendous intensity and imposing his will in close games. Minnesota won fifty-two games but lost in the first round of the playoffs for the seventh consecutive time. Kevin finished second to Tim Duncan for the most valuable player (MVP) award. In 2003-2004, Kevin had his best supporting cast to that point. The Timberwolves added Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, among others. Kevin had a magnificent season—averaging 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game—and was named the NBA’s MVP. With Kevin continuing to play brilliantly, Minnesota advanced to the Western Conference Finals. However, early in the series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Timberwolves lost both point guards— Cassell and Troy Hudson—to injury. Kevin had an outstanding series, but without a point guard, the Timberwolves lost in six games. The Timberwolves did not respond well to the disappointment of losing the Western Conference Finals, and in 2004-2005, internal frictions caused the team to miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years. In 2005-2006, the team’s record sank to 33-49; in 2006-2007, Minnesota won only thirty-two 119

Kevin Garnett games. Through these difficult seasons Kevin continued to play hard and was selected to the all-star team. After these disappointing seasons, Minnesota traded Kevin to the Boston Celtics, who had also acquired Ray Allen and already had Paul Pierce. With the addition of Kevin, the Celtics had the best three-player combination in the league. The team did not disappoint its fans, racing to the best record in the NBA at 66-16. While Pierce and Allen were great scorers, Kevin’s defensive intensity and intelligence helped separate the Celtics from every other team in the league. His efforts earned him the NBA’s defensive player of the year award. In the playoffs, the Celtics were less dominant than expected, needing seven games in each series to defeat the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thus, the team entered the NBA Finals as partial underdogs to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Celtic defense, led by Kevin, stopped Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, and the Celtics won the series in six games. Paul Pierce was named series MVP for his “clutch” scoring, but Kevin’s defense keyed the team’s victory. Off the court, Kevin married Brandi Padilla in 2005; the couple had their first child on April 19, 2008. In 2005-2006, Kevin was selected as the NBA’s

120

Great Athletes J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner for his outstanding local, national, and international charity work. Summary Winning the NBA Championship helped solidify Kevin Garnett as one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. He was named the league MVP, defensive player of the year, all-NBA numerous times, and to the all-defensive team on multiple occasions. Furthermore, he was the first player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game for six consecutive seasons. When he retires, Kevin will certainly join other Celtics greats in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Marlene Bradford, updated by Jerome L. Neapolitan Additional Sources Edwards, Ethan. Meet Kevin Garnett: Basketball’s Big Ticket. New York: PowerKids Press, 2009. Fedorko, Jamie. Kevin Garnett. Philadelphia: Mason Crest, 2008. Roselius, J. Chris. Kevin Garnett: All-Star on and off the Court. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2007. Torres, John. Kevin Garnett: Da Kid. Minneapolis: Lerner Sports, 2000.

Pau Gasol Born: July 6, 1980 Barcelona, Spain Also known as: Pau Gasol Sáez (full name) Early Life Pau Gasol was born in Barcelona, Spain, and spent his childhood in that city’s upper-middle-class suburb of Sant Boi. His father, Agusti, and his mother, Marisa, both worked in the medical field and both played basketball competitively. Influenced by his parents, Pau played basketball from a young age and began his career as a point guard, developing his passing skills and strategic understanding of the game at this position. In 1992, Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games, which featured the first Dream Team, a collection of NBA stars competing for the U.S. national team. Captivated by U.S. players such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson, Pau vowed to play in the United States if ever given the opportunity. Three years later, at the age of fifteen, he joined the FC Barcelona junior team and quickly became its most promising player. The Road to Excellence Though a highly regarded basketball prospect, Pau desired to follow the career path of his parents and entered medical school at the University of Barcelona when he was eighteen. Eventually, balancing his commitments to school and basketball became unrealistic, and Pau chose instead to pursue his athletic ambitions. In 1998, he guided his FC Barcelona junior team to the championship in the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, the preeminent youth basketball competition in Europe. The following year, he and the Spanish under-nineteen national team finished first in the junior World Championship, defeating a favored American team. Pau’s ascension in Spanish basketball

was rapid. Within two years of his decision to commit fully to the sport, he became the star of FC Barcelona, the anchor of the Spanish national team, and a player scrutinized and admired by NBA scouts. In 2001, he won the most valuable player award at the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto (King’s Cup of Basketball), the most prestigious basketball tournament in Spain, as FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the final. In the same year, Spain finished third in the FIBA World Championship,

Pau Gasol in the 2008 Western Conference Finals. (Robert Galbraith/Reuters/Landov)

121

Great Athletes

Pau Gasol


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 82 78 56 80 59 66

551 569 506 357 600 462 475

.518 .510 .482 .514 .503 .538 .534

338 416 365 282 425 299 292

.709 .736 .714 .768 .689 .748 .807

730 720 600 410 713 581 553

223 229 198 135 371 201 154

1,441 1,555 1,381 997 1,628 1,226 1,246

17.6 19.0 17.7 17.8 20.4 20.8 18.9

Totals

503

3,520

.514

2,417

.733

4,307

1,568

9,474

18.8


coaching staff and management, who considered him the player on which the future of the franchise rested. From the outset of his NBA career, Pau was followed by a band of Spanish reporters who chronicled his every move for his country’s public. Despite The Emerging Champion pressure from the Spanish media, the expectations In the 2001 NBA draft, twenty-year-old Pau became of Memphis fans and management, limited Enthe highest-drafted international player ever, at the glish ability, and the homesickness any twenty-onetime, as the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the year old would naturally experience, in his first third overall pick and sent him to the Memphis NBA season, Pau exhibited the skills that eventuGrizzlies as part of a prearranged trade. By this ally established him as a top-tier power forward and time, Pau had grown to 7 feet and weighed 227 pounds. Though regarded as light for his height, center. He was the leading rookie in numerous offensive categories—including points, rebounds, especially considering the physically demanding and blocked shots—and captured the rookie of the play of the NBA, he possessed offensive skills that induced comparisons to Toni Kukoc and Kevin year award. Furthermore, as evidence of his ability to adapt to a new set of teammates, he led the GrizGarnett. Because of his previous experience as a zlies in points- and rebounds-per-game averages. point guard, he dribbled and passed with uncanny In 2002-2003, Pau played a complete eighty-twoaccuracy for his size and could shoot with both hands. His fluid style near the basket differentiated game season for the second consecutive year, elevated his scoring average to nearly 20 points per him from other players of his position, and his basgame, and finished in the top ten in the league ketball intelligence endeared him to the Grizzlies’ with a 51 percent field-goal average. The following two seasons, Pau Honors and Awards struggled slightly to maintain his 2001 Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto League most valuable player elite status. Against the established Spanish National Cup most valuable player players at his position, such as Tim Copa del Rey most valuable player Duncan and Garnett, he was often 2001-02 Western Conference Rookie of the Month (November, January, and March) outplayed. However, the Grizzlies 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year advanced to the playoffs both sea2006 FIBA World Championship most valuable player sons, thanks largely to Pau’s leaderGold medal, World Championships ship. World Championships most valuable player relying on Pau’s scoring and rebounding abilities. Soon after, Pau left Spain for the NBA, enticed by the chance to compete against the best basketball players in the world.

2006, 2009 NBA All-Star Team 2008 Silver medal, Olympic Basketball 2009 Named 2008 FIBA Europe Player of the Year

122

Continuing the Story In 2004-2005, Pau signed a lucrative, long-term contract with the Grizzlies.

Basketball Though the team entered the playoffs again, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Grizzlies in four games, the second of three consecutive seasons in which Memphis was winless in the postseason. Pau shouldered much of the blame and decided not to play for the Spanish national team in the summer of 2005. His choice to forego international competition gave him time to reassess his skills and his role as the Grizzlies’ leader. He entered the 2005-2006 season physically and mentally stronger. Furthermore, out of the media spotlight for the summer, he entered training camp with a beard, a physical feature that symbolized his maturation as a person and as a leader on the basketball court. In 2005-2006, Pau’s teammates noticed his improvement in intangible skills: He was more patient; he involved his teammates, while asserting his control of the offense; and he was tougher mentally, especially when matched against the eminent players of his position. That season, he played in his first all-star game, becoming both the first Grizzlies and the first Spanish player to earn the honor. Furthermore, he averaged more than 20 points per game for the first time in his career. In 2006-2007, Pau tallied career-high totals in points and rebounds and became the top scorer in Grizzlies history. However, the team was in decline and missed the playoffs for the first time in four years. In 2007-2008, Memphis continued its descent, though Pau averaged almost 19 points and 9 rebounds in thirty-nine games. In February of 2008, the Grizzlies, seeking to reduce payroll, sent Pau to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that shifted the balance of power in the league’s Western Conference. Moving from his natural position of power forward to center, Pau recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds in his Lakers debut. With Pau, the Lakers compiled the best record in the Western Conference. In his first playoff game as a Laker, he

Pau Gasol scored 36 points and had 16 rebounds and 8 assists. By helping the Lakers defeat three Western Conference opponents, Pau became the first Spanish player ever to reach the NBA Finals. Summary In the summer after Pau Gasol advanced to the NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers, he guided the Spanish national team to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the final game, he played against Kobe Bryant, his Lakers teammate. Pau, like Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, helped alter the perception of European players in the NBA as qualified outside shooters and secondary contributors to a team. He proved that NBA franchises could utilize European players as centerpieces of a team. In fact, the emergence of international players like Pau refocused the NBA game on basketball fundamentals. A national hero in Spain, Pau became one of the best European players to enter the NBA in the first decade of the twenty-first century. In early 2009, he was named FIBA European player of the year. Back in the United States, he amply proved he was worthy of this award by helping to lead the Lakers to the 2008-2009 NBA Championship. Christopher Rager Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “Pau Gasol Versus European History.” Sports Illustrated 95, no. 17 (October 29, 2001): 110. Gilbert, Sara. The Story of the Memphis Grizzlies. Mankato, Minn.: Creative Education, 2007. Higgins, Ron. Tales from the Memphis Grizzlies Hardwood. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2006. Mannix, Chris. “The NBA: What L.A. Needs from Pau Gasol.” Sports Illustrated 108, no. 5 (February 11, 2008): 80.

123

George Gervin Born: April 27, 1952 Detroit, Michigan Also known as: The Iceman Early Life George Gervin was born April 27, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan. George’s parents were poor, and his father left the family when George was only two. While growing up in the inner city, George man-

aged to stay out of trouble and channel his energies toward basketball. A janitor at a neighborhood school befriended George and offered him the chance to use the school gymnasium after school and at night. The only condition was that George had to sweep up after he was finished. George spent countless hours in the gymnasium, taking hundreds of shots every day. He realized later that his time alone in the gymnasium served two purposes. First, it gave him a skill, a means of escaping the poverty of the city. Second, it kept him out of trouble. The Road to Excellence George became a standout player at Martin Luther King High School and decided to attend Long Beach State University, a basketball power in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. The sunny beaches of California seemed like a long way from the troubled streets of Detroit. As it turned out, Long Beach was too far away from Detroit. George was lonely and homesick, and he dropped out of school before the season started. He transferred to Eastern Michigan University and immediately became a good player. In his final season at the school, he averaged 29.5 points per game and was considered an excellent professional prospect—he was even invited to try out for the Olympic team. Then everything came crashing down around him. In a rare fit of temper, he punched an opposing player and was expelled from school. Suddenly, his dreams of stardom were cut short.

George Gervin taking the ball to the hoop for the San Antonio Spurs. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

124

The Emerging Champion George did the only thing he knew how to do—play basketball—joining the Pontiac, Michigan team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), which served as a sort of minor league for the NBA. Luckily for George, the turmoil had not affected him as a player. He aver-

Basketball

George Gervin


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76

30 74 84 81

161 672 784 706

.472 .471 .474 .499

96 378 380 342

.814 .815 .830 .857

128 624 697 546

34 142 207 201

424 1,730 1,965 1,768

14.1 23.4 23.4 21.8

ABA Totals

269

2,323

.480

1,196

.831

1,977

584

5,887

21.9

1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86

82 82 80 78 82 79 78 76 72 82

726 864 947 1,024 850 993 757 765 600 519

.544 .536 .541 .528 .492 .500 .487 .490 .508 .472

443 504 471 505 512 555 517 427 324 283

.833 .830 .826 .852 .826 .864 .853 .842 .844 .879

454 420 400 403 419 392 357 313 234 215

238 302 219 202 260 187 264 220 178 144

1,895 2,232 2,365 2,585 2,221 2,551 2,043 1,967 1,524 1,325

23.1 27.2 29.6 33.1 27.1 32.3 26.2 25.9 21.2 16.2

NBA Totals

791

8,045

.511

4,541

.844

3,607

2,214

20,708

26.2


aged more than 37 points per game and drew the attention of the Virginia Squires of the now defunct American Basketball Association (ABA), which was then a rival league to the NBA. Virginia picked George, but he spent some time getting adjusted to the ABA and did not play much his first year. He played in only thirty games that season, but averaged a solid 14 points per game. In the playoffs following the 1972-1973 season, George began to show flashes of greatness. In five playoff games, he averaged almost 19 points per game. However, George did not last another full season with the Squires. Like many of the franchises in the renegade league, the Virginia team was in constant financial trouble and began releasing its highest-priced players, including George and another promising young forward named Julius Erving. Eventually, George was sold to the San Antonio Spurs, where he made his name. George scored 23 points per game in his first full season in Texas and became a fan favorite. Continuing the Story When the Spurs became part of the NBA after the ABA disbanded, George kept on scoring. He was helped by a switch in positions when his team changed leagues. In the ABA, players were smaller but quicker, and George played forward, where he could help with the rebounding at 6 feet 7 inches. The Spurs moved

him to the guard position because play in the NBA was more physical and because George could shoot and score from anywhere. He remained a guard for the rest of his career. He was too big for most guards to cover and too quick for most forwards to guard. Many people did not think that the ABA players could compete in the more established NBA, but George proved otherwise. He helped his team reach the playoffs every season he played in the league—nine times with the Spurs and once with the Chicago Bulls, his last season. George made the all-star team in each of his nine NBA seasons and was voted the 1980 all-star game most valuable player after scoring 34 points. Scoring points was

Honors, Awards, and Records 1974-76 1977-83 1977-85 1978 1978-79 1980 1996

ABA All-Star Team All-NBA Team NBA All-Star Team NBA record for the most points in a quarter, 33 Seagram’s Seven Crowns of Sports Award NBA All-Star Game most valuable player Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the best twenty NBA players of all time Uniform number 44 retired by San Antonio Spurs

Milestone One of only four NBA players to capture at least four scoring titles

125

George Gervin easy for George. He led the league in scoring three straight seasons and four times overall. He finished his NBA career with more than 20,000 points. In his twelve-year career with the Spurs, George set or tied sixty club records, including most points scored, most field goals, and the most consecutive games scoring in double figures. After his difficult, turbulent youth, George knew that he might not get many chances in life. He took advantage of every opportunity he was given, and became one of the highest scorers in the history of professional basketball. Also, after his one outburst in college, George was determined to keep himself under control. His “clutch” performances in the professional ranks earned him the nickname “The Iceman.” From 1986 until 1992, George served as the community relations director for the Spurs. In 1992, Spurs head coach John Lucas made George one of his assistant coaches. In 1994, after two years on the bench, George returned to the community relations department of the Spurs. The following year, he founded the George Gervin Youth Center to help troubled young people in the San Antonio area. George had a banner year in 1996. As part of the celebration of the NBA’s golden anniversary, George was named one of the NBA’s fifty greatest

126

Great Athletes players of all time. In addition, George was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. In 2000, the George Gervin Youth Center and St. Philip’s College formed a partnership to create a new program called the San Antonio New Enterprise and Job Creation Project. The project was designed to help create new career and self-employment opportunities among low-income minority populations. Summary George Gervin had a difficult upbringing but managed to find success through determination and ability. His coolness and confidence impressed those around him, and he was a team leader throughout his career. John McNamara Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Artis Gilmore Born: September 21, 1949 Chipley, Florida Also known as: The A-Train Early Life Artis Gilmore was born on September 21, 1949, in Chipley, Florida, a poor community. Artis attended one school until the eleventh grade, and he and the other children played basketball outdoors on a clay court. In his senior year of high school, Artis moved to Dothan, Alabama, because at eighteen years of age, he could not play for the high school at Chipley. He averaged thirty-nine points a game playing high school basketball in Dothan. The first two years after high school, Artis played basketball at Gardner-Webb Junior College in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, averaging 22.5 points per

Artis Gilmore in 1970. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

game. He had strength, size, and determination. In 1969, he accepted a grant-in-aid from Jacksonville University. He liked Coach Joe L. Williams, who treated him well as a person and not simply as an athlete. Artis was quiet and reserved, and he appreciated kindness in others. The Road to Excellence Artis, characteristically, worked hard at Jacksonville. He was determined to earn a degree. Coach Williams supplied Artis with academic tutoring so that he could realize his dream of college graduation. The coach also offered Artis basketball tutoring so that the 7-foot 2-inch, 235-pound center could realize another dream: playing majorcollege basketball. Artis performed extremely well for the Jacksonville Dolphins. In his first season, the Dolphins won twenty-seven games and lost only two. He averaged 26.5 points per game that year, scoring a total of 742 points. His also had 621 rebounds and led Jacksonville to the final game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship tournament. In the finals, however, the Dolphins lost 80-69 to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). In his senior year, Artis averaged 21.9 points per game and had 603 rebounds. The Dolphins won twenty-two games and lost only four, but they were defeated in the NCAA tournament by Western Kentucky University. Artis, however, was named first-team all-American that year, and his career at Jacksonville clearly marked him for professional play. In the fiftyfour games he played as a Dolphin, Artis averaged 22.7 rebounds, an all-time NCAA record, and 24.3 points per game. Artis had acquired the skills to match his talent. As a top professional prospect, he could pursue another dream: attaining the financial security his family had never known. The Emerging Champion In 1971, both the NBA Chicago Bulls and the American Basketball Association (ABA) Ken127

Great Athletes

Artis Gilmore tucky Colonels drafted Artis, but it was the Colonels who signed Artis to a ten-year, $1.5-million contract. When the Colonels introduced Artis as its future starting center at a game during halftime, Artis wore a tie for the first time in his life. Artis’s career with the Colonels began with great excitement. In his first season, Artis became the fourth rookie in ABA history to score 2,000 points, averaging 23.8 points per game. That year, he also pulled down 17.8 rebounds per game, blocked 422 shots, and compiled a .598 field goal percentage. Those figures led the league, and Artis was named both ABA rookie of the year and ABA most valuable player. In his second season, Artis made 56 percent of his shots, blocked 259 shots, and averaged 17.6 rebounds per game, again leading the ABA. Artis worked hard on his offensive moves and never let pressure affect his game. ABA teams typically played a fast-breaking style, but with Artis and star forward Dan Issel, the Colonels played a slow, low-post, NBA-style game. In the 1974-1975 season, the Colonels won the ABA Championship, and Artis was chosen as the most valuable player of the playoffs. His career in the ABA was characterized by calm, determination, and strength. He played every regular-season game, always made the ABA all-star first team, and averaged 22.3 points per

game in his five-year ABA career. Artis was almost as dominant in the ABA as Wilt Chamberlain was in the NBA; the ABA, however, was on its last legs. Continuing the Story After the ABA collapsed in 1976, the Chicago Bulls wasted no time recruiting Artis, who moved to Chicago for the 1976-1977 season and quickly started at center. He worked with the same determination and strength as before; his first five years in the NBA, he continued to average more than 20 points per game. Despite the pummeling he took under the boards, Artis did not miss a game until the 1979-1980 season, when he was injured and out for thirty-four games. His next season, however, he was back in form: He played in all eighty-two of the Bulls’ games and averaged 17.9 points per game. In July, 1982, Artis was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. With the Spurs, Artis continued to be one of the NBA’s most dependable centers. From 1981 through 1984, Artis led the NBA in field-goal percentage. In June of 1987, he was traded back to the Bulls, and in 1988, he signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, helping his new team to the Atlantic Division title. During his twelve years in the NBA, Artis averaged 17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76

84 84 84 84 84

806 687 621 784 773

.598 .559 .493 .580 .552

391 368 326 412 521

.646 .643 .667 .696 .682

1,491 1,476 1,538 1,361 1,303

230 295 329 208 211

2,003 1,743 1,568 1,081 2,067

23.8 20.9 18.7 23.6 24.6

ABA Totals

420

3,671

.557

2,018

.668

7,169

1,273

8,462

22.3

1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88

82 82 82 48 82 82 82 64 81 71 82 71

570 704 753 305 547 546 556 351 532 423 346 99

.522 .559 .575 .595 .670 .652 .626 .631 .623 .618 .597 .547

387 471 434 245 375 424 367 280 484 338 242 67

.660 .704 .739 .712 .705 .768 .740 .718 .749 .701 .680 .523

1,070 1,071 1,043 432 828 835 984 662 846 600 579 211

199 263 274 133 172 136 126 70 131 102 150 21

1,527 1,879 1,940 855 1,469 1,517 1,479 982 1,548 1,184 934 265

18.6 22.9 23.7 17.8 17.9 18.5 18.0 15.3 19.1 16.7 11.4 3.7

NBA Totals

909

5,732

.599

4,114

.713

9,161

1,777

15,579

17.0


128

Basketball played in five all-star games. His career .599 field goal percentage is still the best ever in the NBA. At the conclusion of his five ABA years, Artis averaged 22.3 points and 17.1 rebounds per game, with a league record of 750 blocked shots. He was a unanimous selection to the thirty-man all-time ABA team. One year after retiring from the NBA, Artis made a comeback with Bologna Arimo of the Italian League, averaging 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game and making the European all-star team. After calling it quits as a player, Artis adjusted business claims. In 1996, he was named one of the NBA’s fifty greatest players of all time. No center in the NBA or ABA played with any more intensity or worked harder inside than Artis. In 1999, Artis took a job as president of the Gulf Coast Sun Dogs of the United States Basketball League (USBL). Summary Artis Gilmore combined strength and enormous size with work habits that made him one of the most consistent and rugged centers in basketball history. His ability and his calm, steady personality won the respect of fans and fellow players at every level. Surprisingly, he has not been elected

Artis Gilmore

Honors and Awards 1970-71 College All-American 1972 ABA most valuable player ABA Rookie of the Year 1972-76 All-ABA First Team ABA All-Star Team 1973-76 ABA All-Defensive Team 1974 ABA All-Star Game most valuable player 1975 ABA Playoffs most valuable player 1978 NBA All-Defensive Second Team 1978-79, 1981-83, 1986 NBA All-Star Team 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

into basketball’s hall of fame. He becomes eligible again in 2012. Alicia Neumann Additional Sources Heisler, Mark. Giants: The Twenty-five Greatest Centers of All Time. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2003. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

129

Manu Ginóbili Born: July 28, 1977 Bahía Blanca, Argentina Also known as: Emanuel David Ginóbili (full name); Gino; Narigon; El Contusione; the One; Neo Early Life Emanuel David Ginóbili was born in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, to parents of Italian descent. His hometown is located 350 miles southwest of Buenos Aires. Unlike most of Argentina, which is soccercrazy, Bahía Blanca focuses on basketball and has twenty basketball clubs. Manu was born into a basketball family. His father, Jorge, was coach of a local team and his two older brothers, Leandro and Sebastian, played professional basketball. When Manu was three years old, a local coach taught him how to dribble without looking at the ball. Manu accompanied his brothers to their basketball practices and spent the time learning the game and dribbling the ball. As a youth he received the nickname “Narigon” (big nose) for his most prominent physical feature. The Road to Excellence At the age of fifteen, Manu was just a scrawny teenager who showed no signs of his future stardom. However, he always had a competitive nature. This, together with a love for the game and his willingness to work hard, led him to become an outstanding player. In his desire to improve, he spent many hours watching films of his idol Michael Jordan, a poster of whom hung on his bedroom wall. Manu began his pro career in 1995, playing for the Andino Sport Club team La Rioja. After one year, 130

he was traded to Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca, where he played until he went to Europe to join the Italian League. At that time, he was 6 feet 3 inches and weighed 160 pounds. His slight build caused him to develop his outside shot. Within a year, he had grown 3 inches and added more than 40 pounds, which allowed him to perfect the attacking style of play for which he became known. Having become a more complete player, he signed with Viola Reggio Calabria, where he played until 1999, when he entered the NBA draft. The San An-

Manu Ginóbili of the San Antonio Spurs beating his defender to the basket in a 2007 game against the Utah Jazz. (Eric Gay/Reuters/Landov)

Basketball

Manu Ginóbili

Honors and Awards 1995-96 1999-2001 2000 2000-01 2000-02 2001-02 2002 2002-03 2002, 2006 2003, 2007 2004 2005 2008

Argentine National Basketball League Rookie of the Year Italian League All-Star Team Euroleague Final Four most valuable player Euroleague Finals most valuable player Italian League most improved player Italian League most valuable player Italian Cup most valuable player NBA All-Rookie Second Team Western Conference Rookie of the Month (March) World Championships All-Tournament Team Olimpia de Oro Award (Argentina) Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Olympic Basketball most valuable player NBA All-Star Team NBA Sixth Man of the Year Fifty Greatest Euroleague Contributors All-NBA Third Team

tonio Spurs selected him in the second round with the fifty-seventh pick overall. However, he did not join the Spurs at that time but signed with the Italian team Kinder Bologna. The Spurs wanted him to develop his game in order to play at the highest level. The year before he entered the draft, he played on the Argentina national team for the first time. Gradually, he became the team leader, and teammates began calling him “The One” and “Neo,” after the hero of the movie The Matrix. The Emerging Champion In 2001, with the leadership of Manu, his new team won the Italian Championship and the Euroleague Championship, and he was named most valuable player (MVP). His team also won the Italian Cup in 2001 and 2002, and he was MVP both years. Manu played in the Italian League all-star game three times. In the 2002 FIBA World Championships, which were held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ameri-

cans saw what he could do. He helped lead the Argentina team to second place and was named to the all-tournament team. Manu joined the Spurs for the 2002-2003 season, and although he only started five games, he was named Western Conference rookie of the month in March. Manu had some difficulty adjusting to the American style of basketball, but he made steady improvement and played an important role in the playoffs, which resulted in his first NBA Championship. At the end of the year, he was named to the NBA all-rookie second team. In his home country he was honored with the Olimpia de Oro (Golden Olympia) Award as Argentina’s sportsperson of the year. In the summer of 2004, he helped lead Argentina to its first Olympic gold medal in fifty-two years. Manu signed a six-year contract with the Spurs worth $52 million. The next year, he helped the Spurs win another NBA Championship. Continuing the Story Manu has been widely labeled as one of the Spurs “big three,” along with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. He is known as a team player, willing to do whatever is necessary for the good of the team. Although Manu became a starter and was a fan favorite, in the 2006-2007 season, Coach Gregg Popovich suggested he come off the bench as the sixth man to provide scoring and leadership when the starters were resting. He embraced his new role and helped lead his team to a fourth championship. Although he did not start the games, he was always on the court during the fourth quarter, handling the ball. In the playoffs he averaged 20.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. His scoring average was


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

69 77 74 65 75 74

174 330 367 309 396 453

.438 .418 .471 .462 .464 .460

126 239 355 280 320 380

.737 .802 .803 .778 .860 .860

161 344 329 230 327 354

138 291 288 235 263 332

525 987 1,186 981 1,240 1,442

7.6 12.8 16.0 15.1 16.5 19.5

Totals

432

2,029

.455

1,700

.816

1,745

1,547

6,361

14.7


131

Manu Ginóbili the third highest of all players, and many observers believed he should have been co-MVP with teammate Duncan. Again, he won Argentina’s Olimpia de Oro Award, thus becoming only the fourth person to win the award two years in a row. Statistically his best season was 2008, when he averaged 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. This earned him the sixth man of the year award. Manu’s unorthodox high-energy style of play not only endeared him to fans but also caused some injuries and limited his minutes on the court. Teammate Brent Barry nicknamed Manu “El Contusione” (the bruise) because of the frequency of his falls from taking charges and fouls and diving for loose balls. This has caused some opponents to accuse him of falling, or flopping, whenever there is any physical contact, in an attempt to draw fouls. Summary Manu Ginóbili became a proven winner and team leader wherever he played. In his first five years in the NBA, he helped the Spurs win three champion-

132

Great Athletes ships and played in an all-star game. He was the first player to win Euroleague, NBA, and Olympic championships. As of 2008, he has won nine titles and has received sixteen awards: four all-star selections, one most-improved player, one sixth man award, five MVPs, two all-tournament selections, two Olimpia de Oro Awards, and one Olympic gold medal. His success encouraged the Spurs, and other NBA teams, to look for players in Latin America. Philip E. Lampe Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “A Hero in Hiding.” Sports Illustrated 101, no. 18 (November 8, 2004): 58-62. Deveney, Sean. “El Contusione.” The Sporting News, June 17, 2005, pp. 10-14. Ludden, Johnny. “Muy Grande.” San Antonio ExpressNews, August 7, 2005, p. 1C. Robbins, Liz. “Spurs’ Ginóbili Is Predictably Unpredictable.” The New York Times, February 20, 2005.

Tom Gola Born: January 13, 1933 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Also known as: Thomas Joseph Gola (full name) Early Life Thomas Joseph Gola was born on January 13, 1933. He was the third of Helen and Isadore Gola’s seven children. His father was a Philadelphia police officer who also worked part-time as a mechanic. Tom grew up in a middle-class neighborhood made up of German, Jewish, and Polish families. He attended Incarnation Parochial School, two blocks from his home. Tom was an altar boy and assisted the priest with mass. This priest, Father Joseph Belz, introduced Tom to basketball in the fifth grade. When Father Belz took the altar boys to the gym, it was the first time that Tom had even seen a basketball. The Road to Excellence After his introduction to basketball, Tom developed quickly, and in the eighth grade he was on the Catholic Youth Organization City championship and Eastern State Championship team. He received a scholarship to a private high school, La Salle, located on the campus of La Salle College. Both the high school and the college were run by the Christian Brothers. Tom was named to the all-state team in both his junior and senior years. As a result of his outstanding playing, he was awarded a scholarship to La Salle College. The Emerging Champion Tom is probably best known for his accomplishments as a collegiate player. As an eighteen-year-old freshman in 1952, Tom received the biggest thrill of his basketball career by leading La Salle to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship, played annually in Madison Square Garden. This was the premier collegiate tournament of the time. In the final game, Tom scored 22 points and shared the tournament’s most valuable player honors. Two years later, in 1954, Tom and the La Salle Explorers were in the National Colle-

giate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship tournament. In the first game against Fordham, Tom scored 28 points. In the next game, against North Carolina State, he scored 26 points and got 26 rebounds; he followed this with 22 points and 24 rebounds in the game against Navy. In the final game, La Salle defeated Bradley, and Tom was named the tournament’s most valuable player. The following year, La Salle again advanced to the final game of the NCAA tournament, but lost to the University of San Francisco and its center, Bill Russell. The La Salle offense did not have the traditional pivot man, but used Tom’s 6-foot 6-inch height to great advantage with speed and constant movement. Tom twice led the nation in total rebounds and still holds the NCAA record for career rebounds. While at La Salle, Tom was the first player to be chosen as a consensus all-American for three consecutive years. He finished his college career with a 20.8-points-per-game average. Most coaches agreed that there had not been a collegiate player who could control a game the way that Tom Gola did. Continuing the Story In 1955, Tom joined the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA. Because he had handled the ball so much

NCAA Division Record Most career rebounds, 2,201

Honors and Awards 1952 1952-53 1953-55 1954 1954-55 1955 1958 1976 1979 1986 1998 1999

NIT most valuable player (honor shared) All-NIT Team Consensus All-American NCAA Tournament most valuable player Helms Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year NCAA All-Tournament Team United Press International Division I Player of the Year All-NBA Team Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Inducted into Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame Nov. 21 named Tom Gola Day in Pennsylvania Named Philadelphia’s greatest college basketball player

133

Great Athletes

Tom Gola


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1955-56 1956-57 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66

68 59 64 75 74 60 73 74 77 74

244 295 310 428 420 322 363 258 204 122

.412 .415 .401 .433 .447 .421 .465 .429 .448 .450

244 223 281 270 210 176 170 154 133 82

.733 .746 .787 .794 .747 .765 .776 .726 .739 .781

— — — — — — — — — —

404 327 269 409 202 288 298 257 220 191

732 813 901 1,122 1,050 820 896 870 541 326

10.8 13.6 14.1 15.0 14.2 13.7 12.3 9.1 7.0 4.4

Totals

698

2,964

.431

1,943

.760

—

2,953

7,871

11.3


in La Salle’s five-man weave offense, Tom made the transition to professional basketball easily. At 6 feet 6 inches, Tom was one of the first big men to play guard. He played ten seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks before retiring in 1966, with a lifetime scoring average of 11.3 points per game. In 1969, Tom returned to La Salle as the basketball coach and was nearly as successful as he had been as a player. In two seasons, he compiled a record of 37-13, including a record of 23-1 in 1969. Following his athletic career, Tom became involved in his community and in the political arena. He served two terms in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and was then elected the city controller of Philadelphia. Thereafter, he worked on Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign and served as a regional administrator for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1983, he lost a bid to become mayor of Philadelphia. After achieving success in both the insurance and waste disposal business, Tom served as vice president of the Valley Forge Investment Corporation, president of Bridgeview, and chairperson of the Valley Forge Institutional Management Company. November 21, 1998, was designated “Tom Gola Day” in Pennsylvania because of all his accomplishments both on and off of the court. To further honor his success, the basketball court in the Hayman Center on the campus of La Salle University was named the Tom Gola Arena.

134

In 1999, Tom was selected as Philadelphia’s greatest college basketball player by mail-in and online balloting in a contest sponsored by the Philadelphia Daily News. Many basketball experts believe that inch-for-inch, Tom may have been the greatest college basketball player of all time. Summary Tom Gola was one of the top collegiate players of the 1950’s; he earned consensus all-American honors three times and was named a four-time allAmerican by some polls. He was one of the first big men to play the guard position, and his success led coaches to look for taller players to play in the backcourt. In 1976, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1979, he was awarded the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his distinguished playing ability, and his business success and community involvement after his playing career. Joe Blankenbaker Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Macnow, Glen, and Big Daddy Graham. The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2006.

Gail Goodrich Born: April 23, 1943 Los Angeles, California Also known as: Gail Charles Goodrich, Jr. (full name); Stumpy Early Life Gail Charles Goodrich, Jr., was born on April 23, 1943, in Los Angeles, California. He learned basketball from his father, Gail Sr., who had been an all-Pacific Coast Conference guard when he was at the University of Southern California in the late 1930’s. Gail’s father coached his son in the fundamentals of basketball, starting when Gail was in elementary school. Gail was enthusiastic about learning the game, and having a father who was knowledgeable about basketball and patient was a definite asset. The Road to Excellence Gail may have perfected his basketball skills with the help of his father, but he added a jump shot to his game that was his own. The main drawback for Gail was his lack of size. When he was at Polytechnic High School, he stood 5 feet 7 inches tall and only weighed 135 pounds, but had quick hands. John Wooden, the great University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) coach, saw Gail play for the first time when Gail was a junior at Polytechnic. Wooden was impressed by Gail’s quickness and his ability to play sound defense. Knowing how much desire, hustle, and solid fundamentals can make up for lack of size, Coach Wooden wanted Gail to attend UCLA and join the team’s backcourt with Walt Hazzard. During Gail’s senior year at Polytechnic, the team won the Los Angeles City Championship. Gail averaged 23.2 points a game during his senior year and was named player of the year for the Los Angeles area. He had also grown to a height of 5 feet 11 inches. The next year, Gail attended UCLA and helped the freshman team to an undefeated

season. This was the first time in UCLA history that the freshman team had gone undefeated. By the start of his sophomore year, Gail had grown to 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 160 pounds. He became part of Coach Wooden’s varsity squad. The 19621963 season was a learning experience for Gail. Playing against the best college players in the country was not an easy task. He began to rush his shots because of the size and quality of the players against

Gail Goodrich scooping a shot in 1970 as Walt Frazier watches. (Wen Roberts/NBAE/Getty Images)

135

Great Athletes

Gail Goodrich whom he was competing. He was inconsistent on the court, and he started only sixteen of the twentynine games that season. The Emerging Champion With a tough season behind him, Gail started his junior year with more determination than ever. He had learned from the previous season how to relax and to make the correct decisions on the court. The 1963-1964 season culminated with UCLA’s first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship. With Gail and Walt Hazzard as the UCLA guards and the tallest man on the team 6foot 5-inch Fred Slaughter, it was amazing that the team was able to go through the year undefeated. For the season, Gail came away with a 21.5-pointsper-game average. In the championship game, Gail scored 27 points in UCLA’s 98-83 victory over Duke. Gail was not the playmaker of the team. Walt Hazzard was the guard who handled the ball; Gail roamed around until he got free and then would receive the ball and, if open enough, shoot his favorite jump shot. The next season, Gail had to take over the role of the playmaker because Hazzard graduated. During the 1964-1965 season, Gail came into his own as one of the outstanding college players in the country. He had no trouble taking over the role of the playmaker. His quickness and uncanny timing made him a threat, not only to score but also to be in the right place for rebounds. UCLA did not

go through the season undefeated, but the team did become stronger as the season progressed. UCLA played the University of Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA Championship game, and UCLA came away with its second championship by winning the game 91-80. This final game was Gail’s best as a collegiate player. He scored 42 points and was practically unstoppable. Gail was named an all-American for his senior year and was ready to make the transition into the professional ranks. In 1965, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA drafted Gail. The Lakers had Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, who filled the role as the scorers on their team. Gail did his best to learn the Laker system and improve his basketball skills. In the 1968 NBA expansion draft, Gail was chosen by the Phoenix Suns. Although the Suns had a losing season, Gail played like a veteran. He averaged 23.8 points and 6.4 assists a game. Continuing the Story After only two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Gail was traded back to the Los Angeles Lakers. Former UCLA teammate Keith Erickson, as well as West and Wilt Chamberlain, were on the Lakers when he returned. Gail and the team put everything together in the 1971-1972 season and won the Los Angeles Lakers’ first NBA Championship. At one point during Gail’s second season back with the Lakers, the team won an incredible thirty-three


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79

65 77 79 81 81 79 82 76 82 72 75 27 81 74

203 352 395 718 568 558 826 750 784 656 583 136 520 382

.404 .454 .486 .411 .454 .475 .487 .464 .442 .459 .441 .446 .495 .449

103 253 302 495 488 264 475 314 508 318 293 68 264 174

.691 .751 .770 .747 .808 .770 .850 .840 .864 .841 .847 .800 .795 .853

130 251 199 437 340 260 295 263 250 219 214 61 177 183

103 210 205 518 605 380 365 332 427 420 421 74 388 357

509 957 1,092 1,931 1,624 1,380 2,127 1,814 2,076 1,630 1,459 340 1,304 938

7.8 12.4 13.8 23.8 20.0 17.5 25.9 23.9 25.3 22.6 19.5 12.6 16.1 12.7

Totals

1,031

7,431

.456

4,319

.807

3,279

4,805

19,161

18.6


136

Basketball games in a row. The Lakers set an NBA record by winning sixty-nine games for the season, and Gail led the team in scoring with an average of 25.9 points per game. He stayed with the Lakers for another four seasons and averaged less than 20 points per game only once, with an average of 19.5. In 1976, Gail signed with the New Orleans Jazz as a free agent. He played with the Jazz for three seasons but never equaled the standard he had set with the Lakers. During Gail’s fourteen-year professional career, he played in five allstar games and was named to the all-NBA first team in 1974. With a hair-trigger, left-handed release, Gail was an excellent shooter from the field and the free-throw line. He and Jerry West formed one of the best backcourts in NBA history. While helping to run the basketball venue during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Gail met some contacts who got him interested in golf course development. Sometime later, he moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, to pursue his interest. Gail became a successful businessman, serving as the president of National Fairways, a golf course acquisition and management company. In 1996, Gail received the ultimate basketball honor when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. On November 20, 1996, the Lakers retired Gail’s number, 25, and in 2004, UCLA did the same. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA in 1996, Gail received strong consideration to be one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1998, Gail and former basketball coach Bill Foster put together a video titled Basketball for How-To Sports that illustrates the fundamental principles of the game.

Gail Goodrich

Honors and Awards 1964 Sporting News All-American 1964-65 NCAA All-Tournament Team 1965 Helms Division I Co-Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year Consensus All-American 1969, 1972-75 NBA All-Star Team 1974 All-NBA First Team 1996 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Uniform number 25 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

Summary Gail Goodrich is a prime example of what hard work and determination can accomplish in a tall man’s game. It cannot be denied that his father had a major impact on Gail during his formative years, and that he was fortunate to play for the legendary Coach Wooden of UCLA. Gail had enough highlights in his basketball career to be the envy of the majority of those who love the game. He rose to the top in both the collegiate and professional ranks, and left a mark as a solid performer who always gave his best to the game. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Lazenby, Roland. The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Rosen, Charles. The Pivotal Season: How the 19711972 Los Angeles Lakers Changed the NBA. New York: T. Dunne Books, 2005.

137

Hal Greer Born: June 26, 1936 Huntington, West Virginia Also known as: Harold Everett Greer (full name) Early Life Hal Greer was born on June 26, 1936, in Huntington, West Virginia. He was the youngest of nine children. His father worked on the railroads in the Huntington area, and his mother died at an early age. Hal’s father remarried. Hal’s parents became strong supporters of their children and encouraged Hal to develop his basketball skills. Hal played basketball at Douglas High School in Huntington. Douglas was an all-black high school. Prior to 1954, segregated high schools and athletic

Hal Greer. (NBAE/Getty Images)

138

teams existed in the United States. Hal was an average high school basketball player until Zelma Davis, his coach, inspired him to improve his skills. Davis is recognized as one of West Virginia’s outstanding high school basketball coaches. Under Davis’s leadership, Hal became an all-state performer in high school. The Road to Excellence In 1954, Hal was recruited by coach Cam Henderson to attend Marshall University, located in Huntington. Hal agreed to attend Marshall and became the first black athlete to break the “color barrier” in West Virginia college sports. Hal began to have an immediate impact on the basketball program at Marshall. He averaged more than 19 points and 10 rebounds per game, and he was able to develop an accurate one-hand jump shot. When he graduated, Hal held Marshall’s career record for field goal percentage, at 54 percent. Hal used his ball-handling, playmaking, and shooting ability to lead Marshall to the 1956 Mid-American Conference Championships. This was the only time in the school’s history that the team won this conference basketball championship—Marshall moved to Conference USA in 2005. College coaches and fans began to recognize Hal’s basketball talents. In 1958, he was selected as a member of the North college all-star team. During this all-star game, he scored 17 points and helped his team defeat the South 111-109. Hal concluded an outstanding basketball career at Marshall University, holding numerous records that stood many years. The Emerging Champion In 1958, after graduating from Marshall University, Hal was selected by the National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) Syracuse Nationals. He was coached at

Basketball

Hal Greer


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73

68 70 79 71 80 80 70 80 80 82 82 80 81 81 38

308 388 623 644 600 715 539 703 699 777 732 705 591 389 91

.454 .476 .451 .446 .464 .444 .433 .445 .459 .478 .459 .455 .431 .449 .392

137 148 305 331 362 435 335 413 367 422 432 352 326 181 32

.778 .783 .774 .819 .834 .829 .811 .804 .788 .769 .796 .815 .805 .774 .821

196 303 455 524 457 484 355 473 422 444 435 376 364 271 106

101 188 302 313 275 374 313 384 303 372 414 405 369 316 111

753 924 1,551 1,619 1,562 1,865 1,413 1,819 1,765 1,976 1,896 1,762 1,508 959 214

11.1 13.2 19.6 22.8 19.5 23.3 20.2 22.7 22.1 24.1 23.1 22.0 18.6 11.8 5.6

Totals

1,122

8,504

.452

4,578

.801

5,665

4,540

21,586

19.2


first by Paul Seymour and then by Alex Hannum. more than 20 points per game. In 1967, the team Hal’s rookie year with Syracuse was not very sucwon its first NBA Championship. During this seacessful. He saw limited playing time and averaged son Hal entered the 10,000-career-point club. Hal only 11 points per game. One of the highlights of concluded his NBA playing career with 21,586 his rookie year came on February 14, 1959, when points. he scored 39 points in one half against the Boston Celtics. Continuing the Story Hal Greer was one of the most outstanding players Hal played during the “Golden Era” of the NBA, with such players as Wilt Chamberlain, Bill in the NBA. From 1961 to 1970, he played on ten Russell, K. C. Jones, Bob Pettit, Elgin Baylor, and NBA all-star teams. His most memorable game was Jerry West. Despite the elite competition, Hal bein 1968: He played only 17 minutes, hit 8 field goals without missing, and scored 21 points. For this percame an NBA all-star. As a result of much practice formance he was selected most valuable player. and dedication, Hal’s average increased to more than 22 points per game during the 1961-1962 seaHal Greer overcame the barriers of racial segregation at Marshall University and went on to beson. He continued to develop his playmaking, ballcome an NBA all-star. He is a legend at Marshall handling, and shooting skills. During the 19651966 season, he finished among the top ten in free University, where his uniform number is retired. throw percentage (.804) and assists, with about 5 assists per game. Honors, Awards, and Records During the 1963-1964 NBA season, the Syracuse Nationals moved to Phil1961-70 NBA All-Star Team adelphia, where they became known 1963-69 All-NBA Team as the 76ers. Dolph Schayes, who had 1966 Hal Greer Day designated in Huntington, West Virginia been an outstanding player, became 1968 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player Hal’s coach. During this season, Wilt NBA record for the most points in one quarter of an All-Star Game, 19 Chamberlain was traded to Philadel1978 Sixteenth Street in Huntington, West Virginia, renamed Hal Greer Boulevard phia from San Francisco. The addi1982 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame tion of Wilt Chamberlain helped the 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 76ers win the Eastern Division in Uniform number 15 retired by Philadelphia 76ers 1966, a season in which Hal averaged 139

Hal Greer The city of Huntington, West Virginia, in recognition of Hal’s athletic and personal achievements, named a street on his behalf, Hal Greer Boulevard. This street runs through Hal’s old neighborhood in Huntington. In 1973, Hal retired from the Philadelphia 76ers. The 1966-1967 Philadelphia 76ers team, led by Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer, is considered one of the best in NBA history. The team ended the Boston Celtics’ streak of eight consecutive championships. During his fifteen-year career with Syracuse and Philadelphia, Hal was one of the most dominant and durable guards in the NBA. Few players have been able to emulate his work ethic. In 1996, Hal was selected as a member of the NBA’s fifty greatest players of all-time team. Hal remained actively involved with community projects and often participated in celebrity events. To help raise money for needy people, he often donated autographed basketballs to charitable auction events. He also remained a strong supporter of the Marshall University athletic program. Hal’s wife, Mayme, holds a doctorate in mathematics; they have two children. Hal’s trademarks on and off the court have been consistency and reliability.

140

Great Athletes Summary Hal Greer was an all-star in the era of Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain. As a basketball player, he was known for his ball-handling, leadership ability, and shooting skill. His ability to remain composed under pressure earned him much respect. He is one of Marshall University’s and the Philadelphia 76ers’ most popular players. Dana D. Brooks Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Lynch, Wayne. Season of the 76ers: The Story of Wilt Chamberlain and the 1967 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers. New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press, 2002. Macnow, Glen, and Big Daddy Graham. The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2006. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Cliff Hagan Born: December 9, 1931 Owensboro, Kentucky Also known as: Clifford Oldham Hagan (full name) Early Life Clifford Oldham Hagan, one of Tom and Mable Hagan’s ten children, was born on December 9, 1931, in Owensboro, Kentucky. Cliff began playing basketball when he was in the fourth grade at Longfellow Elementary School, near his Locust Street home. His first coach was William Armstrong, who later was head of the Indiana University Foundation. Cliff was a polite, easygoing youth who never seemed to get into trouble, partly because he never had time—he was always shooting basketballs. His

Cliff Hagan, who was an all star in both the NBA and the American Basketball Association. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

academic performance was only average, but his basketball skills were exceptional. It became apparent to many living near his Locust Street home that this youngster was determined to be a great basketball player. The Road to Excellence Most of Kentucky, particularly Owensboro, became acquainted with Cliff after he began to play basketball at Owensboro Senior High School. He had a profound impact on high school basketball in Kentucky. People who never had seen a game of basketball came out to the small gym to see this young man who played with finesse. At 6 feet 4 inches tall, Cliff was remarkably strong. He was smart and quick enough that he always got a good position. “Cliff the Cat,” as he was later nicknamed, did not allow his size to be a disadvantage against the sometimes bigger players. The greatest of his many high school accomplishments was when he led his team to the 1949 Kentucky State Championship. He scored a thenrecord 41 points in the final game, a 64-57 victory over Lexington Lafayette. Some years later, this achievement was voted the greatest individual performance by anyone in the history of Kentucky tournament basketball. Thousands turned out to pay tribute to Cliff in his last home game. The Emerging Champion In January of 1950, Cliff entered the University of Kentucky as one of the most highly publicized freshmen in the history of basketball. He had been heavily recruited before signing with the legendary Adolph Rupp. Coach Rupp recognized that Cliff was a ferocious rebounder capable of lightning-fast breaks. Cliff proved quickly that he was on his way to becoming great. Using a variety of shots, including his well-known hook shot, as a sophomore, he played on Kentucky’s 1951 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion team. During the 1951-1952 season, Cliff amassed the then-staggering total of 692 points in thirty-two games for an average of 21.6 points per game. The team was rated first in the nation in every major 141

Great Athletes

Cliff Hagan


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66

67 70 72 75 78 77 79 77 77 74

134 503 646 719 661 701 491 572 393 419

.361 .443 .456 .464 .441 .470 .465 .447 .436 .445

100 385 415 421 383 362 244 269 214 176

.690 .768 .774 .803 .820 .825 .800 .813 .799 .854

247 707 783 803 718 533 341 377 276 234

86 175 245 299 381 370 191 189 136 164

368 1,391 1,707 1,859 1,705 1,764 1,226 1,413 1,000 1,014

5.5 19.9 23.7 24.8 21.9 22.9 15.5 18.4 13.0 13.7

NBA Totals

746

5,239

.450

2,969

.798

5,019

2,236

13,447

18.0

1967-68 1968-69 1969-70

56 35 3

371 132 8

.489 .510 .615

277 123 1

.789 .854 .500

334 102 0

276 122 0

1,019 387 17

18.2 11.1 5.7

ABA Totals

94

511

.496

401

.807

436

398

1,423

15.1


poll, and Cliff led them in total points, average points per game, highest percentage of shots made, greatest total free throws made, and rebounds and assists—despite the fact that the team included another all-American, Frank Ramsey. Cliff was a consensus all-American. He was named to the all-Southeastern Conference (SEC) Team in 1952 and 1954. During the 1952-1953 season, Kentucky was on probation for actions occurring prior to Cliff’s playing years and thus did not play a schedule. In 1953-1954, Cliff reached his peak. He scored 600 points with a school-record 24 points per game average as the Wildcats finished with a 25-0 record and a number-one ranking. Cliff’s record average stood until 1969. Kentucky declined a bid to participate in the NCAA Tournament because Cliff, Frank Ramsey, and Lou Tsioropoulos had graduated and were ineligible. Again, Cliff was a consensus all-American. During Cliff’s career at the Uni-

Honors and Awards 1952, 1954 Consensus All-American All-SEC Team 1954-56 All-Service Team 1958-59 All-NBA Team 1958-62 NBA All-Star Team 1968 ABA All-Star Team 1977 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1984 Boys’ Club Medallion

142

versity of Kentucky, the basketball team won an incredible eighty-six of ninety-one games and an NCAA Championship. Cliff also participated in student government, the Sigma Nu fraternity, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He finished among the top ten students of the College of Education and graduated with high distinction. After leaving the University of Kentucky, Cliff served a two-year stint in the United States Air Force before beginning his professional career. He led his Air Force team to two World Wide Air Force Championships and won all-service honors both years. Continuing the Story Although Cliff had been drafted by the Boston Celtics of the NBA in the spring of 1956, the St. Louis Hawks obtained him from Boston. His first professional contract was for $7,500 a year. During ten years with the Hawks, Cliff averaged 18 points per game and was selected to play in five NBA all-star games. The Hawks won the NBA’s Western Division six times during Cliff’s playing career and, in 1958, defeated the Celtics for the championship. He was an NBA all-star from 1958 to 1962. Cliff then joined the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a player-coach and was selected to the first ABA all-star team. Cliff scored 14,870 points during his professional career.

Basketball Cliff received many honors and awards after his retirement from professional basketball. For example, the Owensboro Boys’ Club was named after him. Cliff became the first University of Kentucky basketball player to be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Cliff became the assistant athletics director at the University of Kentucky on June 1, 1972, and was named the director on July 1, 1975. In 1984, Cliff was the recipient of the Boys’ Club Medallion, which recognizes individuals who have served the Boys’ Club over an extended period of time. In honor of his contributions to the University of Kentucky as a player and as an administrator, the baseball stadium in Shively Sports Center Complex was named Cliff Hagan Stadium. In 1988, Cliff retired as the athletic director at the University of Kentucky in order to pursue business opportunities. He became the head of Cliff Hagan Ribeye Franchise. Cliff believed that his greatest ac-

Cliff Hagan complishments were becoming a state high school champion, an NCAA champion, and an NBA champion. He was one of the best “clutch” players ever. Summary Cliff Hagan will be remembered for his graceful shots, his leaping rebounds, and his exceptional timing, which permitted him to outjump and outplay taller players consistently. Cliff personified the all-American athlete. He was reared in a relatively humble environment, and through tremendous ambition, hard work, and dedication, became one of the great basketball players of his time. Ronald L. Crosbie Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000.

143

Penny Hardaway Born: July 18, 1971 Memphis, Tennessee Also known as: Anfernee Deon Hardaway (birth name) Early Life Named Anfernee at birth, Penny Hardaway was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Fae Patterson and Eddie Golden. He did not meet his father until he was six years old. When he was about four, his mother moved to California to pursue a career as a lounge singer. Consequently, he was raised by his grandmother, Louise Hardaway, who insisted that he stay with her in Memphis so he could have a stable life. His grandmother often called him “Pretty,” which got converted into the nickname “Penny” because of her accent. Penny’s grandmother had strict rules for him. He had to clean up after himself, get good grades in school, do his homework before he could watch television, wake up early every day, go to church regularly, and never use foul language. He hated his early curfews, but his grandmother told him one day he would thank her for protecting him from the rough street life of their Memphis neighborhood. By the age of seven or eight, Penny realized he wanted to play basketball. He made basketball hoops out of wire clothes hangers and milk crates with the bottoms broken out, and he used whatever he could find for a ball. The Road to Excellence Penny’s skills on the basketball court were evident from an early age. By his freshman year in high school, he received offers to play college basketball. In 1990, after his senior year, he was Parade magazine’s national high school player of the year and was a McDonald’s All-American. However, during his high school years, he began living with his mother, and without his grandmother’s strict rules, his grades began to slip. Although his basketball skills flourished, he did not play the last half of his senior year because of his poor grades. Penny’s test scores and grades were not good enough for college, but he received a special ex144

emption from Memphis State University and enrolled there. By then, his unhappy experience in high school had taught him the importance of taking his studies seriously. He went on to make the dean’s list his last two years at college. This was partly inspired by an incident that occurred in April, 1991, in his freshman year. He and a friend were robbed in front of his cousin’s house by gunmen who forced them to lie down in the driveway. The robbers shot at Penny and his friend, hitting Penny’s right foot and breaking it in three places. That frightening experience made him realize that he could not rely on basketball to make his living, so he had better study hard with determination. As a 6-foot 7-inch point guard, Penny took Memphis State to the National College Athletic Association Basketball Tournament twice. He was named the Great Midwest Conference player of the year in both 1992 and 1993. The Emerging Champion Penny skipped his senior year of college to enter the NBA draft in 1993 with hopes of playing for the Orlando Magic with his friend Shaquille O’Neal. The Golden State Warriors made him the numberthree overall pick. In a surprise move, the Warriors immediately traded him to Orlando for Chris Webber, who had been the number-one overall pick. During Penny’s first game for the Magic, he was booed several times because the audience had wanted Webber, whom many fans had preferred. Despite this rocky start, Penny eventually proved himself in Orlando. Meanwhile, he made good on his promise to buy his grandmother and mother a nice house in Memphis. He especially wanted to reward his grandmother for having cared for him so well. Soon after joining Orlando, Penny also signed a multimillion-dollar deal with the athletic-shoe manufacturer Nike, which created a popular gimmick for the commercials in which Penny appeared. In each of his Nike commercials, Penny appeared alongside a tiny puppet named “Li’l Penny,” whose voice was supplied by comedian Chris Rock. Li’l Penny soon became Penny’s famous alter ego and

Basketball

Penny Hardaway

Honors, Awards, and Milestones 1991-93 Great Midwest Conference Player of the Year 1993-94 NBA All-Rookie First Team 1994 Most valuable player of the inaugural Schick Rookie Game 1994-96 All-NBA First Team 1995 NBA Player of the Month (November) 1995-96 Was the only player during the season to average more than 20 points (21.7 ppg) and 5 assists (7.1 ppg) and shoot better than 50 percent from the floor (.510) 1995-98 NBA All-Star Team 1996-97 All-NBA Third Team 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

took on a life of its own, with talking dolls, books, and even its own Web sites. In 1994, Penny achieved another of his dreams when he was cast as a basketball player in the film Blue Chips, which starred Nick Nolte as the head coach of a college basketball team and featured O’Neal. Continuing the Story United with center O’Neal on the basketball court, Penny helped lead Orlando to its first playoff win in his first season. He was named to the 1994 NBA all-rookie team, on which he was voted the most valuable player. During his first six seasons, he helped lead Orlando to the playoffs five times, including an appearance in the NBA Finals in 1995. He was also selected for the NBA all-star game that

season. After the 1995-1996 NBA season, he played for the U.S. team that won a gold medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games. The six seasons that Penny spent with Orlando were the best in his professional career. Through those years he averaged between 15.8 and 21.7 points per game and between 3.6 to 7.2 assists. After O’Neal left Orlando for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, Penny felt there were unfair expectations of him, and management wearied of his criticisms. After he became a free agent during the summer of 1999, he was part of a sign-and-trade deal that took him to the Phoenix Suns. During the 1999-2000 season, Penny averaged 16.9 points per game and helped Phoenix reach the second round of the NBA playoffs. After that solid start with his new team, a knee injury hobbled him, and he appeared in only four games during the following season. He returned to form in 2001-2002 to play in eighty games, but both his productivity and his playing time began to diminish. By 2003-2004, his last season in Phoenix, he was averaging only 25.8 minutes and 8.7 points per game. In January of 2004, the Suns traded him to the New York Knicks, along with Stephon Marbury. At the end of the 2003-2004 season, Penny and Marbury helped the Knicks reach the NBA playoffs. The team lost in the first round, despite Penny’s 16.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. Afterward, Penny’s averages and playing time se-


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2007-08

82 77 82 59 19 50 60 4 80 58 76 37 4 16

1,092 1,142 1,215 941 273 717 798 36 931 573 679 260 14 60

509 585 623 421 103 301 378 15 389 256 279 110 4 22

.466 .512 .513 .447 .377 .420 .474 .417 .418 .447 .411 .423 .286 .367

330 463 580 345 118 211 286 11 195 97 138 46 2 9

245 356 445 283 90 149 226 7 158 77 111 34 2 8

.742 .769 .767 .820 .763 .706 .790 .636 .810 .794 .804 .739 1.000 .889

439 336 354 263 76 284 347 18 350 258 287 89 10 35

544 551 582 332 68 266 315 15 324 235 176 74 8 35

1,313 1,613 1,780 1,210 311 791 1,015 39 959 615 699 269 10 60

16.0 20.9 21.7 20.5 16.4 15.8 16.9 9.8 12.0 10.6 9.2 7.3 2.5 3.8

Totals

704

8,731

3,995

.458

2,831

2,191

.774

3,146

3,525

10,684

15.2


145

Penny Hardaway verely declined as new injuries plagued him. In early 2006, Penny was traded back to the Magic but was waived before he could even put on a uniform. After sitting out the following season, he signed with the Miami Heat in August, 2007, for the minimum veteran’s salary. There he was reunited with O’Neal. After playing in only sixteen games for the Heat, Penny was waived in December. This was not how he wanted to end his playing career, however, and he thought he still had some good basketball remaining in him. Summary The lessons Penny Hardaway learned growing up, especially from his grandmother, helped make him the man he became. In addition to his stellar play during the peak of his career, he earned a reputation as one of the most unselfish players in basketball. He always went out of his way to help his teammates by passing them the ball and encouraging them. In sharp contrast to the hip, raucous Li’l

146

Great Athletes Penny puppet based on him, the real Penny was always quiet, unassuming, and quick to credit others for their contributions. During his playing career, he held charity basketball games in Memphis every year and sponsored a youth basketball camp. He also formed Penny’s Pals, a foundation that donated money to charities for every slam dunk he made. Eleanor B. Amico, updated by the Editors Additional Sources Gutman, Bill. Anfernee Hardaway: Super Guard. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 1997. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Rappoport, Ken. Super Sports Star Penny Hardaway. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2001. Rosenthal, Bert. Anfernee Hardaway: Star Guard. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1999. Townsend, Brad. Anfernee Hardaway: Basketball’s Lucky Penny. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1997.

Tim Hardaway Born: September 1, 1966 Chicago, Illinois Also known as: Timothy Duane Hardaway (full name) Early Life Timothy Duane Hardaway was born to Gwen and Donald Hardaway on September 1, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois. Tim’s father was a local playground basketball legend who taught Tim the fundamentals of the game at an early age. However, despite this bond with his father, Tim suffered through family difficulties early in his life. At home, his father’s drinking and his parents’ arguments were daily issues. When Tim was twelve, his parents divorced, and his father left the home. Tim turned to the basketball courts of the South Side of Chicago to release his frustrations. Like many players from the area, Tim honed his abilities while battling the strong wind gusts on Chicago playgrounds. Pickup games provided Tim with some of his greatest competition. As a teenager he competed against some of Chicago’s best athletes, including future NBA stars Isiah Thomas and Glenn “Doc” Rivers. The Road to Excellence Tim was known for his quick dribbling ability and had a solid career at Carver High School in Chicago. Still less than 6 feet tall, he was not one of the larger high school point guards in the country. However, he gained the attention of University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) coach Don Haskins. Before heading for UTEP, Tim told his father that he would end their relationship unless he quit drinking. That ultimatum helped his father overcome his alcoholism and work toward repairing his relationship with Tim. With the improvement of his family life, Tim began to make a name for himself on the basketball court. In college he was known for attacking the basket with a cross-

over move so quick that the local media dubbed it the “UTEP two-step.” His signature move was later titled the “killer crossover,” a dribble imitated by many NBA point guards. During his senior season at UTEP, 1988-1989, Tim was named Western Athletic Conference player of the year after leading the UTEP Miners to 26 wins and a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament. He became the Miners’ all-time leading scorer, with 1,586 points, passing Nate Archibald. At the

Tim Hardaway celebrating after making a play in a 2001 game. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

147

Great Athletes

Tim Hardaway


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03

79 82 81 66 62 80 81 81 48 52 77 68 10

985 1,551 1,592 1,168 1,007 992 1,384 1,296 752 638 1,042 620 49

464 739 734 522 430 419 575 558 301 246 408 226 18

.471 .476 .461 .447 .427 .422 .415 .431 .400 .386 .392 .365 .367

276 381 389 367 288 305 364 329 149 133 181 97 4

211 306 298 273 219 241 291 257 121 110 145 77 2

.764 .803 .766 .744 .760 .790 .799 .781 .812 .827 .801 .794 .500

310 332 310 263 190 229 277 299 152 150 204 124 15

689 793 807 699 578 640 695 672 352 385 483 278 24

1,162 1,881 1,893 1,419 1,247 1,217 1,644 1,528 835 696 1,150 652 49

14.7 22.9 23.4 21.5 20.1 15.2 20.3 18.9 17.4 13.4 14.9 9.6 4.9

Totals

867

13,076

5,640

.431

3,263

2,551

.782

2,855

7,095

15,373

17.7


end of his collegiate career, he was selected by the Golden State Warriors, who had the fourteenth pick of the first round of the 1989 NBA draft. The Emerging Champion In drafting Tim, Golden State placed its faith in the least heralded point guard of a strong rookie crop, which included Mookie Blaylock and B. J. Armstrong. However, Tim did not disappoint the team. He finished second in the rookie of the year voting behind San Antonio’s David Robinson and averaged 14.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game for the season. After his rookie season, Tim’s confidence soared as he went on to lead the trio of Warriors sharpshooters dubbed “Run TMC”—a group that included Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Together they formed the highest-scoring trio of teammates in the league. For his efforts, Tim was named an NBA all-star for the first time and, at the age of twenty-four, was the youngest player to be voted to the team in 1991. Over the next two seasons Tim continued his stellar play, becoming only the fifth player in league history to average 20 points and 10 assists in consecutive seasons. He made the all-star team both years but relinquished his starting spot in 1992 so that the retired Magic Johnson could make his final appearance as a Western Conference starter. After solidifying his status as one of the 148

game’s most exciting players, Tim experienced injuries from 1993 to 1995. He missed the entire 1993-1994 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training camp. The following season, the surgically repaired knee and an injured ligament in his wrist slowed him. Despite the pain, he managed to average 20.1 points and 9.3 assists in the sixty-two games that he was able to play. Continuing the Story In the 1995-1996 season, Tim was traded to the Miami Heat after battling with new Warriors head coach Rick Adelman over his reduced playing time. With a desire to prove that he could still perform at a high level, Tim ranked among the elite

Honors, Awards, and Records 1985-89 University of Texas at El Paso all-time leading scorer, 1,586 points 1988-89 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year 1989-90 NBA All-Rookie First Team Second rookie in history to lead NBA’s highest-scoring team in assists 1991-93, 1997-99 NBA All-Star Team 1991-92 Most steals in NBA playoff game, 8 (twice) 1991-92, 1997-99 All-NBA Second Team 1992-93 All-NBA Third Team 1996-97 All-NBA First Team 2000 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

Basketball NBA point guards in his first full season with the Heat. He was named to the all-NBA first team with averages of 20.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 1.86 steals per game and guided the team to a 61-21 record. More important that season, Tim proved once again that he was a “clutch” player by registering a career playoff high of 38 points in a 101-90 victory over the New York Knicks in the decisive game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The win led to the Heat’s first appearance in the conference finals, where the team lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, the eventual NBA champions. In 1998, Tim was named an all-star for the fifth time. In 1999, he was part of the all-NBA second team and established the Heat, coached by Pat Riley, as one of the league’s toughest playoff foes. On April 22, 1999, he passed his 1,947th assist with the Heat to become the team’s all-time leader in that category. In September, 2000, after Tim had become a free agent, the team gave him a one-year, $12 million contract extension. Meanwhile, as Tim continued toward his dream of an NBA Championship another of his goals was fulfilled when he became part of Dream Team III during the 2000 Olympics. The gold medal that the team won in Sydney, Australia, was particularly satisfying to Tim because an injury had removed him from the previous Dream Team that had competed in the FIBA World Championship. Tim’s last season with the Heat, 2000-2001, was a solid one for him statistically. However, after the season ended, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, which used him mainly in a reserve role. Midway through the 2001-2002 season, Dallas traded him to the Denver Nuggets in a deal for point guard Nick Van Exel. Tim started all fourteen of the games he played for Denver and then announced his retirement so he could become an analyst for ESPN. Not surprisingly, perhaps, he still had an itch to play. The following March, he signed with the Indiana Pacers, for whom he played the final ten games of his career. After retiring from the NBA, Tim was still not

Tim Hardaway ready to give up basketball. In 2006, he briefly served as player, coach, and part owner of the American Basketball Association’s Florida Pit Bulls. Tim led the team to a first-place finish in its division, but because of disruptions from hurricanes and other problems, the team elected not to go into the playoffs. When the team folded, Tim was once again out of basketball, but he was not ready to give up on the game. His chances of finding a coaching job in the NBA may have been damaged by a series of antigay remarks he made during a radio interview in early 2007. Nevertheless, he continued looking. After all, he had more than once proven he could overcome adversity. Summary On the basketball court, Tim Hardaway always made up for his lack of height with quickness and a passion for the game that placed him among the NBA elite for more than a decade. As with many players with long careers, Tim’s statistics diminished during his last seasons. Nevertheless, his final career figures of 17.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, coupled with a 3-point field goal percentage of 35.5 percent, testify to the all-around excellence he maintained for many years. With many all-star guards paying tribute to Tim by incorporating his “killer crossover” dribble into their games, a part of Tim has already become an aspect of NBA history. Craig Causer, updated by the Editors Additional Sources Hishberg, Dan. Tim Hardaway. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 1999. Howerton, Darryl. “Head Games.” Sport 89 (June, 1998): 48-50. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Rosenthal, Bert. Tim Hardaway: Star Guard. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2001.

149

John Havlicek Born: April 8, 1940 Martins Ferry, Ohio Also known as: John J. Havlicek (full name); Hondo Early Life John Havlicek was born April 8, 1940, in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He spent his childhood in Lansing, Ohio, a town of about seven hundred hardworking people who were mostly employed in the nearby coal mines and steel mills. John was the youngest of three children of Frank and Amanda Havlicek. John’s father had come to the United States from Czechoslovakia at the age of eleven, and his mother was of Croatian descent. The family operated a grocery store in Lansing and provided John an excellent childhood. When John was six years old, he discovered his talent for running by running nonstop between mileposts along the highway. Running gave John a sense of accomplishment and became an enjoyable routine. The passion for running and the ensuing stamina developed as a youth would serve as John’s trademark for his entire athletic career. The Road to Excellence John participated in high school sports in nearby Bridgeport, Ohio. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball and was selected to the all-state teams for each sport. As quarterback for the football team, John proved to be a hard runner, an exceptional passer, a master ball handler, and an exemplary leader. In basketball, John was an offensive star who excelled at defense. He averaged almost 30 points per game, but he was better known for his defensive play. In baseball, John played all the infield positions and had a .460 batting average. Had he not entered college, he undoubtedly would have become a professional baseball player. 150

John received basketball and football scholarship offers from more than thirty-five universities. He decided to attend Ohio State University and accepted its basketball scholarship. The summer before attending Ohio State, John played on the Ohio all-star basketball team. Mel Nowell, a member of the team, gave John the nickname “Hondo.” Mel claimed that John resembled John Wayne, who had played a character named Hondo in one of his recent movies. At Ohio State, John devoted himself to playing defense and soon became an important part of the team. John was always assigned to guard the oppo-

John Havlicek. (Dick Raphael/NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

John Havlicek


GP 80 80 75 71 81 82 82 81 81 82 80 76 82 76 79 82 1,270

FGM 483 640 570 530 684 666 692 736 892 897 766 685 642 504 580 546 10,513

FG% .445 .417 .401 .399 .444 .429 .405 .464 .450 .458 .450 .456 .455 .450 .452 .449 .439

FTM 174 315 235 274 365 368 387 488 554 458 370 346 289 281 235 230 5,369

FT% .728 .746 .744 .785 .828 .812 .780 .844 .818 .834 .858 .832 .870 .844 .816 .855 .815

Reb. 534 428 371 423 532 546 570 635 730 672 567 487 484 314 382 332 8,007

Ast. 179 238 199 210 278 384 441 550 607 614 529 447 432 278 400 328 6,114

TP 1,140 1,595 1,375 1,334 1,733 1,700 1,771 1,960 2,338 2,252 1,902 1,716 1,573 1,289 1,395 1,322 26,395

PPG 14.3 19.9 18.3 18.8 21.4 20.7 21.6 24.2 28.9 27.5 23.8 22.6 19.2 17.0 17.7 16.1 20.8


nents’ best player, whether the player was a guard, forward, or center. John also made important offensive contributions, averaging 17 points per game during his senior season. In his all-American senior year, John was voted team captain. Ohio State won three Big Ten Conference Championships during John’s three years of varsity basketball (1960-1962). In 1960, John’s team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament. In 1961 and 1962, his team again advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Emerging Champion In 1962, John was drafted by the Boston Celtics of the NBA and the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He reported to the Browns during the summer but was cut during the preseason. John proceeded to report to the Celtics. The Boston Celtics had won a fourth consecutive championship when John joined the team. Even though the team was loaded with outstanding veterans such as Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Tommy Heinsohn, K. C. Jones, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, and Frank Ramsey, John established himself in an important role. He did not start, but he came off the bench to bolster the team. John averaged 14 points per game in his rookie season. He also used his running ability and endurance to establish a style of constant movement on offense and defense. On offense, his movement without the ball enabled

him to be in position to take good shots and get rebounds. His defensive pressure wore down opponents. Within three seasons, John established himself as the league’s premier sixth man. Usually during the first quarter of the game, John would replace one of the starters and lift the team with his tenacious defense and consistent offense. He worked in the off-season to improve his ballhandling and scoring so he could play guard as well as forward. John’s presence on the team helped them to win another four consecutive championships. John turned in several outstanding plays during this championship run. He is probably best remembered, however, for his play in the 1964-1965 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the decisive final game, John intercepted an inbound pass under the 76ers’ basket with five seconds remaining to preserve the Celtics’ 110-109 victory. The play set off a mob celebration and was immortalized by Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most, who shouted over the radio, “Havlicek stole the ball. He stole the ball!” Continuing the Story Although the Celtics did not win the championship in 1966-1967, they were back as champions in 1967-1968 and 1968-1969. Again, John was an important part of the team; he was the team captain and the leader in assists and scoring. 151

John Havlicek

Great Athletes

In 1980, John was named to the NBA thirty-fifth anniversary all-time team. In 1962 NCAA All-Tournament Team 1996, during the celebration of the golden Consensus All-American anniversary of the NBA, John was selected 1963 NBA All-Rookie Team as one of the fifty greatest NBA players of 1964, 1966, 1968-76 All-NBA Team 1964, 1966, 1968-78 NBA All-Star Team all time. In 1999, he was named one of the 1969-76 NBA All-Defensive Team twenty best NBA players of all time. John is 1973 NBA record for the most field goals in a playoff game, 24 still recognized by many as a goodwill am1974 NBA Finals most valuable player 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team bassador for NBA basketball. He gave his 1984 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame best every time he took the court and con1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team tinued to do so as he participated in com1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time Uniform number 17 retired by Boston Celtics munity activities and charitable events. In 1999, former New York Knicks star Bill Bradley said that of all the NBA players he John took on a new role for the Celtics beginhad defended, he most hated to guard John. Forning in the 1969-1970 season. With the exception mer teammate and NBA coach Dave Cowens sugof John, the veteran players from the championgested that John’s jersey number, 17, should be ship teams had retired. John was no longer the retired throughout the NBA. The ultimate compliyoung child on the Celtics; he was the old veteran. ment to John probably came on the night of his reHe was no longer the sixth man; he was a starter. As tirement, when Celtics general manager and forteam captain, he was given the responsibility to remer coach Red Auerbach stated that he would be build the Celtics. During this time, the fledgling the happiest man in the world if he had a son just American Basketball Association (ABA) attempted like John. to persuade NBA stars such as John to switch to the new basketball league. He was offered a contract Summary with more money. John showed his loyalty to the John Havlicek was an ideal basketball player. His Celtics by staying with the team, and he received a all-out effort on defense and offense and his versasubstantial salary increase. tility made him one of the finest players in the hisRebuilding the team was difficult; the team fintory of the NBA. John’s exemplary personality and ished with a losing record and did not make the lifestyle provided an excellent role model for youth. playoffs. Under John’s leadership, and with the acIn 1984, John’s contributions to the NBA were forquisition of players such as Dave Cowens, Don mally recognized when he was inducted into the Chaney, and Jo Jo White, the Celtics improved and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. again became serious contenders for the title. In Duane A. Gill 1973-1974 and 1975-1976, John led the Celtics back to championship status. He was named most valuAdditional Sources able player in the 1974 NBA playoffs. By this time, Auerbach, Red, and John Feinstein. Let Me Tell You his endurance was legendary in the NBA. Furthera Story: A Lifetime in the Game. Boston: Little, more, John had become one of the league’s highBrown, 2004. est scorers. Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. ChamIn 1978, after sixteen years with the Celtics, John paign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. retired. Including playoffs, he had played in more Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling games (1,442) than any other player, scored more Kindersley, 2003. than 30,000 points, grabbed more than 9,000 reShouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best bounds, and given out almost 7,000 assists. John Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: had been a part of eight NBA Championship teams. Addax, 1998.

Honors and Awards

152

Connie Hawkins Born: July 17, 1942 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Cornelius L. Hawkins (full name); Hawk Early Life Cornelius “Connie” L. Hawkins was born on July 17, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York. Connie’s family was poor and lived in a small apartment located in the ghetto of Bedford-Stuyvesant. He was one of six children born to Isaiah and Dorothy Hawkins. Connie’s parents worked in the tobacco fields of North Carolina prior to moving to New York. When Connie was very young, his father left the family, and Dorothy found employment as a cook at one of the local nursery schools. Connie was a shy, tall, awkward child. At an early age, he began playing basketball on the playgrounds and at Young Men’s Christian Associations (YMCAs). Playing basketball became his love. The Road to Excellence Connie played organized basketball for Boys High School under its successful coach, Mickey Fisher, who became a father figure for Connie. The coach was demanding and taught Connie many of the fundamentals of basketball. Throughout his school career, Connie had academic problems. He was committed to graduate from high school, and he began to work with tutors and coaches to improve his spelling, grammar, and reading skills. After his sophomore high school year, Connie began to have a brilliant high school basketball career. During his senior year he was responsible for leading Boys High School to forty consecutive wins and the New York

City Championship. As a result, Connie was named to the all-city team and made Parade magazine’s High School All-American team. Connie developed and improved his basketball skills and style while playing in the summer league basketball programs in New York City. He often played in the famous Rucker League against such players as Oscar Robertson, Hal Greer, and Wilt

Connie Hawkins slamming the ball. (NBAE/Getty Images)

153

Great Athletes

Connie Hawkins Chamberlain. Connie became a legend on the playgrounds of New York City. He was given the nickname “Hawk” for his style of play and his onehanded half hook shot. The Emerging Champion After Connie graduated from high school, more than 250 colleges tried to recruit him. Connie chose to attend the University of Iowa. However, he did not have a strong academic record, and he was not permitted to play freshman basketball at the university. In 1961, while attending Iowa, Connie was implicated in a basketball gambling scandal. He was never formally charged or sent to jail, but he was forced to withdraw from the University of Iowa. This scandal had a major impact on the remainder of his basketball playing career. In 1961, the NBA decreed that no player associated with college sports scandals would be signed to play in the NBA. Dejected, Connie returned to play basketball on the playgrounds of New York City. He never gave up his dream of playing in the NBA, though. In 1961, the American Basketball League (ABL) formed, and Connie was selected to play for the Pittsburgh Rens. He dominated the league and won the most valuable player award. In 1962, because of poor financial support, the ABL folded. Abe Saperstein, the coach of the famous Harlem Globetrotters, recognized Connie’s outstanding basketball talent and recruited him. Connie played four years with the Globetrotters, playing with Globetrotter greats Tex Harrison and Meadowlark Lemon. During this time, Connie met and married his wife, Nancy Foster. They would have three children. In 1967, the American Basketball Association (ABA) was established. Connie played for the Pittsburgh Pipers, coached by Vince Cazzella. Connie led the league in scoring with 26.8 points per game

Honors and Awards 1962 ABL most valuable player 1968 ABA most valuable player 1968-69 ABA All-Star Team 1970 All-NBA Team 1970-71 NBA All-Star Team 1976 Uniform number 42 retired by Phoenix Suns 1992 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

154

Professional Statistics Season 1967-68 1968-69 ABA Totals 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 NBA Totals

GP 70 47 117 81 71 76 75 79 43 74 499

FGM 633 493 1,126 709 512 571 441 404 139 237 3,013

FTM 603 425 1,028 577 457 456 322 191 68 136 2,207

TP 1,875 1,420 3,295 1,995 1,481 1,598 1,204 999 346 610 8,233

PPG 26.8 30.2 28.2 24.6 20.9 21.0 16.1 12.6 8.0 8.2 16.5

Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FTM = free throws made; TP = total points; PPG = points per game

and finished second in the league in rebounding and shooting percentage. He led the team to its first ABA title. As a result of these achievements, he was voted the league’s most valuable player. Connie was earning a reputation as one of the best basketball players in the country. During the league playoffs, though, Connie injured a ligament in his knee—one of many injuries Connie suffered during his career. During the 1968-1969 season, the Pittsburgh franchise moved to Minneapolis. That season, Connie set an ABA single-game scoring record with 57 points against the New York Nets and averaged more than 30 points per game. Continuing the Story In 1969, Connie won a lawsuit against the NBA and was permitted to play in the league. His dream had come true. He was selected to play for the Phoenix Suns. During his first year in the league, he averaged more than 24 points per game and grabbed more than 600 rebounds. He was selected to the NBA all-star team his first and second years in the league. From 1970 to 1976, Connie played in the NBA for Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. He sustained numerous injuries during his career, however, and retired after the 1975-1976 season. Connie had outstanding ABA and NBA careers. Former members of the Globetrotters, teammates, and playground competitors recognized Connie as one of the best basketball players in the country. His style of play and jumping, ballhandling, shooting, and one-on-one abilities made him a superior basketball player. Connie’s climb from the playgrounds of New York to the NBA is a story of tri-

Basketball umph over tragedy. He overcame personal obstacles, injuries, poverty, and lawsuits to reach his goal. In 1976, Connie’s number 42 jersey was retired by the Phoenix Suns. When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired, he listed Connie as one of the top fifteen players he had ever played against or with during his twenty years in the NBA. In 1992, Connie became the first Suns player ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1994, he was presented with a Harlem Globetrotters “Legends” ring during a special ceremony prior to a Suns’ game. Connie was involved in many community service projects and worked for the Suns as a community relations representative. He participated with the franchise to help renovate thirty basketball courts across the state of Arizona. In 1998, he and Suns’ owner Jerry Colangelo helped christen a renovated court at Scottsdale’s Eldorado Park. Connie

Connie Hawkins conducted a basketball clinic with students from the school. Connie became a legend on the playgrounds, yet he always found time to work with young children at local YMCAs and to encourage them to stay in school. Summary Connie Hawkins persevered through difficult circumstances. He did not let anything stand in the way of obtaining his goal of playing in the NBA. His flashy style of play, ball-handling skills, sensitive personality, and kindness to others made him an outstanding role model for young players. Dana D. Brooks Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000.

155

Elvin Hayes Born: November 17, 1945 Rayville, Louisiana Also known as: Elvin Ernest Hayes (full name); the Big E

Early Life Elvin Ernest Hayes was born on November 17, 1945, in Rayville, Louisiana, a small northeastern Louisiana town about twenty-four miles from Monroe. Elvin grew up in a family of six children, of which he was the youngest. He also was the tallest in his family. His father was only 5 feet 5 inches tall, and his tallest brothers and sisters were 5 feet 7 inches tall. Elvin’s boyhood days were full of sports and games, even though there was much poverty and prejudice in Rayville. In Elvin’s early years, his family did not have indoor plumbing or a telephone. He compares his period of growing up in Rayville as a combination of the Tom Sawyer life and the inner-city ghetto. During the summer, he picked cotton all day. On the days when he was not in the cotton fields, he would play baseball. His dream as a child was to become a great baseball player. Playing baseball was another way of keeping out of trouble. The Road to Excellence When Elvin entered the eighth grade, he still harbored dreams of becoming a baseball player. Small for his age, he ran around with a bad crowd and had a few minor scrapes. The Reverend John Calvin, an eighth-grade teacher at Eulah Britton High School, took a personal interest in Elvin. Realizing that these minor scrapes would lead to major ones, Calvin had Elvin transferred into his class and lectured him about his behavior. He also placed Elvin on the school’s eighth-grade basketball team, which he coached. Elvin admits that he was not having much fun playing basketball then. He did not know what to do on the court or how to do it. His basketball skills were limited because he previously had practiced and played only baseball. Over the summer months, he played basketball every spare minute, acquired some basic skills, learned some of the rules, and soon began to like the game.

Surrounded by three Buffalo Braves defenders, Elvin Hayes leaping upward to take the shot. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

156

The Emerging Champion At the beginning of his junior year in high school, Elvin was 6 feet 2 inches. His basketball skills had

Basketball

Elvin Hayes


GP 82 82 82 82 81 81 82 80 82 81 82 81 81 82 81 81 1,303

FGM 930 914 948 832 713 689 739 649 760 636 720 761 584 519 424 158 10,976

FG% .447 .452 .428 .434 .444 .423 .443 .470 .501 .451 .487 .454 .451 .472 .476 .406 .452

FTM 467 428 454 399 291 357 409 287 422 326 349 334 271 280 196 86 5,356

FT% .626 .688 .672 .649 .671 .721 .766 .628 .687 .634 .654 .699 .617 .664 .683 .652 .670

Reb. 1,406 1,386 1,362 1,197 1,177 1,463 1,004 878 1,029 1,075 994 896 789 747 616 260 16,279

Ast. 113 162 186 270 127 163 206 121 158 149 143 129 98 144 158 71 2,398

TP 2,327 2,256 2,350 2,063 1,717 1,735 1,887 1,585 1,942 1,598 1,789 1,859 1,439 1,318 1,046 402 27,313

PPG 28.4 27.5 28.7 25.2 21.2 21.4 23.0 19.8 23.7 19.7 21.8 23.0 17.8 16.1 12.9 5.0 21.0


from all over the United States. He had always improved greatly, and he had matured as an indidreamed of leaving Louisiana. These dreams were vidual. He was a good team player, and the team realized when he accepted a scholarship from the was very good. Britton’s basketball team reached University of Houston. He liked Houston because the finals in the state championships but lost to a the school had never had a star basketball player, team from DeQuincy, Louisiana. The loss in the and he would not be compared to some local legchampionship game helped Elvin to mature furend. Elvin and Don Chaney, a friend from Baton ther and taught him to control his emotions and to deal with adversity. As a senior in high school, Elvin continNCAA Division I Records ued to be a success in basketball. The team had more success than the 1963 team. Most points in NCAA Tournament play, 358 Most rebounds in NCAA Tournament play, 222 Elvin was 6 feet 5 inches and became a team Most rebounds in one NCAA Tournament series, 97 leader. The team headed into the state tournament with fifty-three wins and no deHonors and Awards feats. Although facing taller and more talented players, Britton won the final game 1966-68 Sporting News All-American by more than 20 points. Elvin scored 45 1967 NCAA All-Tournament Team 1967-68 Consensus All-American points and was selected the most valuable 1968 Rupp Trophy player of the tournament. Elvin rememUnited Press International Division I Player of the Year bers that the victory enabled him to see his U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year name in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, newsSporting News College Player of the Year paper for the first time. No black player or Overall first choice in the NBA draft school had ever received any publicity in 1969 NBA All-Rookie Team the Rayville newspapers. Even though El1969-80 NBA All-Star Team vin’s accomplishments never appeared in 1973-77, 1979 All-NBA Team the media, there always seemed to be a few 1974-75 NBA All-Defensive Team college recruiters attending the school’s 1990 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame games. 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Uniform number 11 retired by Washington Bullets In 1964, Elvin had more than one hundred college basketball scholarship offers 157

Elvin Hayes Rouge, were two of three black players to integrate the athletic program. Elvin became a local hero during his stay at Houston, leading his team to two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Tournament Final Four appearances. In the 1965-1966 and 1966-1967 seasons, Houston won fifty games and lost ten. Continuing the Story In his senior year, Elvin became a central figure— along with Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)—in college basketball’s “game of the century.” Houston and UCLA, both undefeated, met in the Houston Astrodome on January 20, 1968, The game was witnessed by 52,693 paying fans and a national television audience. Elvin scored the game’s first points. Houston led 46-43 at halftime, with Elvin having scored 29 points. The game was close throughout. With only 28 seconds remaining in the contest, the score tied at 69-69, Elvin calmly sank 2 free throws, the game’s final points. Houston won the contest 71-69, and Elvin finished with a total of 39 points and 15 rebounds. His match-up opponent, Alcindor, had 15 points and 12 rebounds. In 1968, his senior year, Elvin led his team to thirty-one straight wins before losing in the NCAA Final Four to UCLA. He completed his collegiate season as the nation’s third most prolific scorer and rebounder. He earned all-American honors from 1966 to 1968. Elvin was the number-one player selected in the 1968 NBA draft. His professional career spanned sixteen seasons with the San Diego/Houston Rockets and the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets. He led the NBA in scoring in 1969 and in rebounding in 1970 and 1974. In 1978, his Washington Bullets won the NBA Championship. He was also named to the all-NBA team six times. After starting for the Rockets at forward along-

158

Great Athletes side Moses Malone during the 1981-1982 season and averaging 16.1 points and 9.1 rebounds, Elvin accepted a reserve role for his final two NBA campaigns. Over his sixteen-year career, Elvin was an extremely durable player. He retired after the 1984 season with 27,313 points and 16,279 rebounds, an average of 21 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. After retirement, Elvin returned to the University of Houston to finish his education, something he did not have time to complete as a college basketball player. After two years of hard work, he graduated with a degree in recreation and speech. Later, he ran his cattle ranch near Brenham, Texas, and purchased a car dealership in Houston. In 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 2007, he became a Liberty County, Texas sheriff’s deputy. Summary Elvin Hayes retired from professional basketball as one of the most personable and well-liked players in the game. Many basketball experts rank Elvin as the best shooting big man in all basketball history. In 1990, he was voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His abiding religious faith and his family did much to sustain him throughout his career. His positive attitude has been advantageous not only in basketball but in all of life as well. Thurman W. Robins Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Davis, Seth. “Washington Bullets Forward Elvin Hayes.” Sports Illustrated 86, no. 23 (June 9, 1997): 7. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Marques Haynes Born: October 3, 1926 Sand Springs, Oklahoma Also known as: Marques Oreole Haynes (full name) Early Life Marques Oreole Haynes was born on October 3, 1926, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, near Tulsa. He lived with his father and mother, Matthew and Hattie Haynes, along with two older brothers and one sister. His father, who made a living doing domestic work, left the family when Marques was only four years old, so his mother and siblings were primarily responsible for his upbringing. Marques’s elder brothers and sister all participated in athletics, and Marques eventually took an interest in sports. The Haynes children all excelled in basketball; in addition, Marques was a good football player at Booker T. Washington High School. A two-sport star, Marques guided his high school basketball team to a state championship during his senior year in 1942. The Road to Excellence Once again, Marques followed in the footsteps of his older siblings by attending Langston University, a predominantly black university in Oklahoma. Joe and Wendell had already played for the school. However, Marques would outshine his older brothers. At Langston, the 6-foot, 160-pound guard guided the school to an outstanding 112-3 record and a 51-game winning streak. In the process, Langston collected two conference titles and a victory over the Harlem Globetrotters. Marques scored a team-high 26 points against the Globetrot-

Milestones 1944-45 National Negro Basketball Championship Team 1951 Most Valuable Globetrotter 1985 Inducted into NAIA Hall of Fame 1998 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

ters while catching the eye of the Globetrotters’ owner and manager, Abe Saperstein. After Marques earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial education in 1946, Saperstein got him to sign a contract with the Kansas City Stars, an affiliate of the Globetrotters. Within a year, Marques was playing for the Globetrotters, where he became one of the most famous members of the all-black basketball team. He thrilled fans with dribbling skills that his brother, Wendell, had taught him when he was his junior high school coach. The Emerging Champion From 1947 to 1953, Marques and teammate Reece “Goose” Tatum were the team’s major attractions. Fans marveled at Marques’s ability to dribble a basketball three times a second and continually bounce the ball one inch off the floor. Marques became known as “The World’s Greatest Dribbler,” and many ballplayers emulate his ball-handling ability even today. Marques continued to receive fame and financial success by playing basketball even though he broke away from the Globetrotters and decided to form his own barnstorming team, the Fabulous Magicians. The Magicians were successful but never attained the same popularity the Globetrotters had. In 1972, Marques rejoined the Globetrotters before teaming with former Globetrotter teammate Meadowlark Lemon and his Bucketeers in 1979. In 1981, Marques went back to the Globetrotters before restarting the Harlem Magicians in 1983. Marques never played professional basketball in the NBA, even though he was offered contracts by several NBA teams. He enjoyed the aspect of global travel while entertaining millions of fans yearly. Marques spent more than forty years playing basketball and holding dribbling exhibitions all over the world. He played more than 12,000 games and traveled more than four million miles— including to every U.S. state and ninety-seven countries. Even past his sixtieth birthday Marques played more than 250 games a year on the barnstorming circuit. 159

Marques Haynes Continuing the Story Marques used basketball to his advantage and became successful in numerous business ventures and real estate deals. He and his wife, Joan, a professional model, owned Hayneco, Incorporated, a company that designed air-filtration bags. Marques remained on the lecturing circuit, speaking to both children and adults about his adventures around the world playing basketball in front of millions of fans. He also put on dribbling exhibitions that were second to none. Despite facing adverse odds, Marques never allowed much to stop him from seeking his goals. He dealt with racism as well as anyone as the Globetrotters traveled all over the world. In fact, Marques and the rest of the barnstorming ballplayers of the 1940’s and 1950’s deserve the credit for breaking some of the racial barriers by playing in cities that were known for racial discrimination. Marques was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.

160

Great Athletes Summary Marques Haynes helped bring global awareness to a sport that was created in the United States. As a ballplayer for the Globetrotters, Magicians, and Bucketeers, he became an informal U.S. diplomat by touring dozens of countries. Furthermore, during a time when there were few black ballplayers in any professional sports, Marques and his teammates helped combat prejudice in segregated cities and towns. Marques helped break barriers, and he helped revolutionize the game with his fancy dribbling and passing skills. Don Emmons Additional Sources Green, Ben. Spinning the Globe: The Rise, Fall, and Return to Greatness of the Harlem Globetrotters. New York: Amistad, 2006. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Velin, Bob. “Globetrotters Helped Spur NBA to Integrate with ’48 Win Versus Lakers.” USA Today, February 21, 2003.

Walt Hazzard Born: April 15, 1942 Wilmington, Delaware Also known as: Walter Raphael Hazzard, Jr. (full name); Mahdi Abdul-Rahman Early Life Walter Raphael Hazzard, Jr., was born on April 15, 1942, in Wilmington, Delaware. Walt became a standout athlete at an early age and became an instrumental part of one of college basketball’s greatest dynasties and a solid playmaker in the NBA. After his family moved to nearby Pennsylvania, Walt played on the basketball team at Philadel-

phia’s Overbrook High School—the same school where a tall, skinny child named Wilt Chamberlain had once been the team’s most dominant force. Coach Paul Ward helped Walt develop his overall skills, turning him into an excellent playmaker with great ball-handling and passing abilities. An all-around athlete, Walt also earned varsity letters in baseball and track. The Road to Excellence After leading Overbrook to an 89-3 record and two city championships, Walt was widely recruited during his 1961 senior season. As a 6-foot 2-inch guard, he was a skilled playmaker, an exceptional scorer, and a defensive standout on the Overbrook team. His outstanding leadership qualities on the court, however, attracted college coaches from across the country. Legendary coach John Wooden, who is considered by many to be the greatest college coach ever, also saw the leadership qualities in the young point guard. Wooden’s interest led Walt to the west coast to play at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). At the conclusion of Walt’s high school basketball career, he received all-city, all-state, and allAmerican prep honors. He had also been the captain of the basketball, baseball, and track teams, and had served as student body president.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Walt Hazzard in a game against the New York Knicks. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion Walt’s decision to play at UCLA turned out to be a major factor in the Bruins dominance of men’s college basketball for nearly a decade. Walt helped guide the Bruins to a 30-0 record en route to two straight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships. In 1964, after his all-American senior season, Walt competed on the men’s 161

Great Athletes

Walt Hazzard

mostly in a limited role, with his best statistical year coming in the 1965-1966 season, when he averaged 13.7 points and 4.9 assists per game. The Lakers lost Walt to the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1967 expansion draft. He played with the SuperSonics one season and then was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. He enjoyed his best scoring season during the 1967-1968 campaign with Seattle, when he scored almost 24 points per game. In 1968, Walt made the NBA all-star team for the only time in his career. In 1973, for religious reasons, Walt changed his name to Mahdi AbdulRahman. Under that name, he finished his career playing for the Buffalo Braves and Golden State Warriors in 1973 and the SuperSonics in 1974. Over his ten-year career in the NBA, he averaged 12.6 points and 4.9 assists per game.

Honors and Awards 1963 Southern California Basketball Writers’ Association Southern California Player of the Year 1963-64 Consensus All-American 1964 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year Helms Athletic Foundation outstanding player Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year NCAA Tournament most outstanding player NCAA All-Tournament Team 1968 NBA All-Star Team 1983 California Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year 1987 Athletes for Kids Father of the Year

U.S. Olympic team that played in Tokyo and won the gold medal. As in high school, Walt collected numerous awards for outstanding play in college—he was a Look magazine All-American and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I player of the year. He was a unanimous all-coast team selection. He was United Press International’s Southern California player of the year. He was a physical education major, a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, and an assistant Bruin yell leader. Seeking a point guard to complement Jerry West in the backcourt, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Walt in the first round in the 1964 NBA draft. Walt played three seasons for the Lakers,

Continuing the Story Walt coached at UCLA for four years before leaving in 1988, after recording a 77-47 record from 1985 to 1988. Despite a winning record—which included a National Invitational Tournament championship—his three-year stint as the Bruins’ head coach was not totally satisfying. With so much tradition, the Bruins wanted more than just winning seasons—they wanted national championships. Walt did not produce any championships as a coach, but he did help reintroduce a winning spirit to the program. Although his tenure was short, it is notable because he was one of the first black head coaches for a major university. His time spent in the national coaching ranks led to other minorities receiving job offers from major universities.


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74

66 80 79 79 80 82 82 72 55 49

117 458 301 733 345 493 517 450 107 76

.382 .457 .426 .441 .397 .467 .459 .451 .418 .422

46 182 129 428 208 267 315 237 47 34

.648 .708 .729 .774 .707 .809 .759 .782 .825 .756

111 219 231 332 266 329 300 213 88 57

140 393 323 493 474 561 514 406 129 122

280 1,098 731 1,894 898 1,253 1,349 1.137 261 186

4.2 13.7 9.3 23.9 11.2 15.3 16.5 15.8 4.7 3.8

Totals

724

3,597

.441

1,893

.757

2,146

3,555

9,087

12.6


162

Basketball Prior to coaching the Bruins, Walt gained some of his coaching experience at the junior college ranks. From 1980 to 1982, he was at Compton College before working at Chapman College from 1982 to 1984. Walt is the founder and executive director of the Los Angeles Sports Academy. Its mission is to develop responsible, educated youth. Academy students learn discipline and teamwork through the fundamental drills of basketball. In an attempt to improve the skills of young basketball players, Walt, Bill Walton, and Greg Lee put together a video titled Sports Clinic Basketball, which illustrates basketball fundamentals as well as more advanced basketball concepts. Summary Whether Walt Hazzard was on the court or on the bench, he was a key member of each team for which he played. After establishing a winning tradition at UCLA, Walt went on to play ten years in the NBA, where he exhibited steady and solid play. After his playing career ended, Walt moved to the coaching ranks and eventually wound up coaching

Walt Hazzard at his alma mater. He and his wife, Pat, have had four children. Whether Walt was playing for or coaching at UCLA, he was a major reason why the Bruin basketball program accumulated such outstanding achievements. As a player, he helped lead the Bruins to two national championships. As one of the first African Americans to head a major college basketball program, Walt put UCLA back in the spotlight. Don Emmons Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Howard-Cooper, Scott. The Bruin One Hundred: The Greatest Games in the History of UCLA Basketball. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 2002. Lazenby, Roland. The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Wallechinsky, David, and Jaime Loucky. The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2008 Edition. London: Aurum Press, 2008.

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Tom Heinsohn Born: August 26, 1934 Jersey City, New Jersey Also known as: Thomas William Heinsohn (full name) Early Life Thomas William Heinsohn was born August 26, 1934, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He later claimed it was a wonder he ever learned to play basketball. He was tall for his age, eventually growing to 6 feet 7 inches, but he was clumsy as a youngster. One day, his mother took him aside and gave him dancing lessons. This helped Tom develop more coordination, a necessary basketball skill. Tom got his first big break when a local college player began teaching him the finer points of the game on the playground. Tom picked up some valuable tips on that playground and quickly became known as one of the best players in his area, even before going to high school. The Road to Excellence Playing with older boys throughout his childhood and early years of high school taught Tom to be an unselfish player. As the youngest on the court, he was given strict instructions to pass and rebound and not take any shots. By the time he became a star, he was doubly dangerous—a talented player who could do more than score. After high school, Tom decided to go to Holy Cross, which was then one of the premier basketball schools in the East. He helped the Crusaders to win twenty-six of twenty-eight games in his first season. By the time he was a senior, Tom was considered the best player in the East and one of the best in the country. The Boston Celtics drafted Tom when he graduated in 1956. 164

Although no one realized it at the time, the Celtics were about to become one of the most successful franchises in the history of sports. Along with Tom, the team added center Bill Russell that season. The two new acquisitions joined two talented holdovers—Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman— to form a championship team. Tom quickly adjusted to life in the professional ranks; he scored 16 points per game and was voted the league’s top rookie. He and Russell carried the Celtics to the NBA Finals against the St. Louis (later Atlanta) Hawks, winning the title in seven games. In the finals, Tom played one of the great games in the history of the finals, scoring 37 points and grabbing 23

Tom Heinsohn. (NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Tom Heinsohn

Honors and Awards 1956 1957, 1961-65 1957 1961-64 1973 1986 1995

Consensus All-American NBA All-Star Team NBA Rookie of the Year All-NBA Team NBA Coach of the Year Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Jack McMahon Award Uniform number 15 retired by Boston Celtics

rebounds. That day, the Celtics won the first of the franchise’s many titles. The Emerging Champion The 1956-1957 championship was just the beginning for Tom and the Celtics. Although Boston lost in the finals the next season, neither the team nor Tom was discouraged. The Celtics won the title for the next eight years in a row, the longest such streak in professional sports. Tom always played a big role on those teams. He was known primarily as a shooter during his nine-year career. In fact, opposing players often teased him, labeling him a “gunner.” Those opponents failed to see the whole picture, however. Tom scored points because that was his job. Celtics’ coach Red Auerbach knew he had players who could defend and players who could rebound, but they could not shoot that well. Tom was supposed to take many of the shots. Shooting was not Tom’s only talent, however. Inside the Celtic family, Tom was known as a fierce competitor, someone who would do anything to win a game. Auerbach often took advantage of that. On a particular night, he might ask Tom to concentrate more on defense to shut down a big

scorer from the other team, or Tom might be asked to pass more on some nights or to set screens and picks so that his teammates could get free for shots. With Tom providing a little of everything, and whatever was needed in a particular situation, the Celtics dynasty was established. Tom averaged 18.6 points per game during his career, with a high scoring average of 22.1 during the 1961-1962 season. Tom stepped aside after the 1964-1965 season, allowing the younger players to develop. He was near the peak of his abilities but had become a successful businessman during his off-seasons, so he retired to pursue his business interests. Continuing the Story Red Auerbach, the coach of the Celtics, was so impressed with Tom’s will to win that, when Auerbach stepped down, he asked Tom to take over the team. Tom declined, and Russell took over the coaching duties, but several years later, once Russell retired and the Celtics fell on hard times, Tom took over to try to bring the Celtics back. In his fourth year at the helm, the Celtics posted the best record in the NBA at 68-14. Tom was bitterly disappointed when the New York Knicks defeated Boston in seven games in the 1970 Eastern Conference Finals. Even so, Tom won the coveted NBA coach of the year honors. Adhering to Tom’s coaching philosophy to keep pressure on the opponent at all times, play with great intensity, and control the tempo of the game, the Celtics won the NBA Championship in 1974 and 1975. The Celtics of the 1970’s were led by Dave Cowens at center. Cowens was 6 feet 8 inches tall, shorter than almost


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65

72 69 66 75 74 79 76 76 67

446 468 465 673 627 692 550 487 365

.397 .382 .390 .423 .400 .429 .423 .398 .383

271 294 312 283 325 358 340 283 182

.790 .746 .798 .734 .767 .819 .835 .827 .795

705 705 638 794 732 747 569 460 399

117 125 164 171 141 165 95 183 157

1,163 1,230 1,242 1,629 1,579 1,742 1,440 1,257 912

16.2 17.8 18.8 21.7 21.3 22.1 18.9 16.5 13.6

Totals

654

4,773

.405

2,648

.790

5,749

1,318

12,194

18.6


165

Tom Heinsohn every center in the league. Like his coach, however, he was dedicated to winning. Tom devised new ways to run offenses and defenses to make up for Cowens’s relative lack of height, and the Celtics kept on winning. During Tom’s eight seasons as coach, the Celtics compiled a record of 416-240. Because of his success as a player and a coach, Tom was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986. After leaving the team as a coach, Tom could not stay away from the game or his old team. In time, he became a television commentator for professional and college basketball games. In 1981, he became the color commentator for the Celtics. In 1995, Tom received the Jack McMahon Award from the National Basketball Coaches Association for his positive contributions to the NBA coaching profession.

166

Great Athletes Summary Tom Heinsohn was the perfect man for the teamoriented Celtics. As both a player and a coach, he was willing to try any strategy and take any job necessary for his team to be successful. Tom was accomplished off the court as well. After retiring, he became a top insurance salesman in New England before coming back to coach his old team. John McNamara Additional Sources Auerbach, Red, and John Feinstein. Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game. Boston: Little, Brown, 2004. Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003.

Grant Hill Born: October 5, 1972 Dallas, Texas Also known as: Grant Henry Hill (full name)

By the age of twelve, he was more than 6 feet tall. In the summer of 1985, when he was thirteen, he led the Northern Virginia Hawks to the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournament championship. Three years later, in 1988, the Hawks won the AAU championship again. During this time, Grant was developing skills that eventually took him to the top of college and professional basketball.

Early Life Grant Hill was born on October 5, 1972, in Dallas, Texas, the only child of Calvin and Janet Hill. His father was an all-American football player at Yale University and an all-pro running back in the National Football League (NFL). His mother once roomed at Wellesley College with Hillary Clinton. The Road to Excellence In 1969, Calvin was named NFL rookie of the year. Grant went to South Lakes High School in Reston He retired from professional football in 1981 and and made the varsity team as a freshman in 1985. became a vice president for the Baltimore Orioles His idol was Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and he wore professional baseball team. He later was named by Johnson’s number, 32, at South Lakes. As a 6-foot President Bill Clinton to the President’s Council 7-inch sophomore, Grant led his team to victory on Physical Fitness and Sports. Grant’s mother was in the Great Falls district championship. During a prominent attorney in the Washington, D.C., his junior year, South Lakes won the school’s first metropolitan area. regional championship before losing only its secWhen Grant was three years old, his family ond game of the year in the Virginia state finals. As moved to Reston, Virginia. His parents wanted the a junior, Grant primarily played forward. During best for their young son. He learned to play the his senior year, his coach wanted him to be the piano, and he traveled with his parents all over point guard, a challenge he readily accepted. That the world. He met many professional athletes and political dignitaries, including Clifford Alexander, former secretary of the Army, who became a legal partner of his mother. Always an excellent student, Grant attended Terraset Elementary School and Langston Hughes Junior High School. At the age of five, Grant began playing soccer for the Reston Flying Tigers. He played with the team as a forward for nine years. Participating in soccer enabled him to develop his footwork and coordination, which helped him in basketball. He learned the fundamentals of basketball from his father and spent much of his free time practicing at Reston’s Twin Branches Park. Grant Hill playing for Phoenix in 2008. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters/Landov) 167

Great Athletes

Grant Hill


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

70 80 80 81 50 74 4 14 29 67 21 65 70

1,064 1,221 1,259 1,361 802 1,422 43 195 307 1,015 243 660 712

508 564 625 615 384 696 19 83 151 517 119 342 358

.477 .462 .496 .452 .479 .489 .442 .426 .492 .509 .490 .518 .503

511 646 633 647 379 604 26 80 144 341 102 324 196

374 485 450 479 285 480 16 69 118 280 78 248 170

.732 .751 .711 .740 .752 .795 .615 .863 .819 .821 .765 .765 .867

445 783 721 623 355 490 25 125 206 318 48 138 353

353 548 583 551 300 385 25 64 122 220 48 138 203

1,394 1,618 1,710 1,712 1,053 1,906 55 235 421 1,317 318 934 919

19.9 20.2 21.4 21.1 21.1 25.8 13.8 16.8 14.5 19.7 15.1 14.4 13.1

Totals

705

10,304

4,981

.483

4,633

3,532

.762

4,761

3,540

13,592

19.3


The Emerging Champion During Grant’s first two years at Duke, the Blue Devils were back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament champions. In a 1991 semifinal game against an undefeated University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) team that had trounced Duke by 30 points in the previous year’s championship game, Grant held UNLV’s Stacey Augmon to 6 points in a thrilling 79-77 victory. Duke went on to defeat the University of Kansas, winning its first NCAA Championship in men’s basketball. In 1992, the Blue Devils finished with a 35-2 record, including a memorable 1-point vicHonors and Awards tory over Kentucky in the Mideast regional final and a second consecu1990-92 Member of back-to-back NCAA Champion Duke Blue Devils 1992-93 Henry Iba Corinthian Award for top collegiate defensive player tive NCAA Championship with a win Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year over the University of Michigan. Consensus First-Team All-American In his junior year, 1993, Grant won 1994-95 NBA Co-Rookie of the Year (with Jason Kidd) the Henry Iba Corinthian award as NBA All-Rookie First Team the nation’s top collegiate defensive 1995-98, 2000-01, 2005 NBA All-Star Team player, taking some of the sting out 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball of Duke’s upset loss to the University NBA Player of the Week ending March 17 1996-97 IBM Award of California in the second round of All-NBA First Team the NCAA Basketball Tournament. 1997 NBA Player of the Week ending January 19, April 6 During his senior year, he led Duke NBA Player of the Month (January) to its fourth NCAA Championship 1997-2000 All-NBA Second Team game in five years, this time resulting 1999 NBA Player of the Week ending May 2 in a tough loss to favored Arkansas. 2000 NBA Player of the Week ending January 9 He received many awards his senior 2004-05 NBA sportsmanship award 2006 Magic Johnson Award year, among them the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, con-

year, South Lakes won the prestigious Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Grant was a member of the McDonald’s All-American Team. In 1990, heavily recruited and offered scholarships by major colleges throughout the country, Grant chose to attend Duke University. He found Duke’s dual emphasis on academics and athletics to his liking. Reminiscent of his freshman year in high school, he immediately became a starter as a freshman for Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils.

168

Basketball sensus first-team all-American, and retirement of his number, 33, only the eighth Duke player to be so honored. As one of the nation’s premier college players, he was the third overall pick, by the Detroit Pistons, in the 1994 NBA draft. Continuing the Story Similar to his personal success on the high school and college levels, Grant made an immediate impact his rookie season with the Pistons. He led the team in scoring, with 19.9 points per game, and steals, with 124. In 1995, he became the first rookie to be the leading vote getter for the NBA all-star game. He was named to the NBA’s all-rookie team, and, along with Jason Kidd, then of the Dallas Mavericks, he was named co-rookie of the year. The ultimate team player, in 1995-1996, Grant led the league with ten triple-double games, in which a player compiles double figures in three major statistical categories. However, his crowning achievement was selection to the U.S. team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, where he helped the Americans win a gold medal. In 19961997, he was again the triple-double leader in the NBA with thirteen. He had his highest scoring average during the 1999-2000 season with 25.8 points per game. In his six years as a Piston, Grant was a five-time all-star, and he was named to the all-NBA first team once and the second team three times. In 2000, as a free agent and one of the marquee players in the NBA, he decided to sign with another team, the Orlando Magic. However, after he played only four regular-season games for the Magic, a severe ankle injury sidelined him for the rest of the 2000-2001 season. Injuries continued to plague Grant during the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons. He was able to play in a total of only forty-seven games over his first three seasons in Orlando. He missed the entire 2003-2004 season, and he nearly died because of a severe infection. In 2004-2005, he was able to return to basketball, and he performed well, averaging 19.7 points a game over sixty-seven contests. Be-

Milestones 1995 First rookie in NBA history to lead the league in All-Star Game voting

Grant Hill cause of his outstanding character, he was awarded the NBA Joe Dumars Trophy for sportsmanship. Fans loved having him back and voted him to the all-star team. Groin injuries limited Grant to twenty-one games in 2005-2006 but he played well in sixty-five games during the 2006-2007 season, and the Magic made the playoffs. However, Orlando fell in four games to Grant’s old team, the Pistons. As an unrestricted free agent, Grant decided to go to the Phoenix Suns for the 2007-2008 season. He was signed to a two-year contract and loved playing the Sun’s fast-running game. Playing in seventy games, Grant averaged more than 13 points and made more than half of his field-goal attempts. As an aging star, Grant was still a starter but was approaching retirement. Grant’s life off the court was fulfilling. He was involved in many charities throughout the communities in which he played. In 1999, he served as vice chairperson of the Special Olympics World Games. He was a spokesperson for a variety of corporations, including FILA, GMC trucks, Kellogg’s, and Sprite. In July, 1999, he married Tamia Washington of Windsor, Ontario, a professional singer for Elektra Records and a four-time Grammy Award nominee. Summary Talented and articulate, unselfish and humble, Grant Hill embraced his opportunities with grace and style. On and off the basketball court, he was a winner and an ideal role model for young people and an active advocate for charitable works. After his retirement, he was a strong candidate for enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Kevin Eyster, updated by Douglas A. Phillips Additional Sources Gutman, Bill. Grant Hill: A Biography. New York: Pocket Books, 1997. Lowenstein, Felicia. Super Sports Star Grant Hill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2001. Rolfe, John, and Dalton Ross. Grant Hill: Superstar Forward. New York: Rosen, 2002. Torres, John Albert. Sports Great Grant Hill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2001.

1996 Led all players in All-Star Game voting

169

Chamique Holdsclaw Born: August 9, 1977 Astoria, New York Also known as: Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw (full name) Early Life Born in 1977, in Astoria, New York, Chamique Holdsclaw showed her athletic promise early. She started playing basketball at the age of ten and

learned her skills mainly by playing with the boys in her neighborhood. The real strength in her life, however, came from her grandmother, June, who taught her from an early age to rely on God for all she needed. The number on Chamique’s jersey, 23, referred to the Twenty-third Psalm. Her grandmother became the stabilizing influence in her life after her parents, Bonita and Willie, divorced when she was eleven. Chamique and her brother, Davon, lived with their grandmother, in the Astoria Houses; eventually, Davon returned to live with his mother. On the outdoor basketball courts of Astoria, Chamique earned the nickname “flat out,” an expression used to indicate a high level of commitment. Although living in a housing project often plagued with drug dealings and shootings, Chamique kept her focus on basketball and school. The Road to Excellence At Christ the King High School, Chamique led the girls basketball team to four state championships and one national title. The team compiled a record of 106-4 during the four years. In her final season, Chamique averaged 25 points and 15 rebounds per game. Her brother and grandmother attended her games regularly. Her coach, Vincent Cannizzaro, helped her polish her skills, while her grandmother helped her decide which college to attend.

Chamique Holdsclaw looking for a teammate in a 2004 WNBA game. (Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images)

170

The Emerging Champion Chamique accepted an offer to attend the University of Tennessee, playing for coach Pat Summitt, who became another influential figure in Chamique’s life. Under Summitt’s tutelage, Chamique became the foundation on which an incredibly strong team was built.

Basketball

Chamique Holdsclaw


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

Pts.

PPG

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

31 32 29 20 27 23 33 25 5

462 499 467 330 480 403 450 315 63

202 232 187 149 204 162 216 148 31

.437 .465 .400 .452 .425 .402 .480 .470 .492

150 128 148 106 155 132 160 86 18

116 87 101 88 140 106 126 76 15

.773 .680 .682 .830 .903 .803 .788 .884 .833

246 240 256 232 294 191 223 152 28

74 80 66 45 89 56 104 56 15

525 561 486 397 554 437 561 375 79

16.9 17.5 16.8 19.9 20.5 19.0 17.0 15.0 15.8

Totals

225

3,469

1,531

.441

1,083

855

.789

1,862

585

3,975

17.7


Chamique earned many accolades and awards continued to return to Astoria to visit her family while playing for Tennessee. She started impresand the old neighborhood. sively, winning most valuable player honors during her first road trip to Hawaii, where the Lady VolunContinuing the Story teers won the Kona title. She did not stop there, as In the fall of 1999, Chamique took the next step in she continued to acquire personal honors and her career, joining the Washington Mystics of the team victories. At the end of the 1998 and 1999 seaWomen’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) sons, Chamique was named the Associated Press as the number-one draft pick. In her first season basketball player of the year. After the 1998 season, she was the rookie of the year. She was a starter on she was one of twelve women athletes selected as inthe Eastern Conference all-star team in both 1999 spirational role models by Women’s Sports and Fitness and 2000. She traveled to Sydney, Australia, with magazine. the U.S. women’s basketball team to play in the In 1999, she won the ESPY award as female ath2000 Summer Olympics but suffered a foot injury lete of the year and was named Women’s Basketon the eve of her team’s opening game. The team ball Coaches Association player of the year. She was also selected to the Honors and Awards Kodak twenty-fifth anniversary allAmerican team in 1999. Sports Illus1997-99 Associated Press First Team All-American trated and Sporting News named Cha1998 One of twelve female athletes selected as inspirational role models by Women’s Sports and Fitness magazine mique the national women’s player 1998-99 Associated Press Women’s Basketball Player of the Year of the year. When Chamique won the Sullivan Award for best amateur athNaismith College Player of the Year Award lete, she became the first female bas1999 WNBA Rookie of the Year ketball player to earn the prestigious Kodak 25th Anniversary Team honor. Women’s Basketball Journal, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News By the time Chamique left TennesNational Woman Player of the Year see, she was the Southeastern ConferJames E. Sullivan Award ence’s all-time leading scorer, with ESPY Female Athlete of the Year 3,025 points. She led the Lady Volun1999-2003, 2005 WNBA All-Star Team teers to three national champion2000 Olympic Basketball Team ships. In 1995 and 1998, she also USA Basketball Women’s Senior National Team played for the Olympic Festival team; 2002 Women’s Research and Education Institute American Woman Award in 1997, she played in the FIBA World 2006 WNBA all-decade honorable mention Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Throughout her career, Chamique 171

Chamique Holdsclaw won the gold medal, though Chamique did not play in the Games. Chamique played for the Mystics for six seasons, becoming one of the stars of the WNBA. She was sometimes compared to Michael Jordan for the range of her basketball skills. In 2002, however, she was deeply affected by the death of her grandmother. She was also slowed by ankle sprains. In 2004, she missed several games because of depression. In March, 2005, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks. In May of that year, she scored her 3,000th WNBA point. In the summer of 2007, Chamique announced her retirement from the WNBA. She had a splendid career in women’s professional basketball. From 2002 to 2004, she averaged about 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. She was selected to the WNBA all-star team six times. In 2007-2008, she played for the Lotos Gdynia team in Poland’s basketball league. Summary Chamique Holdsclaw was one of the all-time great women’s basketball players both in high school

172

Great Athletes and in college. In the WNBA she shined as a perennial all-star. Her role in the WNBA also placed her in the position of role model, giving her the opportunity to tell young girls that basketball is only a part of the equation: Getting a good education is the real key. Leslie Heaphy, updated by Howard Bromberg Additional Sources Grundy, Pamela, and Susan Shackelford. Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women’s Basketball. New York: New Press, 2005. Holdsclaw, Chamique, with Jennifer Frey. Chamique on Family, Focus, and Basketball. New York: Scribner, 2004. _______. My Story. New York: Aladdin, 2001. Moscatello, Caitlin. “Getting Away from It All.” Sports Illustrated 107, no. 22 (December 3, 2007): Z4. Nelson, Kristi. The Chamique Holdsclaw Story. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Summer, Barbara, ed. Open the Unusual Door: True Life Stories of Challenge, Adventure, and Success by Black Americans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005.

Robert Horry Born: August 25, 1970 Harford County, Maryland Also known as: Robert Keith Horry (full name); Big Shot Bob Early Life Born in Maryland on August 25, 1970, the son of an Army staff sergeant and a third-grade teacher, Robert Horry grew up in Alabama, where he won the Naismith Alabama high school player of the year award his senior year. Robert went on to play college basketball at the University of Alabama, leading the team to the Sweet Sixteen in the National

Los Angeles Lakers forward Robert Horry slamming the ball during the 2002 playoffs against the Sacramento Kings. (Adrees Latif/Reuters/Landov)

Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament in 1991 and 1992. Robert finished his college career as Alabama’s all-time leader in blocks; in his senior year, he was named to the allSoutheastern Conference (SEC) first team and the all-SEC academic team. The Road to Excellence In 1992, Robert was selected eleventh in the first round of the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, where he became close with Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. After his first season, Robert was named to the NBA all-rookie second team. While with the Rockets, Robert won his first two NBA Championships and made his first significant “clutch” shot in the playoffs, hitting a gamewinning jump shot in the final seconds of game one of the Western Conference Finals. In 1995, Robert was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Sean Elliott. However, because of Elliott’s kidney ailment, the trade was voided, and Robert remained with the Rockets. In 1996, Robert was traded to the Phoenix Suns, but after some tension with Suns coach Danny Ainge, Robert was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Emerging Champion With the Lakers, Robert cemented his reputation as “Big Shot Bob.” During three consecutive NBA Championship runs, Robert made key shots to get the win for the Lakers. The most significant was in 2002, in game four of the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings. Having trailed by 24 points in the first half, the Lakers had come to within 2 points in the final moments of the game. After teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal both missed shots, Robert got the ball at the top of the key and made a three-point shot as time expired. In 2002, Robert’s hometown of Andalusia, Alabama, named August 2 Robert Horry Day, and a park in town was renamed Robert Horry Park in his honor. In 2003, Robert became a free agent, signing with the San Antonio Spurs to be closer to his family. After struggles during his first season with 173

Great Athletes

Robert Horry

the team, Robert continued his NBA Statistics “clutch” shooting during his secSeason GP FGM FG% FTM FT% Reb. Ast. TP PPG ond season with the Spurs. In 1992-93 79 323 .474 143 .715 392 191 801 10.1 2005, the Spurs made it to the 1993-94 81 322 .459 115 .732 440 231 803 9.9 NBA Finals against the Detroit 1994-95 64 240 .447 86 .761 324 216 652 10.2 Pistons, and in game five, Robert 1995-96 71 300 .410 111 .776 412 281 853 12.0 1996-97 54 157 .436 60 .667 237 110 443 8.2 scored 21 points in the fourth 1997-98 72 200 .476 117 .692 542 163 536 7.4 quarter and overtime, including 1998-99 38 67 .459 34 .739 152 56 188 4.9 a game-winning three-point shot 1999-00 76 159 .438 89 .788 361 118 436 5.7 2000-01 79 147 .387 59 .711 296 128 407 5.2 in the final seconds. Tim Duncan 2001-02 81 183 .398 108 .783 479 232 550 6.8 called Robert’s performance in 2002-03 80 184 .387 103 .769 514 233 522 6.5 game five “the greatest perfor2003-04 81 141 .405 69 .645 272 101 392 4.8 2004-05 75 157 .419 86 .789 268 80 451 6.0 mance I’ve ever been a part of.” 2005-06 63 112 .384 44 .647 242 79 321 5.1 Robert went on to win his sev2006-07 68 90 .359 38 .594 229 77 268 3.9 enth NBA Championship ring 2007-08 45 38 .319 18 ..643 109 47 112 2.5 when the Spurs won the 2007 Totals 1,107 2,820 .425 1,280 .726 5,269 2,343 7,715 7.0 NBA Championship. Robert’s Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = role in the Spurs 2007 Western free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game Conference Finals series against the Phoenix Suns was controversial, as he was suspended for two ward who could make “clutch” shots, particularly games in the series after making a hard foul against in the playoffs. His timely shooting led him to seven Suns guard Steve Nash. NBA Championships, with three different teams. He won more NBA Finals than anyone not associContinuing the Story ated with the Boston Celtics, and, along with John He continued to play with the Spurs, who lost in the Salley, he was the only player to win championship 2008 Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles rings with three different teams. Robert also holds Lakers. During the 2008 playoffs, Robert broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most playoffthe NBA Finals with 53. game appearances, with 244, although he remained Julie Elliott on the bench during the Spurs final playoff game against the Lakers. Robert became a free agent at Additional Sources the end of the 2008 season. Beck, Howard. “Robert Horry.” Sports Illustrated for Asked why he has been such an excellent Kids 15, no. 5 (May, 2003): 36. “clutch” shooter, Robert mentioned his ability to D’Arcy, Grant, and Leslie Cooperstein. “Warmrelax and not take the game too seriously. He told Up.” Sports Illustrated for Kids 17, no. 9 (SeptemSports Illustrated for Kids: ber, 2005): 15-24. A lot of guys feel like if they miss, it’s the end of McCallum, Jack. “Hurly-Burly Championship.” Sports the world. I know when I go home, my kids are goIllustrated 102, no. 26 (June 27, 2005): 48-54. ing to still be happy to see me, my parents are going to be happy to see me.

With a total of seven NBA Championships, Robert earned more rings than Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson.

NBA Records and Honors Most games played in the playoffs, 244 Most career three-pointers in the NBA Finals, 53 Most three-pointers in playoff game without a miss, 7

Summary Robert Horry was well-known as a solid power for-

174

Second player to win NBA title with three different teams 1992-93 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Dan Issel Born: October 25, 1948 Batavia, Illinois Also known as: Daniel Paul Issel (full name); the Horse Early Life Daniel Paul Issel was born on October 25, 1948, in Batavia, Illinois. After moving to Sedalia, Missouri, his family returned to Illinois and resettled in Batavia when Dan was twelve years old. Although basketball is one of the most popular pastimes in the Midwest, Dan was more interested in his studies. He enjoyed football, baseball, basketball, and track, but he did not show much promise as an athlete. Eventually, though, Dan learned to approach basketball with the same determination and ability with which he pursued his schoolwork. The Road to Excellence Batavia High School did not have a good basketball team, so it was no surprise that Dan, a 6-foot freshman, earned a uniform. The awkward youth showed little aptitude during his first two seasons; however, by the time Dan entered his junior year, two dramatic events had occurred that altered his future. He had grown to 6 feet 7 inches, making him a far better basketball prospect, and a new coach, Donovan Van Der Snick, had come to Batavia from a successful basketball program at Galva, Illinois. Van Der Snick instilled the Batavia team with the confidence and determination that carried them into two state sectional tournaments. Moreover, the coach realized Dan’s potential and groomed him into an all-state player by his senior season. The modest young man who was only a few years removed from clumsiness was suddenly receiving many scholarship offers. Dan also discovered how much he enjoyed playing basketball. Still a fine stu-

dent, he signed a letter of intent to attend academically strong Northwestern University. Dan wanted to play basketball more than anything else, however, and at his father’s suggestion, he chose to attend the University of Kentucky, a traditional basketball power. The Emerging Champion Dan was not an instant success with the Kentucky Wildcats, although he was a starter during his sophomore year (freshmen were not eligible to play var-

Denver Nugget Dan Issel boxing out the opposition and waiting for the rebound. (Courtesy of NBA)

175

Great Athletes

Dan Issel

Honors and Awards 1969-70 College All-American 1971 ABA Co-Rookie of the Year ABA All-Rookie Team 1971-76 ABA All-Star Team 1971, 1973-74, 1976 All-ABA Second Team 1972 All-ABA First Team ABA All-Star Game most valuable player 1977 NBA All-Star Team 1993 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

sity sports at the time). Coach Adolph Rupp was a fine judge of talent and could foresee the 6-foot 9-inch, 240-pound youngster as a star at the center position. Dan continued to improve as a shooter and rebounder. By the time he concluded his college career at Kentucky, Dan had established new school records by scoring 2,138 points and averaging 25.7 points per game over three years. He had also scored 53 points in one game and twice been selected an all-American, making the first team as a senior in 1970. Nearly as impressive as his play was the special relationship Dan had developed with his coach. Adolph Rupp was not easy to get along with and

had been nicknamed “The Baron” because of his dominant personality. Rupp was one of the oldest and strictest coaches in basketball; Dan, though, learned to take his criticism constructively. In 1970, Dan left Kentucky at the peak of the competition between the NBA and the American Basketball Association (ABA) for talented players. Dan’s combination of size, strength, quickness, and shooting ability made him a hotly pursued professional prospect. The Kentucky Colonels, a financially troubled club in the ABA, selected Dan in the first round of the 1970 ABA draft. Dan’s popularity in Kentucky made him attractive to the Colonels, who hoped that the same fans who had cheered him at Freedom Hall as a Wildcat would return there to cheer him as a Colonel. Dan was also selected by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA draft, but he was offered approximately $1.4 million by the Colonels, a huge contract for a rookie at the time, and he chose to sign with Kentucky. Moreover, shortly after Dan’s arrival at his first professional camp, the Colonel’s veteran center, Gene Moore, was traded away. Continuing the Story As a rookie, Dan made an immediate impact, and he was selected to play in the ABA all-star game in the middle of his first season. He finished the season as the scoring leader, with an average of 29.9


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76

83 83 84 83 83 84

938 972 902 829 614 752

.470 .486 .513 .480 .471 .511

604 591 485 457 237 425

.807 .785 .764 .787 .738 .816

1,093 931 922 847 710 923

162 195 220 137 188 201

2,480 2,538 2,292 2,118 1,465 1,930

29.9 30.6 27.3 25.5 17.7 23.0

ABA Totals

500

5,007

.488

2,799

.787

5,426

1,103

12,823

25.6

1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85

79 82 81 82 80 81 80 76 77

660 659 532 715 614 651 661 569 363

.515 .512 .517 .505 .503 .527 .510 .493 .459

445 428 316 517 519 546 400 364 257

.797 .782 .754 .775 .759 .834 .835 .850 .806

696 830 738 719 676 608 596 513 331

177 304 255 198 158 179 223 173 137

1,765 1,746 1,380 1,951 1,749 1,852 1,726 1,506 984

22.3 21.3 17.0 23.8 21.9 22.9 21.6 19.8 12.8

NBA Totals

718

5,424

.506

3,792

.797

5,707

1,804

14,659

20.0


176

Basketball points per game, and helped Kentucky into the 1970-1971 playoffs. The Colonels fell to the Utah Stars in seven games during the championship round, but Dan had impressed everyone with his play, and he was named co-rookie of the year in the ABA (along with Charlie Scott of the Virginia Squires). Dan did not possess overwhelming size for a center, but he was able to use his physical strength. An explosive first step also allowed him to drive around larger players, while his convincing fakes moved opponents out of position. Completing his arsenal was a good medium-range jump shot. Rather than muscle for position near the basket as most NBA big men do, Dan often shot from the perimeter. The young all-star moved to the forward position during his second professional season to make room for 7-foot 2-inch Artis Gilmore to play center. The Colonels had the best record in ABA history the next season—although they failed to win the championship—and Dan raised his scoring average to 30.6 points per game. Four seasons later, Dan had played in six ABA all-star games and had been a key factor in Kentucky’s 1975 ABA Championship. In 1976, Dan was sold to the Denver Nuggets and played one more ABA season before the league merged with the NBA. After nine NBA seasons with Denver, Dan retired with 27,482 combined ABA/NBA points. He remained the Nuggets’ all-time leading scorer until Alex English passed him during the 1987-1988 season. Dan lived up to his nickname of “The Horse” by missing only twenty-four games during his fifteen-year professional career. After his retirement, Dan moved back to Versailles, Kentucky, and ran a horse-breeding business on his farm. After spending a year doing color

Dan Issel commentary for the University of Kentucky basketball games, Dan provided commentary for the Denver Nuggets’ games from 1988 to 1992. Dan was selected as the head coach of the Nuggets for the 1992-1993 season and led the Nuggets into the playoffs in 1994. After Denver finished the 19941995 season at 41-41 and sneaked into the playoffs, Dan unexpectedly resigned as the head coach a few games into the following season. On March 25, 1998, Dan was named vice president and general manager of the Nuggets. His task was to restore a winning tradition to the franchise. In 1999, he appointed himself to again coach the Nuggets. In 2001, he resigned from his coaching position under controversial circumstances. Summary When Dan was named head coach of the faltering Denver Nuggets before the 1992-1993 season, he brought to the job the same elements that had made him a successful player: intelligence, dedication, and determination. The Nuggets improved by twelve games. In 1993, Dan Issel was rewarded for his accomplishments with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. His success and longevity were a result of hustle and desire. Ronald L. Ammons Additional Sources Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Issel, Dan, and Buddy Martin. Parting Shots. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1985. Sharpe, Wilton. Wildcat Madness: Great Eras in Kentucky Basketball. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House, 2005.

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Allen Iverson Born: June 7, 1975 Hampton, Virginia Also known as: Allen Ezail Iverson (full name); A. I.; the Answer Early Life Allen Ezail Iverson was born in Hampton, Virginia, on June 7, 1975. He spent his early life trying to survive hard times. His mother, Ann, was fifteen years old when Allen was born, and she lived in Hartford, Connecticut, before his birth. His father, Allen Broughton, was from Hartford and had little contact with his son.

Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson laying the ball in the basket in a 2008 game. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/MCT/Landov)

178

The only father Allen knew was Michael Freeman, who moved in with his mother shortly after Allen’s birth. Allen has two younger half sisters; Brandy was born to his mother Ann and Freeman in 1979, and Aiesha was born to the couple in 1991. From birth, Aiesha suffered from seizures. The bills from doctors, hospitals, and specialists drove Ann deep into debt; there was often no power or heat in Allen’s house because his mother could not pay the utility bills. On one occasion, the floor was coated with raw sewage. Allen had poor school attendance because he was often home taking care of Aiesha while his mother was working at the shipyards or at a clothing factory. The Road to Excellence Allen was an accomplished high school athlete, considered by some to be the best high school basketball player in the country. He won the state player of the year award in both football and basketball. He led Bethel High School to the state football title by throwing for 201 yards, returning a punt for a 60-yard touchdown, and intercepting 2 passes. Three days after this state championship football game, Allen scored 37 points in the basketball season opener. Because of his impoverished upbringing, Allen decided early he wanted to be rich. He often told his mother that when he became wealthy he would buy her a red Jaguar. His plan for success was nearly ruined on February 14, 1993, however, when he and a friend walked into a bowling alley in Hampton after a high school game. A racial dispute in the bowling alley turned into a fight. Allen testified he left as soon as the fight broke out. Despite his plea of innocence, seventeen-year-old Allen was among four black teenagers charged. He had no prior criminal record, but he was tried as an adult, convicted of maiming by mob, and sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary. Allen was granted a conditional release by then-governor of Virginia L. Douglas Wilder after serving four months. He could not play

Basketball

Allen Iverson


GP 76 80 48 70 71 60 82 28 75 72 65 82 847

FGA 1,504 1,407 1,056 1,733 1,813 1,669 1,940 1,125 1,818 1,822 1,313 1,556 18,756

FGM 625 649 435 729 762 665 804 435 771 815 581 712 7,983

FG% .416 .461 .412 .421 .420 .398 .414 .387 .424 .447 .442 .450 .426

FTA 544 535 474 620 719 585 736 455 786 829 610 797 7,690

FTM 382 390 356 442 585 475 570 339 656 675 485 645 6,000

FT% .702 .729 .751 .713 .814 .812 .774 .745 .835 .814 .795 .809 .780

Reb. 312 296 236 267 273 269 344 178 299 232 193 243 3,142

Ast. 567 494 223 328 325 331 454 324 596 532 468 586 5,295

TP 1,787 1,758 1,284 1,989 2,207 1,883 2,262 1,266 2,302 2,377 1709 2,164 22,988

PPG 23.5 22.0 26.8 28.4 31.1 31.4 27.6 26.4 30.7 33.0 26.3 26.4 27.1


organized sports again until after he graduated from high school. Two years later, Allen’s conviction was reversed by the state court of appeals. Allen entered Georgetown University in 1994. Because of his jail sentence, he had been away from competitive sports for a year. However, when he began playing basketball at Georgetown it seemed as if he had never left the game. His mother had reportedly approached Georgetown coach John Thompson while her son was serving time, looking for a strong coach to guide Allen. She felt Thompson’s no-nonsense style was exactly what her son needed to reorganize his life.

debut game. Later that season, he set an NBA rookie record by scoring more than 40 points in five consecutive games. He was named NBA rookie of the year and the most valuable player (MVP) in the all-star rookie game. That season, Allen averaged 23.5 points per game and was second in the league with 7.5 assists per game. When he received the rookie of the year award, he gave it to his mother, whom he credited for his success in the NBA, saying she gave him the heart to play. Continuing the Story Despite Allen’s achievements, he met with criticism during his first season. He had proclaimed himself “The Answer” with a body tattoo and a signature Reebok shoe before even playing a profes-

The Emerging Champion While at Georgetown, Allen averaged 23 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. He was the Big East Conference defensive player Honors and Awards of the year for two consecutive seasons. Despite his love for Georgetown, Allen 1995-96 Big East League Defensive Player of the Year Associated Press First Team All-American decided to leave college for the NBA af1997 Schick NBA Rookie of the Year; first 76er to win the award ter two years. He had a plan for success NBA All-Rookie First Team aimed at helping his family. On June 26, NBA Rookie of the Month (April) Most valuable player of the Schick Rookie Game 1996, the 6-foot 165-pound sophomore NBA Rookie of the Month (November) point guard, who had led the 1998 NBA Player of the Week ending January 18 Georgetown Hoyas in scoring, became 1999 NBA Player of the Month (February) 1999, 2001, 2005 All-NBA First Team the first player chosen in the NBA draft, 1999, 2001-02, 2005 NBA scoring leader by the Philadelphia 76ers. The following 2000, 2002-03 All-NBA Second Team September, he signed a three-year, $9.42000-09 NBA All-Star Team 2001 NBA most valuable player million contract. 2001, 2005 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player During his first pro season, Allen ac2004 Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball complished what is expected of a number2006 All-NBA Third Team one draft pick. He scored 30 points in his

179

Allen Iverson sional game. He was accused of being a selfish player who was not interested in his team’s accomplishments. Furthermore, Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan accused Allen of disrespecting him during a game. Philadelphia 76ers coach Larry Brown made one of his best coaching moves when he shifted Allen to shooting guard. This enabled Allen to clinch the 1998-1999 NBA’s scoring title over Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen averaged 26.8 points per game and became the shortest player ever to win the title. Also in 1999, Allen signed a six-year, $71-million extension with the 76ers. In the 2000-2001 season Allen lifted his game to a new level. He began the year strongly and never let up, scoring even more profusely than ever, while adding a stronger team-orientation to his game. By the end of the season, not only did he lead the league in scoring for the second time, with a 31.1point average, but also he led his team in assists in most games, He was voted the league’s MVP by a wide margin. Under his leadership, the Sixers finished the season with the second-best record in the league and earned home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Although his body was wearing down after the long regular season, Allen played well throughout the playoffs. Several key teammates were hurt, too, but he seemed to will his team to victory through three, tight playoff series. In the NBA Finals, the Sixers faced the Los Angeles Lakers. In the first game, Allen led Philadelphia to a surprise upset over the Lakers in Los Angeles. Afterward, however, the powerful Lakers proved too strong for the tired Sixers and won four consecutive games to take the NBA title. With Allen, most of his teammates, and Coach Brown returning, the Sixers hoped to return to the finals in 2002. In the following years, the Sixers did not fare as well, although Allen continued to play exceptionally, averaging around 30 points a game. He had some public confrontations with Brown, particularly in 2003, when Brown criticized Allen for missing practice. Allen countered that he did not need practice. However, the two praised each other publicly and appeared to respect each other. In 2003, Brown left Philadelphia, and Allen’s relationships with the succeeding coaches were not

180

Great Athletes as strong. In 2004, Allen again played for Brown when the latter coached the U.S. team to a thirdplace finish in the Olympics. Meanwhile, Allen continued to attract off-court notoriety in the NBA, having run-ins with management at Atlantic City casinos. In 2005, he publicly criticized NBA commissioner David Stern’s dress code as racist; in 2006, he was fined by the NBA for criticizing officials. Also in 2006, a confrontation with Coach Maurice Cheeks and a subsequent fine by general manager Billy King led to Allen’s irreparable breach with the team. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he joined Carmelo Anthony and helped lead his new team to the sixth seed in the tough Western Conference. In the 2007-2008 season, Allen started all of Denver’s contests, averaging 26.4 points per game to lead the team. The Nuggets made the playoffs in a tight race but lost to the Lakers in the first round. During the series, Allen averaged 24.5 points per game, again leading the team. Early in the 2008 season, Allen was traded to the Detroit Pistons and made an immediate impact on the team. In January, 2009, he was selected as a starter for the Eastern Conference allstar team. Summary Allen Iverson earned a reputation in the NBA as arrogant and angry. However, those close to him have said he is often portrayed unfairly. He was one of the quickest players in league history, and his high crossover dribble was elegant and impressive. Emerging from a difficult childhood, Allen became one of the best players in the history of the University of Georgetown and established a hall-offame caliber career in the NBA. Karen M. Turner, updated by Frederick B. Chary Additional Sources Finkel, Jon. Allen Iverson. Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2005. Platt, Larry. Only the Strong Survive: The Odyssey of Allen Iverson. New York: ReganBooks, 2002. Stewart, Mark. Allen Iverson: Motion and Emotion. Nass, Colo.: Millbrook Press, 2001. Taylor, Phil. “A Turn for the Better.” Sports Illustrated 90, no. 11 (March, 1999): 42-47.

Mark Jackson Born: April 1, 1965 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Mark A. Jackson (full name); Action Early Life Early on, Mark Jackson gained a reputation as a streetballer on New York’s playground basketball courts, such as Rucker Park. One in a long line of gifted point guards to come out of New York City, Mark was already an elite player at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. Mark was lucky enough to play high school, college, and, for the first six

years, professional basketball within 90 minutes of where he grew up. Mark starred at St. John’s University, starting on the great 1980’s Redmen (now Red Storm) teams under Coach Lou Carneseca. Mark was the eighteenth overall pick in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft. Playing point guard for the New York Knicks under Coach Rick Pitino, Mark was named NBA rookie of the year in 1988. The Road to Excellence With the Knicks, Mark teamed with center Patrick Ewing. This pairing of savvy floor general and dominant big man composed the second best guard/ center combination in the NBA, surpassed only by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Knicks dominated many Eastern Conference opponents and had epic battles with Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics, Isaiah Thomas’s Detroit Pistons, and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. Mark, at 6 feet 3 inches and a bruising 185 pounds, was well known for his ability to “back down” smaller opposing point guards. Turning his back to his defender, Mark slowly worked his way to the basket and muscled up a shot against his defender or caused the other team’s big men to help out, thereby freeing his own teammates for passes under the basket. Mark was one of the masters of the no-look pass. A decent shooter from midrange, Mark had a knack for getting to the freethrow line. Critics pointed to Mark’s lack of speed. However, he was intelligent and knew how to conduct his team’s offense. He emphasized ball control and half-court offense.

Mark Jackson in 1987. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion In 1989, for the first and only time, Mark was named to the NBA all-star team. Playing under the media microscope in New York City, Mark felt the 181

Great Athletes

Mark Jackson


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

82 72 82 72 81 82 79 82 81 82 82 49 81 83 82 82 42

438 479 327 250 367 459 331 239 296 289 249 138 246 244 260 147 34

.432 .467 .437 .492 .491 .486 .452 .422 .473 .426 .416 .419 .432 .419 .439 .398 .340

206 180 120 117 171 241 167 119 150 168 137 65 79 73 87 61 28

.774 .698 .727 .731 .770 .803 .791 .778 .785 .789 .761 .823 .806 .785 .791 .763 .718

396 341 318 197 305 388 348 306 307 395 322 184 296 305 309 176 70

868 619 604 452 694 724 678 616 635 935 713 386 650 661 605 375 119

1,114 1,219 809 630 916 1,181 865 624 806 812 678 373 660 631 686 382 103

13.6 16.9 9.9 8.8 11.3 14.4 10.9 7.6 10.0 9.9 8.3 7.6 8.1 7.6 8.4 4.7 2.5

Totals

1,296

4,793

.447

2,169

.770

4,963

10,334

12,489

9.6


pressure to win a championship. However, in 1992, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, which had been known as one of the worst franchises in the NBA. At the time, the team was coached by Larry Brown. With Mark as the starting point guard and Danny Manning and Ron Harper as key components, the Clippers turned into a contender, making the playoffs in 1993. In 1994, Mark was traded to the Indiana Pacers for point guard Pooh Richardson. Mark had two stints in Indiana, from 1994 to 1996 and from 1997 to 2000. In 1996, Mark was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Jalen Rose and played less than sixty games for the franchise. Meanwhile, Indiana’s record suffered; the team missed the playoffs for the first time in several years. The Pacers’ solution was to bring back Mark, trading veteran Eddie Johnson and little-used Vincent Askew to Denver. Mark rejoined the Pacers lineup and started with Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Rose, and Dale Davis. This lineup proved potent for several seasons, and the team’s rivalries with the Knicks and the Bulls during these

Honors and Awards 1988 NBA Rookie of the Year 1989 NBA All-Star Team 2003 Recorded 10,000 assists (only third player to do so)

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years were memorable. In his first stay with Indiana, Mark had been reunited with Brown, his former Clippers coach. Coming back to the Pacers, Mark was coached by Larry Bird, who had no previous coaching experience. Bird’s 2000 team, led by Mark, made the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, losing the championship in six games to Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Continuing the Story Despite stating publicly that he wanted to end his career in Indiana, Mark accepted a lucrative offer from the Toronto Raptors. Mark’s stay in Toronto lasted less than one season, and he began his second run in New York. Playing for Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, Mark was back at his starting position. The franchise was rebuilding, and Mark reminded the New York fans and media of better days. However, Mark’s slowness and deliberate style also was a reminder of why he was traded in the first place. He was traded again to the Denver Nuggets, where he was immediately waived. In 2002, Mark played with the Utah Jazz as John Stockton’s backup. Thus, the Jazz had the NBA’s top-two career-assist leaders in Stockton and Mark. Finally, Mark finished his career with the Houston Rockets, again playing for Coach Van Gundy. After his retirement, Mark became an analyst for the YES

Basketball Network, broadcasting games for the New Jersey Nets. Mark’s intelligence, flair, and knowledge of the game drew the attention of ESPN and ABC. Mark appeared on both networks, teamed with veteran broadcaster Mike Breen and Van Gundy. In 2008, when the Knicks head coaching job was vacant, Mark was rumored to be one of the top contenders. Though he did not get the job, NBA insiders believed he would be a head coach in the league at some point. Summary From brash, young streetballer to experienced, knowledgeable floor general and broadcaster, Mark Jackson had a sixteen-year NBA career. He retired among the leaders in several career statistics.

Mark Jackson He was second in assists, thirteenth in games played, and twenty-third in steals. Playing in an era of flashy, high-flying point guards, Mark was an exception. His cool head and talent for leadership on the floor earned him the respect of his rivals and teammates. Randy L. Abbott Additional Sources Berkow, Ira. “Mark Jackson and His Pilot’s License.” The New York Times, May 14, 1989, p. A4. Carter, Richard. “Mark Jackson, the Nets’ Classy TV Analyst, Is Rising Star.” The New York Amsterdam News, March 30, 2006, p. 10. Rhoden, William C. “Mark Jackson Developing His Potential.” The New York Times, January 11, 1986.

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LeBron James Born: December 30, 1984 Akron, Ohio Also known as: LeBron Raymone James (full name); King James; the Chosen One; the L-Train; the King Early Life LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. He started life with the disadvantage of having a biological father, Anthony McClelland, who was in and out of prison and paid little attention to him. Consequently, his mother, Gloria James, become the most influential person in his life. Despite her inability to find steady work and being forced to move often, Gloria kept LeBron away from the influences of crime and rampant poverty in the bad neighborhoods of Akron. Her determination played a major role in shaping LeBron’s future identity. LeBron showed remarkable and versatile athletic ability from an early age. On the football field, he was a gifted receiver. When he was in the fourth grade, he started playing Pee Wee football and scored 19 touchdowns during his first season. However, it was the basketball court on which he would show his true greatness. He had natural ability in basketball and modeled his play after his idol Michael Jordan. LeBron had early success in playing basketball, but he began missing classes, partly because of his unstable home environment. Frankie Walker, his Pee Wee football coach and mentor, talked to his mother and encouraged her to allow LeBron to live with his family temporarily. In this arrangement, LeBron finally got the stability he needed to excel both in the classroom and on the basketball court. The Road to Excellence Living with the Walker family made LeBron a better basketball player. During that period of his life, he learned to shoot with his 184

left hand and gained the fundamentals of the game by playing Sunday nights at the Akron Jewish Community Center. As he got older, he grew much taller. By the time he was in the eighth grade, he was 6 feet tall and could play all five basketball positions. At that time, he enrolled in Vincent-Saint Mary High School in downtown Akron. LeBron had a remarkable freshman year at Vincent-Saint Mary. He averaged 19 points per game and was a leader on the team in rebounding, assists, and steals. His contributions helped lead the team to a perfect 27-0 record and the school’s

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunking the ball in 2008. (Aaron Josefczyk/Reuters/Landov)

Basketball

LeBron James

first state championship since 1984. He also still played football: He gained more than 700 yards as a receiver on the high school team and was named to Ohio’s all-state team, even though his team finished an unremarkable 4-6. During his sophomore year in high school, LeBron averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, and nearly 6 assists per game on the school basketball team. He led Vincent-Saint Mary to a second state title; the team lost only one game during the whole season. At the end of the season, he became the first sophomore selected “Mr. Basketball” and the first sophomore to be named to the USA Today all-USA first team. As a junior, LeBron raised his scoring to nearly 30 points a game and was again voted “Mr. Basketball” and named to USA Today’s all-USA first team. After he was named the 2001-2002 Gatorade national boys basketball player of the year and featured in several prominent magazines, LeBron was dubbed “King James.” His popularity allowed his team to move its games from Vincent-Saint Mary’s school gym to the James A. Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron. Star athletes regularly attended games, and many of Vincent-Saint Mary’s games were televised. LeBron began receiving hints of million-dollar offers to become a professional. Seeing an opportunity for him to play sooner as a professional, LeBron attempted to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft and failed because of his high school status. As a senior at Vincent-Saint Mary’s, LeBron won a third consecutive title. In addition to winning “Mr. Basketball” of Ohio again, he was the most valuable player (MVP) at the McDonald’s All-American game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic, and the Jordan Capital Classic. He finished his high school career with 2,657 points, 892 rebounds, and 523 assists.

Honors and Awards 2001-03 USA Today All-USA First Team Ohio Mr. Basketball 2002 Gatorade national high school basketball player of the year 2003 McDonald’s all-American game most valuable player Naismith Prep Player of the Year 2004 Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball NBA Rookie of the Year 2005, 2007 All-NBA Second Team 2005-09 NBA All-Star Team 2006, 2008 All-NBA First Team NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 2008 NBA scoring champion Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 2009 NBA most valuable player

The Emerging Champion As LeBron was finishing high school in Akron, the Cavaliers of nearby Cleveland made him the number-one pick in the 2003 NBA draft. League rules limited the size of his rookie contract, but he signed a huge endorsement deal with a shoe company. Then, in his first professional game, he recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 6 steals. In a game against the New Jersey Nets, he became the youngest player to score at least 40 points in a game. He made the Cavaliers more competitive by averaging 21 points, 6 assists, and more than 5 rebounds per game. To no one’s surprise, he won rookie of the year honors. The only other NBA players ever to compile similar numbers during their first season had been Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan. After picking up a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. men’s team during the summer 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, LeBron was voted to his first NBA all-star game during the 2004-2005 season. His accomplishments that season included becoming the youngest player to score 50 points in


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

79 80 79 78 75

622 195 875 772 794

.417 .472 .480 .476 .484

347 477 601 489 549

.754 .750 .738 .698 .712

432 588 556 526 592

465 577 521 470 539

1,654 2,175 2,478 2,132 2,250

20.9 27.2 31.4 27.3 30.0

Totals

391

3,858

.467

2,463

.728

2,694

2,572

10,689

27.3


185

LeBron James a game and the youngest ever to register a tripledouble (10 or more points, rebounds, and assists) in a game. During the season as a whole, the twentyyear-old LeBron averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, but his team missed the playoffs. Continuing the Story During the 2005-2006 season, LeBron was elected to his second consecutive all-star game, in which he led the Eastern Conference team to victory and was named the game’s MVP. In addition to becoming the youngest all-star game MVP in history, LeBron scored other firsts that season. At twentyone, he was the youngest player to average 30 points per game, and he was named NBA player of the week five times. Moreover, under his leadership, the Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 1998. After winning the first-round series, Cleveland lost to the Detroit Pistons, who became the eventual Eastern Conference champions. During the following season, 2006-2007, the Cavaliers won fifty games for the second consecutive year and went further in the playoffs than ever before. In game five of the Eastern Conference Finals, a winning effort against the Pistons, LeBron scored 48 points, 25 of which he recorded during the game’s two overtimes. By defeating the Pistons, the Cavaliers advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in the thirty-seven year history of the team; however, the team was swept by the San Antonio Spurs, who won a third championship in five seasons. During the 2007-2008 season, LeBron won another all-star game MVP award and led another solid team to the NBA playoffs. This time, Cleveland beat the Washington Wizards in the first round, only to lose in seven games to the Boston Celtics, the eventual NBA champions, in the sec-

186

Great Athletes ond round. After the heightened expectations of 2007, this was a disappointing finish for LeBron, but he got some compensation during the summer of 2008 as a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s basketball team at the Beijing Olympics. After returning to the NBA for the 2008-2009 season, LeBron led the Cavaliers to the best wonloss record during the regular season and was named the league’s most valuable player. In the playoffs, he averaged more than 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists a game, and led the Cavaliers to sweeps of their first two opponents. However, even though LeBron increased his productivity in the conference finals, the Cavaliers met their match in the Orlando Magic, which went on to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in the finals. Summary LeBron James had an extraordinary early career and was on his way toward becoming a legend in the game. His combination of unselfishness, leadership, instinct, and intelligence on and off the court won him the respect of his teammates and fans across the globe. His potential for future success was so great that one of the chief topics of discussion in the NBA during and after the 2008-2009 NBA season was what team might land him after he became a free agent more than a year into the future. Brian Culp Additional Sources Gregory, Sean. “King James.” Time 165, no. 5 (January, 2005). Morgan, David Lee. LeBron James: The Rise of a Star. Cleveland: Gray, 2003. Pluto, Terry, and Brian Windhorst. The Franchise: LeBron James and the Remaking of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland: Gray, 2008.

Gus Johnson Born: December 13, 1938 Akron, Ohio Died: April 28, 1987 Akron, Ohio Also known as: Gus Johnson, Jr. (full name); Honeycomb Early Life Gus Johnson, Jr., was born on December 13, 1938, in Akron, Ohio. He was one of six children in the Johnson household. As he grew up, Gus became a good all-around athlete. By the time he reached Central High School in Akron, he was skilled in basketball, football, and the high jump. He was strong and somewhat reckless in his play, especially in football, where he became known as “Bloody Gus.” As a linebacker, he could be brutal; in one high school game he broke his knee. Gus decided to give up football after that and concentrate on becoming a better basketball player. Focusing on basketball helped him to go from a solid player to a great player. Gus could shoot accurately, play tough defense, and outjump players who were inches taller than he. He was the center on the team his senior year even though Nate Thurmond—a future great NBA center—was also on the team. The Road to Excellence Gus had all the basketball tools necessary to go a long way in the sport. He could make spectacular passes to his teammates because of his outstanding peripheral vision. Gus practiced for hours, throwing blind passes to a specific spot on a wall until he could hit it consistently. There were many colleges

Honors and Awards 1964 NBA All-Rookie Team 1965, 1968-71 NBA All-Star Team 1965-66, 1970-71 All-NBA Team 1970-71 NBA All-Defensive Team Uniform number 25 retired by Washington Bullets

that recruited Gus, but he turned them all away. He liked the idea of playing college basketball, but he was not interested in going to class or in studying. No matter what anyone said, Gus was not motivated to continue in any form of school. After finishing high school, he spent most of his time in Akron’s many poolrooms. Gus became good at winning money playing pool, but his mother did not like what was becoming of her son. In 1959, Gus enrolled in the University of Akron and attempted to participate in college life. He felt comfortable playing freshman basketball, but studying was still something he did not take seriously. When Gus was not on the basketball court, he was in a poolroom perfecting his bank shot. He stayed at the University of Akron for only one semester, then got a job working for the treasurer’s office of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The job did not last long either. The lure of the poolroom was too strong. Gus seemed to be content with his life until he was approached by a man named George Swyers. Swyers—a friend of the basketball coach at the University of Idaho—wanted Gus to attend junior college in Boise for one year and then transfer to the University of Idaho, where he would play basketball for Joe Cipriano. Gus was at first hesitant to accept the offer, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it might be his only chance to get out of Akron. The Emerging Champion Before Gus left for Boise, he and his girlfriend were married, and the two headed for the unfamiliar environment of Idaho. Gus wanted to make the most of this opportunity. He impressed his junior college coach, George Blankly, with his ability to shoot with either hand. Blankly was somewhat skeptical of how good Gus would be before he saw him; however, after witnessing Gus perform on the court, the coach knew that everything he had heard was accurate. The year at Boise was good for Gus. He transferred to the University of Idaho as planned, and his future finally looked bright. Coach Cipriano was pleased with his new player 187

Great Athletes

Gus Johnson


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73

78 76 42 73 60 49 78 66 39 21

571 577 273 620 482 359 578 494 103 69

.430 .418 .413 .450 .467 .459 .451 .453 .383 .381

210 261 131 271 180 160 197 214 43 25

.658 .676 .736 .708 .667 .717 .724 .738 .683 .694

1,064 988 546 855 782 568 1,086 1,128 226 136

169 270 114 194 159 97 264 192 51 31

1,352 1,415 677 1,511 1,144 878 1,353 1,202 249 163

17.3 18.6 16.1 20.7 19.1 17.9 17.3 18.2 6.4 7.8

NBA Totals

582

4,126

.440

1,692

.699

7,379

1,541

9,944

17.1

1972-73

50

132

.441

31

.738

245

62

299

6.0

ABA Totals

50

132

.441

31

.738

245

62

299

6.0


from Akron. During the 1962-1963 season, Gus finished second in the nation in rebounding. He was the star of the team, and the local press loved him, reporting that he played like a real “Globetrotter.” Scouts from the NBA became interested in Gus. Because four years had already passed since he had first enrolled at the University of Akron, Gus was eligible to enter the NBA draft without finishing his collegiate eligibility at Idaho. The Baltimore Bullets chose Gus in the second round of the 1963 NBA draft. It took some time during his first year with Baltimore for Gus to adjust, but once he did, a confident Gus began making a name for himself in the NBA. He scored 1,352 points and averaged 17.3 points per game during his rookie season. The fans loved the way he could hang in the air and make seemingly impossible shots. Gus was a colorful individual and he enjoyed the spotlight. He helped the Baltimore Bullets contend for the title. Continuing the Story Gus became a star in his second season. He was named to the NBA all-star team and, for the season, he averaged 18.6 points and 13 rebounds per game. Although the fans were in awe of his fantastic moves and shots, Gus was not a one-dimensional player. He was tough on defense, a ferocious rebounder, and able to score over almost anyone in the league. He played in every all-star game between 1968 and 1971. 188

During Gus’s tenure, the 1969-1970 season was the Bullets’ best. Even though Gus was recovering from a knee operation, he still managed to average 17.3 points per game and gather in more than 1,000 rebounds. The Bullets lost to the eventual NBA champions—the New York Knicks—in the playoffs. The knee injury did not heal as hoped. Gus continued to work as hard as ever, but he was in constant agony and could not sleep because of the pain. In the spring of 1971, Gus underwent surgery on both of his troubled knees. He could no longer contribute to the Bullets as he had in the past and, therefore, was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the beginning of the 1972-1973 season. On his new team, Gus did not have to score as much, but the Suns were not pleased with his contribution, and he was put on waivers before the end of the season. Gus still wanted to play and thought he could contribute positively on the right team. He decided to sign with an American Basketball Association (ABA) team, the Indiana Pacers. Although he could no longer perform as before, his experience was invaluable to the younger Pacer players. His 6-foot 6-inch, 235-pound body could no longer take the punishment of professional basketball, however, and he retired after only one season with the Pacers. Gus was not able to enjoy a long life away from competitive basketball. In 1986, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and he died on April 28, 1987, in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Basketball Summary Gus Johnson was a powerful basketball player who possessed body control that amazed sportswriters and fans alike. The power forwards of today can point to Gus as one of the first players to fill that role. He played in five all-star games and was named to the NBA all-defensive team in 1970 and 1971. For his contribution to the Baltimore Bullets, his uniform number, 25, was retired. He was known as “Honeycomb” during his career, and was a tough

Gus Johnson competitor and a credit to the game that he loved so much. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

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Larry Johnson Born: March 14, 1969 Tyler, Texas Also known as: Larry Demetric Johnson (full name); Grandma-ma; LJ Early Life Larry Demetric Johnson was born to Dortha Johnson on March 14, 1969, in Tyler, Texas. Despite growing up without a father, Larry rapidly matured. By the time he was nine, he was the starting

quarterback on a Pop Warner League football team in which all of the other players were fourteen years old. He supplemented his toughness on the gridiron by taking up boxing at the local Police Athletic League. That toughness served him well after he and his mother moved to the rugged streets of south Dallas when Larry was twelve. Basketball and tough love from his mother kept Larry honest and away from the temptations of dealing drugs and running with the tough neighborhood crowds. He learned his skills during physical games at Green Bay Park, an area riddled with crime, where players often feared the possibility of stray bullets hitting them. By the seventh grade the park pickup games, along with a growth spurt, had molded Larry into a 6-foot 2-inch, 190-pound child with a powerful post-up game and a soft outside shooting touch.

Larry Johnson scoring on an emphatic slam dunk in 1991. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

190

The Road to Excellence In 1983, Dortha took the advice of one of Larry’s junior high school coaches and sent her son across town to a less violent, racially diverse high school. As a freshman at Skyline High in Dallas, Larry told basketball coach J. D. Mayo that he was ready for the varsity squad. Mayo allowed him to start the first game of the season, and by halftime Larry had amassed 17 points. He was well on his way to a stellar four-year varsity career. Larry’s Skyline High team did not lose a single home game as he matured into a 6-foot 5-inch, 200-pound player with a complete offensive game and a ferocious ability to rebound. After his senior year he earned high school player of the year honors and attracted attention from colleges across the country. He had initially decided to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas but instead enrolled at Odessa Junior College in order to address his reading deficiencies.

Basketball

Larry Johnson


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01

82 82 51 81 81 76 70 49 70 65

1,258 1,385 672 1,219 1,225 735 884 458 652 598

616 728 346 585 583 376 429 210 282 246

.490 .526 .515 .480 .476 .512 .485 .459 .433 .411

409 438 197 354 564 274 283 164 167 128

339 336 137 274 427 190 214 134 128 102

.829 .767 .695 .774 .757 .693 .756 .817 .766 .797

899 864 448 585 683 393 401 284 380 363

292 353 184 369 355 174 150 119 175 127

1,576 1,810 834 1,525 1,660 976 1,087 587 750 645

19.2 22.1 16.4 18.8 20.5 12.8 15.5 12.0 10.7 9.9

Totals

707

9,086

4,401

.484

2,978

2,281

.766

5,300

2,298

11,450

16.2


The Emerging Champion Larry was named junior college player of the year both years at Odessa. In his second season he averaged 28.3 points and 17.3 rebounds per game and led Odessa to a 33-2 record and a regional title. More important, his reading skills improved to a college level and he was ready to move on to a university. Larry had met University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) players Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon at the 1988 Olympic trials and built a friendship that led him to enroll at UNLV in 1989. Under the leadership of coach Jerry Tarkanian the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels lost only three games during Larry’s first year. In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament UNLV received the top seed in the Western Region, and Larry contributed to wins over Arkansas-Little Rock, Ohio State, and Ball State before ringing up 20 points and 18 rebounds in a 131-101 victory over Loyola Marymount. In the Final Four he scored 22 points against Georgia Tech in the semifinals and tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds in a 103-73

Honors and Awards 1989-90 Junior College Player of the Year 1990-91 First-Team College All-American 1991 Naismith College Player of the Year Award John R. Wooden College Player of the Year Award NBA number-one draft pick 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year 1994 NBA All-Star Team

thrashing of Duke in the finals. He ended the season as a national champion and consensus first team all-American after averaging 20.6 points and 11.4 rebounds. Larry returned for his senior season and guided UNLV to a 33-0 record before losing to Duke in the NCAA tournament semifinals. He was once again named a first team all-American and received the James Naismith Award and John Wooden Award as the college player of the year. His senior averages of 22.7 points and 10.9 rebounds lifted him to the head of the 1991 NBA draft, where he was chosen number one overall by the Charlotte Hornets. Continuing the Story As an incoming NBA rookie many critics questioned whether Larry would be able to measure up against the league’s taller power forwards. Once he took the court, size did not matter as he fought his way to rookie of the year honors by averaging 19.2 points and 11 rebounds. He quickly became known for his smile and sense of humor—he dressed up in a wig and a dress to become the basketball-playing “Grandma-ma” in a series of popular Converse sneaker commercials. In his second season, Larry earned a starting spot on the 1993-1994 Eastern Conference all-star team. He ended the season by leading the Hornets to the franchise’s first-ever playoff appearance where they upset the favored Boston Celtics before bowing out in the second round against the New York Knicks. During the off-season the Hornets awarded his hard work with a then-record twelve-year, $84 mil191

Larry Johnson lion contract extension. Not long after he had signed the deal doctors discovered a herniated disc in his back. In 1994, he attempted to come back, only to succumb to a lower back strain that kept him out of thirty-one games. The back injuries hampered him for the rest of his career. His rebounding average dipped to under 9 rebounds per game the next three seasons, and his scoring average also took a dive before rising to 20.5 points per game in 1995-1996. In 1996, he was traded to the New York Knicks, and, because of the presence of Patrick Ewing as the primary offensive weapon, Larry’s scoring decreased. Larry consistently provided leadership and the occasional big play on a team that was a perennial championship contender. In 1999, with Patrick Ewing on the sidelines because of an injury, Larry hit a 4-point play with 5.7 seconds remaining in game three of the conference finals against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks went on to win the game 92-91 and the series four games to two. Despite the heroics, Larry did not get to add an NBA Championship ring to his trophy collection, as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the upstart Knicks four games to one in the finals. In 2001, Larry retired because of his recurring back problems. After leaving basket-

192

Great Athletes ball, he returned to UNLV where he received his B.A. in social science in 2007. Summary Larry Johnson was often identified by his record $84 million dollar contract and the inherent expectations of such a rich deal. Many considered him a disappointment when he did not average 20 points and 10 rebounds, but his most valuable asset was always his knack for winning. Throughout his basketball career his teams consistently played in postseason games. His career averages may not match up with the all-time great players, but he was a team leader and scored more than 11,000 points in his abbreviated career. Craig Causer Additional Sources Brenner, Richard J. Shaquille O’Neal and Larry Johnson. Syosset, N.Y.: East End Publishing, 1993. Carp, Steve. Runnin’: UNLV Rebels, a Basketball Legacy. Las Vegas, Nev.: Stephens Press, 2005. Gutman, Bill. Larry Johnson: King of the Court. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 1995. Porter, David L. Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2005.

Magic Johnson Born: August 14, 1959 Lansing, Michigan Also known as: Earvin Johnson, Jr. (birth name) Early Life Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr., was born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. He was the second son of Earvin and Christine Johnson. His father moved to Lansing from Brookhaven, Massachusetts, so that he could work for Oldsmobile in one of that company’s plants. Earvin, Sr., had to take two jobs so that he could provide for his family. Magic learned early the value of hard work. His father taught him the fundamentals of basketball. Magic applied these skills on the local playgrounds of Lansing, where he improved his game by playing every position. Competition was tough on the playgrounds, and he found that if he passed the ball to teammates, he was more valuable to his team. He was developing skills that would take him to the pinnacle of professional basketball. The Road to Excellence Magic went to Everett High School in Lansing and made the varsity basketball team in 1974. As a sophomore, he helped the team to the state Class A quarterfinals. His high school coach, George Fox, was influential in making him a more complete player. Fox encouraged him to work hard on his passing and dribbling skills. During this time, Magic earned his nickname from a sportswriter because he was so adept at handling the ball. Everett advanced to the semifinals in Magic’s junior year and won the state Class A championship in his senior year. By the time Magic was a senior, he stood

6 feet 8 inches and weighed 200 pounds. At this size in high school, Magic should have been playing the center position, but he played as a guard. His size and ballhandling skills made him almost unstoppable. He was named to the all-state team and selected United Press International prep player of the year in Michigan all three years of his high school career. Although many colleges recruited Magic, he de-

Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson, who reinvented the point guard position and won five NBA Championships in the 1980’s. (Andrew D. Bernstein, Courtesy of Los Angeles Lakers)

193

Great Athletes

Magic Johnson cided to stay in Lansing and attend Michigan State University. As a freshman in 1977, he led the Spartans to a 25-5 record, and the team won the Big Ten Conference title. In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament, Michigan State advanced to the Mideast Regional finals before losing to the University of Kentucky. Despite the loss, Magic had had a good year: He was named to the all-Big Ten Conference team and selected as a second-team all-American. The Emerging Champion After only one year of college basketball, Magic was approached by professional scouts. He was offered a large sum of money, but he decided to stay at Michigan State in the hopes of winning an NCAA title. He did not have to wait long for his dream to come true. The Spartans, under Magic’s floor leadership, won the NCAA Basketball Tournament the next season by defeating Indiana State University in the finals. Indiana State’s star player, Larry Bird, was outplayed by Magic on this particular occasion. In the future, Magic and Bird competed against each other many times and always had the utmost respect for each other. Bird received most awards, such as player of the year, but Magic was named most valuable player (MVP) for the tournament and also had the NCAA title. After accomplishing what he set out to do in the collegiate ranks, Magic decided to become a professional. Because he was known as an unselfish player, many NBA teams wanted him. In the 1979

draft, he was the first choice of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers had high expectations for Magic, and he had never been one to shy away from challenging situations. His enthusiasm for life and the game he loved brought out the best in all of his teammates. Magic’s rookie season was more successful than even Magic could have supposed. The Lakers finished the regular season with a 60-22 record and moved into the playoffs confidently. The team reached the NBA Finals and faced the Philadelphia 76ers. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers’ star center, had played magnificently throughout the playoffs but was injured in the fifth game against the 76ers. Magic assumed the role of center in the sixth game in Philadelphia. Leading the series 3-2, the Lakers needed only one more victory to clinch the title. In the sixth game, Magic rose to new heights. He scored 42 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, helping the Lakers capture the NBA title. He was selected as MVP for the playoffs. The rookie of the year award went to Bird of the Boston Celtics, but Magic had taken his team to the title. Continuing the Story Players and fans alike were in awe of Magic’s playmaking ability. He electrified crowds with his spectacular passes. Many agreed that “Magic” was an appropriate name for one who could perform such tricks on the basketball court. Throughout the 1980’s, the Lakers always contended for the NBA title.


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1995-96

77 37 78 79 67 77 72 80 72 77 79 79 32

503 312 556 511 441 504 483 683 490 579 546 466 137

.530 .532 .537 .548 .565 .561 .526 .522 .492 .509 .480 .477 .466

374 171 329 304 290 391 378 535 417 513 567 519 172

.810 .760 .760 .800 .810 .843 .871 .848 .853 .911 .890 .906 .856

596 320 751 683 491 476 426 504 449 607 522 551 183

563 317 743 829 875 968 907 977 858 988 907 989 220

1,387 798 1,447 1,326 1,178 1,406 1,354 1,909 1,408 1,730 1,765 1,531 468

18.0 21.6 18.6 16.8 17.6 18.3 18.8 23.9 19.6 22.5 22.3 19.4 14.6

Totals

906

6,211

.520

4,960

.848

6,559

10,141

17,707

19.5


194

Basketball

Magic Johnson

In 1982, the Lakers beat the 76ers NBA Records again for the NBA Championship, with Most assists in an All-Star game, 22 (1984) Magic picking up another MVP award. Most assists in a playoff game, 24 (1984) (record shared) During the next two seasons, Los AnMost assists in a Finals game, 21 (1984) geles fell in the finals, first to Philadelphia and then to Boston. The Lakers got Honors and Awards revenge on the Celtics in the 1985 NBA 1977 All-Big Ten Team Finals. The championship was the first 1979 NCAA Tournament most outstanding player ever for the Lakers over the Celtics. Magic NCAA All-Tournament Team was determined not to let his team lose. Consensus All-American He was also becoming a more mature Overall first choice in the NBA draft 1980, 1982, 1987 NBA Finals most valuable player player. He made the game look easy, but 1980, 1982-91 NBA All-Star Team he relied on hard work and mental tough1980 NBA All-Rookie Team ness to succeed. Citizen Savings Southern California Athlete of the Year Magic’s toughest season was 19861982-89, 1991 All-NBA Team 1982 Seagram’s Seven Crowns of Sports Award 1987. His sister, Mary, died at the age 1984 Schick Pivotal Player Award of thirty-three. Magic was heartbroken, 1987, 1989, 1990 NBA most valuable player but his teammates helped him through 1987 Sporting News NBA Player of the Year his grief. Magic dedicated the season to Allstate Good Hands Award Mary. The Lakers went on to defeat the 1990, 1992 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player Celtics for the 1987 NBA title. Magic was 1991-92 J. Walter Kennedy Citzenship Award 1992 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball named NBA MVP and The Sporting News 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time NBA player of the year. The Lakers also 1999 Named one of the twenty greatest NBA players of all time captured the 1988 NBA title, becoming Uniform number 32 retired by Los Angeles Lakers the first team in nineteen years to win 2002 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame back-to-back championships. Friars Club Lifetime Achievement Award Howard University Messenger Award During the 1990-1991 season, Magic Los Angeles Business Journal’s Community Leadership Award became the all-time assists leader, surCrenshaw Chamber of Commerce’s entrepreneur of the year passing Oscar Robertson’s career total ROBIE Award of 9,887; later, John Stockton surpassed 2003 May 15 Declared Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr., Day in Michigan Magic. That same season, Magic helped 2004 City of Angels Corporate Award 2007 National Civil Rights Museum Lifetime Achievement Award the Lakers to a 58-24 record and another trip to the NBA Finals. Although the Lakers lost to the Chicago Bulls, the apOlympic Dream Team and won a gold medal in pearance in the NBA Finals was the team’s ninth in Barcelona, Spain. twelve seasons. Off the court, Magic married his After retirement, Magic wrote a book about safe high school sweetheart, Cookie Kelly, on Septemsex, ran several businesses, worked as a television ber 14, 1991. commentator for NBC, and explored the possibilAt a nationally televised press conference on ity of buying an NBA team. With sixteen games left November 7, 1991, Magic shocked the sports world during the 1993-1994 season, Johnson took over as and the rest of the nation when he announced his the head coach of the Lakers. The team started out retirement from basketball because he had acwell then faltered. Magic decided to give up coachquired the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ing and concentrate on his business ventures. In Since HIV is the organism that causes acquired imJune, 1994, he became a part owner of the Lakers. munodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Magic was adIn 1995, Magic opened a chain of movie theaters vised by his physician that he should no longer play in Los Angeles and some other large cities in the professional basketball. However, in 1992, he made United States. He also organized a barnstorming a spectacular appearance at the NBA all-star game basketball team composed of former college and and won the MVP award, leading the West to a 153NBA players that toured through Asia and Austra113 victory. Later in 1992, he played on the U.S. 195

Magic Johnson lia. Late in the 1995-1996 season, Johnson decided to come out of retirement and play the final thirtytwo games of the season with the Lakers. After the Houston Rockets eliminated the Lakers from the NBA playoffs, Magic retired once again. For a short period of time thereafter, he hosted a television talk show. Playing thirteen NBA seasons, Johnson scored 17,707 points, an average of 19.5 per game; collected 6,559 rebounds, an average of 7.2 per game; and made 10,141 assists, an average of 11.2 per game. In 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. Magic was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Recognizing that his talent and charisma put him in a good position to help the youth of the United States, Magic became a spokesperson for HIV prevention and safe sexual practices. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to raise funds for community-based organizations that deal with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. The foundation also offered grants for American youth. For his efforts in promoting AIDS awareness, Johnson received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. In addition to his charitable activities revolving around HIV/AIDS, Magic ran several successful businesses, served as a basketball analyst on television, and traveled around the world promoting

196

Great Athletes basketball and social causes. Believing strongly in the need to revitalize minority communities, he started the Magic Johnson Theatres chain, which opened movie theaters in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and Largo, Maryland. Always hoping to serve as a positive force in the community, Magic was active in lending his support to political figures whom he believed shared his social vision. Summary Magic Johnson will go down in the annals of NBA basketball as one of the greatest players ever to compete. His all-around game was a rarity. On the court, he was a supreme player and entertainer: the “Magic Man.” Off the court, he was generous and courageous and always attempted to make the world a happier place. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Jacobs, Timothy, and Russell Roberts. One Hundred Athletes Who Shaped Sports History. San Mateo, Calif.: Bluewood Books, 2004. Johnson, Earvin “Magic,” and William Novack. My Life. New York: Random House, 1993. Labrecque, Ellen. Magic Johnson. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Cherry Lake, 2008. Troupe, Quincy. Take It to the Hoop, Magic Johnson. New York: Jump at the Sun, 2000.

K. C. Jones Born: May 25, 1932 Taylor, Texas Early Life K. C. Jones was born on May 25, 1932, in Taylor, Texas. His father worked as a restaurant cook and an oilfield worker. Eula Jones, K. C.’s mother, split her time between her five children and her work as a maid. Through the Great Depression, the Joneses moved from town to town, wherever the parents could find work. Because the family moved so frequently, K. C.’s education suffered and he never learned to read well. He was shy and ashamed in class; the only time he felt like himself was when he sang in the church choir or played sports. K. C.’s first experiences in sports were in tennis, softball, and football. “In McGregor, Texas,” Jones recalled in his book, Rebound (1986), “the girls played basketball, so I was a little suspicious of it.” The Road to Excellence Jones did not remain a stranger to basketball for long. After his father abandoned the family and his mother moved the clan to San Francisco, K. C. played nearly every day at a recreation center near his home. There he developed a deadly set shot. He took his skills with him to Commerce High School, where he broke the AAA Prep League scoring record and made the all-Northern California allstar team. There he was an all-star in football as well. Because he was not a great student, Jones did not have high expectations of finding a job after high school. He did not consider college, but Mildred Smith, K. C.’s high school history teacher, made a telephone call to University of San Francisco (USF) basketball coach Phil Woolpert. She told the coach that she saw something great in the young K. C. “Her caring changed my life,” wrote Jones in Rebound. Eventually, the coach offered K. C. Jones a scholarship. The summer before college, K. C. grew 4 inches to 6 feet 1 inch. With his added height, however, he lost his shooting touch. In his freshman season at USF, he closed with a meager 5.6-points-per-game

scoring average. He then decided to change his style of play and become the catalyst for the team. Although he would not score many points, he would make sure that his teammates did. He mastered defense and passing and hustled every minute of the game. The Emerging Champion In the fall of 1952, K. C. Jones met his new roommate, a 6-foot 9-inch freshman named Bill Russell, who was recognized twenty-eight years later as the greatest player in the history of the NBA. K. C. Jones and Bill Russell became inseparable friends. K. C. recalled in Rebound, “I guess by the time we graduated from USF, Bill Russell and I had talked, studied, worked, practiced, and played as much defensive basketball as any two people ever had.” Together, the two friends led the USF basketball team to undefeated seasons and two national championships, in 1954-1955 and 1955-1956. K. C. also played on the U.S. Olympic basketball team that won a gold medal in 1956. Jones’s and Russell’s inseparability carried over to their professional basketball careers, when the two were chosen by the Boston Celtics in the 1956 NBA draft. Jones joined the team after first serving two years in the U.S. Army. As a professional basketball player, Jones resumed his role as the scrapping defensive player. Battling under the offensive and defensive backboards, K. C. always seemed to be the first one to come up with a loose ball. While in a Celtic uni-

Honors and Awards 1955 NCAA All-Tournament Team 1956 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Consensus All-American 1986 Inducted into California’s Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame 1989 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Uniform number 25 retired by Boston Celtics

197

Great Athletes

K. C. Jones form, Jones played on eight consecutive NBA Championship teams. His coach, Red Auerbach, claimed that every time he put K. C. into the game, things would turn the Celtics’ way. Continuing the Story When K. C. retired as a Celtic player, he became an assistant coach at Harvard University for one year (1967-1968) and then head coach at Brandeis University for four years (1968-1971). When K. C. returned to the NBA as assistant coach to Bill Sharman of the Los Angeles Lakers, he earned his ninth NBA Championship ring as the Lakers went on to win the finals in 1971-1972. The next year, K. C. got his first job as a head coach in the pros. He directed the San Diego Conquistadors of the American Basketball Association (ABA) to an unexpected playoff spot with a 30-54 record. The next season, 1973-1974, Jones was offered a three-year contract to coach the NBA Washington Bullets (then called the Capital Bullets). He created a stunning team defense for the Bullets and coupled it with a fast-break offense. The Bullets had a 47-35 record in 1973-1974 and took the Eastern Conference Championship the following season. However, the Bullets lost four in a row to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. In the 1975-1976 season, K. C. was fired by the Bullets. K. C. rebounded from this setback, though. After coaching the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant for half of the 1976-1977 season, K. C. was hired as an assistant on his old team, the Boston Celtics. From 1978 to 1982, the Celtics were a winning team, but they often fell short in the playoffs. In 1983, when K. C. was named head coach,

the Celtics’ fortunes changed. K. C. renewed the team’s spirit, and in 1984 they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Championship. In 1985, the Celtics again appeared in the NBA Finals, but lost to the Lakers. In 1986, they were again world champions, this time vanquishing the Houston Rockets in the finals. In 1987, an injury-riddled Celtics team managed to win the Eastern Conference title and then fell to the Lakers in the finals. At the conclusion of the 1987-1988 campaign, K. C. was appointed vice president of the Celtics. In 1989, he received the ultimate honor in basketball when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1989, he took an assistant coaching position with the Seattle SuperSonics; he soon became the head coach and stayed until midway through the 1991-1992 season. K. C. served as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons during the 1994-1995 season. For the 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 campaigns, K. C. rejoined the Celtics as an assistant coach under M. L. Carr. As a head coach in the NBA, K. C. won 522 regular season games and compiled a .674 winning percentage, which is one of the best coaching marks of all time in the NBA. From 1997 to 1999, K. C. was the head coach of the New England Blizzard in the Women’s American Basketball League. K. C.’s quiet style of coaching always produced winning teams and earned him the deepest respect from all the athletes who played for him. Summary When K. C. Jones coached the Celtics to the 1986 NBA Championship, he won an unprecedented twelfth world championship ring. For his lifetime

NBA Statistics Season 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 Totals

GP 49 74 78 79 79 80 78 80 78 675

FGM 65 169 203 289 230 283 253 240 182 1,914

FG% .339 .408 .337 .409 .389 .392 .396 .388 .397 .384

FTM 41 128 186 145 112 88 143 209 110 1,162

FT% .603 .752 .581 .628 .633 .524 .630 .690 .630 .630

Reb. 127 199 279 291 263 372 318 304 239 2,392

Ast. 70 189 253 339 317 407 437 503 389 2,904

TP 171 466 592 723 572 654 649 689 483 4,999

PPG 3.5 6.3 7.6 9.1 7.2 8.2 8.3 8.6 6.2 7.4


198

Basketball achievements, he was elected to California’s Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1986, and his number, 25, was retired by the Celtics and now hangs with the championship banners in Boston Garden. Rustin Larson Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. Johnson, Dick, and Robert Hamilton Johnson. The

K. C. Jones Celtics in Black and White. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2006. Jones, K. C., and Jack D. Warner. Rebound. Boston: Quinlan Press, 1986. Wallechinsky, David, and Jaime Loucky. The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2008 Edition. London: Aurum Press, 2008. Whalen, Thomas J. Dynasty’s End: Bill Russell and the 1968-69 World Champion Boston Celtics. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2004.

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Sam Jones Born: June 24, 1933 Wilmington, North Carolina Also known as: Samuel Jones (full name); Mr. Clutch Early Life Samuel Jones was born June 24, 1933, in Wilmington, North Carolina, a medium-sized town on the Atlantic coast, a couple of hours’ drive from the basketball hotbeds and big university towns of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Sam spent most of his youth in the Durham area, and focused on basketball from an early age. Basketball was an outlet for him. His family did not have much money, and life in North Carolina was hard. Sam tried to help out as much as he could; he worked as a waiter to bring in a little extra money for the family. The Road to Excellence Sam attended Laurinburg Institute in Laurinburg, North Carolina, a nearby preparatory school designed to prepare students for college. The school had an excellent basketball program, and having Sam there certainly helped during the early 1950’s. When it came time for young Sam to pick a college, he had a number of options. Notre Dame and the City College of New York, both strong basketball schools, were interested in Sam but, oddly, he was not interested in them. He did not feel ready for life outside of North Carolina, so he opted for North Carolina Central College in Durham, close to home. Sam proved himself a dependable scorer in his first two varsity seasons, but then went into the service for two years. When he came out, he was still the same player, but much more mature from his travel and experiences. 200

Despite attending such a small school, Sam attracted notice from professional scouts. A local college coach who was a friend of Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach had told the Boston coach about Sam and urged him to draft the young, unknown player. Auerbach followed the advice. Sam knew he might have a better chance with a lesser professional team, but he liked the idea of playing with

Sam Jones of the Boston Celtics taking a jump shot against the defense of the Los Angeles Lakers. (Walter Iooss, Jr./NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Sam Jones


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69

56 71 74 78 78 76 76 80 67 72 73 70

100 305 355 480 596 621 612 821 626 638 621 496

.429 .434 .454 .449 .464 .476 .450 .452 .469 .454 .461 .450

60 151 168 211 243 257 249 428 325 318 311 148

.714 .770 .764 .787 .818 .793 .783 .820 .799 .857 .827 .783

160 428 375 421 458 396 349 411 347 338 357 265

37 101 125 217 232 241 202 223 216 217 216 182

260 761 878 1,171 1,435 1,499 1,473 2,070 1,577 1,594 1,553 1,140

4.6 10.7 11.9 15.0 18.4 19.7 19.4 25.9 23.2 22.1 21.3 16.3

Totals

871

6,271

.454

2,869

.803

4,305

2,209

15,411

17.7


the league’s best, because by then, the Celtics had already won the championship. The Emerging Champion Sam’s view of those early Celtics championship teams was from the bench. When he joined the team in the fall of 1957, he found that two of the game’s all-time greats, Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, were solidly entrenched in the guard positions. However, Sam never complained and made the most of the playing time he did get. He remained a valuable reserve for the first few seasons and showed that he was a reliable scorer. Sharman retired in 1961, Cousy, two years later. Gradually, Sam moved into a starting spot and was the leading scorer on several of the Celtics’ eight straight championship teams. In those earlier days, before he had established himself as a great scorer, Sam was primarily known for his speed. When other teams had to rest starters for a few minutes during a game, Auerbach would bring in Sam and teammate K. C. Jones (no relation), who would continue to run the Celtics’ fast-break attack. The two complemented each other well. K. C. Jones was not a strong offensive player, but Sam was. On defense, K. C. was better, but gambled more for steals. Sam, on the other hand, was known for his solid defensive effort. On offense, Sam was responsible for one of the game’s revolutions. He was the first player to use the bank shot—shooting the ball off the backboard and through the hoop—on longer shots. Until his time, players banked in layups but not jump shots.

With the centers and forwards in the league getting bigger every year, Sam found that he could angle the ball off the board so it could not be blocked by bigger men, and found he could do so without losing any accuracy. Within a few years, other players used the bank shot routinely during games. Continuing the Story Once Sam became a Celtics regular, he proved that he belonged in the lineup. He averaged at least 18 points per game for seven straight seasons and played on ten championship teams. He was frequently the player on whom the Celtics relied when an important late-game basket was needed. He won a key game of the 1969 championship series with a last-second shot, and the aging Celtics went on to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games for the team’s last title of the Bill Russell-Sam Jones era. In 1970, in recognition of his scoring abilities and his other talents, the NBA named Sam to its 25th Anniversary Team, and, in 1984, Sam joined several of his former teammates in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1962, he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame. Once he was finished playing, Sam decided to give something back to athletics. He became the director of physical education and recreation for the Washington, D.C., public school system. In that position, he encouraged students to participate in athletics, to remain in school, and to stay away from the perils of drug use. He also worked as the athletic director and coach at Federal City College in 201

Sam Jones

Great Athletes

Washington, D.C., which later became Honors and Awards the University of the District of Columbia. Later, he coached at North Carolina 1962 Inducted into NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame Central, his alma mater, and then served 1962, 1964-66, 1968 NBA All-Star Team 1965-67 All-NBA Team as an assistant coach with the New Or1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All Time Team leans Jazz. 1984 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Sam was named to the NBA silver anUniform number 24 retired by Boston Celtics niversary all-time team in 1970. As part of 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, Sam was was named one of the fifty greatage and an 18.9 points-per-game average in the est NBA players of all time. He was the prototype playoffs. He was voted to the league’s all-star team big guard who could run the floor, rebound, and five times in his career. hit “clutch” shots. He had one of the most exploJohn McNamara sive first steps off of the dribble of anyone who ever played the game. Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe Additional Sources thought that Sam was probably the most underBjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Chamrated guard in the history of basketball’s hall of paign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. fame. Johnson, Dick, and Robert Hamilton Johnson. The Celtics in Black and White. Charleston, S.C.: ArcaSummary dia, 2006. Throughout his career, Sam Jones showed the Whalen, Thomas J. Dynasty’s End: Bill Russell and the value of hustle and ingenuity. Once he became a 1968-69 World Champion Boston Celtics. Boston: regular, he devised his patented bank shot in order Northeastern University Press, 2004. to score under heavy defensive pressure. He finished his career with a 17.7 points-per-game aver-

202

Michael Jordan Born: February 17, 1963 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Michael Jeffrey Jordan (full name); Air Jordan; His Airness; Rabbit Early Life Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. As a child, Michael was taught by his parents, James and Delores Jordan, to work with determination and always to focus on doing his best at whatever he attempted. Michael’s parents were not athletic, but they encouraged their five children to excel in sports if they chose to participate. Back then, Michael’s older brother, Larry, was considered the athlete of the family. Michael and Larry played basketball against each other, and when Michael was thirteen, his father put in a backyard court. At that time, Michael was still shorter than Larry, but he made up for his lack of height by hustling. The Road to Excellence Michael went to Laney High School in Wilmington. He tried out for the varsity basketball team as a freshman, but he was considered too small. He worked hard and was included on the team his sophomore year, but he was cut before the season began. Michael also participated in football, baseball, and track. He considered giving up on basketball to concentrate on baseball, but he had a growth spurt before his junior year and stood at 6 feet 3 inches. Michael decided to stick with basketball because of his added height, broad shoulders, and amazing jumping ability. He not only made the varsity squad in his junior year but also impressed his coach, Clifton Herring, enough for him to persuade a prestigious basketball camp to allow Michael to attend. The Five Star Basketball Camp in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was run by Howie Garfinkel and had become known as the summer camp where prospects for major colleges were groomed. The camp bolstered Michael’s confidence. He accepted a basket-

Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan, who ruled the NBA during the 1990’s, leading his team to six championships in eight seasons. (Courtesy of Chicago Bulls)

203

Great Athletes

Michael Jordan


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 2001-02 2002-03

82 18 82 82 81 82 82 80 78 17 82 82 82 60 82

837 150 1,098 1,069 966 1,034 990 943 992 166 916 920 881 551 679

.515 .457 .482 .535 .538 .526 .539 .519 .495 .411 .495 .486 .465 .416 .445

630 105 833 723 674 593 571 491 476 109 548 480 565 263 266

.845 .840 .857 .841 .850 .848 .851 .832 .837 .801 .834 .833 .784 .790 .821

534 64 430 449 652 565 492 511 522 117 543 482 475 339 497

481 53 377 485 650 519 453 489 428 90 352 352 283 310 311

2,313 408 3,041 2,868 2,633 2,753 2,580 2,404 2,541 457 2,491 2,431 2,357 1,375 1,640

28.2 22.7 37.1 35.0 32.5 33.6 31.5 30.1 32.6 26.9 30.4 29.6 28.7 22.9 20.0

Totals

1,072

12,192

.497

7,327

.835

6,972

5,633

32,292

30.1


ball scholarship to the University of North Carolina before he began his senior year. With the help of Coach Herring, Michael intensified his training program to be ready for college competition. Michael went to North Carolina in 1981. He had grown to 6 feet 6 inches and had left Laney High School as an all-American. The North Carolina coach, Dean Smith, was known as a teaching coach who stressed basketball fundamentals and a team concept that encouraged each player to sacrifice for the greater good. Michael was in the starting lineup his freshman year. He did not have great statistics, but he could be counted on if a game got tight. Michael’s most impressive moment of the year was a jump shot that he made in the National

NBA Records Highest career scoring average, 30.12 Highest career scoring average in the playoffs, 33.4 Highest scoring average in NBA Finals, 41.0 Most NBA Scoring Titles, 10 (1987-93, 1996-98) Most Consecutive NBA Scoring Titles, 7 (1987-93) Most points in a playoff game, 63 Most Finals most valuable player, 6 (1991-93, 1996-98) Most points, playoffs, career (5,987) Most field goals attempted, playoffs (4,497) Most free throws made, playoffs (1,463) Most consecutive games with 10 or more points, 866

204

Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship game against Georgetown University. The North Carolina Tar Heels won the game by one point and gave Coach Smith the first NCAA title in his illustrious twenty-four-year career. Michael was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the year. The Emerging Champion Although the Tar Heels did not win another NCAA Championship during Michael’s years with the team, Michael emerged as the premier college player in the country. He was named an all-American for his sophomore year, and The Sporting News selected him as college player of the year in the spring of 1983. Fans and experts marveled at Michael’s apparent ability to fly through air. His acrobatic dunks and improved defensive play made his star quality shine in the eyes of professional scouts. In 1983, Michael helped the U.S. team win the gold medal at the Pan-American Games. The Tar Heels won the ACC title during the 1983-1984 season, and The Sporting News selected Michael as the player of the year again. Michael then starred on the U.S. team that took the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Michael left college as one of the most soughtafter players by the NBA. The Chicago Bulls chose Michael with the third pick in the draft and offered him a multiyear contract. Much was expected of

Basketball Michael in his rookie year; the Chicago Bulls had not been in the playoffs since 1982. Michael did not disappoint his new team or fans. He was an immediate success. He was chosen as NBA rookie of the year and was selected as a starter in the all-star game. However, Michael was more than merely an emerging great player. He was a hard worker and a fierce competitor.

Michael Jordan time in history that the season’s scoring champion was also a member of the overall league champion in the same year. Led by the phenomenal Michael, the Bulls won the NBA title again in 1992 and 1993. In 1992, Michael played on the U.S. Olympic Dream Team and won a gold medal in Barcelona, Spain. Distraught over the murder of his father, James, and tired of the unceasing media intrusion into his private life, Michael retired from the NBA in 1994. On November 1, his number 23 Bulls jersey was retired at the Chicago United Center. Feeling that there were no more challenges re-

Continuing the Story The 1985-1986 season was tough for Michael. Because of a broken bone in his foot, he was forced to miss all but eighteen games in the regular season. The Bulls made the playoffs, however, and Michael returned deterHonors and Awards mined to make an impact. Against the Boston Celtics in the first round, he 1981 ACC Rookie of the Year averaged 43.7 points a game in the 1982 NCAA All-Tournament Team three-game series and set a playoff 1983 Gold medal, U.S. Pan-American Games record by scoring 63 points in a single 1983-84 Sporting News College Player of the Year game. Consensus All-American In the next season, Michael became 1984 Rupp Trophy only the second player, after legendUnited Press International Division I Player of the Year ary center Wilt Chamberlain, to score U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of 3,000 points in a season. Even though the Year he was pleased with his individual recEastman Award ords, he desired the Bulls to be a Naismith College Player of the Year Award better team. He was willing to change John R. Wooden Player of the Year Award his role as the team’s and the league’s 1984, 1992 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball leading scorer to make the team 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year stronger. NBA All-Rookie Team During the 1987-1988 season, the All-NBA Second Team Chicago Bulls won fifty games for the 1985-93, 1996-98, 2002-03 NBA All-Star Team first time in fourteen years. The Bulls 1985, 1989 Schick Pivotal Player Award had become a more complete team 1985, 1987-91 All-NBA Team but lost to the Detroit Pistons in the 1985, 1987 Seagram’s Seven Crowns of Sports Award playoffs. Michael was showered with 1987-93, 1996-98 All-NBA First Team a number of honors, including the 1988 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player NBA’s most valuable player (MVP) NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA defensive player of the year 1988, 1991 Sporting News Player of the Year awards. He had become an all-around 1988, 1991-92, 1996, 1998 NBA most valuable player player. He was the first player to win 1988-91 NBA All-Defensive Team both the scoring title and the defen1988-93, 1996-98 All-Defensive First Team sive award in the same season. In 1991, 1988, 1996, 1998 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player the Bulls finally captured an NBA ti1994, 1999 Uniform number 23 retired by Chicago Bulls tle, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team in five games in the NBA Finals. Mi1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time chael had previously won his fifth con2009 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame secutive scoring championship. The Bulls’ finals victory was only the third

205

Michael Jordan maining for him in basketball, Michael decided to pursue a career in baseball, the game he first loved as a boy. Signed by the Chicago White Sox, Michael was sent to the minor leagues to gain experience. After hitting only .202 with the Birmingham Barons in 1994, he returned to the Bulls in March, 1995. Though not in top basketball condition, he helped the Bulls to a 13-4 record in the last seventeen games of the season. The Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic in the playoffs, however. Back in form for the 1995-1996 campaign, Michael led the Bulls to a record seventy-two regularseason wins and another NBA Championship. He won his fourth NBA MVP award. In 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1997 and 1998, Michael again led the Bulls to the NBA Championship. After the 1998 season, he retired from the NBA. He earned the NBA Finals MVP award each of the six years in which the Bulls won the championship. He later became partowner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards. In 2001, he returned to the court as a player for the Wizards. He played through the 2003 season before retiring again. At times during that season, he was frustrated by what he considered the lack of motivation of his fellow teammates. Although he continued to be popular with the fans all around the league, he felt he needed to move onto other challenges. Michael was a special kind of player. Throughout his career, he remained charming and open. He was a natural spokesperson and promoted Nike’s successful line of shoes known as “Air Jordan.” He met Juanita Vanoy in 1985, and they were married in September, 1989. They had three children. Michael and Juanita got divorced in 2006. Michael continued to earn many millions of dollars from his endorsements. In 2006, he became a managing member of basketball operations and partowner of the Charlotte Bobcats. A five-time NBA MVP, Michael made the allNBA first team ten times and the NBA all-defensive first team nine times. He played in fourteen NBA

206

Great Athletes all-star games, winning the game’s MVP award three times, and was voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the moment he became eligible in 2009. He ended his career with 32,292 points; only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone scored more points over the course of a career. Michael’s jersey was retired for the second time on January 13, 1999. Summary Michael Jordan was one of the great basketball players of all time. The majority of basketball experts agree that he was the greatest player who ever lived. His fans treated him as if he were a movie or rock star, yet Michael remained as friendly and levelheaded as he was when he first stepped on the court at the University of North Carolina. As a team player, he brought out the best in his teammates and raised the Chicago Bulls to the top of the NBA. He endeared himself to basketball fans all over the world with his unassuming nature and his remarkable skills as a player. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Barkley, Charles, Julius Erving, and Jerry West. The Definitive Word on Michael Jordan. Dallas, Tex.: Beckett, 1998. Condor, Bob. Michael Jordan’s Fifty Greatest Games. New York: Carol, 1998. Jordan, Michael, with Mark Vancil. Driven from Within. New York: Atria Books, 2005. Krugel, Mitchell. Jordan: The Man, His Words, His Life. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1998. Ladewski, Paul, et al. Memories of Mike. Dallas: Beckett, 1999. Leahy, Michael. When Nothing Else Matters: Michael Jordan’s Last Comeback. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2004. Lowe, Janet. Michael Jordan Speaks: Lessons from the World’s Greatest Champion. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1999. McCormick, Lisa Wade. Michael Jordan. New York: Children’s Press, 2007.

Jason Kidd Born: March 23, 1973 San Francisco, California Also known as: Jason Frederick Kidd (full name) Early Life Jason Frederick Kidd was born in San Francisco, California, but grew up across San Francisco Bay in Oakland, which he always considered his hometown. He was reared in a close family in a pleasant middle-class neighborhood in the Oakland Hills. His parents, Steve and Anne Kidd, taught him and his younger sisters to treat others the way they wished to be treated. With an African American father and a Caucasian mother, Jason considered himself fortunate to be a member of a multicultural family. He enjoyed competing in many sports, especially soccer, baseball, and basketball, all of which he played in high school. He often competed against much older boys and was talented enough to beat them. He knew he would get better only by playing with the best. By the time he reached junior high school, he was becoming widely known for his basketball skills.

The Road to Excellence At nearby Alameda’s Saint Joseph of Notre Dame High School, Jason was a sensation on the basketball court. During his first season, he became a star at the point-guard position by relying on speed, quickness, concentration, and his ability to think quickly. His tenacious defensive play was also outstanding. He eventually led his school to two California state championships and was named state player of the year two years in a row. His statistics were amazing: During his senior year, he averaged 25 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 7 steals a game. A master of the “no-look” pass, he often electrified crowds. Local interest in watching him play was so great that his team played some of its home games in the huge Oakland Coliseum Arena. When Jason was fifteen, the father of Gary Payton noticed that Jason was something special. He encouraged his son to take a personal interest in Jason. Five years older than Jason and then playing at Oregon State University, Payton became Jason’s mentor and frequent one-on-one opponent during summers and vacations. He and his father thought that Jason needed to be toughened. Gary grew up in a poor part of Oakland where some of the most competitive basketball was found. Working with Gary proved a bittersweet experience for Jason. Then, as later, Gary was tough and unrelenting in their match-ups, but Jason appreciated his tutoring, and the two young men developed a lasting friendship.

New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd moving around a screen in a 2007 game against the New Orleans Hornets. (Ray Stubblebine/Reuters/Landov)

The Emerging Champion Jason traveled a short distance to college by entering the University of California at Berkeley (Cal). During his freshman year he was again a sensation, thrilling big crowds with his precise execution as a point guard. His no-look passing was especially 207

Great Athletes

Jason Kidd stunning. During his first season, he led the school’s Golden Bears to a 21-9 record and a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament, where the team advanced to the third round by upsetting Duke University, the two-time defending national champions. In only two seasons at Cal, Jason set school records for steals and assists. During his sophomore year he led the nation in assists, with 9.1 per game, and averaged 16.7 points and 7 rebounds. He made first-team all-American and received many other honors. Continuing the Story After finishing his sophomore season at Cal, Jason decided to join the NBA. In the first round of the 1994 draft, he was selected second, by the Dallas Mavericks. He took charge of the team in his first season. His leadership, decision-making, passing, and intensity earned him co-rookie of the year honors; he shared the award with Detroit’s Grant Hill. Jason played for Dallas a little more than two seasons, distinguishing himself as an excellent point guard. Before Jason arrived, the Mavericks had been a poor team. Even with Jason, Dallas struggled, and there were problems with team chemistry and differing attitudes among the team’s top players. Finally, Jason requested that he or a teammate be traded. In December of 1996, he was sent to the Phoenix Suns.

Much happier with the Suns, Jason continued to excel and improve. During his first four full seasons with the Suns, Jason made his teammates better. He made the NBA all-star team and led the league in assists each year. By 2001, he ranked as the leader among the league’s active players in career tripledoubles, double figures in three statistical categories in one game. Under Jason’s leadership, the Suns made the playoffs every season. His one weakness was his outside-shooting percentage. However, after several years of intense work, he developed a good jump shot and became a three-point threat. At the end of the 2000-2001 season, Jason was traded from the Suns to the New Jersey Nets. Greg Donaldsen, a New York magazine writer, had described the Nets as a “moribund franchise sunk in a polluted marshland.” All this changed during Jason’s first season as the Nets’ point guard. Jason’s outstanding play, leadership, and mastery of the point-guard position turned around the franchise. The Nets had a record of 26-56 in the season preceding Jason’s arrival. In Jason’s first season with the team, the Nets finished 52-30. He played in all eighty-two games and averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 9.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He was so good at distributing the ball that nine different teammates had games in which they led the team in scoring. Moreover, the Nets made the playoffs and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Meanwhile, Jason finished second to the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan for the


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

79 81 55 82 50 67 77 82 80 67 66 80 80 80

857 1,293 529 859 698 855 1,097 1,138 1,244 959 855 905 908 793

330 493 213 357 310 350 451 445 515 368 340 366 369 305

.385 .381 .403 .416 .444 .409 .411 .391 .414 .384 .398 .404 .406 .385

275 331 165 209 239 245 403 247 403 249 192 244 230 165

192 229 112 167 181 203 328 117 126 94 129 139 124 135

.698 .692 .679 .799 .757 .829 .814 .814 .841 .827 .740 .795 .778 .818

430 553 249 510 339 483 494 595 504 428 488 580 655 600

607 783 496 745 539 678 753 808 711 618 545 672 736 806

922 1,348 599 954 846 959 1,299 1,208 1,495 1,036 951 1,065 1,041 864

11.7 16.6 10.9 11.6 16.9 14.3 16.9 14.7 18.7 15.5 14.4 13.3 13.0 10.8

Totals

1,026

12,986

5,212

.401

3,595

2,808

.781

6,908

9,497

14,587

14.2


208

Basketball

Jason Kidd

league’s most valuable player award. Honors, Awards, and Milestones Many observers felt that Jason deserved the award because of his con1995 NBA Co-Rookie of the Year (with Grant Hill) tributions to the Nets’ historic turnNBA All-Rookie First Team, unanimous selection around. Schick NBA Rookie of the Month (March) Jason led the Nets to the playoffs 1996 Set Mavericks single-game franchise record of 25 assists in each of the following five seasons, including a second trip to the NBA Set Mavericks single-season franchise record of 783 assists Finals. In 2006-2007, both Jason and 1996, 1998, 2000-04, 2007-08 NBA All-Star Team teammate Vince Carter had triple1998 NBA Player of the Week ending March 15, April 19 doubles in the same game to become the first pair of teammates to accom1998, 2000 NBA All-Star Game plish that feat since the Chicago Bulls’ 1998-2000 Led league in assists per game Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen 1999, 2000-02, 2004 All-NBA First Team in 1989. During that same season, Ja1999, 2001-02, 2006 NBA All-Defensive First Team son broke former Celtics star Larry 1999-2001, 2003-04 NBA regular-season assists per game leader Bird’s record by compiling his elev1999, 2001, 2003 NBA regular-season total assists leader enth postseason triple-double. 2000, 2008 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball In Februar y, 2008, Jason was 2000, 2003-05, 2007 NBA All-Defensive Second Team traded to the Mavericks. Toward the 2002 NBA regular-season total steals leader (175) end of the season, he recorded his one 2003 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge champion hundredth career triple-double—a All-NBA Second Team mark that placed him third in that category behind Oscar Robertson and Johnson. The Mavericks lost in the thirty-five, his speed, focus, and intensity remained first round of the playoffs. Nevertheless, Jason had strong. His ability to make those around him better one of his best seasons. He made the all-star team players was perhaps his strongest asset. for the ninth time and was selected for the U.S. C. Mervyn Rasmussen men’s Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in Beijing, China. Previously, he had won a Additional Sources gold medal as a member of the 2000 Olympic team. Donaldsen, Greg. “Comeback Kidd.” New York, JanJason and his wife Joumana were active in civic uary 28, 2002. and charitable affairs in the cities in which he Moore, David. The Jason Kidd Story. New York: Schoplayed, donating money to churches to build baslastic, 1997. ketball courts. They also bought large blocks of Rappoport, Ken. Jason Kidd: Leader on the Court. tickets for underprivileged children to attend NBA Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2004. games, and Jason founded his own charitable founStewart, Mark, and Mike Kennedy. Kidd Rocks: dation and set up scholarship funds. Rolling with Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2002. Summary Torres, John A. Jason Kidd. Springfield, N.J.: Jason Kidd was perhaps the best “pure” point guard Enslow, 1998. in NBA history. Even after he reached the age of

209

Toni Kukoc Born: September 18, 1968 Split, Yugoslavia (now in Croatia) Also known as: Euro-Magic; the Waiter Early Life Toni Kukoc was born to Ante, an engineer, and Radojka, a homemaker, in the Adriatic city of Split, then part of Yugoslavia, on September 18, 1968. Toni did not excel in school, but from an early age, he demonstrated the agility and coordination that later made him an outstanding athlete. Like most Eastern European children, Toni’s primary sport was soccer, for which he demonstrated both affinity and ability. The gangly boy’s

first of many nicknames was “Feet.” His long reach also helped make him an outstanding table-tennis player. By Toni’s fourteenth birthday, many scouts and coaches from several sports had taken a strong interest in him and his athletic future. The Road to Excellence Toni went through a major growth spurt when he was fourteen, growing 8 inches in a single year. Not unexpectedly, basketball recruiters from around the soon-to-be-fractured nation flocked to Split to watch him play. His size, speed, and talent created incredible problems for opposing coaches, who could find no one on their teams to stop Toni. He was generally far too fast for a center or other forwards to defend, and he could easily post up and outmuscle any guard who tried to stop him. On offense, he possessed an accurate shot from the outside, forcing defenders to play on the perimeter. When they did that, however, Toni drove past them to the basket. Some scouts questioned his mental toughness on defense. However, his physical traits and skills—particularly dribbling, shooting, and passing—made him an outstanding prospect. By the age of sixteen, he was playing with the Yugoslav junior national team and building an international reputation. The whole country took pride in the accomplishments of the team, which was composed of a mixture of Croats, Serbs, and ethnic Albanians. For four consecutive years, the Yugoslavians never lost in international competition, and Toni, as a result of his prodigious talent and gregarious personality, was not only the most dominating player but also the glue that held the team together.

Toni Kukoc of the Milwaukee Bucks taking a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2003. (Allen Fredrickson/Reuters/Landov)

210

The Emerging Champion At the 1987 junior World Championship, NBA scouts were present and many were amazed at Toni’s poise and play. The NBA scouts became even more impressed when

Basketball

Toni Kukoc

the Yugoslav team twice defeated a squad Honors and Awards composed of the best young players in the United States, including future NBA all1990 FIBA World Championship most valuable player 1990-91, 1993 Euroleague Final Four most valuable player stars Gary Payton and Larry Johnson. Toni 1990-91, 1994, 1996, 1998 Euroscar Player of the Year demonstrated his ability to play under pres1990-92, 1996 Mister Europa Player of the Year sure by scoring eleven three-pointers in one 1991 European Championship most valuable player 1996 NBA Sixth Man Award game against the U.S. team, despite a variety of defenses designed to stop him. Yugoslavia featured a league of profesAdriatic to Treviso, Italy. He then started playing sional teams, which were renowned for their comfor a team sponsored by the clothes-manufacturing paratively high salaries and fringe benefits. Playing corporation, Benetton. Meanwhile, Krause continon one of these teams was considered a personal ued to eagerly and openly pursue him, which did honor. Toni was recruited to play for Jugoplastika not sit well with the Bulls’ two best players, Michael Split and quickly excelled. He led the local team to Jordan and Scottie Pippen, both apparently inthe league championship for three consecutive sulted by the attention paid and huge money ofyears, each time earning the coveted player of the fered to Toni. After playing in the 1992 Olympics, year award. Just as Toni’s personal success was Toni bought out his contract with Benetton and fireaching epic status, an overarching tragedy befell nally signed with the Bulls in July, 1993. him and his fellow Yugoslavs: The nation fell into a Jordan abruptly retired shortly after Toni joined horrible civil war. the team, a fact that substantially increased Toni’s playing time during the 1993-1994 season. Toni reContinuing the Story sponded well, averaging 11.9 points per game, and The Chicago Bulls’ general manager Jerry Krause was named to the all-rookie second team. In the had scouted Toni extensively against all levels of next year, Toni started half of the games, played competition and was very impressed with the well, and won the respect of his team. player and confident of his ability to play in the In 1995, Jordan came out of retirement, and the NBA. Accordingly, Krause made him the twentyBulls acquired Dennis Rodman, which pushed ninth pick in the 1990 draft. However, Toni was Toni back to reserve status but produced three concerned about his family’s safety and chose to consecutive NBA Championships for the team. stay in Croatia for another year. Toni obligingly accepted his lessened role and was In early 1992, Toni finally succeeded in getting respected as the best sixth man in the league. In his fiancé, Renata, and his family safely across the


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

75 81 81 57 74 44 56 65 59 63 73 53 65

726 967 787 605 841 750 728 582 504 577 506 256 298

313 487 386 285 383 315 297 275 211 249 211 105 116

.431 .504 .490 .471 .455 .420 .408 .473 .419 .432 .417 .410 .389

210 314 267 174 219 215 265 160 153 194 199 61 56

156 235 206 134 155 159 192 101 109 137 145 44 40

.743 .748 .772 .770 .708 .740 .725 .631 .712 .706 .729 .721 .714

297 440 323 261 327 310 273 259 218 266 271 160 150

252 372 287 256 314 235 265 199 210 230 200 160 139

814 1,271 1,065 754 984 828 830 721 584 730 616 296 317

10.9 15.7 13.1 13.2 13.3 18.8 14.8 12.9 9.9 11.6 8.4 5.6 4.9

Totals

846

8,127

3,633

.447

2,487

1,813

.729

3,555

3,119

9,810

11.6


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Toni Kukoc 1998, Jordan retired again, and other key players, such as Pippen, were traded. Toni became the team leader, but the Bulls plummeted in the standings. The Bulls’ management decided to go with a youth movement, making the older and more expensive Toni expendable. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in February, 1999. The following season he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Toni then spent four years with the Milwaukee Bucks, for whom he became a popular player off of the bench. After the 2006 season, Toni retired. He had gotten offers to play from other teams, but he only wanted to play for the Bulls or the Bucks because he did not want to be far from his family in Illinois. Summary Quiet and not flashy, Toni Kukoc was not a typical NBA player. His combination of talent, adaptabil-

212

Great Athletes ity, and determination, however, helped him prove that he belonged among the best players in the world. He excelled in three different leagues, won two Olympic medals, played on three NBA Championship teams, and won numerous individual awards. Overcoming personal challenges and a national tragedy, Toni clearly proved himself in the world of basketball. Thomas W. Buchanan, updated by Julie Elliott Additional Sources Jordan, Michael. For the Love of the Game. New York: Crown, 1998. Levine, David. The Chicago Bulls: The Best Ever. New York: Time, 1997. Wennington, Bill, and Kent McDill. Bill Wennington’s Tales from the Bulls Hardwood. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2004.

Bob Kurland Born: December 23, 1924 St. Louis, Missouri Also known as: Robert Albert Kurland (full name) Early Life Robert Albert Kurland was born on December 23, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri. Bob grew up in a middle-class neighborhood but he did not enjoy a typical childhood with his playmates. By age seven, Bob began a period of rapid growth that left him tall and uncoordinated. By age thirteen, Bob was 6 feet 6 inches tall. Despite coordination problems, Bob enjoyed sports, especially basketball. His parents did not allow him to participate in organized sports until high school for fear his size and uncertain mobility would injure other boys. Consequently, the young redhead’s sporting ventures included fishing along the banks of the Mississippi River and hunting and tramping through the countryside. Occasionally, Bob would shoot baskets with his father, but that was the extent of his basketball experience as a youth. The Road to Excellence Bob played on his first organized team as a sophomore at Jennings High School in metropolitan St. Louis. He was 6 feet 7 inches tall, and his high school coach, Walter Rubon, worked with him on his coordination and basketball skills. Bob’s skills improved and he continued to grow, reaching a height of 6 feet 10 inches as a senior. To improve Bob’s jumping skills for rebounding, Coach Rubon encouraged him to go out for the school’s track and field team as a high jumper. Bob took the advice and worked hard on high jumping and basketball. As a result, Bob led his high school basketball team to two state tournament finals as a junior and a senior and won the state Class B high jump championship as a senior in 1942. Bob’s basketball skills improved significantly during his senior year, and his coach recognized his potential to be a great college player. Coach

Rubon had played college basketball at Oklahoma A&M University (now Oklahoma State University) for basketball legend Henry Iba, and he persuaded his old coach to take Bob under his tutelage. Following graduation from high school in 1942, Bob considered military service in World War II, but his size exempted him from serving in the armed forces. In the fall of 1942, Bob enrolled at Oklahoma A&M, to Coach Iba’s delight. The Emerging Champion At Oklahoma, Coach Iba worked patiently with Bob to develop his game. Bob had been predominantly a defensive and rebounding specialist in high school, but Coach Iba felt that by developing a left-handed hook shot, Bob could become a real scoring threat as well. The first day of practice, Bob shot six hundred left-handed hook shots. None of the first two hundred found the basket. In fact, the first one hundred hit neither the rim nor the backboard. After a few weeks of practice, however, Bob began hitting the hook shot with some regularity. Coach Iba attributed Bob’s success to his perseverance and intelligence. An A student in the classroom, Bob applied the same intellect and dedication to basketball. In his first year, Bob played sparingly, averaging 2.5 points per game. In practice, he honed his rebounding and goaltending skills by batting the ball off the rim and away from the basket. By his sophomore year, Bob had grown to 7 feet and had become Oklahoma A&M’s starting center.

Honors and Awards 1944-46 Consensus All-American 1945-46 NCAA Tournament most outstanding player 1946 Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year 1948, 1952 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1948-53 National AAU All-American 1961 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

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Bob Kurland His goaltending techniques contributed to a National Collegiate Athletic Assocation (NCAA) rule change that prevented him from executing his patented defensive technique of batting the ball off the rim. The rule change forced Bob to develop more mobility and skill as an all-around player. In his second collegiate season, Bob averaged nearly 17 points per game and led his team to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) semifinals, where they lost to DePaul University and another 7-foot giant, George Mikan, 41-38. Bob played well against Mikan, outscoring him 14-9. The following season, 1945-1946, Bob led the A&M Aggies to the NCAA Championship, defeating New York University 49-45. Bob scored a then tournament record of 65 points in three games. In his senior year, 1946-1947, Bob set an NCAA record of 643 points. This total included a 58-point performance against St. Louis University in his final regular season game. The game was a warm-up, as Robert and the Aggies defended their NCAA Championship by beating North Carolina 43-40. Continuing the Story After graduating in 1947 with a degree in engineering, Bob rejected offers as high as $15,000 to play professional basketball in the new National Basketball League. Newly married to his college girlfriend, Barbara, Bob felt he needed a more stable future. Bob chose the unique executive training program for former athletes offered by Phillips Petroleum, a growing company in Bartlesville, Okla-

214

Great Athletes homa. The company sponsored the Phillips 66ers, a topnotch Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team. During six seasons with the 66ers, Bob averaged 12 points per game and led them to three AAU championships and an overall record of 369 wins and 26 losses. Bob’s choice to retain his amateur basketball status enabled him to become the first American to play on two Olympic basketball championship teams, in 1948 and 1952. At the end of the 1955 AAU basketball season, Bob retired from competition and assumed full time executive responsibilities with Phillips Petroleum Company. Bob went on to manage special product sales in the company’s marketing division. Summary After getting a late start in basketball, Bob Kurland successfully overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the game’s outstanding “Big Men.” Although he did not pursue a professional basketball career, Bob contributed to the game’s amateur development as an AAU star and a member of two U.S. Olympic teams. Jerry Jaye Wright Additional Sources Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002. Wallechinsky, David, and Jaime Loucky. The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2008 Edition. London: Aurum Press, 2008.

Bob Lanier Born: September 10, 1948 Buffalo, New York Also known as: Robert Jerry Lanier, Jr. (full name); the Dobber Early Life Robert Jerry Lanier, Jr., was born on September 10, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, to Robert Lanier, Sr., and Nanny Lanier. Oddly enough, the first break in Bob’s sports career came when he was cut from his junior-high school basketball team at the age of twelve. Laurie Alexander, the director of the Masten Boys Club on Buffalo’s East Side, took Bob aside and told him he had to work hard. Bob did so, and he soon led the Bennett High School team in every statistical category. Many thought him too heavy and slow to play college ball, but Bob proved them wrong. St. Bonaventure University, then a rising basketball power close to his Buffalo home, offered Bob a scholarship. The Road to Excellence In 1966, when Bob came to St. Bonaventure, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. On the freshman team, however, Bob averaged 30 points a game and gained control over his 6-foot 11-inch, 275pound body. Still, many said that it was only his height that enabled him to score and that he would not be able to compete as well in varsity play. When he took the court in November of 1967, Bob had a new nickname. He was no longer just “the big man” on his team; the fans began calling him “The Big Cat.” The name implied not only size but also quickness and agility. In his first month on the varsity team, Bob had 27 rebounds in one game, a record at St. Bonaventure. Bob’s team finished the regular season undefeated that year. The following season, he scored 51 points in a game against Seton Hall, another record at his alma mater. By

the time he was a college senior, it looked like nothing could stop Bob. Fate, however, took away Bob’s chance to play for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship. While leading St. Bonaventure to a win over Villanova for the NCAA’s Eastern Regional championship, Bob was injured. Villanova’s Chris Ford—who would later be Bob’s teammate as a professional—could not get around Bob’s big feet, and he tripped over them. Bob suffered torn ligaments and could not play in the

Bob Lanier of the Detroit Pistons taking a hook shot. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

215

Great Athletes

Bob Lanier


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84

82 80 81 81 76 64 64 63 53 63 67 74 39 72

504 834 810 748 731 541 678 622 489 466 376 407 163 392

.455 .493 .490 .504 .510 .532 .534 .537 .515 .537 .525 .558 .491 .572

273 388 307 326 361 284 260 298 275 277 208 182 91 194

.726 .768 .773 .797 .802 .768 .818 .772 .749 .782 .751 .752 .684 .708

665 1,132 1,205 1,074 914 746 745 715 494 552 413 388 200 455

146 248 260 343 350 217 214 216 140 184 179 219 105 186

1,281 2,056 1,927 1,822 1,823 1,366 1,616 1,542 1,253 1,210 961 996 417 978

15.6 25.7 23.8 22.5 24.0 21.3 25.3 24.5 23.6 19.2 14.3 13.5 10.7 13.6

Totals

959

7,761

.514

3,724

.767

9,698

3,007

19,248

20.0


semifinals. However, professional scouts knew that, even without the championship, Bob was the best player of his graduating class, and he was the first player selected in the 1970 NBA draft. The Emerging Champion Drafted by the Detroit Pistons, Bob once again faced the struggle of a higher level of competition. Playing all eighty-two games of his first pro season, Bob did not score as much as he had in college, but the league recognized his talents by naming him to the NBA all-rookie team for 1971. Under the guidance of Bill Russell, one of the great centers of the 1960’s, Bob proved he was NBA material. By his second season, he was leading the Pistons in scoring, and he finished the year as the eighth-highest scorer in the NBA. Throughout the 1970’s, Bob remained a top-ten player in many categories, including scoring, shooting percentage, rebounds, and blocked shots.

As Bob improved, so did his team. In 1974, Detroit made the playoffs for the first time in six years. The same year, Bob was named most valuable player in the NBA all-star game; in another game that season, he scored a career-high 45 points. Bob would be in the playoffs each year for the rest of his career, but, as in college, he was not destined to win a championship.

Continuing the Story In the 1979 all-star game, Bob turned in an inspired performance, not knowing that it was his last all-star appearance as a Detroit Piston. Thirteen years later, Bob recalled the standing ovation he received at that game as one of the high points of his career. Near the end of the 1979-1980 season, the Pistons traded Bob to the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee’s previous center, Kent Benson, could score from near the basket, but he was not as versatile as Bob. What made Bob valuable, even as a veteran of nine seasons, was his ability to score from outside the key, the rectanHonors and Awards gle-and-semicircle painted on the floor 1968-70 College All-American near the basket. Bob was one of the first 1971 NBA All-Rookie Team big men who could score from well out1972-75, 1977-79, 1982 NBA All-Star Team side the key. 1974 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player Though Bob began playing fewer min1978 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award utes per game, his shooting percentage 1981 YMCA Jackie Robinson Award remained high, and Milwaukee coach 1992 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1993 Uniform number 16 retired by Detroit Pistons Don Nelson knew that he could count on Bob to score. In his final season, Bob

216

Basketball played almost twice as many playoff games—sixteen—as he had in any previous season, scoring 203 playoff points. Bob was also an NBA leader off the court. Active in the NBA Players Association, Bob served as the organization’s president at the crucial time when the American Basketball Association (ABA) merged with the NBA. Bob also helped his community, using his own success story to inspire young people to stay in school. Sportswriters recognized Bob’s efforts by giving him the 1978 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award; in 1981, the YMCA presented him with the Jackie Robinson Award for service to youth. When Bob retired from basketball in 1984, he continued serving his community and devoted himself to his business, Bob Lanier Enterprises. In the 1990’s, Bob headed the NBA’s Stay in School program, encouraging young people to keep trying, as he did in his own career. On May 11, 1992, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. During his tenure as the chairperson of the Stay in School program, Bob also worked as a commentary analyst for national radio broadcasts of NBA games. After the 1993-1994 season, Bob left the Stay in School program to become an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. In 1993, his number 16 jersey was retired by the Detroit Pistons. Midway through the 1994-1995 campaign, Bob be-

Bob Lanier came the interim head coach of the Warriors and posted a 12-25 record over the last thirty-seven games of the season. Bob then returned to his role as an assistant coach with the Warriors. In 1996, Bob was appointed the first TeamUp chairperson. This program was established by the NBA to help young people develop a positive selfimage and reach their full potential. One of the community projects targeted by the program was to increase reading and literacy among young people. To encourage more reading, Bob and other NBA players spent time reading books to schoolchildren during NBA Reading Month. Summary Bob Lanier became one of the premier big men of professional basketball in his fourteen-year NBA career. His unstoppable left-handed hook, his speed, and his sure shooting combined to make him a legendary center. John R. Holmes Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

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Joe Lapchick Born: April 12, 1900 Yonkers, New York Died: August 10, 1970 New York, New York Also known as: Joseph Bohomiel Lapchick (full name) Early Life Joseph Bohomiel Lapchick was born on April 12, 1900, in Yonkers, New York, to Joseph and Frances (Kassick) Lapchick, who were both immigrants. Joe’s father was a police officer, and life for immigrant families during this time was often difficult. At the age of twelve, Joe began to play basketball for the Trinity City Midgets. At the age of fifteen, he dropped out of high school to earn money for his family, working as an apprentice machinist for fifteen dollars per week. During this time, he also began his professional career with the Yonkers Bantams, earning five dollars a game. The Road to Excellence By 1917, Joe had grown to be 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds. With his height and speed, he was already considered a fine player at the age of seventeen. He left the Bantams to play for a New York professional team known as the Whirlwinds, one of the many professional teams in New York. Joe was one of the first big men to play basketball. He was agile for a center and played for several teams from 1917 to 1919, in the Western Massachusetts League and the Metropolitan League. His earnings increased as well; he initially earned up to ten dollars per game and eventually commanded seventy-five dollars per game. In 1919, Joe played for Troy of the New York State League, and he remained with this semiprofessional team through the 1923 season. The Emerging Champion In 1923, Joe joined the New York Celtics, the best professional team in New York, and began his professional basketball career in earnest. He teamed with George “Horse” Haggarty, Pete Barry, Davey Banks, Nat Holman, Dutch Dehnert, and Johnny 218

Beckman. Because of his height, Joe immediately became a star. Big men such as Joe are not considered unusual today, but in the early days of professional basketball, few players were as tall as Joe. He soon became the first effective pivotman to play the game and was the most feared player on the court during the 1920’s and 1930’s. During the first two seasons, the Celtics played as an independent team. In 1926, they joined the old American Basketball League—a forerunner of the National Basketball Association—which they dominated for the first two years. In the 1927-1928 season, they finished with a record of 80 wins and 20 losses. With Joe as center, the Celtics never lost a series. The Celtics were the best and most innovative of the early professional teams. The team revolutionized basketball with a switching defense, a “give and go” offense, and the inclusion of the pivotman. Joe’s height and jumping ability made the Celtics exceptionally successful. The rules at that time required that a jump ball occur after each basket. Joe’s talent enabled the Celtics to control the ball more than their opponents and, consequently, they scored more. The American Basketball League dissolved the Celtics because of their dominance; they were far better than other professional teams. Joe and three of his teammates joined the Cleveland Rosenblums, who won two titles in the 1928-1929 and 1929-1930 seasons and established an impressive 72-33 won-lost record. The Rosenblums team was dissolved during the 1930-1931 season because of the Depression. Joe consequently became a free agent with a Toledo team, which ended during the same year be-

Honors and Awards 1966 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1971 St. John’s University of New York established the Joe Lapchick Award, presented annually to the nation’s best senior college basketball player (Accurate statistics are not available for Lapchick’s playing career.)

Basketball cause the American Basketball League folded. For the next six years, he continued his professional career, touring on the exhibition circuit with Kate Smith’s Celtics. He retired as a player in 1937. Continuing the Story During the nineteen years of his playing career, Joe was considered the best center in basketball. After his career ended, big men took over basketball as the popularity of both the professional and intercollegiate game increased. After his retirement, Joe was named head basketball coach at St. John’s University, even though he had no formal high school or college education. During the years from 1937 to 1947, he coached the Redmen of St. John’s to 181 victories and two National Invitational Tournament (NIT) Championships in 1943 and 1944. In 1948, he was lured away from St. John’s to coach the professional New York Knicks. During the following nine seasons, he developed the team into national contenders. He led the Knicks to a 326-247 record and three straight NBA Finals in 1951, 1952, and 1953, losing all three playoff series. Joe was an emotional coach, and the stress of losing three NBA titles in a row was difficult for him. He was forced to quit the Knicks, retiring from coaching in 1956. One month after his retirement, he returned to St. John’s, where he had four twenty-victory seasons, and produced two more NIT Championship teams in 1959 and 1965. In 1965, his last year as a coach, Joe had several heart attacks and retired after winning a fourth NIT Championship, a record that long remained unbroken. Joe is regarded as the first big coordinated man in basketball. He could jump and shoot and was unusually good at playing defense. He joined the New

Joe Lapchick York Celtics during the 1920’s, considered by many as the “golden age” of sport. The Celtics dominated professional basketball and revolutionized the game, adding changes in both offensive and defensive play and popularizing professional basketball. Joe was equally as successful as a coach, in both amateur and professional basketball. His career was an unusual one. He entered basketball as a professional; he never played amateur high school or college basketball. After twenty years as a professional player, he became a coach of amateur, intercollegiate players and later returned to the professional game as a coach. Summary As a player, Joe Lapchick led the New York Celtics to two successful, victorious seasons and the Cleveland Rosenblums to two world titles. As a coach, he led St. John’s to four national intercollegiate championships and the New York Knicks to three NBA Finals. He helped bring basketball into the modern era. Joe left basketball and spent his retirement as sports coordinator for Kutsher’s Country Club in New York, playing golf until his death in 1970. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1966. Susan J. Bandy Additional Sources Alfieri, Gus. Lapchick: The Life of a Legendary Player and Coach in the Glory Days of Basketball. Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press, 2006. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Lapchick, Richard. “A Legacy of Tolerance.” The Sporting News 223, no. 16 (April 19, 1999): 11.

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Meadowlark Lemon Born: April 25, 1932 Wilmington, North Carolina Also known as: Meadow George Lemon III (full name); Clown Prince of Basketball; King of the Court; Clown Prince of the Court Early Life George “Meadowlark” Lemon was born to a poor Southern family. His family had little. In fact, Meadowlark had to make his own basketball goal in the backyard using a coat hanger and an onion sack; he used an empty milk can for a ball. His desire to become a Harlem Globetrotter began at the age of eleven when he saw a newsreel about the team while at the neighborhood theater. He told his family that he would become a Harlem Globetrotter one day. At the time, African Americans were not allowed in the NBA. During Meadowlark’s senior year in high school, the Globetrotters contacted him. He had to wait, though. He spent two years at Florida A&M University and then two years in the U.S. Army. While he was stationed in Germany, he tried out for the Harlem Globetrotters officially. The Road to Excellence Meadowlark was given a spot on the developmental team, the Kansas City Stars, for the 1954 season. By the time the year ended, he was a full-fledged member of the worldfamous Globetrotters. Over the next twentyfive years, he played in ninety-four countries and more than sixteen thousand games. He became a household name. He was famous for his “confetti in the water bucket” routine and his behind-the-back no-look passes. Meadowlark played in the evening and traveled with the team by bus, train, or car to the next town the following day for another show. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, even in the racially torn South, he and the Harlem Globetrotters brought smiles, thrills, and excitement to people of all ages and races. 220

During this time, he averaged more than 325 games per year, traveled more than 4 million miles, and played in 9,925 consecutive games. The Emerging Champion In 1980, Meadowlark left the Globetrotters. He pursued another of his dreams: the creation of his own team. He began his own traveling basketball team called the Bucketeers. He and the

Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon exhibiting his unique balancing skills. (Hulton Archives/Getty Images)

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1974 Presidential Citation 1975 Inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame 2000 John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award International Clown Hall of Fame’s lifetime of laughter award 2001 Uniform number 36 retired by Harlem Globetrotters 2003 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

team traveled around the country for three years. In 1984, Meadowlark created a second Globetrotters-styled team called the Shooting Stars. From 1984 through 1987, the team continued his famous basketball tricks and jokes for thousands of fans. In 1988, Meadowlark created his third team, called Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All-Stars. He continued to play for this team even in his seventies. Meadowlark became a well-known celebrity and was dubbed both the “Clown Prince of Basketball” and the “Clown Prince of the Court.” He took his fame to Hollywood and had roles in many television shows and movies. He appeared in the movies Modern Romance (1981) and The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979). He also was a guest on variety and talk shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Barbara Mandrell Show. Furthermore, he appeared many times with Bill Cosby on his various shows. He also had guest appearances on hit television shows such as Alice and Diff’rent Strokes. Meadowlark also lent his voice to Scooby-Doo cartoons. He appeared many times on ABC’s Wide World of Sports with the Harlem Globetrotters, including four episodes that ranked among the most highly rated broadcasts in the show’s history. To cash in on his fame, Meadowlark endorsed many products by numerous companies, including Burger King, Pepsi, Nike, Rawlings, and Foot Locker. Along the way, he became one of the most famous people in the United States. He even recorded an album for the RCA label.

Meadowlark Lemon Continuing the Story In 1986, Meadowlark made a major life change when he became a born-again Christian. He went on to become an ordained minister and then achieve his doctorate of divinity from Vision International University. He founded Meadowlark Lemon Ministries, which became an outreach program focused on troubled youth in the Scottsdale, Arizona, area where he resided. Through his ministry he also sponsored coed basketball camps around the country and an online distance-learning program titled the Meadowlark Lemon Online Academy, a fully accredited program to help children of all ages with their education. Though allegations surfaced of financial impropriety surrounding Meadowlark Lemon Ministries, the work that Meadowlark did for young people around the world was undeniable. His activities, both on and off the basketball court, made him a household name. Summary Meadowlark Lemon received many honors and awards. In 2000, he was awarded the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the highest honor a person can receive, other than induction, from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2001, the Globetrotters presented Meadowlark with a “Legends” ring and officially retired his number 36 jersey. In 2003, Meadowlark was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his “dedication to his craft.” Los Angeles Times sports columnist Jim Murray described him as an “American institution” for his talents as an athlete and his comic action on the basketball court. Karen Hayslett-McCall Additional Sources Butler, Robbie, and Timothy V. Rasinski. The Harlem Globetrotters: Clown Princes of Basketball. New York: Couglan, 2001. Lemon, Meadowlark, and Jerry B. Jenkins. Meadowlark. New York: Thomas Nelson, 1987. Wilker, Josh. The Harlem Globetrotters. New York: Chelsea House, 1996.

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Lisa Leslie Born: July 7, 1972 Gardena, California Also known as: Lisa Deshaun Leslie (full name); Smooth Early Life Lisa Deshaun Leslie was born on July 7, 1972, in Gardena, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Her father left before her birth. Her mother, Christine,

was a truck driver who spent a significant amount of time on the road. Lisa moved from Compton, where she spent her early childhood, to live with her aunt in Carson. At twelve years old, she stood 6 feet 1 inch, much taller than her junior high school classmates, who often teased and ostracized her. Lisa’s interest in basketball did not peak until she entered Compton’s Waley Junior High School in 1984. At her first scrimmage for the school team, she was the only person to line up to shoot lefthanded. Because she was embarrassed, she vowed to learn to shoot right-handed. Thus, her early basketball insecurity developed her ability to use both hands equally. In junior high, she played in a boys’ basketball league. Ignored because of her gender, she once stole the ball from her own teammates and subsequently scored, establishing herself as equal in skill to the boys. In 1986, she played in the Olympics Girls’ Development League, dominating girls her own age and older. Even during the early stages of her basketball career, Lisa established her transcendency.

Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie driving past the defense of the San Antonio Stars in 2008. (Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images)

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The Road to Excellence After junior high, Lisa moved to Inglewood to live with her disciplinarian grandmother. At this stage, Lisa, only fourteen years old, had already received more than one hundred letters of recruitment from colleges. She entered Morningside High School as a self-described “loner”; she had been unable to cultivate “close, longterm” relationships because of her size and somewhat transitory, essentially parentless lifestyle. Morningside girls’ basketball coach Frank Scott befriended her, recognized her exceptional athletic ability, and mentored her in the fundamentals of the sport. He often guarded her with a broom, blocking her vision, forcing her to shoot with a higher arc. Lisa was the only ninth-grader on the varsity team, which finished the season

Basketball

Lisa Leslie

with a 27-3 record, and was selected the California freshman player of the year. As a sophomore, she led her team to a California Interscholastic Federation championship and a berth in the California state championship game. As time expired in the final contest, Lisa missed a bank shot that could have won the game for Morningside. In her junior year, Lisa grew to her adult height of 6 feet 5 inches and had a stellar season. Averaging 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots, she was named both a USA Today and a Parade magazine all-American. Morningside returned to the California state championship in a rematch with Fremont High School. Lisa helped the team to a 60-50 victory. In 1990, Morningside repeated as champions in a season in which Lisa averaged 27 points and was named the Naismith prep player of the year as the foremost high school girls’ player in the country. In the state championship game against Berkeley High School, Lisa competed with a 102-degree fever but scored 35 points. Though Lisa had a superior overall high school basketball career, a singular moment in her senior season established her indelible greatness. In a game against South Torrance High School, she scored 49 points in the first quarter and 52 points in the second quarter for a total of 101 points. Trailing 102-24 at halftime, South Torrance forfeited, prohibiting Lisa from breaking Cheryl Miller’s record of 105 points. Lisa described the performance as “mystical,” and she became an instant celebrity in Los Angeles and across the country.

The Emerging Champion Lisa chose to attend the University of Southern California (USC), a school that had an established tradition in women’s basketball. Over four seasons, she became the Pac-10 Conference’s all-time leading scorer. At the conclusion of her initial season, she became the first Pac-10 Conference freshman to be chosen as first-team all-conference and the NCAA freshman of the year. In her sophomore campaign, Lisa guided USC to the regional finals of the NCAA tournament and was again named to the all-conference team. The following season, the team improved to fifteenth in the national rankings; Lisa averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds per game, shot 56 percent from the field, and was included on the all-conference team for the third consecutive season. Additionally, she was honored as USA Basketball female athlete of the year. Though the team stumbled in Lisa’s senior season, she finished strong. She was named to the 1994 Kodak All-American team and became the first player to be chosen to the all-Pac-10 Conference team on four occasions. Her uniform number, 33, was retired two years later. After such an exceptional college tenure, a men’s player of Lisa’s caliber would move directly to the NBA. However, during the mid-1990’s a female basketball player had few professional options. Continuing the Story In 1994, Lisa signed a $100,000 contract with Sicilgesso, a women’s basketball team in Italy. At the time, her only professional opportunities were


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008

28 28 32 32 31 31 23 34 34 34 33

371 423 389 430 467 406 373 451 464 503 406

160 202 182 197 221 189 165 223 204 257 188

.431 .478 .468 .458 .473 .466 .442 .494 .440 .511 .463

113 136 114 169 142 133 82 146 102 158 117

189 177 156 205 193 183 133 205 174 243 177

.598 .768 .731 .824 .736 .727 .617 .712 .586 .650 .661

266 285 248 306 298 322 231 336 248 323 293

74 70 56 60 73 83 46 88 87 108 80

455 549 500 570 606 523 424 598 517 680 497

15.9 19.6 15.6 17.8 19.5 16.9 18.4 17.6 15.2 20.0 15.1

Totals

340

4,683

2,188

.467

2,035

1,412

.694

3,156

825

5,909

17.4


223

Lisa Leslie

Great Athletes

abroad. However, she was eventually forced Milestones to return home because of knee problems. Next, she prepared for the 1996 Olympics First player to slam-dunk in a WNBA game in Atlanta, Georgia. After a year of exhibiFirst WNBA player to win most valuable player awards for league, all-star game, and finals in same season tion games around the world, the U.S. team reached the Olympic gold-medal game verHonors and Awards sus Brazil. In front of 33,000 partisan fans, Team USA won the game 111-87. Lisa con1989 Dial Award tributed 29 points. 1990 Gatorade girls basketball national player of the year After the Olympics, Lisa began a brief 1991-94 All-Pacific Ten Conference first team modeling career. She was featured in numer1993, 1998, 2002 USA Basketball female athlete of the year ous magazines and had decided to pursue 1994 Naismith women’s college player of the year modeling in the long term when she learned 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball the NBA, with its corporate sponsorship and 1999, 2001 WNBA all-star game most valuable player cable television rights, had decided to begin 2001 WNBA most valuable player a women’s professional basketball league in Flo Hyman Memorial Award the United States. Buoyed by innovative marWNBA Finals most valuable player keting strategies, including a series of com2006 WNBA’s all-decade team mercials featuring Lisa and centered around the motto “we got next,” the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) held game in Connecticut, she dunked again, further its first game on June 21, 1997, between Lisa’s team, establishing her legacy as one the most illustrious the Los Angeles Sparks, and the New York Liberty. players in women’s basketball history. The success of the game signaled a new era in In 2003, Lisa suffered a knee injury, forcing her women’s sports in the United States. to rehabilitate for a month. Though the Sparks apAfter initial struggles, the Sparks emerged as peared in a third consecutive WNBA Finals, the Deone of the WNBA’s elite franchises, and Lisa was troit Shock defeated Los Angeles in three games. the team’s catalyst. After winning the all-star game The Sparks struggled in the following seasons, but most valuable player award (MVP) in 1999 and Lisa remained a consistent contributor and an2001, Lisa captained the Sparks to WNBA Champichored the U.S. women’s basketball team that won onships in 2001 and 2002. She played a finesse a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in 2004. game and was often accused of lacking a physically After the 2005 WNBA season, Lisa, desirous of imintimidating presence. Nonetheless, in 2001, she proving aspects of her basketball abilities, joined was presented her first WNBA regular-season MVP Spartak Moscow of the Russian Basketball Federaaward before the second game of the Western Contion and directed the team to the European Chamference Finals, in which she compiled a careerpionship against French team Pays d’Aix. In the high 35 points. That season, she garnered the final game, Lisa scored 20 points and had 19 reWNBA Finals MVP award, becoming the first bounds. player in league history to win the award for the allIn 2006, when Lisa returned to the United star game, the regular season, and the finals. States, she was included on the WNBA’s all-decade In July, 2002, Lisa scored her 3,000th career team, one of only three original league members point, becoming the first WNBA player to reach bestowed with the honor. During the season, she the milestone. Later in the month, playing at the became the first player to score 5,000 points in a caStaples Center before a supportive home audireer, played in her sixth all-star game, and was preence, on an open-court fast break, she made sented with her third league MVP award. On Lisa’s WNBA history as the first player to slam-dunk durthirty-fourth birthday, the Sparks’ home floor was ing a game. Fans voted Lisa’s dunk the “greatest christened “Lisa Leslie Court,” a tribute to her conmilestone” in the WNBA’s first ten years. In the tributions to the league, her team, and Los Ansame year, USA Basketball designated Lisa the fegeles. Having married in 2005, Lisa took a sabbatimale athlete of the year. In the 2005 WNBA all-star 224

Basketball

Lisa Leslie

cal from the WNBA in 2007 to give birth to her first child. She returned to the Sparks for the 2008 season, reenergized by the franchise’s addition of University of Tennessee star Candace Parker. In the summer of 2008, Lisa helped Team USA to a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

her adolescence, Lisa combined a glamorous public persona with exceptional basketball skills and an on-court ambition, making her perhaps the preeminent women’s basketball player in the history of the sport. Christopher Rager

Summary Lisa Leslie heightened the profile of women’s basketball and shifted the perception of women athletes as inferior to their male counterparts. She won four Olympic gold medals, led her team to championships at the high school and professional levels, acquired numerous accolades for her graceful and fluid playing style, and symbolized the WNBA’s success. Abandoning the insecurities of

Additional Sources Christopher, Matt. On the Court with Lisa Leslie. 2d ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001. Leslie, Lisa, with Larry Burnett. Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You. New York: Kensington, 2008. Savage, Jeff. Lisa Leslie: Slam Dunk Queen. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2005. Wimmer, Dick, ed. The Women’s Game. Short Hills, N.J.: Burford Books, 2000.

225

Nancy Lieberman-Cline Born: July 1, 1958 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Nancy Elizabeth Lieberman (full name); Nancy Lieberman Early Life Nancy Elizabeth Lieberman was born on July 1, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York. The daughter of Jerome and Renee Lieberman, Nancy felt most at home on the playgrounds of New York, shooting jump shots and sinking layups. Nancy, considered

by many to be the best female basketball player ever, perfected her game early by playing basketball with the boys of her neighborhood. Nancy put much of her free time into playing sports, primarily basketball. She also played softball and even football with the boys on occasion.

The Road to Excellence Nancy played her first year of organized basketball as a sophomore at Far Rockaway High School; that year the team reached the city championship only to lose by one point. She also got involved in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) competition in New York. The mix of the school-yard pickup games and the organized competition helped Nancy develop into one of the top female players in the state of New York. Nancy started receiving national recognition when she was picked for the 1975 PanAmerican Games team; soon afterward she became the youngest member of the 1976 U.S. Women’s Olympic team. As the team’s top reserve, she helped the U.S. team collect the silver medal at the Montreal Olympics. After playing on a medal-winning Olympic team, Nancy was faced with choosing a college. Nancy was heavily recruited by college coaches, and she decided to attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Nancy had an immediate impact on the women’s team at Old Dominion. As a freshman, she scored an average of 20.9 points per game while leading the Lady Monarchs to a berth in the National Women’s Invitational Tournament (NWIT). During summer vacations, Nancy dedicated her time to playing basketball. In the summer after her freshman year, she played for the U.S. junior team and helped guide the squad to an undefeated summer while winning two tournament titles. Nancy was already proving to be a “clutch” player capable of playing under big-time game pressure. Nancy Lieberman-Cline passing the ball in a 1997 WNBA game. The competition with the boys on the play(Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images) 226

Basketball

Nancy Lieberman-Cline

College Statistics Season 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 Totals

GP 27 34 36 37 134

FGM 240 281 243 208 972

FG% .473 .432 .478 .533 .472

FTM 83 119 139 145 486

FT% .709 .730 .790 .779 .757

Reb. 272 325 276 294 1,167

Ast. 212 200 254 295 961

TP 563 681 625 561 2,430

PPG 20.9 20.0 17.4 15.2 18.1


grounds of New York helped her deal with playing against difficult odds.

legiate career, “Lady Magic” scored, rebounded, and played defense like no one else.

Continuing the Story The Emerging Champion After college, Nancy played in the Women’s ProfesFor the next three seasons, Nancy dominated sional Basketball League (WPBL) and signed with women’s college basketball; she was named an allthe Dallas Diamonds for more than $100,000. She American three consecutive years. In her sophoaveraged 26.3 points per game and led the Diamore season, the Lady Monarchs rolled to a 30-4 monds to a Coastal Division title in her first season. record and won the NWIT. Between 1978 and 1980, She also led the league in steals to earn all-pro and Nancy guided Old Dominion to two consecutive Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national colleHonors and Awards giate tournament titles as the Lady 1976 Silver medal, Olympic Basketball Monarchs posted 35-1 and 37-1 rec1977-78 NWIT All-American ords, respectively. 1978 NWIT most valuable player In 134 college contests for the Lady Underalls All-American Classic most valuable player Monarchs, Nancy averaged 18.1 points Basketball Weekly All-American First Annual All-American Basketball Classic most valuable player and 9 rebounds per game. Her 561 1978-80 Virginia Player of the Year steals and 961 assists were collegiate Virginia State Tournament most valuable player records at that time. In 1979 and 1980, First-Team All-State she won the Wade Trophy as the top Kodak All-American Team women’s player in the country. In 1979 Detroit Coca-Cola Classic most valuable player Detroit Coca-Cola Classic Best Defensive Player 1979, she was designated as the top National Scouting Association All-American female college athlete when she won 1979-80 Wade Trophy the Honda Broderick Cup. In 1980, AIAW National Championship Team Nancy was given the Jewish athlete of Honda Broderick Cup the year award. 1980 Jewish Athlete of the Year Broderick Cup In 1980, Nancy competed on the Optimist Classic All-Tournament Team U.S. national team and helped the World Women’s Basketball Championship Team squad capture the eighth World Women’s U.S. Olympic Basketball Team (United States boycotted Olympics) Women’s Basketball Championship in AIAW All-Media Team Seoul, South Korea. Her amateur caBoy Scouts of America Young American of the Year 1981 WPBL All-Pro Team reer concluded that same year; after WPBL Rookie of the Year making the U.S. Olympic team, Nancy Uniform number 10 retired by Old Dominion University Athletic Department quit because of the U.S. boycott of the 1984 WABA All-Star Game most valuable player Moscow Games. Nancy’s college uni1989 U.S. Women’s National Team form number 10 was retired and now 1996 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1999 Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame hangs in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During her col227

Nancy Lieberman-Cline rookie of the year honors. The league had financial hardships and folded after the first season, though. Nancy moved on, working as a television commentator, trainer, and motivational speaker. She worked with tennis pro Martina Navratilova and helped her become one of the top players of the 1980’s. She played briefly in another now-defunct women’s league, after signing a three-year contract for $250,000, and even spent a year touring with the Harlem Globetrotters. Nancy later became the first woman player to compete in a men’s pro league when she joined the Springfield Flame of the United States Basketball League (USBL). She also played one season for the Long Island Knights in the USBL. Thereafter, she played for the Washington Generals, a team that is often referred to as the supporting cast for the Harlem Globetrotters. In the USBL, she met her husband, Tim Cline, who played for the New Haven Skyhawks. She also displayed her athletic ability by competing in ABC television’s Superstars, winning the title in 1984. After leaving the Generals, Nancy became a broadcaster for college games, owned her own sports marketing firm, and wrote sports columns for USA Today and the Dallas Morning News. She was the first female ever inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and the eleventh woman inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1996, Nancy played a sixteen-game exhibition season with Athletes in Action, averaging 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. In 1997, at the age of thirty-nine, she joined the Phoenix Mercury in the newly established Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). After playing one season for the Mercury, Nancy took over as the general manager and head coach of the Detroit Shock in the WNBA for the 1998 season. She coached the Shock into the playoffs in 1999 and again in 2000. In 2004, she coached the Dallas Fury of the National Women’s Basketball League (NWBL) to a league championship. In 2008, at fifty years old, she signed a seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock.

228

Great Athletes Nancy became the president of the Women’s Sports Foundation and has done commentary on college basketball games for the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), Fox Sports, and the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). During the WNBA season, she also analyzed the WNBA teams and players in a weekly column titled “Nuts & Bolts with Nancy” on the Internet. Nancy heads up her own sports marketing company, Events Marketing. She is also involved in numerous charitable causes for the Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes, and the Girl Scouts. Summary Nancy Lieberman-Cline is considered by many to be the greatest woman ever to play basketball. She succeeded on every level of play, from the high school ranks to the men’s professional ranks. Not only was she a great basketball player, she also was a competitor. Furthermore, she helped women’s sports gain greater recognition and respect from the public. Nancy was one of the first women to become nationally recognized by the public for playing a game that was otherwise considered a man’s sport. Don Emmons Additional Sources Betancourt, Marian. Playing Like a Girl: Transforming Our Lives Through Team Sports. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2001. Branon, Dave. Competitor’s Edge: Women Athletes Talk About Sports and Their Faith. Chicago: Moody Press, 1998. Greenberg, Doreen, Michael Greenberg, and Phil Velikan. A Drive to Win: The Story of Nancy Lieberman-Cline. Terre Haute, Ind.: Wish, 2000. Lapchick, Richard Edward. One Hundred Heroes: People in Sports Who Make This a Better World. Orlando, Fla.: National Consortium for Academics and Sports, 2006. Porter, Karra. Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women’s Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2006.

Rebecca Lobo Born: October 6, 1973 Southwick, Massachusetts Also known as: Rebecca Rose Lobo (full name) Early Life Born in Southwick, Massachusetts, on October 6, 1973, Rebecca Lobo grew up with an older brother, Jason, and sister, Rachel. Her parents, RuthAnn and Dennis, were both educators and instilled in their children the importance of schooling. When Rebecca went to high school and college she took this lesson with her and made the dean’s list every semester. She has talked about the need for all student athletes to not neglect their education in favor of the game. For Rebecca, education and athletics went hand in hand, and her education made her a better player on the court. While she was growing up, Rebecca developed a special love for basketball because it gave her an opportunity to daydream and think, a time to be alone. Her height gave her an advantage, and she loved to play the game—by herself, with members of her family, and, later, with her friends.

kies had a 106-25 record, including 102 consecutive wins, and played in four National Collegiate Athletic Association championships. In both 1994 and 1995, Rebecca was named the Big East Conference player of the year; in 1994, she was named to the Kodak All-American first team. Her best season, however, came during her senior year. After compiling a 35-0 record during the 1994-1995 season, the Huskies won the national championship. Rebecca was voted the most valuable player in the

The Road to Excellence At Southwick Tolland Regional High School, Rebecca did not spend all her time on the basketball court; she also played the saxophone in the school band. Moreover, in addition to starring in basketball, she played field hockey and softball and ran track. By the time her high school days were over, however, Rebecca had become the all-time leading scorer—male or female—in Massachusetts high school history with 2,710 points. Many of her summers had been spent working at basketball camps preparing for the next season, and all that hard work paid off. The Emerging Champion After high school, Rebecca went on to star at the University of Connecticut from 1991 to 1995. During these four years the Lady Hus-

Rebecca Lobo in 1997. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

229

Great Athletes

Rebecca Lobo


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1997 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003

28 30 1 16 21 25

354 281 0 22 32 88

133 136 0 7 15 25

.376 .484 — .318 .469 .284

105 93 0 4 4 9

64 66 0 2 1 2

.610 .710 — .500 .250 .222

203 207 1 14 23 52

53 44 0 1 12 5

348 350 0 17 34 59

12.4 11.7 0.0 1.1 1.6 2.4

Totals

121

777

316

.407

215

135

.628

500

115

808

6.7


work with Yoplait and other companies earned her recognition as the Women’s Sports Foundation sportswoman of the year. In 1998, she won the Hispanic Heritage Sports Award. Rebecca’s basketball career resumed when she played for the gold-medal-winning U.S. team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. She was drafted to play for the New Jersey Turnpikes in the United States Basketball League (USBL) but was Continuing the Story reassigned to the New England Blizzard in the Rebecca graduated from college at a moment young American Basketball League (ABL). Inwhen few opportunities for women to play basketstead, she chose to join the Women’s National Basball professionally existed, and she occupied her ketball Association (WNBA), which played its first time with other pursuits. In 1996, her mother was games during the summer of 1997. diagnosed with breast cancer; Rebecca helped her Rebecca spent her first four WNBA seasons with mother fight and triumph over the disease. She the New York Liberty. During her rookie season, and her mother wrote a book about the experishe averaged more than 12 points and 7 rebounds ence, entitled The Home Team (1997). As a result of her mother’s battle Rebecca made breast cancer per game and was named to the all-WNBA second team. Meanwhile, she proved that she was a team research and awareness an important cause. Her player, unselfish and able to work to make her team better through her own play. DurHonors and Awards ing her second season in the new league, 1991 Junior Select Team she put up similar numbers to her first seaU.S. Olympic Festival East Team son and started in every game. Her career 1992 Big East Rookie of the Year was off to a promising start, but disaster Junior World Championship Qualifying Team struck quickly during her third season, 1993-95 All-Big East First Team Only one minute into that season’s first 1994 Kodak All-American First Team game, Rebecca tore a ligament in her left 1994-95 Big East Conference Player of the Year Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player knee. She missed the remainder of the Academic All-American 1999 season and all of the 2000 season. She Big East Conference Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year never fully recovered from her injury. 1995 Final Four most valuable player In 2001, Rebecca returned to limited Consensus National Player of the Year action on the court and put up modest Wade Trophy numbers in a reserve role. Afterward, she 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball was traded to the Houston Comets. Her 1997 All-WNBA Second Team 1998 Hispanic Heritage Sports Award playing time there increased slightly. In 2003, she returned to Connecticut to play Final Four and won the Naismith Award and the college player of the year award. Then, Rebecca graduated with a degree in political science. When she left the University of Connecticut, her name was on the record book for women’s basketball as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds with 1,286 and in blocked shots with 396.

230

Basketball for the WNBA’s Sun. Both her playing time and her productivity increased significantly, but she was no longer the dominant force on the court that she had been earlier. After the season ended, she retired. She later became a basketball analyst for ESPN’s coverage of college and WNBA games. Summary Rebecca Lobo’s professional career was cut short by injury, but while she was playing, she was one of the WNBA’s most popular players. She was a pioneer of women’s professional basketball and remained an inspiration to young female athletes. A role model who took both school and sports seriously, she succeeded in both areas. Along with such stars as Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca helped bring a new image to women’s basketball both on and off the court. Leslie Heaphy, updated by the Editors

Rebecca Lobo Additional Sources Duffy, Mary, et al. “Center of Attention.” Women’s Sports and Fitness 18 (March, 1996): 68-71. Jenkins, Sally. “She’s Got Fame.” Women’s Sports and Fitness 2 (July, 1999): 68. Lobo, RuthAnn, and Rebecca Lobo. The Home Team: Of Mothers, Daughters and American Champions. New York: Kodansha International, 1996. Marks, Robyn. “Supermodels.” Sport 8 (July, 1997): 46-49. O’Reilly, Jean, and Susan K. Cahn, eds. Women and Sports in the United States: A Documentary Reader. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2007. Savage, Jeff. Rebecca Lobo. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 2001. _______. Sports Great Rebecca Lobo. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2001. Terzieff, Juliette. Women of the Court: Inside the WNBA. New York: Alyson Books, 2008.

231

Clyde Lovellette Born: September 7, 1929 Petersburg, Indiana Also known as: Clyde Edward Lovellette (full name); Cloudburst Clyde; Prolific Pachyderm Early Life Clyde Edward Lovellette was born on September 7, 1929, in Petersburg, Indiana. He was the son of John and Myrtle Lovellette. His father was a railroad engineer. Clyde attended Garfield High School, where he was a two-time all-state basketball player. He led his team to the 1947 Indiana state tournament championship game, which Garfield lost to Shelbyville High School 68-58. Clyde was known for his pleasant disposition and sharp elbows, a combination that served him well in college and professional basketball. He was recruited by the colorful Coach Forrest C. “Phog” Allen to play at the University of Kansas from 1949 to 1952. A master of the game, Allen taught Clyde all the inner workings of the sport, including the psychological aspects of getting motivated for games. The Road to Excellence As a sophomore in 1949, Clyde made his University of Kansas debut against Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas won, 55-34, and Clyde scored 21 points, thus beginning his sensational collegiate basketball career. He later became the only player in college basketball history to lead the nation in scoring in the same year that his team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. At 6 feet 9 inches and 235 pounds, he became one of the first great scoring centers. He led the Big Eight Conference in scoring as a sophomore, averaging 21.8 points per game. As a junior averaging 22.8 points per game, Clyde again won the scoring title. In his final season, he averaged 28.4 points per game and led the Jayhawks to an 80-60 victory over St. John’s in Seattle for the NCAA Championship. He was the most valuable player in the title game and averaged 35 points per game in the tournament, including 44 points against St. Louis University. His performance capped a season that few players ever expe232

rience. He was a two-time all-American, and he scored what was then a collegiate record of 1,888 points in his career with an average of 24.5 points per game. Sportswriters dubbed him “The Great White Whale” and “Colossal Clyde.” The Emerging Champion Along with six of his Kansas teammates and Coach Allen, Clyde was a part of the 1952 Olympic team that won a gold medal in Helsinki, Finland, defeating the Soviet Union, 36-25, in the final game. He spent a year playing Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball and then went on to the NBA, playing eleven years with the Minneapolis Lakers,

Clyde Lovellette, who won championships in college and in the NBA and earned a gold medal with the U.S. basketball team in 1952. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

Basketball

Clyde Lovellette

Honors and Awards 1951-52 Consensus All-American

Michigan; he was an assistant coach for the high school’s varsity basketball team and served on the Munising city council.

1952 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Helms Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player NCAA All-Tournament Team

Summary During his hall of fame induction speech, Clyde noted that he was proud of what he had accomplished and what he was part of:

1956, 1960-61 NBA All-Star Team 1956 All-NBA Team 1988 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Cincinnati Royals, St. Louis Hawks, and Boston Celtics. Clyde was part of the Lakers team that won the NBA Championship in 1954 and the Celtics teams that won titles in 1963 and 1964. He became the first player to play on NCAA, Olympic, and NBA Championship teams.

The days I spent in Lawrence were just super. I will love Kansas and Lawrence for the rest of my life. But I’ve had my time in the limelight. It was a long, long time ago. There are more important things now.

He also remarked that his work with troubled teenagers gave him the chance to “give these kids as much love and direction as I can. They’ve helped me find myself.” These were youngsters who needed more help than others, and Clyde’s life work was elevated to that calling. Arthur F. McClure

Continuing the Story When he entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988, Clyde recalled that basAdditional Sources ketball had given him an identity and a purpose in Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA life. After his remarkable career ended, he spent a Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. number of years trying to refocus that life. He had Stallard, Mark. Tales from the Jayhawks’ Hardwood: A retired from the NBA after the 1964 season at the Collection of the Greatest Kansas Basketball Stories age of thirty-five. Over the next sixteen years, he Ever Told. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2005. sought his niche by serving as a sheriff in Indiana, Vance, Doug, and Jeff Bollig. Beware of the Phog: Fifty television sportscaster, advertising salesman, auto Years of Allen Fieldhouse. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, salesman, cattleman, operator of an ice cream par2005. lor, and antique store owner in Cape Cod, among other pursuits. NBA Statistics His first marriage ended in divorce during this period. After Season GP FGM FG% FTM FT% Reb. Ast. TP PPG all the accolades he had received 1953-54 72 237 .423 114 .695 419 51 588 8.2 1954-55 70 519 .435 273 .686 802 100 1,311 18.7 during his basketball playing 1955-56 71 594 .434 338 .721 992 164 1,526 21.5 days, he felt unfulfilled. 1956-57 69 574 .426 286 .717 932 139 1,434 20.8 In 1980, Clyde was lifted from 1957-58 71 679 .441 301 .743 862 134 1,659 23.4 depression by a religious experi1958-59 70 402 .454 205 .820 605 91 1,009 14.4 1959-60 68 550 .468 316 .821 721 127 1,416 20.8 ence. At about that time, he re1960-61 67 599 .453 273 .856 687 172 1,471 22.0 ceived an offer to become a bas1961-62 40 341 .471 155 .829 350 68 837 20.9 ketball coach and teacher at 1962-63 61 161 .440 73 .745 177 29 395 6.5 White’s Institute in Treaty, Indi1963-64 45 128 .420 45 .789 126 24 301 6.7 ana. White’s is the largest residenTotals 704 4,784 .444 2,379 .760 6,673 1,099 11,947 17.0 tial child-care facility in the state. Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = free Clyde became the director of the throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game Vocational Education program. He later moved to Munising, 233

Jerry Lucas The Road to Excellence Jerry began playing competitive basketball in the fourth grade, and he was recruited by colleges when he was only in the eighth grade. Playing with Early Life a star of Jerry’s caliber was difficult for his teammates, however. In his sophomore year of high Jerry Ray Lucas was born on March 30, 1940, in Middletown, Ohio, a steel and paper mill city loschool, other team members, resentful that a firstcated in the southwestern corner of the state. year player should dominate, refused to pass the ball to Jerry and set him up for shots. The team’s Jerry’s parents worked in the local factories. Many coach was sensitive to this and in one game considered Middletown the basketball capital of Ohio. The city’s parks contained many basketball benched Jerry so that he would not break a scoring record as a sophomore. courts, and its high school won state basketball Instead of complaining, Jerry waited to rebound championships regularly. and tap in shots. He also developed the passing skills that became a trademark throughout his career. In his senior year, he was elected team captain. During his three years as a high school player, Jerry made 2,460 points and beat the record held by Wilt Chamberlain. Recruiters from more than 150 colleges scouted his games. Jerry had to cope with recruiters at all hours of the day. Many illegal offers that included homes, jobs for his parents, unlimited spending money, and cars were made. Jerry was aware of the recruiting regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He also sensed that any school he attended would be closely investigated. He declined all such offers. Jerry, who was never a hero worshiper, was not awed by the famous coaches and other personalities who contacted him. Adolph Rupp, the renowned coach from the University of Kentucky, was given ten seconds with Jerry between classes. Jerry’s family turned down an invitation to a luncheon at the governor’s mansion because they knew it would make no difference to Jerry when he made his choice. Amid some controversy over the appointment of a new coach from a field of candidates that included Jerry’s coach from Middletown, Jerry chose to attend Ohio State University Center Jerry Lucas, who would later grab 40 rebounds in one game, during his rookie season. (Courtesy of New York Knick(OSU). Jerry, a high school honors student, erbockers) stated that his studies came first and basketBorn: March 30, 1940 Middletown, Ohio Also known as: Jerry Ray Lucas (full name)

234

Basketball

Jerry Lucas


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74

79 66 79 81 82 74 67 80 77 71 73

545 558 690 577 707 555 405 623 543 312 194

.527 .498 .453 .459 .519 .551 .507 .498 .512 .513 .462

310 298 317 284 346 247 200 289 197 80 67

.779 .814 .787 .791 .778 .755 .784 .787 .791 .800 .698

1,375 1,321 1,668 1,547 1,560 1,360 951 1,265 1,011 510 374

204 157 213 268 251 306 173 293 318 317 230

1,400 1,414 1,697 1,438 1,760 1,357 1,010 1,535 1,283 704 455

17.7 21.4 21.5 17.8 21.5 18.3 15.1 19.2 16.7 9.9 6.2

Totals

829

5,709

.499

2,635

.783

12,942

2,730

14,053

17.0


ball second, and he accepted a full academic scholarship. The Emerging Champion At the time, NCAA regulations did not permit freshmen to play on varsity teams. In two scrimmage games with the varsity squad, Jerry scored an unbelievable 92 points. The coach developed an offense around “Big Luke,” his star of the future. Always poised and showing little emotion on or off the court, Jerry admitted that he was scared before his first game. Although the team won, he did nothing in the first half and had a mediocre performance in the second half. Observers wondered if the former high school center had what it took to make it in college basketball. Jerry was convinced that he “was going to be the biggest disappointment in the history of college basketball.” In the second game, however, he scored 34 points and proved that he could meet expectations. OSU went on to win the NCAA Championship and lead the nation in scoring, and Jerry had a phenomenal .637 shooting percentage. Using the ball-handling skills he had developed in high school, he often passed off to a teammate rather than take a shot. No one was surprised when he was named all-American. Jerry married after his sophomore year and continued to maintain high scholastic standards. He was a consistently strong player with a large repertoire of shots. His sense of timing when rebounding, his genius for getting the ball on defense, and his passing skills assured him of a position on the

1960 U.S. Olympic team, which went on to win the gold medal. In his junior year, Jerry averaged 25 points and 17 rebounds per game. The team won 17 straight games and was called the best college team in history. Jerry had always maintained that he did not want to play professional basketball. He had aspirations to go to graduate school or into business. In his senior year, he earned a Phi Beta Kappa key for his academic performance and was drafted by both Cleveland in the American Basketball League (ABL) and Cincinnati in the NBA. When Cleveland offered him a contract that considered some of his concerns about season length, contract length, and investments, he signed. Jerry believed that he could have more influence as a role model if he continued in basketball and in the limelight. The ABL folded in the middle of the 1962-1963 season, though, and Jerry began his pro career with the NBA’s Cincinnati Royals in 1963. Continuing the Story Considered one of the all-time great college players, Jerry was a boost to the NBA. He played in Cincinnati for six years, averaging 20 points a game in his new position as forward. He also developed a chain of restaurants and established himself in business. In 1969, Jerry asked to be traded to San Francisco. He received a rousing welcome and played with the Warriors until he was traded to the New York Knicks in 1971. In New York, he was given back his position as center. Because of his size, how235

Great Athletes

Jerry Lucas

Honors, Awards, and Milestones One of only seven NCAA players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds 1960 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame 1960-61 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1960-62 NCAA All-Tournament Team Consensus All-American 1961 Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year

Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year 1961-62 Rupp Trophy United Press International Division I Player of the Year U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year

Sporting News College Player of the Year 1964 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team 1964-68 All-NBA Team

tricks. Later, a religious conversion led him to write Remember the Word (1975) and to form Memory Ministries, Inc., to help others memorize the Bible. During the late 1980’s, Jerry established Lucas Learning, an educational company that published learning and memory materials for children. The company later became Lucas Educational Systems. Jerry has authored dozens of books in the field of memory training and learning systems. His ideas for fun and easy memory retention have resulted in the “The Lucas Learning System” and have earned him the title of “Doctor Memory.” Jerry’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 was his crowning athletic honor. He was also named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time during the 1996-1997 season. Jerry was an NBA all-star seven times and a member of the all-NBA first team three times. In 1999, he was chosen by Sports Illustrated as one of the five most outstanding college basketball players of the twentieth century.

1964-69, 1971 NBA All-Star Team 1965 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1980 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 One of Sports Illustrated ’s five most outstanding college basketball players of the 20th century

ever, Jerry lost his starting position and became the league’s best backup center. He was a success in his new role, and he helped the Knicks to the 1973 NBA title before his retirement from basketball in 1974. Jerry had always possessed a remarkable memory, and after his retirement he began to use his extraordinary talent of memorizing and manipulating letters, words, and numbers as the basis of a new career. He gave lectures at colleges and to businesses and cowrote The Memory Book (1974), which sold more than two million copies. He developed his hobby of performing magic and used his basketball fame to break into entertainment. Performing as “Luke the Magician,” Jerry created and hosted the television special The Jerry Lucas Super Kids Day Magic Jamboree, which featured educational word games, number puzzles, and magic

236

Summary Jerry Lucas grew up as one of the most sought-after basketball players of his time. A talented athlete as well as a scholar, he was idolized by children and took his position as a role model seriously. As a player, he avoided the theatrics of many of his colleagues. It seems ironic, therefore, that he became a showman once he left basketball. Cathy M. Buell Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Sachare, Alex. One Hundred Greatest Basketball Players of All Time. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

Hank Luisetti Born: June 16, 1916 San Francisco, California Died: December 17, 2002 San Mateo, California Also known as: Angelo Joseph Luisetti (full name) Early Life Angelo Joseph Luisetti was born June 16, 1916, in an Italian neighborhood in San Francisco, California. His father, Steven, worked as a chef at a local restaurant. His mother, Amalia, took care of the

family. As a child, Angelo suffered from severely bowed legs and wore braces until age ten. The braces limited his activity, but Angelo developed an interest in basketball and began playing the game at a playground near his home. Angelo frequently played with older and taller youngsters. Because of his small size, he was forced to shoot the ball a distance from the basket. Consequently, Angelo developed a one-handed shooting style quite different from the traditional twohanded set-shot style of that era. Other youths criticized and laughed at Angelo’s shooting technique, but, with continued practice, Angelo became an accurate shooter.

Hank Luisetti of Stanford University in 1940. (AP/Wide World Photos)

The Road to Excellence Angelo, called “Hank” by his friends, played on his first organized team as a freshman at Galileo High School in San Francisco. Despite his shooting ability, Hank’s playing time was limited because of his small size. Not to be discouraged, he developed a running one-handed shot and began to experiment with dribbling and passing behind his back. Hank also began to grow, reaching a height of 6 feet 21⁄2 inches and 165 pounds by his senior year. During his junior and senior years, Hank made his team’s starting lineup, but again, his size hindered his game. He was one of the tallest players on the team, so his coach moved him under the basket to rebound, thus reducing his scoring effectiveness. Hank was a competitive player and soon became an effective rebounder. College coaches, however, felt he was not big enough to play center in college. Only John Bunn, Stanford University’s basketball coach, recognized Hank’s offensive potential and offered him a scholarship. 237

Great Athletes

Hank Luisetti The Emerging Champion Hank entered Stanford University in the fall of 1934. Concerned about his unusual shooting style, he asked Coach Bunn if he could continue his onehanded technique. Following Hank’s impressive shooting demonstration, Bunn grinned and said, “Stick with it boy.” Hank took Bunn’s advice. He continued to develop physically, improving his coordination, jumping ability, speed, and quick reactions. These attributes, along with his offensive skills and fierce competitiveness, helped Hank lead the Stanford freshman team to an undefeated 18-0 season. In 1935-1936, his sophomore season, Hank led Stanford to the first of three consecutive Pacific Coast Conference Championships. He scored a total of 416 points for an 18-point-per-game average and received all-American honors. Following the 1935-1936 season, Hank joined the Stanford University track and field team as a high jumper. As a junior, Hank added a running one-handed jump shot to his offensive arsenal and was moved to the forward position. With his new shot and new playing position, Hank led Stanford to a 25-2 record and the school’s second conference championship in two years. On December 30, 1936, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Hank played one of the best games of his career. Although he scored only 15 points, he rebounded, shot, dribbled, and passed Stanford to a 45-31 win over Long Island University, ending the Blackbirds’ forty-three-game winning streak. As Hank left the court, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Long Island University coach Clair Bee praised Hank: “I can’t remember anybody who could do more things.” Hank completed the 1936-1937 season with 410 points for a 15.2-points-per-game average. He received all-American honors for the second time and was named college player of the year. By 1937-1938, his senior year, Hank’s weight increased to 184 pounds, but it did not slow him down. His teammates elected him team captain, and Hank responded by leading Stanford to a 21-3 record and the school’s third straight conference title. Hank’s most outstanding game as a senior was a 50-point performance on January 1, 1938, as Stanford defeated Duquesne University 92-27. Hank’s performance was the first time a collegiate player had scored that many 238

points in one game. For the second time, Hank was named college player of the year, and his 1,596 career point total set a new four-year college scoring record. Continuing the Story After completing his college career and graduating with a business degree in 1938, Hank opted to play Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball with Stewart Chevrolet Company in San Francisco. Before the season began, however, Hank accepted ten thousand dollars to play the role of a basketball player in the film Campus Confessions (1938) with Betty Grable. The AAU suspended Hank for one year because his basketball playing performance in the film made him a professional player. After his suspension, Hank returned to AAU competition for the 1939-1940 season. He averaged 19 points per game and led his Stewart Chevrolet team to the AAU national tournament, where he set a tournament record with 72 points in four games and was named the tournament’s outstanding player. Hank joined the AAU Phillips 66 Oilers for the 1940-1941 season, but he played sparingly after sustaining a knee injury early in the season. On April 18, 1941, Hank married Jane Rossiter, with whom he had two children, a daughter, Nancy, and a son, Steven. Hank enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and averaged 30 points per game while playing basketball for the St. Mary’s Preflight School. In 1944, Hank was hospitalized with spinal meningitis and lost 40 pounds. He recovered, but doctors advised him that playing basketball would endanger his health.

Honors and Awards 1936-38 College All-American 1937 Helms Foundation Outstanding College Player 1937-38 College Player of the Year 1938 Citizens Savings World Trophy Citizens Savings Northern California Co-Athlete of the Year 1957 Inducted into Stanford University Sports Hall of Fame 1959 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (Accurate statistics are not available for Luisetti’s playing career.)

Basketball Following his discharge from the Navy, Hank returned to Stewart Chevrolet Company and coached its team for five seasons, guiding it to the AAU Championship in 1950-1951. Hank left coaching after his title season and served as sales manager for Stewart Chevrolet Company and conducted basketball clinics in the San Francisco area. In 1958, Hank joined E. F. McDonald Travel Company as president of its West Coast region until retiring in 1984. Summary Hank Luisetti never played in a postseason college basketball tournament, but because his playing

Hank Luisetti style was showcased during one game at Madison Square Garden, he became the most heralded player of his era. His one-handed, jump-shooting style revolutionized basketball and helped to make the game it is played today. Jerry Jaye Wright Additional Sources Pallette, Philip. The Game Changer: How Hank Luisetti Revolutionized America’s Great Indoor Game. Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse, 2005. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

239

Bob McAdoo Born: September 25, 1951 Greensboro, North Carolina Also known as: Robert Allen McAdoo, Jr. (full name) Early Life Robert Allen McAdoo, Jr., was born September 25, 1951, in Greensboro, North Carolina, the son of Vandalia and Robert McAdoo, Sr. He had a youn-

ger sister, Pamela. Bob’s mother was a schoolteacher, his father a painter and carpenter. A gifted musician, Bob began with the piano and had progressed to the saxophone by the time he joined the school band. When his family lived in an apartment building, Bob played basketball on the apartment’s playground. After buying a house of their own, the McAdoos installed a basket in their driveway so Bob could practice. His mother, who had played basketball in college, jokingly took credit for his interest and ability in the sport.

Bob McAdoo of the Los Angeles Lakers taking a jump shot. (Courtesy of Los Angeles Lakers)

240

The Road to Excellence As an eighth-grader in 1964, Bob tried out for the school basketball team. He stood 6 feet 4 inches, and there was not a uniform that would fit him. Bob did not make the team until the next season, however. He decided to attend Ben L. Smith High School in Greensboro, a predominantly white school. He believed his basketball career would receive more publicity at the white school. During the summer, he played on the playground until well past dark. The practice paid off; by the time he was a senior, Bob, by then 6 feet 8 inches tall, was considered one of the top high school players in North Carolina. When he graduated, the school retired his number 24—quite an honor for a high school player. In 1969, Bob went to Vincennes Junior College in Vincennes, Indiana. In his freshman year he averaged 19.3 points per game, and his team won the National Junior College Championship. Bob starred in the semifinal game, despite having the flu. In the next season he was named a junior-college all-Ameri-

Basketball

Bob McAdoo

can. The summer before transferring to the University of North Carolina, he played for the U.S. team in the Pan-American Games and made the winning shot against Brazil in the semifinals. In 1972, Bob had a successful season at North Carolina. He led coach Dean Smith’s team in scoring and rebounding and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament’s most valuable player. The team also fared well: The Tar Heels reached the Final Four in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Tournament. Never doubting his own abilities, Bob made himself eligible for the NBA draft that spring and was selected in the first round by the Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers). The Emerging Champion Adjusting to life in the NBA is tough for first-year players, and Bob, only twenty-one, had some difficulties early in his rookie season. Although he had played at the center position all his life, Buffalo made Bob a forward, and he had trouble guarding smaller, faster players. He also shot poorly, a problem he had never had before, and was relegated to the bench. Midway through the season, however, Bob began to play more. His shooting improved, and he averaged 18 points per game. After the season was over, Bob was named 1973 NBA rookie of the year, an award that he knew he deserved to win.

Honors and Awards 1971 Consensus All-American 1972 ACC Tournament most valuable player NCAA All-Tournament Team Sporting News All-American 1973 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team 1974-75 All-NBA Team 1974-78 NBA All-Star Team 1975 NBA most valuable player Seagram’s Seven Crowns of Sports Award 1988 Euroleague Final 2000 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

The next season, Bob was moved to his natural center position. Said Bob of the position change: “I was convinced last year I could play center in this league. It’s where I’ve always played and I feel more at home there.” The move helped the Braves, who won nearly twice as many games as they had the season before. Bob, with his knack for scoring and his natural shooting touch, became the youngest player ever to win an NBA scoring title. In 1975, he continued to improve. He led the league in scoring and rebounding and was named the NBA’s most valuable player. The Braves were improving also, and they reached the second round of the playoffs. Bob’s shooting prowess continued in the 19751976 season, and he won his third straight scoring title with 31.1 points per game. He had trouble re-


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86

80 74 82 78 72 79 60 58 16 41 47 70 66 29

585 901 1,095 934 740 814 596 492 68 151 292 352 284 116

.452 .547 .512 .487 .512 .520 .529 .480 .433 .458 .520 .471 .520 .462

271 459 641 559 381 469 295 235 29 90 119 212 122 62

.774 .793 .805 .762 .738 .727 .656 .730 .707 .714 .730 .803 .753 .765

728 1,117 1,155 965 926 1,010 520 467 67 159 247 289 295 103

139 170 179 315 205 298 168 200 30 32 39 74 67 35

1,441 2,261 2,831 2,427 1,861 2,097 1,487 1,222 165 392 703 916 690 294

18.0 30.6 34.5 31.1 25.8 26.5 24.8 21.1 10.3 9.6 15.0 13.1 10.5 10.1

Totals

852

7,420

.503

3,944

.754

8,048

1,951

18,787

22.1


241

Bob McAdoo negotiating his contract with Buffalo, however, and was traded to the New York Knicks. A once-proud franchise, the Knicks then were a shell of the team that had won two NBA Championships in the early 1970’s. In his new environment, Bob was never able to perform up to his capabilities. He was still a star, however, and finished as the league’s fourthleading scorer in 1978. Because of his sensitivity to criticism of defensive skills and his withdrawn manner, Bob had a rather difficult time adjusting to life in the NBA. He thought that the teams he played for wanted him to be their leading scorer and rebounder; therefore, he was never really happy playing for Buffalo, the Knicks, the Boston Celtics, the Detroit Pistons, or the New Jersey Nets. Midway through the 19811982 season, Bob was acquired from the Nets by the Los Angeles Lakers. In a reserve role for the Lakers, Bob felt less pressure and discovered that he could perform optimally. Continuing the Story As a veteran scorer, Bob filled a gap in the Lakers’ frontcourt. Finally, he was a member of a team that had a chance to win the NBA Championship, the one thing that had eluded him throughout his professional career. In 1982, Los Angeles won the NBA crown, fulfilling Bob’s dream of playing for a championship team. In Bob’s four seasons with the team, the Lakers made it to the NBA Finals four times, winning the championship twice. As the Lakers added younger players to its bench, Bob left the team. He played the 1985-1986 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. After the 1985-1986 season, Bob left the NBA for the Italian League, where he was annually among the top scorers. In 1987, Bob led Milan to the Ital-

242

Great Athletes ian and European Championship. During his seven seasons in the Italian League, Bob averaged 26.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Although the competition was not NBA-caliber, the fact that Bob excelled against players ten and fifteen years his younger was a testament to his physical conditioning and his dedication to the game. Bob was the first big man in NBA history to shoot regularly from the outside. He was a phenomenal jump shooter who could get his shot off with great accuracy with only a minimal amount of space from the defender. In 2000, he received the ultimate honor for a basketball player when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1995, he became an assistant coach with the Miami Heat, and he was the head coach of the Heat’s Summer-League team in 2004. Summary Bob McAdoo’s scoring ability separated him from other NBA players and made him one of the top NBA players of the 1970’s. When his teammates got the ball to the ever-confident Bob, they knew that they were never out of the game. Stephen T. Bell Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Bortstein, Larry. The Big Men: McAdoo, McGinnis, Unseld, Tomjanovich. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1975. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Lazenby, Roland. The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Tracy McGrady Born: May 24, 1979 Bartow, Florida Also known as: Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr. (full name); T-Mac Early Life Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., was raised in Auburndale, Florida, by his mother and maternal grandmother, both of whom he called “Mom.” His father maintained an interest in Tracy’s life but did not participate in the day-to-day job of raising him. Tracy was a natural athlete whose first love was baseball. When Tracy was fourteen, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway joined the Orlando Magic. Watching him play kindled Tracy’s love of basketball. Since he was new to the game, Tracy did not play much his freshman and sophomore years at Auburndale High School. The Road to Excellence Tracy blossomed in his junior year at Auburndale, averaging 23.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 4 assists. However, he did not take academics seriously; he was kicked off the Auburndale team for problems and conflicts with teachers. For his senior year he transferred to Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham, North Carolina, perennially one of the top high school basketball teams in the country. In the summer between his junior and senior years, Tracy showed that he was more than just another good high school prospect. In the summer of 1996, he got an opportunity to compete against the top high school players in the country when invited to participate in the Adidas ABCD Camp. While he was not one of the more heralded players at the beginning, Tracy was the dominant player at the camp. Going up against and besting Lamar Odom, the most talked about player at the time, established Tracy as one of the top players in the nation.

Tracy continued his brilliant play at Mount Zion Christian Academy, leading the team to a numbertwo ranking in the country. For the 1996-1997 season he averaged 27.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, and he was at his best in the most important games. Tracy’s sensational season resulted in his selection as a McDonald’s allAmerican, the Associated Press North Carolina player of the year, and the USA Today player of the year. The Emerging Champion Tracy was recruited by nearly every major collegiate basketball program in the country. However, as there were not many top college prospects in the

Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets taking a jump shot in a 2008 playoff game against the Utah Jazz. (Ramin Rahimian/Reuters/ Landov)

243

Great Athletes

Tracy McGrady upcoming NBA draft, several pro teams indicated they would take Tracy in the first round. Thus, he decided to turn professional out of high school. In the 1997 NBA draft, he was drafted ninth overall in the first round by the Toronto Raptors. Tracy was not an immediate star in the NBA, averaging about 20 minutes and less than 10 points per game in his first two seasons. In the 1999–2000 season, he started about half of the Raptors’ games and increased his scoring to 15.4 points per game. Prior to the 2000-2001 season, Tracy was traded to the Orlando Magic. Having been overshadowed in Toronto by his cousin Vince Carter, in Orlando, Tracy emerged as one of the top players in the league. As a full-time starter, he put up terrific numbers—26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks—and was named second team all-NBA. He continued to put up similar numbers throughout his career: He led the NBA in scoring in both 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. The Magic had hoped to build a championship team around Tracy and Grant Hill. However, Hill was limited by injuries from 2000 through 2004. Nonetheless, Tracy managed to lead Orlando into the playoffs each season. The Magic were never able to survive the first round, losing to Detroit in 2003 after leading three games to one. Continuing the Story Prior to the 2004-2005 season, Tracy was traded to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets hoped that

Honors and Awards 1997 USA Today player of the year Associated Press North Carolina player of the year McDonald’s All-American Team 2001-07 NBA All-Star Team 2001, 2004, 2007 All-NBA Second Team 2002-03 All-NBA First Team 2003-04 NBA scoring champion 2005, 2008 All-NBA Third Team

teaming Tracy with an emerging superstar, 7-foot 6-inch Yao Ming, would elevate the team to a championship. In the duo’s first season together, the Houston Rockets finished fifth and took the Dallas Mavericks to a seventh game in the first round of the playoffs. On December 9, 2004, Tracy had the greatest finish in the history of the NBA, scoring 13 points in the last 33 seconds of a game to beat the San Antonio Spurs 81-80. Early in the 2005-2006 season, Tracy suffered severe back spasms, a problem that continued to plague him periodically in the following seasons. With Tracy missing thirty-five games and Yao missing thirty-four, Houston struggled to a 34-48 record. In the following season, Yao had a season-ending injury, but Tracy carried the team to a fifth-place finish in the tough Western Conference. However, the Rockets were again eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Utah Jazz in a closely contested seven-game series. Misfortune continued into the 2007-2008 season, as Tracy missed sixteen games because of injury, and Yao suffered another season-ending in-


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

64 49 79 77 76 75 67 78 47 71 66

179 168 459 788 715 829 653 715 410 638 548

.450 .436 .451 .457 .451 .457 .417 .431 .406 .431 .419

79 114 277 430 415 576 398 431 254 345 245

.712 .726 .707 .733 .748 .793 .796 .774 .747 .707 .684

269 278 501 580 597 488 402 484 307 378 339

98 113 263 352 400 411 370 448 225 458 387

451 458 1,213 2,065 1,948 2,407 1,878 2,003 1,147 1,747 1,427

7.0 9.3 15.4 26.8 25.6 32.1 28.0 25.7 24.4 24.6 21.6

Totals

749

6,102

.437

3,564

.474

4,623

3,525

16,744

22.4


244

Basketball jury on February 26, 2008. With Yao out, Tracy picked up his game and again led Houston to a fifth-place finish. Houston lost in six games to the Jazz in the first round of the playoffs, despite a tremendous sixth-game performance of 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists from Tracy. His value to the Houston team has been tremendous. From 2005 to 2008, the Rockets won fewer than fifteen percent of its games when Tracy was out and won more than 60 percent when he played. Summary Bad breaks, injuries, and close calls have contributed to the perception that Tracy McGrady never reached his potential. He is one of the best players who has never reached the second round of the

Tracy McGrady playoffs. However, he always handled himself with dignity and took more responsibility for his teams’ failures than was warranted. In the 2008-2009 season, Tracy was still relatively young, talented, and determined. With Tracy and Yao, the Rockets possessed a bright future. Jerome L. Neapolitan Additional Sources Hareas, John. Tracy McGrady. New York: Scholastic, 2006. Simpson, Fiona. NBA Reader: Tracy McGrady. New York: Scholastic, 2006. Warner, Neil K. Off Court: Now the Other Side of the NBA. Lindon, Utah: Neil K. Warner Books, 2004.

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Kevin McHale Born: December 19, 1957 Hibbing, Minnesota Also known as: Kevin Edward McHale (full name) Early Life Kevin Edward McHale was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, on December 19, 1957, to Josephine and Paul McHale, an “iron ranger” who loaded ore from Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range for the U.S. Steel Corporation. Kevin grew up playing hockey. However, once he got to Hibbing High School—which also pro-

duced NBA star Dick Garmaker and pop-music icon Bob Dylan—he gravitated to basketball, as he grew to 6 feet 10 inches. In Kevin’s senior year, the Hibbing High Bluejackets, led by Kevin’s superior play at the high post, reached the state finals. Although courted by a number of collegiate basketball powers, Kevin opted to stay in state to attend the University of Minnesota. The Road to Excellence From 1976 to 1980, Kevin helped to make Minnesota a force in college basketball. Playing as a power forward, Kevin led Minnesota into the National Invitational Tournament finals in his senior year. In 1979 and 1980, Kevin was named Minnesota’s most valuable player; he was also elected to the all-Big Ten Conference team. In 1980, the Boston Celtics of the NBA made Kevin, the highly touted Minnesotan, the third choice overall in the NBA draft. When queried about Boston’s decision, he replied with typical drollery, “Where else would a six-ten, white, Irish Catholic kid want to play?”

Kevin McHale posting up his defender in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. (Courtesy of NBA)

246

The Emerging Champion Kevin had an immediate impact on the Celtics. Boston head coach, Bill Fitch, made the rookie the team’s “sixth man.” In Boston, the sixth man had become a venerated position previously filled by such stalwarts as Frank Ramsey, John Havlicek, and Paul Silas. Kevin’s main job was to enter each game, usually late in the first quarter, to relieve a starter who was in foul trouble or in need of a break. Opponents soon found Kevin a worthy adversary. His virtually unstoppable fade-away jumper, intimidating shot-blocking, and aggressive rebounding at both ends of the court made him equally effective on defense and offense. In 1980-1981, his first year, Kevin played in all eighty-two regular-season contests and averaged 10 points a game, a performance that earned him selection to the NBA’s allrookie team. Kevin also played a key role in

Basketball

Kevin McHale

NBA Statistics Season 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 Totals

GP 82 82 82 82 79 68 77 64 78 82 68 56 71 971

FGM 335 465 483 587 605 561 790 550 661 648 504 323 298 6,810

FG% .533 .531 .541 .556 .570 .574 .604 .604 .546 .549 .553 .509 .459 .554

FTM 108 187 193 336 355 326 428 346 436 393 228 134 164 3,634

FT% .679 .754 .717 .765 .760 .776 .836 .797 .818 .893 .829 .822 .841 .798

Reb. 359 556 553 610 712 551 763 536 637 677 480 330 358 7,122

Ast. 55 91 104 104 141 181 198 171 172 172 126 82 73 1,670

TP 818 1,117 1,159 1,511 1,565 1,448 2,008 1,446 1,758 1,712 1,251 780 762 17,335

PPG 10.0 13.6 14.1 18.4 19.8 21.3 26.1 22.6 22.5 20.9 18.4 13.9 10.7 17.0


Boston’s six-game defeat of the Houston Rockets for the 1981 NBA Championship. During the early and mid-1980’s, Boston—bolstered by superstar forward Larry Bird and solid performers such as center Robert Parish, power forward Cedric Maxwell, and guard Dennis Johnson—was one of the NBA’s dominant franchises. Kevin became an increasingly vital part of the Celtics’ success story. During his first four years, he appeared in all eighty-two games of each regular season. During the same span, his scoring average rose from 10 points per game in 1980-1981 to 13.6 in 1981-1982, 14.1 in 1982-1983, and 18.4 in 19841985. Kevin’s status as one of the NBA’s elite players was confirmed after the 1983-1984 and 19841985 seasons, when he was selected as the NBA’s best sixth man. Kevin also enjoyed successful stints as a starter during periods when Larry Bird or Robert Parish was sidelined with injuries. In 1985-1986, finally a regular starter, he broke the 20-pointsper-game barrier with a 21.3 scoring average. His career personal best came during the 19861987 season, when his per-game scoring average zoomed to 26.1, while he scored 2,008 points. Continuing the Story Under coach K. C. Jones, who had replaced Bill Fitch at the onset of the 1983-1984 season, the Celtics continued to thrill Boston fans, who thronged to the Boston Garden to witness the

heroics of Bird, Parish, Kevin, and company. In 1984, the Celtics topped West Coast rivals the Los Angeles Lakers to take another NBA Championship. Though the Lakers returned the favor by besting Boston for the 1985 NBA crown, the Celtics again ascended to the top spot by defeating the Houston Rockets in 1986. Once more in 19861987, Jones led his troops to the NBA’s Eastern Conference summit, qualifying them for another joust for the championship; again the Celtics were up against the Lakers. In another hard-fought campaign, Los Angeles beat Boston in six games to take the 1987 NBA title. During the Celtics’ glory days of the 1980’s, Kevin continued to amass impressive numbers and honors. A respected shot-blocker and rebounder, Kevin was selected for the NBA’s all-defensive first team in 1986-1987, 1987-1988, and 1988-1989. In 1987-1988, his .604 field-goal percentage led the

Honors and Awards 1979 Gold medal, Pan-American Games Gold medal, World University Games 1981 NBA All-Rookie Team 1983, 1989-90 NBA All-Defensive Second Team 1984, 1986-91 NBA All-Star Team 1984-85 NBA Sixth Man Award 1986-89 NBA All-Defensive First Team 1987 All-NBA First Team 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Uniform number 32 retired by Boston Celtics

247

Kevin McHale NBA. One of pro basketball’s most accurate shooters, Kevin, in 1986-1987, became the first NBA player to shoot better than 60 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line. In 19891990, Kevin, Bird, and Magic Johnson were the only NBA players to shoot better than 50 percent from the floor and 89 percent from the free-throw line. Kevin also was chosen to play in seven NBA allstar games. Playing thirteen seasons for the Celtics, Kevin scored 17,335 points, collected 7,122 rebounds, blocked 1,690 shots, and had a .554 completion percentage from the field. Players and coaches agree that he was probably the most difficult lowpost player to defend in the history of the NBA. His variety of drop steps, head fakes, pump fakes, hook shots, shovel shots, and fade-away jumpers always kept the best defenders guessing. After retiring as a player, Kevin joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as a television analyst and special assistant during the 1993-1994 season. He became assistant general manager of the Timberwolves in August, 1994, and continued as one of the team’s broadcasters. In May, 1995, he was promoted to vice president of basketball operations for the organization. One of his first actions was to hire college teammate Flip Saunders as head coach. The Timberwolves struggled in a tough conference, but Kevin was instrumental in adding young stars, such as Kevin Garnett, to the roster. Kevin’s transactions quickly paid dividends as the Timberwolves reached the NBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 1997. Overall, the Timberwolves improved under Kevin’s management, but there were missteps. In 1998, the team secretly agreed to a scheme with player Joe Smith to evade the league’s salary cap. Commissioner David Stern punished the Timberwolves by voiding Smith’s contract, withholding three of the Timberwolves’ next five first-round draft picks, and levying a large fine. The penalty hampered the team’s development, and Kevin sought to make trades and draft deals.

248

Great Athletes In 2004, the Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Lakers. In 2005, Saunders was fired, and Kevin assumed head-coaching duties, posting a respectable 19-12 record. However, he returned to management at the end of the season. In 2007, Kevin traded Garnett to the Boston Celtics. Having failed to build the Timberwolves around Garnett in twelve seasons, Minnesota received five players and two draft picks for its superstar. Sportswriters joked that Kevin was still rooting for Boston, which won the 2008 NBA Championship with Garnett as its leader. Summary As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA in 1996, Kevin McHale was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. As further recognition of his achievements in basketball, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. Kevin finished his thirteen-year career with Boston at the end of the 1992-1993 season. He had become the fourth-leading scorer in Boston’s distinguished history, behind only Havlicek, Bird, and Parish. His retired number 32 hangs from the rafters of Boston’s Fleet Center, a tribute to his unique abilities as a low-post scoring machine and to his exuberant personality. Chuck Berg, updated by Jan Hall Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. _______. The Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 1999. May, Peter. The Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish—The Best Frontcourt in the History of Basketball. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Ryan, Bob. The Boston Celtics: The History, Legends, and Images of America’s Most Celebrated Team. New York: Gallery Books, 1989.

Karl Malone Born: July 24, 1963 Bernice, Louisiana Also known as: Karl Anthony Malone (full name); Mailman Early Life Karl Anthony Malone, one of eight children of J. B. and Shirley Malone, was born on July 24, 1963, in Bernice, Louisiana. When Karl was five years old, his father abandoned the family, and his mother went to work in sawmills and poultry houses to sup-

port her children. Karl learned to play basketball on a makeshift clay court behind the family home. Karl’s older brother Danny toughened him up with rough play. Karl soon became a star player at Summerfield High School, setting scoring records and leading the team to three state championships. The Road to Excellence Karl’s impressive high-school performance drew the attention of college recruiters, and, in 1981, he accepted a scholarship to Louisiana Tech University in nearby Ruston. Buoyed by his success, however, Karl became arrogant and overconfident, and he neglected his schoolwork. His grades plummeted, and his scholarship was suspended; he had to take out a student loan to finish his freshman year. Chastened, Karl applied himself both on the court and in the classroom, and the effort was rewarded. In three years at Louisiana Tech, Karl, a powerfully built, 6-foot 9-inch forward, averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and twice led the school’s team into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. Fans of the school nicknamed Karl “The Mailman”— because, they said, he always delivered. After his junior season, Karl decided to turn professional, and he was selected by the Utah Jazz of the NBA with the thirteenth pick of the 1985 NBA draft.

Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone taking a jump shot against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2003. (Steve Dipaola/Reuters/Landov)

The Emerging Champion Karl had expected to be chosen much higher. Soon, teams regretted not drafting Karl. In his first season with the Jazz, Karl averaged 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds a game, earned selection to the NBA’s all-rookie team, and finished third in the league’s rookie of the year voting. However, he drew occasional criticism for a lack of intensity and for a reluctance to play near the basket. Though he was tall and powerful, he was also somewhat soft. 249

Great Athletes

Karl Malone


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

81 82 82 80 82 82 81 82 82 82 82 82 81 49 82 81 80 81 42

504 728 858 809 914 847 798 797 772 830 789 864 780 393 752 670 635 595 193

.496 .512 .520 .519 .562 .527 .526 .552 .497 .536 .519 .550 .530 .493 .509 .498 .454 .462 .483

195 323 552 703 696 684 673 519 611 516 512 521 628 378 589 536 509 474 168

.481 .598 .700 .766 .762 .770 .778 .740 .694 .742 .723 .755 .761 .788 .797 .793 .797 .763 .747

718 855 986 853 911 967 909 919 940 871 804 809 834 463 779 669 686 628 367

236 158 199 219 226 270 241 308 328 285 345 368 316 201 304 361 341 379 163

1,203 1,779 2,268 2,326 2,540 2,382 2,272 2,217 2,063 2,187 2,106 2,249 2,190 1,164 2,095 1,878 1,788 1,667 554

14.9 21.7 27.7 29.1 31.0 29.0 28.0 27.0 25.2 26.7 25.7 27.4 27.0 23.8 25.5 23.2 22.4 20.6 13.2

Totals

1,476

13,528

.516

9,787

.742

14,968

5,248

36,928

25.0


Frank Layden, Utah’s head coach, prodded Karl to play more seriously, and Karl began an intensive regimen of weightlifting. He bulked up to more than 250 pounds and acquired the physique of a bodybuilder. His hard work paid off, and he raised his averages to 21.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in his second NBA season. The next year, averaging 27.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, Karl was chosen to play in his first NBA all-star game. Continuing the Story At Utah, Karl teamed with star point guard John Stockton to give the Jazz one of the most effective player combinations in basketball. NBA fans soon grew accustomed to the sight of Stockton, a brilliant passer, feeding the ball to Karl, whose enormous strength made him almost unstoppable near the basket. During the 1988-1989 season, Karl finished second in the NBA in scoring with a 29.1 points-per-game average, second only to perennial scoring champion Michael Jordan. Karl also used his size and strength to make himself one of the league’s premier rebounders. During the 1989 NBA all-star game, Karl outperformed the game’s brightest stars to earn most valuable player honors. The following year, he 250

raised his scoring average still further, to 31.0 points per game, but again finished second to Jordan in the race for the league scoring title. On January 27, 1990, Karl scored a career-high 61 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, making 21 of 26 field-goal attempts and 19 of 23 free throws. In 1992, Karl’s status as one of the world’s best players was confirmed by his selection to the U.S. Dream Team, which romped to the gold medal in basketball at the Barcelona Olympics. In 1996, Karl won another gold medal as part of the U.S. Olympic team. Karl was one of the best power forwards to ever play in the NBA. He ran the floor, filled the lane on fast breaks, rebounded, hit the medium-range jumper, defended, became a very good free-throw shooter, and made a variety of powerful moves to score on the inside. He was extremely durable, missing only five games in his first thirteen seasons with the Jazz. In 1996, Karl was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Karl and Stockton led the Jazz to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, but the Jazz lost both seasons to Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. In 1999, Karl was selected as one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. He was named to the allNBA first team eleven times, which set an NBA record. He was also named twice to the second team

Basketball

Karl Malone

sas and a home in Louisiana. They have three and once to the third team. He played in twelve alldaughters and one son. Prior to the 2007-2008 basstar games and was named the most valuable player ketball season, Karl was named as an assistant bas(MVP) twice, the second time as the co-MVP with ketball coach at Louisiana Tech University. Stockton in 1993. Karl was selected to the NBA alldefensive first team three times. Summary Karl was the NBA most valuable player for the Karl Malone augmented his enormous natural 1996-1997 season and again for the 1999-2000 camability with a training regimen that made him one paign. On December 5, 2000, he passed Wilt Chamof the most imposing athletes in any sport. Many berlain to become the second-highest scorer in basketball experts recognize Karl as the greatest NBA history, with 31,443 points. Karl credited much power forward ever to play basketball. His success of his scoring success to the numerous assists he reis a striking example of the results that can be ceived from Stockton. achieved when talent is supplemented by hard After starring for the Jazz for eighteen seasons, work. Karl played his final campaign with the Los Angeles Robert McClenaghan, updated by Alvin K. Benson Lakers in 2003-2004. On April 25, 2004, against the Houston Rockets, he became the oldest player to Additional Sources score thirty points or more in an NBA playoff Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basgame. Over his career, Karl averaged a “doubleketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. double,” 25.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Deseret News Firm. The Jazz: Utah’s Dream Team. Salt In 2004, he retired with 36,928 career points. Only Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 1997. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points in an Doling, Nick, Chris Doling, and David Check. BasNBA career. At the time of his retirement, Karl held ketball Stars: The Greatest Players in the History of the the NBA records for most free throws attempted Game. New York: Black Dog and Leventhal, 1997. and made and was first in career defensive reKalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? bounds. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Karl purchased car dealerships in Salt Lake City, Lazenby, Roland. Stockton to Malone: The Rise of the Utah, and Albuquerque, New Mexico; a bed and Utah Jazz. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 2002. breakfast in Salt Lake City; and Malone EnterLewis, Michael C. To the Brink: Stockton, Malone, and prises, a trucking company. He appeared in the the Utah Jazz’s Climb to the Edge of Glory. New York: motion picture Rockwell and became an honorary Simon & Schuster, 1998. member of the Avikan Witanuche Ute Indian Tribe Schnakenberg, Robert. Teammates: Karl Malone in 1997. That same year, he was the first person to and John Stockton. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook be named “Utahan of the Year” by the Salt Lake TriPress, 1998. bune. In 1998, he received the Henry B. Iba Award for athletes who go out of their way to help others. In 2000, he made an exerHonors and Awards cise video that demonstrates his approach to maintaining physical fitness. 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team 1988 All-NBA Second Team Karl’s jersey, number 32, was retired NBA All-Defensive Second Team by the Jazz in 2006. A bronze statue of 1988-98, 2000 NBA All-Star Team Karl was placed in front of the Energy So1989-99 All-NBA First Team lutions Arena, the Jazz home court, to 1989, 1993 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player honor his contributions to the Jazz and 1992, 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team the NBA. A bronze statue of Stockton is 1996-97, 1999-2000 NBA most valuable player nearby, and a bronze plaque beneath 1997-99 NBA All-Defensive First Team the statues recognizes the success and 1999 Named one of twenty best NBA players of all time accomplishments of Karl and Stockton 2001, 2002 NBA All-Star Team 2006 Uniform number 32 retired by the Utah Jazz while playing together for the Jazz. Statue of Malone outside Utah Jazz’s home arena dedicated Karl and his wife Kay, a former Miss Idaho, maintain a cattle ranch in Arkan251

Moses Malone Born: March 23, 1955 Petersburg, Virginia Also known as: Moses Eugene Malone (full name) Early Life Moses Eugene Malone was born on March 23, 1955, in Petersburg, Virginia, a city that was the site of important military conflicts during the American Civil War. Life was not easy for Moses growing up as a young boy in the late 1950’s and the 1960’s. Moses was bigger than the other boys and girls in the neighborhood. At times, they would choose him first to be on their team because they knew he could help them win. On other occasions, however, they would make fun of him because of his size. Moses did not have any brothers or sisters, so when neighborhood playmates were not around, he played games—usually basketball— by himself. His mother, Mary, was a nurse’s aide who did not make enough money to provide Moses with everything he wanted, but she was always there to provide him with the encouragement he needed. The Road to Excellence Moses began his life in sports during his grade school years. He was always taller than the rest of the boys on his team, and, even in those early years when he was learning to play basketball, people noticed that Moses was a special player. During grade school and on through high school, Moses continued to improve as a basketball player. He spent many hours on the playground by himself practicing his shooting skills. During team practice sessions and in games against other schools, however, his trademark as a player began to appear—his rebounding. While playing on the varsity basketball team at Petersburg High School for four years, he set nine school records. During his senior year, he scored 52 points in one game and 895 points for the entire season. For his four-year varsity career, he scored 2,124 points. His other 252

records included the most field goals and free throws in one game, during one season, and for a high school career at Petersburg. By his senior year, he had grown to 6 feet 11 inches and had become known as the best high school basketball player in the United States. More than three hundred colleges offered him scholarships. “Sweet Moses,” as he signed his autograph, had a difficult time deciding which offer to accept. The Emerging Champion Moses’s determination caught the attention not only of college coaches but also of the professionals. After sorting through all the college offers, he decided to accept the scholarship from the Univer-

Moses Malone drives to the basket for a layup against the New York Nets in 1970. (NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Moses Malone


GP

FG

FG%

FT

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1974-75 1975-76

83 43

591 251

.571 .512

375 112

.635 .612

1,209 413

82 58

1,557 614

18.8 14.3

ABA Totals

126

842

.552

487

.629

1,622

140

2,171

17.2

1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95

82 59 82 82 80 81 78 71 79 74 73 79 81 81 82 82 11 55 17

389 413 716 778 806 945 654 532 602 571 595 531 538 517 280 440 13 102 13

.480 .499 .540 .502 .522 .519 .501 .483 .469 .458 .454 .487 .491 .480 .468 .474 .310 .440 .371

305 318 599 563 609 630 600 545 737 617 570 543 561 493 309 396 24 90 22

.693 .718 .739 .719 .757 .762 .761 .750 .815 .787 .824 .788 .789 .781 .831 .786 .774 .769 .688

1,072 886 1,444 1,190 1,180 1,188 1,194 950 1,031 872 824 884 956 812 667 744 46 226 46

89 31 147 147 141 142 101 96 130 90 120 112 112 130 68 93 7 34 6

1,083 1,144 2,031 2,119 2,222 2,520 1,908 1,609 1,941 1,759 1,760 1,607 1,637 1,528 869 1,279 50 294 49

13.2 19.4 24.8 25.8 27.8 31.1 24.5 22.7 24.6 23.8 24.1 20.3 20.2 18.9 10.6 15.6 4.5 5.3 2.9

NBA Totals

1,329

9,435

.491

8,531

.769

16,212

1,796

27,409

20.6


sity of Maryland, where Lefty Driesell was the coach. About the same time he chose Maryland, the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association (ABA) drafted him and offered him a large sum of money to play professional basketball. No player had ever gone directly from high school to professional basketball. Moses’s mother, who was his constant encouragement and the most important person in his life, allowed him to make this difficult decision. Much to the disappointment of Coach Driesell and to the surprise of the sports world, Moses chose to sign the contract with the Utah Stars. It made him the highest salaried teenage athlete in the United States. He was also offered a large scholarship by the Utah Stars to attend any college of his choice in the off-season. Many people believed the Stars had selected Moses as a publicity stunt because no high school player had ever made the move directly to the professional ranks. Many others did not believe Moses could be successful as a professional at only nineteen years of age. The same determination that made him a champion in high school, however, made him a champion as a professional.

Continuing the Story In his two years with the Utah Stars of the ABA, Moses gained the praise of his coach for how quickly he learned the professional game of basketball. Moses’s shooting was consistent, and his rebounding continued to amaze both teammates and opposing players. When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, Moses was challenged again to raise the quality of his play. In his first five seasons in the NBA, while playing for the Houston Rockets, he won the NBA rebounding title twice, finished second twice, and third, once. His scoring average rose steadily with each season, reaching a personal high of 31.1 points per game in the 1981-1982 season. He was named the NBA’s most valuable player in the 19781979 and 1981-1982 seasons. During his first year with the Philadelphia 76ers, in 1982-1983, he gained his third most valuable player award. During his career in the NBA, Moses did for the offensive rebound what Boston Celtic Bill Russell did for the blocked shot: He made it into an art that other players could only envy. Moses was selected to the NBA all-star team twelve times. 253

Moses Malone

Honors and Awards 1975 ABA All-Star Team ABA All-Rookie Team 1978-89 NBA All-Star Team 1979, 1982-83 NBA most valuable player 1979-85, 1987 All-NBA Team 1979, 1983 NBA All-Defensive Team 1983 NBA Finals most valuable player 1987 All-NBA Second Team 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Uniform number 24 retired by Houston Rockets 2001 Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

After his stint in Philadelphia, he played for the Washington Bullets, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Milwaukee Bucks. He returned to the 76ers in 1993 and finished his career with the San Antonio Spurs in 1995. Moses will be remembered not only for his greatness as an all-around player but also for his longevity. He played for twenty-one years and was a member of three ABA teams and six NBA teams. A ferocious rebounder, he was the first player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding for five consecutive seasons. His combined ABA and NBA totals were 29,580 points and 17,834 rebounds. Former NBA player and coach John Lucas noted that Moses was the greatest “blue-collar worker” in the history of basketball. In 1996, as part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA, Moses was named one of

254

Great Athletes the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 2001, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After retiring from basketball, Moses took some college courses but had no regrets about bypassing college for his pro basketball career. He provided counsel and guidance for young players who were considering an NBA career. Summary Determination and hard work made Moses Malone one of the best NBA players ever. In overcoming the limitations of his boyhood and the doubts of many who said he would never become a successful professional player, Moses made a place for himself in NBA history. Robert R. Mathisen Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Macnow, Glen, and Big Daddy Graham. The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists. Philadelphia: Running Press, 2006. O’Keefe, John. “Moses Malone, NBA All-Star Center.” Sports Illustrated 90, no. 15 (April 12, 1999): 14. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Pete Maravich Born: June 22, 1947 Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Died: January 5, 1988 Pasadena, California Also known as: Peter Press Maravich (full name); Pistol Pete Early Life Peter Press “Pistol Pete” Maravich was born June 22, 1947, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Pete was the first of two children born to Peter “Press” and Helen Maravich. Pete’s father was a basketball coach, so Pete’s involvement in the game was almost a requirement. Press developed his son’s interest for the game and did a masterful job of creating a youngster hungry for basketball. With his father a coach, the opportunities were present for Pete to become one of the top scorers in basketball history. The Road to Excellence From an early age, Pete was developed by his father for a life in basketball. When Pete was too young to play the game, he watched his father shoot baskets in the backyard. Pete itched to try it himself. His father would not allow it, trying to instill a desire for the sport that would be unparalleled. Pete received a basketball as a Christmas present one year, and the time had arrived for him to learn of his father’s extensive plan for his future. Pete’s basketball debut took place at Daniel High School in Clemson, North Carolina, where his father was the coach of the Clemson Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Pete was a 90-pound eighth-grader and was constantly jeered and teased by other children, as he was considerably smaller than his teammates. Although at first he was ignored on the basketball court because of his size, when Pete was

given the opportunity to contribute he did so with great success. In 1963, the Maravich family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina; Pete’s father became the assistant coach at North Carolina State University. Pete attended Needham-Broughton High School. At this point, he had grown to almost 6 feet in height. Still very skinny, young Pete was eager to display his rapidly developing talents to his new coach. When Pete graduated from high school, he was still rather slight in build. He and his father decided that another year would be helpful before

Utah Jazz guard Pete Maravich. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

255

Great Athletes

Pete Maravich

NCAA Division I Records Most points, 3,667 Highest scoring average, 44.2 Most games with at least 50 points, 28 Most points in a season, 1,381 (1969-70) Highest scoring average in a season, 44.5 (1969-70) Most games with at least 50 points, one season, 10 (1969-70) Most free throws made in a game, 30 (1969)

Pete tried college basketball. Pete left NeedhamBroughton with a 32-points-per-game average to attend Edwards Military Academy in Salemburg, North Carolina. “Pistol Pete” was 6 feet 4 inches tall and preparing for his college career. When his father accepted the head coaching position at Louisiana State University (LSU), Pete signed to play under his father. However, Pete was not happy with the move because LSU was primarily a football school at the time. The Emerging Champion Averaging 43 points per game on the freshman team his first year at LSU, Pete was eager to begin his varsity experience. He did so with a bang, averaging 43.8 points per game and setting a collegiate record. Pete’s junior year at LSU was another success. His two-year total of 2,097 points broke both Bob Pettit’s LSU career scoring record and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record for the most points in two seasons. His total of

1,148 points that season was the second-highest in NCAA history up to that time. In his final season at LSU, he set still more records. Pete broke Oscar Robertson’s NCAA career scoring record, Elvin Hayes’s NCAA single-season scoring record, and Calvin Murphy’s NCAA singlegame record all in the same year. He finished his college career with 3,667 points and a 44.2-pointsper-game average, both records. Pete signed a million-dollar contract with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. At the time, the contract was the largest in professional sports. Although all seemed to be going well, the anger of some veteran players over Pete’s large salary made his acceptance into the NBA difficult. After four years with the Hawks and no positive changes regarding his acceptance on the team, Pete was traded to the New Orleans Jazz for the 1974-1975 season. Pete’s desire to be on a championship team seemed less likely to be fulfilled, but his free-flowing, aggressive, and creative style of play blended much better with the young team. Pete played with New Orleans through the middle of the 1979-1980 season, when he was traded to the Boston Celtics. Continuing the Story Pete had difficultly finding a place on the Celtics with stars such as Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Dave Cowens, and Nate Archibald. During the remainder of the 1979-1980 season with Boston, his ailing knees bothering him, Pete was used primarily as a substitute. The Celtics were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs.


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80

81 66 79 76 79 62 73 50 49 43

738 460 789 819 655 604 886 556 436 244

.458 .427 .441 .457 .419 .459 .433 .444 .421 .449

404 355 485 469 390 396 501 240 233 91

.800 .811 .800 .826 .811 .811 .835 .870 .841 .867

298 256 346 374 422 300 374 178 121 78

355 393 546 396 488 332 392 335 243 83

1,880 1,275 2,063 2,107 1,700 1,604 2,273 1,352 1,105 589

23.2 19.3 26.1 27.7 21.5 25.9 31.1 27.0 22.6 13.7

Totals

658

6,187

.441

3,564

.820

2,747

3,563

15,948

24.2


256

Basketball At the beginning of the 1980-1981 season, Pete lost his desire to play the game and decided to retire. He worked hard at maintaining his interests with business ventures and his family: his wife Jackie and their two boys, Jaeson and Joshua. The final years of Pete’s life were made difficult by the death of his father, Press, in 1987, and the memories of his life’s incomplete goals and dreams. Pete found peace and happiness as a bornagain Christian and in travel, speaking engagements, clinics, and television commentary. On January 5, 1988, Pistol Pete died of a heart attack shortly after a pickup basketball game.

Pete Maravich

Honors and Awards 1968-70 Consensus All-American 1970 Rupp Trophy United Press International Division I Player of the Year U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year Naismith Award

1971 1973-74, 1977-79 1973, 1976-78 1987

Summary Pete Maravich became a crusader for youngsters, attempting to enrich their lives and give back some of what he believed he had been blessed with in his life. His accomplishments during that last phase of his life will not soon be forgotten. Meanwhile, Pete as court magician—his baggy socks, long hair, fancy dribbling, pinpoint passes through his legs and behind his back, and numerous records—will survive in NCAA and NBA lore. His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987 marked his farewell to the basketball world. “The Pistol,” however, will never be forgotten. Hal J. Walker

Sporting News College Player of the Year Helms Athletic Foundation Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Co-Player of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team NBA All-Star Team All-NBA Team Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Uniform number 7 retired by Utah Jazz

Additional Sources Berger, Phil. Forever Showtime: The Checkered Life of Pistol Pete Maravich. Dallas, Tex.: Taylor, 1999. Federman, Wayne, and Marshall Terrill. Maravich. Wilmington, Del.: Sport Classic Books, 2006. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kriegel, Mark. Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich. New York: Free Press, 2007. Towle, Mike. I Remember Pete Maravich: Personal Recollections of Basketball’s Pistol Pete by the People and Players Who Knew Him. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House, 2000. _______. Pete Maravich: Magician of the Hardwood. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House, 2003.

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Hortåncia Marcari Born: September 23, 1959 Potirendaba, São Paulo, Brazil Also known as: Hortåncia Maria de Fa’tima Marcari (full name); Hortåncia Maria de Fátima Marcari Oliva

with basketball after she first learned the game as a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Within two years of taking up the game, the lanky teenager had become good enough to compete for a spot on Brazil’s national women’s team.

Early Life In 1959, Hortåncia de Fa’tima Marcari was born to a poor family in São Paulo, a sprawling metropolis in southeastern Brazil that is one of the world’s largest cities. Although soccer is South America’s most popular sport, Hortåncia became fascinated

The Road to Excellence Hortåncia became a member of the Brazilian national team in 1979, and she soon became a star both in international competition and on the club level in Brazil, where professional women’s basketball is popular. A slender 5-foot 8-inch shooting guard, she earned respect for her accurate outside shooting, her quick, acrobatic drives to the basket, and her fiery competitive nature. By 1983, Hortåncia was known to fans around the world by her first name alone. American colleges, including the powerful University of Tennessee, tried to lure her to the United States to play basketball, but all of them were unsuccessful. “I always wanted to come to the United States—not to earn money but because they have the best basketball,” she told a reporter. “Tennessee offered me an education, but I needed money to support my family. I couldn’t leave Brazil.” By the mid1980’s, she was earning the equivalent of $5,000 per month playing Brazilian club basketball.

Hortência Marcari at the 1996 Olympics. (AP/Wide World Photos)

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The Emerging Champion By the mid-1980’s, Hortåncia had established herself as perhaps the biggest female star in the sport. In a game for the São Paulo city championship, she scored 120 points to lead her team to a landslide victory. She was also a major celebrity in South America; at one point, she drew considerable publicity for her decision to pose for the Brazilian edition of Playboy magazine. However, she remained

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1983 1987 1991 1994 1996 2002 2005 2007

Bronze medal, Pan-American Games Silver medal, Pan-American Games Gold medal, Pan-American Games Gold medal, World Basketball Championships Silver medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame

(Accurate statistics are not available for Marcari’s playing career.)

almost unknown to North American fans. In part, this was because the Brazilian women’s team had never qualified to play in the Olympics, the showcase of international women’s basketball. Moreover, the Brazilian women had not managed to defeat the perennially powerful U.S. team since the 1971 Pan-American Games. At the first Goodwill Games, held in Moscow in July of 1986, Hortåncia and backcourt partner Maria Da Silva united to propel the Brazilian team. In Brazil, the two guards had become so dominant that they were not allowed to play on the same club team; in one eleven-year span, their teams met for the league championship ten times. However, even the duo’s combined performance was not good enough to stop the U.S. team, which won the gold medal. The following year, Hortåncia and her teammates got a measure of revenge by routing Tennessee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champions, by the score of 105-68. Hortåncia scored 34 points on 10 of 14 shooting opportunities and dominated the court, causing Tennessee coach Pat Summitt to compare her to NBA great Larry Bird. Continuing the Story The 1987 Pan-American Games at Indianapolis, Indiana, were eagerly anticipated by fans in both Brazil and the United States. During an early-round game, the U.S. team narrowly beat Brazil 84-81, as Hortåncia struggled with fouls, shots that missed the mark, and frustrating offensive plays. In a finalround rematch between the U.S. and Brazilian teams, Hortåncia had control of the court at the beginning of the game. She scored many three-point shots and banked in underhand shots off the glass. At one point, she even slapped her hand on the

Hortåncia Marcari press table as she ran down the court. However, her energetic play was again not enough; despite her 30 points, the U.S. team prevailed 111-87. In the 1991 Pan-American Games in Havana, Cuba, Brazil fielded a more balanced team. Rather than relying entirely on Hortåncia and Da Silva, the Brazilians diversified their attack to feature the inside play of center Marta Souza and forward Janeth Dos Santos. In the critical semifinal game, the Brazilian and U.S. squads squared off again. With seconds remaining and the pro-Brazil Cuban crowd cheering wildly, Hortåncia drove around U.S. defender Teresa Edwards and scored on a baseline jump shot to put the game away. Brazil held on to win 87-84, ending the U.S. team’s nine-year, fortytwo-game winning streak in international competition; after the buzzer, Da Silva did cartwheels across the court. In the finals, Brazil downed Cuba to take the gold medal, putting an end to years of national frustration. By then, Hortåncia had begun playing for teams in Europe at salaries that approached $200,000 a year. She had also married José Victor Oliva, a wealthy Brazilian nightclub owner, and the couple had become renowned for their jet-set lifestyle. In the late 1980’s, Hortåncia appeared in a ten-page layout in the Brazilian Playboy magazine, with the front cover reading “Our Queen, Hortåncia,” which referred to her status as possibly the best woman basketball player in the world. In 1994, Hortåncia’s career reached its apex. In the semifinals of the FIBA World Championship, she scored 32 points as the Brazilian team again upset the U.S. team by a score of 110-107. In the finals against China, she scored 27 points to lead the Brazilians to their first world title. Having reached the summit of women’s basketball at last, after the game, she retired from international competition. Because of her exploits on the basketball floor, Hortåncia was regarded in Brazil as the female equivalent of Pelé. The heart and soul of Brazilian basketball, she was known by only her first name and was often referred to as the queen of sports in Brazil. With the advent of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, Hortåncia came out of retirement to participate at the age of thirty-six. In Brazil’s win over Ukraine in a semifinal game, Hortåncia scored 20 points on 8 out of 13 shooting opportuni259

Hortåncia Marcari ties from the field. Although she slipped to 11 points in the gold-medal game against the United States, the play of Hortåncia and Paula da Silva garnered the silver medal for the Brazilian team. Hor tåncia played in five Olympics, leading the runand-gun Brazilian team. Most Brazilians still regard her as the biggest star ever to play women’s basketball. Hortåncia became the general manager and director of the Paran basketball team in the Confederation of Brazilian Basketball, which represents the national and international basketball organization in Brazil. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007.

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Great Athletes Summary Hortåncia Marcari enjoyed unprecedented success on both the national and international levels of women’s basketball. Her outstanding performances on the court and her colorful lifestyle off it made her one of the few celebrities known around the world by first name alone. Marcia J. Mackey Additional Sources Corbett, Sara. Venus to the Hoop: A Gold-Medal Year in Women’s Basketball. New York: Doubleday, 1998. Wallechinsky, David, and Jaime Loucky. The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2008 Edition. London: Aurum Press, 2008.

Slater Martin Born: October 22, 1925 El Mina, Texas Also known as: Slater Nelson Martin, Jr. (full name); Dugie Early Life Slater Nelson Martin, Jr., was born on October 22, 1925, in the rural community of El Mina, Texas, outside the city of Houston. A descendant of a Scotch-Irish father and a Native American mother,

Slater was small in physical stature as a child, but he quickly developed fiery competitive instincts because he always played with much bigger children. He played unorganized football and baseball at an early age in the dusty, grassless fields near his home. In football, Slater developed exceptional speed and quickness, a necessity to escape injury. At the age of eleven, Slater and his family moved to Houston, Texas. Here, Slater’s new neighbor and close friend, Jamie Owens, introduced him to basketball. On the playground near their home, the two boys shot baskets for hours each day. Slater loved his newfound game. In addition to his speed and quickness, Slater soon became an excellent set shooter and a pesky defensive player.

Slater Martin. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

The Road to Excellence The first team on which Slater played was in junior high school; however, during those two years he played little. At Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, Slater failed to make the freshman team. Somewhat discouraged, he turned to baseball, a sport in which he was highly skilled. He soon returned to basketball, however, and worked even harder on his skills. As a sophomore, Slater made the varsity team and became a starter in the last twelve games of the 19411942 season. By his junior year, Slater had grown to 5 feet 8 inches and 140 pounds, small for a basketball player. Nevertheless, Slater was emerging into a fine ball handler and excellent passer. Also, he could score whenever the situation required. With these skills, Slater led his high school team to two Texas State Basketball titles, as a junior in 1942 and as a senior in 1943. Following high school graduation, in the midst of World War II, Slater joined the United States Navy. During his thirty-three months of service, Slater had limited opportunity to play basketball. He grew to a height of 5 feet 10 inches and weighed 155 pounds. 261

Great Athletes

Slater Martin


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60

67 68 66 70 69 72 72 66 60 71 64

106 227 237 260 254 350 309 244 258 245 142

.351 .362 .375 .410 .388 .381 .358 .332 .336 .347 .371

59 121 142 224 176 276 329 230 206 197 113

.634 .684 .747 .780 .724 .769 .833 .790 .746 .776 .729

— 246 228 186 166 260 260 288 228 253 187

148 235 249 250 253 427 445 269 218 336 330

271 575 616 744 684 976 947 718 722 687 397

4.0 8.5 9.3 10.6 9.9 13.6 13.2 10.9 12.0 9.4 6.2

Totals

745

2,632

.364

2,073

.762

—

3,160

7,337

9.8


Having completed his military service in 1945, Slater enrolled at the University of Texas, where he quickly rejuvenated his dormant basketball skills. Under the tutelage of Texas head coach Jack Gray, Slater became a stellar all-around player at the guard position. Along with his playmaking talent, Slater was called upon to be more of a scorer. He responded by averaging 10 and 12 points per game as a sophomore and junior, respectively. As a senior, Slater averaged 16 points per game and led the Longhorns in scoring. In his sophomore and junior years, 1946-1947 and 1947-1948, Slater led the University of Texas into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament, but the team lost in the first round each time. Slater’s senior season, 1948-1949, was his most outstanding. Although the Longhorns did not make the NCAA tournament, Slater’s 16-points-per-game scoring average included a 49-point performance against Texas Christian University; he was also named Southwest Conference (SWC) most valuable player. In 1949, Slater graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in physical education and married his college sweetheart, Faye.

In his rookie season, Slater scored 271 points in sixty-seven games for a four-points-per-game average and led the Lakers to the NBA Championship—the first of four NBA titles for Slater and the Lakers. He set up many baskets for George Mikan and Jim Pollard during the Lakers’ championship years. In 1955, Slater led the league with 427 assists for an average of nearly six per game. During his career with the Lakers, Slater earned the reputation as the best small defensive player in the league and the nickname “Dugie” for his persistence and drive. These attributes contributed to Slater’s selection to the all-NBA second team from 1954-1955 through 1958-1959. Following a contract dispute with the Lakers, Slater was traded to the New York Knickerbockers for the 1956-1957 season. He played only thirteen games before a trade sent him to the St. Louis Hawks. Slater played with St. Louis from 1956 to 1960, during which time he won his fifth NBA title as he led the Hawks to the championship in the

Honors and Awards 1949 SWC most valuable player

Sporting News All-American

The Emerging Champion In the spring of 1949, the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA were building a dynasty. The Lakers had legendary players George Mikan and Jim Pollard, but the team needed a playmaking guard. Slater joined the Lakers for the 1949-1950 season and directed the team from the guard position. 262

1953-59 NBA All-Star Team 1955-59 All-NBA Second Team 1966 Inducted into Texas Sports Hall of Fame 1981 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Basketball 1957-1958 campaign. He was named to the all-NBA second team for the fifth time in his career. During eleven NBA seasons, Slater played in 745 games, scored 2,632 field goals and 2,073 free throws for 7,337 points and a 9.8-points-per-game average. Continuing the Story During his early years in the NBA, Slater played semiprofessional baseball in Texas in the summer months. He also took up golf, which he continued to play to nearly a scratch handicap. Upon retirement from professional basketball, Slater worked in the construction business in Houston, Texas. He also owned and operated a restaurant, but he spent much of his time on the golf course.

Slater Martin Summary Slater Martin’s physical size was never a deterrent to his athletic success. He was a gifted athlete whose drive, determination, and enthusiasm for a physical challenge made basketball fun. An outstanding playmaker, Slater was the original mold from which the modern-day basketball point guard is cast. Jerry Jaye Wright Additional Sources Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

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Ann Meyers Born: March 26, 1955 San Diego, California Also known as: Ann Elizabeth Meyers (full name); Ann Meyers Drysdale Early Life Ann Elizabeth Meyers was born on March 26, 1955, in San Diego, California. Ann came from a family of eleven children, and she was shy and insecure. As in many large families, there was a lot of sibling rivalry and hand-me-downs. Basketball was the main sport in the Meyers family, but Ann also lettered in track, volleyball, badminton, tennis, field hockey, and softball at Sonora High School in La Habra, California. Because of her success in track, Ann had aspirations of participating in the Olympics and competing in the high jump. Basketball, however, became a real love for Ann. She found that basketball was a sport she could play by herself. Despite lettering in seven sports in high school, Ann had the same dream as her older brother David—to be able to play basketball for a living. Ann spent many hours on the courts dribbling and shooting to work toward that dream. Basketball became her release. The Road to Excellence Because of her great success in basketball, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) offered Ann its first women’s athletic scholarship. UCLA seemed to be a natural choice for Ann, because it was close to home and her brother Dave was playing basketball there, too. Friends and family could travel to UCLA and watch Ann reach for her dream and also see her brother Dave play. The full athletic scholarship also assisted the Meyers family, and the fact that big brother Dave was on campus provided a sense of security. During her senior year in high school, Ann participated in the 1975 Pan-American Games and FIBA World Championship. Ann’s senior year was filled with travel and excitement. From 1975 to 1977, Ann had the opportunity to participate in the World University Games. Furthermore, in 1976, Ann guided the U.S. women’s basketball 264

team to a silver medal in the Montreal Olympics. Ann became the first four-time women’s allAmerican basketball guard during her career at UCLA (1975-1978). In 1978, Ann’s play led the UCLA Bruins to the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Collegiate Women’s Basketball Championship. The Bruins defeated the University of Maryland 90-74 before a crowd of 9,351. During that game Ann scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, handed out 9 assists, and had 8 steals. Ann completed her four-year career with 1,685 points, averaging 17.4 points per game and 8.4 rebounds. In 1978, she was named the AIAW basket-

Ann Meyers, who played collegiately for the UCLA Bruins. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

Basketball

Ann Meyers

ball player of the year and was the recipient of the Honda Broderick Cup as the outstanding female collegiate athlete of the year. During the time Ann played for the Bruins, women’s sports were not supported well. While the men’s basketball team traveled to away games by bus or plane, the women’s team would travel by vans or station wagons. Practicing in the women’s gym was quite different from practicing in the men’s gym. Still, many times the men’s basketball coaches assisted Ann in getting the classes she wanted, and despite the lack of program equality, Ann made a name for herself at UCLA. Even with her astonishing four-year basketball career, Ann found time to run track, play volleyball, and try out for the tennis team. The Emerging Champion Ann finished her four-year basketball career with all-American distinction. The future for Ann was not as clear as it was for her brother Dave, who became a professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks. Ann was glad she had pursued a college degree; because there was not a major professional women’s league for basketball, she could not use her four years of college as a stepping-stone for a professional basketball career, as many males had done. Ann was grateful just to be given the opportunity to play a sport she loved and to obtain a degree. On September 6, 1979, Ann became the first woman to be signed by an NBA team. The Indiana Pacers signed Ann to a one-year, $50,000, no-cut contract. The contract guaranteed her a paid salary but not a spot on the team. The Pacers promoted Ann as a three-point threat. Many people felt the Pacers used the contract as a publicity stunt to attract more spectators. Earlier in the year, Ann

Honors, Awards, and Milestones 1975 1975-77 1975-78 1975, 1979 1976 1978

1980 1981 1985 1990 1993 2001 2007

Women’s U.S. Pan-American Games Gold medalist World University Games, Women’s U.S. Team Kodak All-American World Championships, Women’s U.S. Team Gold medal, Jones Cup Silver medal, Olympic Basketball AIAW Basketball Player of the Year Honda Broderick Cup AIAW Championship Team UCLA Athlete of the Year All-Western Collegiate Athletic Association Team All-Region 8 Team WPBL co-most valuable player WPBL most valuable player Inducted into International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame Uniform number 15 retired by UCLA Athletic Department Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Named a John R. Wooden all-time All-American Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame

had had the opportunity to sign with a women’s professional league, but she decided to wait in order to participate in the 1980 Olympics. By turning pro and signing with the Pacers, Ann turned down the opportunity to play in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, but Ann felt that the Pacers’ offer was a chance of a lifetime. Many people worried about Ann’s signing with the Pacers. Even her brother Dave showed concern because of the talent his sister had and the possibility of her getting hurt physically and emotionally. Dave knew how brutal the media could be and was worried about situations where Ann could be made fun of or mocked. On September 12, 1979, two days after tryouts began for the Pacers, Ann was cut from the team. Ann knew the game and had the fundamentals, but

College Statistics Season 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 Totals

GP 23 23 22 29 97

FGM 183 129 160 221 693

FG% .528 .426 .505 .526 .500

FTM 56 65 82 96 299

FT% .767 .730 .828 .800 .785

Reb. 191 189 161 278 819

Ast. 125 128 109 182 544

TP 422 323 402 538 1,685

PPG 18.3 14.0 18.3 18.6 17.4


265

Ann Meyers her 5-foot 9-inch frame was too small for the NBA. She was retained as a radio color commentator for the Pacers’ games. Ann was also the color commentator for the 1979 UCLA men’s basketball team. Continuing the Story After Ann was cut, two professional women’s basketball teams, the New Jersey Gems and the Houston Angels, sought her talent. At that time the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WPBL) could pay its players only $7,000 to $20,000 a season. The salary offered to play on the women’s professional team was much lower than the $50,000 Ann was receiving as color commentator for the Indiana Pacers. On November 15, 1979, after a series of salary negotiations, Ann signed a three-year contract with the New Jersey Gems for $130,000. Ann competed as a New Jersey Gem for two years, sitting out in protest part of the last year as a result of contract disagreements. Meyers won both most valuable player trophies of the short-lived WPBL. In 1986, Ann married retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale and had three children. She also worked as a sports broadcaster. On February 3, 1990, Ann was among the first UCLA basketball players to officially have her UCLA Bruins jersey, number 15, retired, along with Bill Walton’s and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s. Ann has served as a color analyst on broadcasts of many different Olympic events, including softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, and women’s basketball. She covered several women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournaments during the 1990’s. In 2000, Ann was a broadcaster for the NCAA Women’s Final Four and

266

Great Athletes for the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. She worked for the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a commentator for the NBA and for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was later named the vice president of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the general manager of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. In 1985, Ann became the first basketball player inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. In 1993, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. She said that her greatest mentor was her late husband, Don Drysdale. They were the first married couple ever to be inducted into the halls of fame in their respective sports. Ann has won numerous other awards and honors: She was named a John Wooden all-time all-American player and was inducted into the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Hall of Fame. Summary Ann Meyers was truly a pioneer of women’s basketball—she is often considered the greatest women’s basketball player ever. Her fortitude was an inspiration to women in basketball and other professions. Carol L. Higy Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Gutman, Bill. Shooting Stars: The Women of Pro Basketball. New York: Random House, 1998. Porter, Karra. Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women’s Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2006.

George Mikan Born: June 18, 1924 Joliet, Illinois Died: June 1, 2005 Scottsdale, Arizona Also known as: George Lawrence Mikan, Jr. (full name); Mr. Basketball Early Life George Lawrence Mikan, Jr., was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois. The first child of George Mikan, a Croatian, and his wife Minnie, a Lithuanian, George grew to a height of 6 feet 10 inches

and a weight of 245 pounds. George and his brothers, Joe and Ed, worked in the family restaurant after school. George aspired to be a concert pianist; he enjoyed the musical skills he developed as a youngster throughout his life. George had few basketball skills as a boy. At the age of thirteen, he broke his leg in a game. He left Joliet Catholic High School to pursue the Catholic priesthood at Quigley Seminary in downtown Chicago. The Joliet coach had already discouraged him from basketball because of George’s poor eyesight. His thirty-five-mile commute to Quigley left no time for basketball. His height had done little but make George awkward, shy, and self-conscious.

Minneapolis Lakers center George Mikan in 1946. (NBAE/Getty Images)

The Road to Excellence George tried out for basketball at Notre Dame University. Coach George Keogan said he would never succeed with his quarter-inch-thick glasses. Notre Dame assistant coach Ray Meyer had just become head coach at Chicago’s DePaul University and decided to work with George. Skipping rope, shadowboxing, and scrimmaging one-on-one with more agile teammates improved George’s timing. George played four years of varsity basketball for DePaul. In 1942-1943, George’s first season, DePaul won nineteen games and lost five. George’s ability to block shots on their way downward into the basket contributed to a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rule against goaltending. In 1944, DePaul lost in the finals of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) but won the next year. George scored 120 points in the final three games, with a high of 53. He was a three-time all-American, from 1944 to 1946. In all, he scored 1,870 points, a collegiate record at that time, and DePaul’s record was 83-18. In the off-season, George was a base267

Great Athletes

George Mikan ball pitcher, attracting offers from major-league scouts. At 6 feet 10 inches tall, it was inevitable that George would choose basketball. The Emerging Champion The National Basketball League (NBL) had begun in 1937, but with teams in Anderson, Indiana, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, it was a small-time operation until World War II. George’s team, the Chicago American Gears, was sponsored by a business. George earned $12,000 per season. The year George became a professional, 1946, he married Patricia Lu Deveny. They had four sons and two daughters. When the Gears disbanded after twenty-five games, George joined the Minneapolis Lakers. In 1947-1948, he scored an average of 21.3 points per game and was chosen unanimously as most valuable player in the NBL. That year, the Lakers won the title and established a dynasty. In 1948-1949, the Lakers were one of four NBL teams to join a new league, the NBA. Commissioner Maurice Podoloff added eleven teams from his Basketball Association of America (BAA). George, wearing his familiar number 99, was the drawing card that professional basketball needed. Everywhere crowds came to see him. In the NBA’s first year, the Lakers won another title. The league’s leading scorer was George Mikan, averaging 28.3 points. A dramatic moment in that season came when George’s wrist was broken in the playoffs. George played the last two games with one hand dangling in a cast and averaged 30 points.

George, Vern Mikkelson, Jim Pollard, Arnie Ferrin, and Slater Martin—one of the greatest teams ever assembled—won a third consecutive championship in 1949-1950. Again the league’s leading scorer, George averaged 27.4 points per game. In 1950-1951, George led the NBA in scoring with 28.4 points per game. With George out because of a broken ankle, the Lakers lost in the playoff semifinals to the Rochester Royals. On November 22, 1950, one of the strangest games ever in professional basketball took place. Fort Wayne defeated the Lakers 19-18 despite George’s 15 points. Games like this led to the 24second rule in 1954-1955, which forced a team to shoot within 24 seconds. No longer could professional teams stall to keep the ball from superstars like George. In the 1951-1952 season, the three-second lane—the corridor from the free throw line to the basket—was enlarged from 6 to 12 feet across. Great centers like George had to get out from under the basket sooner. George commented: “They made the game better . . . more wide-open play and outside shooting.” The change did not slow him down; in an early-season game he scored 61 points. The Lakers won a fourth title. Continuing the Story After the 1953-1954 season and the Lakers’ fifth title in seven years, George shocked coach Larry Kundla by announcing his retirement. He was not quite thirty years old. Nicknamed “Mr. Basketball,” George had dominated the game from 1946 to 1954. Whenever the Lakers visited New York City,


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1955-56

25 56 60 68 68 64 70 72 37

147 406 583 649 678 545 500 441 148

— — .416 .407 .428 .385 .399 .380 .395

119 383 532 567 576 433 442 424 94

.726 .752 .772 .779 .803 .780 .780 .777 .770

— — — — 958 866 1,007 1,028 308

— — 218 197 208 194 201 174 53

413 1,195 1,698 1,865 1,932 1,523 1,442 1,306 390

16.5 21.3 28.3 27.4 28.4 23.8 20.6 18.1 10.5

Totals

520

4,097

—

3,570

.778

—

—

11,764

22.6


268

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1944-45 Helms Athletic Foundation Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year 1944-46 Consensus All-American 1948 NBL most valuable player 1949-54 All-NBA Team 1950 Associated Press Player of the Half Century 1951-54 NBA All-Star Team 1953 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1959 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

the Madison Square Garden marquee always read: “Tonite George Mikan vs. Knicks.” George then became the Lakers’ general manager. Without him on the team, the Lakers slumped. Absent a year and a half, George returned to the lineup, but weighing 265 pounds and out of shape, he averaged only 10.5 points. In 1956, George retired for good. With attendance down, the team later moved to Los Angeles. In 1949, George became a lawyer through offseason study, and his business career proved successful. In 1967, he became the first commissioner of the new American Basketball Association (ABA). The red, white, and blue ball, the ABA trademark, was George’s conception. In 1969, he resigned to continue his law practice in Minneapolis. George was instrumental in professional basketball’s return to Minneapolis, heading a task force that eventually resulted in the formation of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Though he maintained a low profile, he was proud of his Lakers heritage and became a close friend of former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal—in 1996, the two appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with another Lakers

George Mikan legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. George died in 2005. Summary Without the 24-second rule, basketball was a game of low scores. Under these conditions, George Mikan’s scoring averages were incredible. Although slow getting downcourt, George was a deadly shooter and a fine playmaker, great on defense, and rugged. Much injured, he gave as well as he got. He made weapons out of his elbows to survive. Usually double- or tripleteamed, he often fouled but seldom fouled out. Over the span of six professional seasons, George led the league in scoring three times, was second twice, and was fourth once. He made the all-NBA first team six consecutive years. In 1950, he was named the Associated Press player of the half century. He revolutionized basketball, making it more offense-oriented. George Mikan, professional basketball’s first superstar, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. Daniel C. Scavone Additional Sources Lazenby, Roland. The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. McCallum, Jack. “The Original Big Man.” Sports Illustrated 102, no. 24 (June 13, 2005): 52-53. Mikan, George, and Joseph Oberle. Unstoppable: The Story of George Mikan, the First NBA Superstar. Indianapolis, Ind.: Masters Press, 1997. Schumacher, Michael. Mr. Basketball: George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers, and the Birth of the NBA. New York: Bloomsbury, 2007.

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Cheryl Miller Born: January 3, 1964 Riverside, California Also known as: Cheryl DeAnne Miller (full name) Early Life Cheryl DeAnne Miller was born on January 3, 1964, in Riverside, California. Cheryl’s father, a career Air Force man and professional musician, had

been a prep all-American basketball player and college all-conference player. A registered nurse, Cheryl’s mother considered her first daughter her “little nurse.” Cheryl was the middle of five children. Her oldest brother, a talented athlete with little patience, became a musician. The other children all became athletes. The second brother was a professional baseball player; a younger brother, Reggie, became a professional basketball player; and the youngest daughter chose volleyball as her sport.

Cheryl Miller gives the number one sign after leading the U.S team to victory and a gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics. (AP/Wide World Photos)

270

The Road to Excellence At the age of five, Cheryl began playing basketball with her older brothers. Throughout elementary school, she played with boys. She learned to be aggressive and hold her own against players who were bigger and stronger. In her first game, when she was only in third grade, she scored 40 points. Cheryl’s father schooled Cheryl and Reggie in basketball basics. He built a practice court in the family’s yard and coached and practiced with his children daily. Throughout her career, Cheryl continued to call her father her coach, her trainer, and her best friend. Cheryl and Reggie were like twins, as well as each other’s greatest fan. During their early teen years, Reggie challenged other players to games with him and his sister while Cheryl hid. Then Cheryl would come out from hiding and surprise their prey. During her four years as a high school basketball star, Riverside Poly won eighty-nine straight games. Cheryl scored 3,026 total points. On January 27, 1982, Cheryl scored a record 105 points and made history by becoming the first girl to slam-dunk in a high school game. The first male or female four-time prep allAmerican and four-time member of the allAmerican junior national team, Cheryl received playing offers from more than two hundred colleges and universities. Cheryl, a B-average student who enjoyed drawing and

Basketball

Cheryl Miller

College Statistics Season 1983 1984 1985 1986 Totals

GP 33 33 30 32 128

FGM 268 281 302 308 1,159

FG% .551 .570 .528 .609 .563

FTM 137 164 201 198 700

FT% .737 .752 .696 .753 .734

Reb. 320 350 474 390 1,534

Ast. 115 120 86 93 414

TP 673 726 805 814 3,018

PPG 20.4 22.0 26.8 25.4 23.6


often read before a game to calm herself, looked for a school with a strong communications program. She chose to attend the University of Southern California (USC) and to play basketball for the Trojans. The Emerging Champion In 1983, as a 6-foot 3-inch first-year student at USC, Cheryl distinguished herself with an aggressive style of play formerly attributed to male basketball stars. She demonstrated high-flying tip-ins, fullcourt passes, and a jumping ability unusual for a woman. Setting freshman records in scoring average, rebounds, free throws, steals, blocked shots, and points per game, Cheryl led the already strong Trojan team to its first national championship. For Cheryl, this was the biggest thrill of her life. In 1984, the team won a second championship. With her intense, high-caliber play, Cheryl continued to demonstrate that women’s basketball had begun a new era. Her exuberant antics, such as her “hotdog wrist”—a showy modification of a follow-through training technique used by Cheryl’s father—and cartwheels on the court, raised the eyebrows of conservative coaches and fans. Although Cheryl was called a “hotdog,” she argued that her conduct was not an act but a spontaneous reaction to the emotion and stress of the game. Some people, including several well-known former women basketball players, said that Cheryl was a star only because women’s sports were finally acknowledged and supported. Others, however, recognized her hard work to excel in all phases of the sport and the 100 percent effort she gave in every game. Training for the 1984 Olympics was the most challenging time in Cheryl’s career, men-

tally and physically, but the work paid off as she led the team—considered the greatest ever to play women’s basketball—to a gold medal. Cheryl was flattered by the comparisons to the Soviet star Ulyana Semenova and to male players like Magic Johnson, but she resented the expectation that she improve each time she stepped onto the court. Cheryl played basketball because she loved it. During her last two years as a player at USC, Cheryl was sometimes discouraged by seasons that did not result in national championships. Even though her game continued to improve, she was getting burned out and even considered retiring after her junior year. She did not quit, but her im-

USC Records Most points, 3,018 Highest scoring average, 23.6 Most field goals, 1,159 Most free throws made, 700 Most rebounds, 1,534 Highest average in rebounds per game, 12.0 Most steals, 462 Most games played, 128

Honors and Awards 1983 Gold medal, Pan-American Games, Women’s U.S. Team 1983-84 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1983-86 College All-American All-Conference Team 1984 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1984-85 Honda Broderick Cup 1984-86 Naismith Trophy 1985 Wade Trophy 1985-86 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year 1986 Gold medal, Goodwill Games, Women’s U.S. Team NCAA Today’s Top Six Award Uniform number 31 retired by USC 1991 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Decade 1995 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1999 Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

271

Cheryl Miller pulsive style of play was somewhat tempered by the circumstances. Continuing the Story Although Cheryl was already a four-time all-American, three-time winner of the Naismith Trophy, winner of the Wade Trophy, and player of the decade for the 1980’s, her basketball legacy did not end with her final USC game in 1986. She was drafted by the United States Basketball League, a men’s league, as well some other professional leagues. Though injuries kept her from playing pro ball or on the 1988 Olympic team, she continued to be involved with basketball as a Trojans assistant coach from 1986 to 1991. In addition, Cheryl pursued a career in telecommunications by working as a color commentator for ABC Sports college basketball telecasts. In 1993, Cheryl was appointed the head coach of the women’s basketball team at USC. During her two seasons there, Cheryl coached the team to a 4414 record. In 1994, her team won the Pac-10 Conference title. Cheryl was the first basketball player to have her uniform number retired by USC. Cheryl gave up her coaching position at USC so she could resume her broadcasting career. Initially she worked for the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), handling a variety of assignments for Wide World of Sports. In 1995, she joined Turner Sports as an analyst and an NBA reporter on Turner Network Television (TNT). The same year, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Off of the court, Cheryl served as the commis-

272

Great Athletes sioner of the 1985 Los Angeles Olympic Committee Summer Youth Games. She has also been a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Literacy Campaign; the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and the American Lung, Diabetes, and Cancer Associations. In 1997, Cheryl became the head coach and general manager of the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). During four seasons at Phoenix, Cheryl led the team to the playoffs three times. At the end of 2000, she resigned and turned her attention to full-time broadcasting work. Summary Cheryl Miller finished her college career with virtually every USC record as well as with a National Collegiate Athletic Association academic award. Cheryl’s influence extended beyond the boundaries of the basketball court. She revolutionized basketball by demonstrating that it was possible and acceptable for girls and women to play hard, be physical, be competitive, and still have fun. Little girls sported the Cheryl haircut, and no longer were playground hoops only for their brothers. Cathy M. Buell Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002.

Reggie Miller Born: August 24, 1965 Riverside, California Also known as: Reginald Wayne Miller (full name) Early Life Born into a large middle-class family of ambitious achievers, Reggie Miller was the fourth of five children of Saul and Carrie Miller. From the time of Reggie’s birth, August 24, 1965, in Riverside, California, his family was concerned about his health. The immediate problem was his legs and pelvis, which were severely twisted and contorted, leaving doctors to believe he might not ever be able to walk. The medical team decided braces were required to straighten and strengthen Reggie’s legs. Accordingly, while still a baby, he was fitted with the heavy braces he had to wear for the first four years of his life. As an adult, Reggie remembered clearly the sadness and frustration he felt, forced into nearly total immobility. He also suffered from an inability to gain or maintain adequate weight, causing him to appear gaunt. These health concerns did not signal a promising beginning for a future professional athlete. The Road to Excellence Reggie’s father, a chief master sergeant in the Air Force, and his mother, a nurse, were loving parents and strict disciplinarians, and they never allowed their son a moment of self-pity. The braces worked, and Reggie’s legs developed normally. His parents built a basketball court, and all the Miller children, especially Reggie and his sister Cheryl, played and practiced as often as possible. Reggie liked other sports too, such as baseball, but only basketball offered the nonstop action he craved. With the help of his father and Cheryl, Reggie developed a skilled jump shot, perfecting it by taking approximately 700 shots daily. Playing for Riverside Polytechnic High School, he became a starter during his soph-

omore year and scored 35 and 45 points in his first two games, respectively. Not wanting to leave his family, Reggie desired to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The Bruins, however, had questions about his endurance, and the school did not offer him a scholarship until three other players declined the invitation. At UCLA, Reggie became an outstanding player. Despite a sometimes strained relationship with coach Walt Hazzard and having to work himself into a starting position, Reggie av-

Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller shooting a layup over New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd in the 2002 playoffs. (Brent Smith/ Reuters/Landov)

273

Great Athletes

Reggie Miller


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

82 74 82 82 82 82 79 81 76 81 81 50 81 81 79 70 80 66

627 831 1,287 1,164 1,121 1,193 1,042 1,092 1,066 1,244 1,081 671 1,041 1,176 913 637 594 719

306 398 661 596 562 571 524 505 504 552 516 294 466 517 414 281 260 314

.488 .479 .514 .512 .501 .479 .503 .462 .473 .444 .477 .438 .448 .440 .453 .441 .438 .437

186 340 627 600 515 485 444 427 498 475 440 247 406 348 325 230 165 268

149 287 544 551 442 427 403 383 430 418 382 226 373 323 296 207 146 250

.801 .844 .868 .918 .858 .880 .908 .897 .863 .880 .868 .915 .919 .928 .911 .900 .885 .933

190 292 295 281 318 258 212 210 214 286 232 135 239 285 219 172 188 156

132 227 311 331 314 262 248 242 253 273 171 112 187 260 219 172 188 156

822 1,181 2,016 1,855 1,695 1,736 1,574 1,588 1,606 1,751 1,578 920 1,470 1,527 1,304 882 800 974

10.0 16.0 24.6 22.6 20.7 21.2 19.9 19.6 21.1 21.6 19.5 18.4 18.1 18.9 16.5 12.6 10.0 14.8

Totals

1,389

17,499

8,241

.471

7,026

6,237

.888

4,182

4,182

25,279

18.2


eraged more than 17 points a game over the course of his college career and left UCLA the second leading scorer in the school’s history, trailing only Lew Alcindor (now known as Kareem AbdulJabbar). Reggie’s dream to play in the NBA was about to come true. He had long known, played with, and socialized with several Los Angeles Lakers, such as Michael Cooper and Byron Scott, and they had no doubts about Reggie’s ability to excel at the highest level. He was ready to show the world he belonged with the best. The Emerging Champion The Indiana Pacers chose Reggie as the eleventh pick in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft. Reggie was not surprised he had been selected by the Pacers, as Donnie Walsh, the team’s general manager, had often spoken admiringly of Reggie.

Honors and Awards 1987-88 NBA All-Rookie Second Team 1994-98 All-NBA Third Team 1992, 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1997-98 NBA All-Interview Second Team 2000 NBA All-Star Team

274

However, the selection was controversial. Many Indiana fans were outraged that the Pacers had not selected Steve Alford, the all-American guard who had just led Indiana University to the national championship. Walsh believed Reggie was a more complete player, and Reggie proved him right. As an NBA rookie in 1987, he averaged more than 10 points a game despite starting only a handful of contests. In that first year, Reggie showed he had the ability and the mental toughness to star in the league. Continuing the Story Reggie soon developed a reputation for two things: his lethal outside shooting and his trash talking. He loved verbally abusing his opponents, believing it gave him a competitive advantage. This practice, not surprisingly, made him controversial, and he was disliked by many. He was selected to the all-star team four times, he made more than 100 threepoint goals for ten successive years, and he was a member of the victorious U.S. Olympic teams in 1992 and 1996. Reggie played even better during the playoffs than in the regular season and seemed to take particular delight in harassing the New York Knicks and one of the team’s celebrity fans, filmmaker Spike Lee. In game five of the 1994 Eastern Conference Fi-

Basketball nals against the Knicks, the Pacers trailed by 12 points entering the fourth quarter. Inspired by the hostile New York crowd and Lee’s off-court antics, Reggie scored 25 points, including 5 three-point baskets, and led the Pacers to an amazing victory. In game one of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, the Pacers trailed the Knicks 105-99, with only 20 seconds remaining. Amazingly, Reggie scored 8 points in only 8.9 seconds, leading the Pacers to another victory. In game three of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals against the Chicago Bulls, Reggie scored 13 of his 28 points in the last 41⁄2 minutes of the game to seal another comefrom-behind victory. Clearly, Reggie was a player capable of breaking the spirit of his opponents through long-distance shots or sarcastic barbs. In 2000, he finally led the Pacers to the NBA Finals, but the team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Reggie played his last game on May 19, 2005, when the Pacers lost the sixth game of a secondround playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. Reggie scored 27 points. With 15 seconds left in the game, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle called timeout to remove Reggie from the game. The Conseco Fieldhouse crowd stood to applaud. As the standing ovation continued, Pistons coach Larry Brown, who had coached Reggie and the Pacers for four seasons, called an additional timeout so he and his team could join in the applause. On March 30, 2006, with the crowd chanting “Reg-gie! Reg-gie!,” the Indiana Pacers retired Reggie’s number 31. He became only the fourth player in the team’s forty-year history to have his jersey hoisted to the rafters. After his retirement, Reggie became a basketball analyst and announcer with TNT. In 2007, rumors spread that Reggie would unretire to join the Boston Celtics. After a few weeks of speculation, Reggie decided against a comeback. Outside of basketball, he heads his own film company, Boom Baby Productions. Beautiful Ohio, his company’s first film, was released in 2006. Summary Reggie Miller won numerous individual awards. He was one of the most exciting players in NBA history, finishing his eighteen-year career with the same team that drafted him out of UCLA, the Indiana Pacers. As of 2008, Reggie remained the leader in regular-season three-pointers made, converting 2,560 shots in 6,486 attempts for a 39.5 percentage.

Reggie Miller

Milestones 1994 Set an NBA Playoff record for the most three-point field goals made in one quarter (5) 1994, 1995 Tied the NBA Playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one half (6) 1995 Became the first Pacer to start in an NBA All-Star Game 1998 Scored 1,500th career three-pointer Closed the season as the NBA’s all-time career leader in three-pointers made (1,596) and attempted (3,950) Became the first player in NBA history to hit 100 three-pointers in nine consecutive seasons (1988-89 to 1997-98) 1999 Scored 18,000th career point Closed the season as the NBA’s all-time career leader in three-pointers made (1,702) and attempted (4,225) 2000 Held Pacers’ franchise records for most points (17,402), field goals made (5,695) and attempted (11,748), free throws made (4,416) and attempted (5,037), and three-pointers made and attempted 2002 Named to the U.S. team for the FIBA World Basketball Championships 2003 Became the eleventh player in NBA history to log 43,000 minutes 2004 Became the first player in NBA history to hit 100 three-pointers in 15 consecutive season Became the fourteenth player in NBA history to score 24,000 points in his career 2005 Retired with 25,279 points, .395 three-point fieldgoal percentage, and .888 free-throw percentage 2006 Uniform number 31 retired by Indiana Pacers

He ranked twelfth in career points with 25,279 and sixth in regular-season games played with 1,389. Reggie’s eighteen years with one team was second only to John Stockton’s nineteen seasons with the Utah Jazz. Thomas W. Buchanan, updated by Randy L. Abbott Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “One Last Shot for Reggie.” Sports Illustrated 102, no. 16 (April 18, 2005): 54-57. Deitsch, Richard, and Mark Bechtel. “Q and A: Reggie Miller.” Sports Illustrated 103, no. 18 (November 7, 2005): 22. Frisaro, Joe. Reggie Miller from Downtown. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2000. Miller, Reggie, and Gene Wojciechowski. I Love Being the Enemy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. 275

Earl Monroe Born: November 21, 1944 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Also known as: Vernon Earl Monroe (full name); Earl “The Pearl” Monroe; the Pearl Early Life Vernon Earl Monroe was born on November 21, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Vernon and Rose Monroe. His father worked as a night watchman, and his mother managed a grocery store. Earl has an older sister, Anna, and a younger sister, Theresa. When Earl was five years old, his parents divorced. He grew up on the south side of Philadelphia, a rough part of the city. His mother’s influence helped Earl stay out of trouble. Earl also fell in love with athletics at an early age. He was a good soccer player, but after breaking his leg, he decided to concentrate on basketball, practicing many hours a day. Earl attended John Bartram High School in south Philadelphia. Earl did not begin to excel until his junior year, when he had grown to 6 feet 2 inches and was moved to the center position. He became adept at a number of trick shots so as to score against the bigger centers on the other high school teams. The Road to Excellence In his senior year at John Bartram, Earl averaged more than 21 points per game and was named all-city. Because he did not possess a strong scholastic record, Temple University of Philadelphia did not offer him a scholarship. He went to work in a factory and learned what life would be like if he did not get a college education. After a year of factory work, Earl was recruited by Winston-Salem State College, a small, predominantly African American college located in North Carolina. At WinstonSalem, he majored in elementary education. On the basketball court, Earl was moved to the guard position. As a freshman, he averaged only 7 points per game, but as a sophomore, Earl raised his average to 23 points per game. 276

The more he played, the better he got. Earl was on the verge of becoming a star in the college ranks. Earl put everything he had into becoming the best that he could be on the basketball court. He was spectacular to watch. He looked flashy, but it was merely his natural style. Whereas some critics believed that Earl was showing off, his coach, Clarence Gaines, knew that he was working harder than anyone to help the team win. During his junior year, Earl raised his average to 30 points per game, but his greatest college season was still ahead of him. In 1966-1967, he scored a total of 1,329 points,

Earl Monroe, who used his flashy, playground style of basketball to become a favorite with NBA fans. (Courtesy of New York Knickerbockers)

Basketball

Earl Monroe

Gus Johnson. These three players helped spark one of the most potent fast breaks 1966 Sporting News All-American in the NBA. Earl ran the offense and 1967 NCAA College Division Player of the Year brought excitement to Baltimore. He NCAA College Division Tournament Outstanding Player stayed with the Bullets for four years be1968 NBA Rookie of the Year fore he asked to be traded. During those NBA All-Rookie Team 1969 All-NBA Team four seasons, Baltimore made it into the 1969, 1971, 1975, 1977 NBA All-Star Team playoffs each year and Earl averaged 23.7 1975 Inducted into NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame points per game. He was not happy in 1990 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Baltimore, however, finding the city to 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Uniform number 15 retired by New York Knicks be “dull.” In 1971, Earl was traded to the New York Knicks for Dave Stallworth, Mike setting a small-college record for total points. Earl Riordan, and some cash. Earl had been allowed to again raised his average, this time to 41.5 points per run the offense in Baltimore, but in New York, the game. Because of all his efforts, the Winston-Salem situation was completely different. The New York Rams won the National Collegiate Athletic Associacoach, Red Holzman, believed in a more discition (NCAA) College Division Championship, and plined, team-oriented style of play. The Knicks Earl was named NCAA College Division player of were also endowed with a number of extremely talthe year. ented players, including Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett, and The Emerging Champion Jerry Lucas. It took some time, but Earl eventually Earl was chosen by the Baltimore Bullets in the learned the Knicks’ team concept and was able to 1967 NBA draft. The Bullets had been a last-place contribute. During his first season with the Knicks, team in the Eastern Division but hoped, with the Earl averaged only 11.9 points per game but beaddition of Earl, that their luck would change. Earl came an important component of the team. turned out to be the missing ingredient that the Bullets needed. During the 1967-1968 season, Earl Continuing the Story was an instant success. He averaged 24.3 points per The Knicks won the 1973 NBA Championship with game and was voted NBA rookie of the year. The the help of Earl “The Pearl,” as he was known. He Bullets also made it to the playoffs. In addition to was a crowd pleaser and a fierce competitor. Walt Earl, the Bullets were blessed with Wes Unseld and Frazier was always cool and steady, whereas Earl was

Honors and Awards


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80

82 80 82 81 63 75 41 78 76 77 76 64 51

742 809 695 663 287 496 240 668 647 613 556 329 161

.453 .440 .446 .442 .434 .488 .468 .457 .478 .517 .495 .471 .457

507 447 532 406 175 171 93 297 280 307 242 129 56

.781 .768 .830 .802 .781 .822 .823 .827 .787 .839 .832 .838 .875

465 280 257 213 100 245 121 327 273 223 182 74 36

349 392 402 354 142 288 110 270 304 366 361 189 67

1,991 2,065 1,922 1,732 749 1,163 573 1,633 1,574 1,533 1,354 787 378

24.3 25.8 23.4 21.4 11.9 15.5 14.0 20.9 20.7 19.9 17.8 12.3 7.4

Totals

926

6,906

.464

3,642

.807

2,796

3,594

17,454

18.8


277

Earl Monroe dramatic. In the mid-1970’s, he and Frazier had to contribute even more to the offense with the retirement of Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere. Earl retired after the 1979-1980 season because his knees were giving him problems. The years of twisting and slashing had taken their toll. Earl finished with a total of 17,454 career points and an 18.8 points-per-game average. After his retirement from basketball, Earl became involved in the management of his Tiffany Entertainment Corporation and Pretty Pearl Records. He managed several notable singing groups. For the most part, he put basketball behind him and his energies into entertainment. On March 6, 1985, Earl was named the commissioner of the United States Basketball League. During the late 1980’s and the 1990’s, Earl worked as a television commentator on NBA games. In 1990, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) had recognized his college career earlier by inducting him into its Hall of Fame in 1975. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA in 1996, Earl was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. During his playing days, Earl “the Pearl” helped usher in a new era in basketball by displaying amazing individual skills within the team concept. He uncovered and

278

Great Athletes perfected the “shake-and-bake” style of one-on-one basketball. Some basketball experts think that Earl may have been the most exciting player ever to play in the NBA. Summary Earl Monroe will be remembered for his flamboyant style on the court. He had an amazing way of spinning around larger defenders and driving toward the basket for the score. The New York crowd came alive when Earl put on a move. The 1973 NBA Championship team is considered one of the greatest teams ever assembled, and Earl was an essential component of the Knicks’ success. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. “Earl ‘The Pearl’ Monroe.” New York 38, no. 16 (May 9, 2005): 60. Jacobson, Mark. “The House That Earl Built.” New York 38, no. 39 (November 7, 2005): 88. Kalinsky, George, and Phil Berger. The New York Knicks: The Official Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. New York: Macmillan, 1996. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Alonzo Mourning Born: February 8, 1970 Chesapeake, Virginia Also known as: Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. (full name); Zo Early Life Alonzo Mourning, Jr., was born to Alonzo, Sr., and Julia Mourning on February 8, 1970, in Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1982, the Mournings separated and divorced. The couple had argued constantly and, to avoid taking sides, twelve-year-old Alonzo

moved in with a family friend, who inspired his career and repaired the frayed relationship with his father. The retired schoolteacher and her husband made a home for Alonzo until he graduated from high school. Alonzo began to get into trouble in his teens and was persuaded to play basketball.

The Road to Excellence Alonzo played for Indian River Junior-Senior High in Chesapeake. His popularity spread quickly. At sixteen, he was invited to Pittsburgh’s prestigious Five Star Basketball Camp. During his junior year, Alonzo led his team to fifty-one consecutive victories and a state championship, while averaging 21.8 points, 11 rebounds, and 9.6 blocked shots. As a senior, he improved to 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots per game. He attracted many college recruiters and finally chose Georgetown University. The university’s coach, John Thompson, invited Alonzo to try out for the 1988 U.S. Olympic basketball team. The only highschool athlete at the tryout, Alonzo was the second-to-last player cut, but he had honed his skills against more seasoned veterans. In 1989, 6-foot 9-inch Alonzo blocked 169 shots to set a national record. His second year was embroiled in controversy. He was tied to— and later testified against—a Washington, D.C., cocaine dealer. In 1990, Alonzo picked up a bronze medal with the U.S. national team at the FIBA World Championship. Many professional teams hoped Alonzo might leave college and enter the NBA draft. However, Alonzo knew he was not ready. During the summer before his senior year, Alonzo worked out with Georgetown alumni Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo. In his senior year, in addition to completing his sociology degree, Alonzo averaged 21.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game and blocked 118 shots. Alonzo, who earned all-American honors as a senior, was the Big East Conference player of the year and the Big East Conference tournaAlonzo Mourning scoring for the Miami Heat in early 1996. ment most valuable player. (NBAE/Getty Images) 279

Great Athletes

Alonzo Mourning


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

78 60 77 70 66 58 46 79 13 75 12 37 65 77 25

1,119 845 1,101 1,076 885 732 634 1,184 141 866 71 212 315 425 95

572 427 571 563 473 403 324 652 73 447 33 100 188 238 52

.511 .505 .519 .523 .534 .551 .511 .551 .518 .516 .465 .472 .597 .560 .547

634 568 644 712 565 465 423 582 55 431 34 141 224 308 76

495 433 490 488 363 309 276 414 31 283 30 82 133 185 45

.781 .762 .761 .685 .642 .665 .652 .711 .564 .657 .882 .582 .594 .601 .692

805 610 761 727 656 558 507 753 101 632 27 198 359 350 93

76 86 111 159 104 52 74 123 12 87 8 18 11 18 7

1,639 1,287 1,643 1,623 1,310 1,115 924 1,718 177 1,178 96 282 509 661 149

21.0 21.5 21.3 23.2 19.8 19.2 20.1 21.7 13.6 15.7 8.0 7.6 7.8 8.6 6.0

Totals

838

9,701

5,116

.527

5,862

4,057

.692

7,137

946

14,311

17.1


The Emerging Champion In the 1992 draft, the Charlotte Hornets picked Alonzo second overall, after Orlando selected Shaquille O’Neal. In only forty-nine games that first season, he set a shot-blocking record. After averaging 21 points, 10.3 rebounds, and nearly 3.5 blocked shots per game for the season, he made the NBA all-rookie first team and finished second to O’Neal as rookie of the year. With the highest rookie scoring average in Hornets history, he shared credit for leading the team to its first playoff series. Alonzo had a series of injuries during the next season but drew honors outside the NBA. He joined the U.S. men’s basketball Olympic team and won a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championship. During the 1994-1995 season, Alonzo helped the Hornets win at least fifty games for the first time. He was tops on the team in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and field-goal percentage. The Hornets traded Alonzo to the Miami Heat before the start of the 1995-1996 season. He signed a seven-year, $105-million contract and became the franchise player. Alonzo played as though the franchise depended upon him. Though he suffered an injury during his first season with the Heat, he still started seventy games. During the second season, he led the team to a record 61 wins and to the Eastern Conference Finals. During the 1996-1997 season, he led the Heat in rebounds, blocked shots, 280

and field-goal percentage and was the number-two scorer. In April, 1999, Alonzo blocked his 611th shot to become the Heat’s all-time leader in that category. That season, Alonzo was named to the all-NBA first team and led the Heat in scoring. He was first in the league in rebounds, blocked shots, and doubledoubles (10-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a game), earning a spot on the NBA all-defensive first team and the defensive player of the year award. After the 1999-2000 season, he was named defensive player of the year again. Continuing the Story After winning a gold medal with the U.S. men’s team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Alonzo was diagnosed with a life-threatening kidney disease that caused him to miss the first five months of the 20002001 season and threatened his career. To everyone’s surprise, he returned in time to play the last thirteen games of the season and three playoff games before Miami was eliminated. Alonzo’s condition deteriorated, and he missed the entire 20022003 season. The Heat, in a rebuilding mode, did not renew Alonzo’s contract, so he signed a fouryear contract with the New Jersey Nets. Shortly after the 2003 season began, Alonzo’s kidney disease worsened, and he retired from the NBA. In December, 2003, he underwent a successful kidney transplant. Recovered by late 2004,

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1988 McDonald’s High School All-American 1989 Associated Press All-American Third Team 1990 FIBA World Championship bronze medal Associated Press All-American Second Team Big East Conference Player of the Year Big East Conference tournament Most Valuable Player 1992 Associated Press All-American First Team 1993 NBA All-Rookie First Team 1994 FIBA World Championship gold medal 1994-97, 2000-02 NBA All-Star Team 1999 all-NBA First Team 1999-2000 NBA All-defensive First Team NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2000 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 2002 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award 2009 Uniform number 33 retired by Miami Heat

Alonzo began practicing with the Nets but played sparingly. Unhappy with the situation, he asked to be let out of his contract. The Nets traded Alonzo to the Toronto Raptors in 2004, but he never reported, and his contract was bought out early in 2005. He then returned to the Heat to finish out the season, playing backup to Shaquille O’Neal. Though his playing time was limited because of injuries, Alonzo contributed on both offense and defense, earning the respect of Miami fans, who dubbed him “the Ultimate Warrior.” In 2005-2006, he finished third in the NBA in blocked shots and played a significant role in the Heat’s march to the 2006 NBA Championship. Alonzo returned to the Heat in 2006-2007 and started strong before he tore a tendon in his knee. During the 2007-2008 season, he became the team’s all-time scoring leader. Intending to play one final season in hopes of achieving a final cham-

Alonzo Mourning pionship season, Alonzo signed with the Heat for 2008-2009. However, new health concerns kept him off the court until January, 2009, when he announced his retirement. In 1997, Alonzo had founded Alonzo Mourning Charities to help at-risk children and families. Following the diagnosis of his kidney disease, he began Zo’s Fund for Life, which raised funds for research and education in fighting the degenerative disease glomerulosclerosis. In 2007, he joined a group of other sports stars in establishing Athletes for Hope, a community support organization. Summary An awkward, troubled teen, Alonzo Mourning turned his life around playing basketball. Through hard work and the support of family, friends, teammates, and coaches, he earned a college degree and was a top player in the Big East Conference. A gold-medal winner at both the FIBA World Championship and at the Olympics, he persevered through injuries and kidney failure to become an outstanding professional basketball player. A twotime all-NBA and all-defensive team member, he won an NBA title in 2006 with the Heat. Vincent F. A. Golphin, updated by Jack Ewing Additional Sources Mandell, Judith. Super Sports Star Alonzo Mourning. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2003. Mourning, Alonzo, and Dan Wetzel. Resilience: Faith, Focus, Triumph. New York: Ballantine Books, 2008. Pitino, Rick, and Pat Forde. Rebound Rules: The Art of Success 2.0. New York: Collins, 2008. Rosenthal, Bert. Alonzo Mourning. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 1998.

281

Chris Mullin Born: July 30, 1963 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Christopher Paul Mullin (full name) Early Life Christopher Paul Mullin was born on July 30, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, to Rod Mullin, a customs inspector, and Eileen Mullin, a homemaker. Chris was the third of five children. When Chris was young, his father taught him to value hard work and that involvement in team sports helped a person to learn how to cooperate with others toward a common goal. Although Chris’s parents did not push him, he grew up with a strong desire to achieve.

While in grammar school, Chris began spending long hours at night shooting baskets. When he was ten, he won the Elks National Free Throw Contest by making 23 of 25 shots. He enjoyed playing basketball so much that at the age of twelve, he stopped participating in swimming and baseball. In high school, he became one of the best players in the city. He first attended Power Memorial High School, but he transferred to Xaverian, where he helped his team the New York state championship.

The Road to Excellence Although recruiters from across the country were interested in Chris, he decided to stay close to home and attend St. John’s University, which was a commuter-train ride from Brooklyn in the borough of Queens. Moreover, the St. John’s basketball coach, Lou Carneseca, had a national reputation. He had seen Chris play when Chris was still in grammar school, and he told the boy even then that he wanted to coach him. Chris became an excellent basketball player by practicing constantly. He was a smart player and a great shooter. He felt at home playing for St. John’s. His girlfriend, Liz Connolly, kept the statistics for the basketball team. During his four years at St. John’s, Chris earned a reputation as a team player who had extraordinary court vision. If he did not have a clear shot, he could find someone who did. A solid performer during his freshman and sophomore years, Chris raised his level of play remarkably during his junior year. He shot better than 57 percent from the field, averaged 22.9 points per game, and was named to several allAmerican teams. He was also selected to play for the United States Golden State Warriors forward Chris Mullin penetrating the Washington in the 1984 Summer Olympics. At Bullets defense. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images) 282

Basketball

Chris Mullin


GP 55 82 60 82 78 82 81 46 62 25 55 79 82 50 47 20 986

FGM 287 477 470 830 682 777 830 474 410 170 269 438 333 177 80 36 6,740

FG% .463 .514 .508 .509 .536 .536 .524 .510 .472 .489 .499 .553 .481 .477 .428 .340 .509

FTM 189 269 239 493 505 513 350 183 165 94 137 184 154 80 37 24 3,616

FT% .896 .825 .885 .892 .889 .884 .833 .810 .753 .879 .856 .864 .939 .870 .902 .857 .865

Reb. 115 181 205 483 463 443 450 232 345 115 159 317 249 160 76 41 4,034

Ast. 105 261 290 415 319 329 286 166 315 125 194 322 186 81 37 19 3,450

TP 768 1,242 1,213 2,176 1,956 2,107 2,074 1,191 1,040 476 734 1,143 927 507 242 115 17,911

PPG 14.0 15.1 20.2 26.5 25.1 25.7 25.6 25.9 16.8 19.0 13.3 14.5 11.3 10.1 5.1 5.8 18.2


the Games in Los Angeles, Chris averaged 12 points per game and helped the U.S. team win the gold medal. During his last year at St. John’s, he averaged 19.8 points per game and helped his team reach the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament. As a senior, he was named to numerous all-American teams. The Emerging Champion In the 1985 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors chose Chris as the seventh pick in the first round. Although he was eager to play professionally, moving to the Oakland, California, area was a tough adjustment for him and his family. He was not sure that he wanted to move that far away from home, but this was his chance to play in the NBA, and he resolved to make the most of his opportunity.

Honors and Awards 1984-85 College All-American 1984, 1992 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1985 United Press International College Player of the Year U.S. Basketball Writers Association College Player of the Year Wooden Award 1989, 1991 All-NBA Second Team 1989-93 NBA All-Star Team 1990 All-NBA Third Team 1992 All-NBA First Team 2006 Inducted into Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame

At 6 feet 7 inches, Chris was capable of playing both the guard and the small-forward positions. He was not a great leaper, nor did he possess great speed, but he made up for these deficiencies by having keen court awareness and a wonderful shooting touch from anywhere on the court. When Chris joined the Warriors, however, he was shocked to find that the team did not function as a cohesive unit. He was used to hard work and constant practice, but the other members of the team did not appreciate his work ethic. Eventually, Chris became discouraged and began to lose interest in training. Chris averaged 14.0 points per game during his first year with Golden State and 15.1 in his second, good totals for a young player. Soon, however, he began drinking heavily to make up for his disappointment with his life away from his home and friends. Critics believed that Chris was merely another college star who could not make the transition into the NBA. Luckily for Chris, Don Nelson became the Warriors’ coach before the 1987-1988 season. Nelson was a former player who, as a coach, had earned a reputation for expecting total commitment to the team from his players. Nelson was the first person to confront Chris about his drinking problem. The coach demanded that Chris get help, telling him that otherwise he was through as a player. It took some time for Chris to accept that he was 283

Chris Mullin an alcoholic and that he needed to seek treatment, but in December of 1987, he checked into Centinela Hospital in Los Angeles. His parents were with him. Because his father was a recovering alcoholic, Chris knew that he could count on his father’s support. Chris was in a rehabilitation program for a month. Doctors told him that he could never drink alcohol again. He decided to enter an intense fitness program to help in his recovery and to get ready to play basketball again. Continuing the Story Chris came back to the Warriors in the best shape of his life. Before he started the fitness program, he had weighed 245 pounds. With the help of the Warriors’ conditioning coach, Mark Grabow, Chris trimmed his weight to 210 pounds. He worked to remain sober and physically fit for NBA basketball. By the 1988-1989 season, he had raised his average to 26.5 points per game. Chris became more than merely a player who could score, however. He was a team leader who made his teammates better players. In 1992, officials recognized his multiple skills and selected him as a member of the U.S. Dream Team, which competed at the Barcelona Summer Olympics. The Dream Team included such players as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, and it won the gold medal as expected. On July 23, 1990, Chris’s father had died of lung cancer, but Chris remained determined to make his father proud. An injury kept Chris out of parts of the 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 seasons, but he worked hard to return to action. Knee and ankle injuries produced another disappointing season for Chris in 1994-1995, as he missed fifty-seven of the first fifty-nine games. After starting the first nineteen games in the 1995-1996 season, he was moved to a reserve role and averaged only 13.3 points per game, the lowest figure of his career to that point. For the 1996-1997 campaign and for the first time in five seasons, Chris was injury free. He played in seventy-nine games and averaged 14.5 points per game. On August 12, 1997, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers. He left the Warriors as the franchise leader in career games played and in steals, fourth in total points and in assists, and fifth in blocked shots. With the Pacers, Chris led the NBA in free-throw percentage, at .939, for the 284

Great Athletes 1997-1998 season. He led the Pacers in three-point percentage in 1998-1999 and ranked second in the NBA. After another injury in the 1999-2000 season, Chris returned to the lineup in time to help the Pacers into the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers prevailed, four games to two. For the 2000-2001 season, Chris returned to the Warriors. The season was his last as a player. After his retirement, Chris worked for the Warriors in the front office as a special assistant. He served in that role from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, he was named executive vice president of basketball operations for the Warriors. Even as an executive, Chris brought his competitive spirit and love of basketball to the job. During the length of his illustrious career, Chris appeared in more than seventy NBA playoff games, averaging 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest. He was selected as an NBA all-star on five occasions. Known for his quick hands, crisp passing, and accurate shooting, he was one of only thirty-one players in NBA history to register more than 15,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, and 3,000 assists. In addition, he also had more than 1,500 steals and averaged 18.2 points per game. He married his college girlfriend, Liz Connolly, in the fall of 1991. They had three sons, Sean, Christopher, and Liam, and one daughter, Kiera. Summary Chris Mullin overcame major obstacles to become an NBA star. Through hard work and the love and support of those close to him, Chris reinvented himself and, in the process, became one of basketball’s all-time greats. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. McCallum, Jack. “Return of the Straight Shooters.” Sports Illustrated 101 (October 25, 2004). Morgan, Terri. Chris Mullin: Sure Shot. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1994. Mullin, Chris, with Brian Coleman. Basketball. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2000. Tafur, Vittorio. “Mullin Willing to Take Chances with Warriors.” The Sporting News 228 (June 14, 2004).

Dikembe Mutombo Born: June 25, 1966 Kinshasa, Zaire (now in Democratic Republic of Congo) Also known as: Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacques Wamutombo (full name) Early Life Dikembe Mutombo was born and raised in Kinshasa, the capital and largest city of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). A member of the Luba ethnic group, he was the seventh of ten children born to Mukamba Mutombo. Mukamba was a Sorbonne-educated teacher and superintendent of schools in the capital, who was married to Biamba Mutombo, a housewife and Sunday school teacher. Dikembe attended a Salvation Army school from sixth through eleventh grades. His first sport was soccer, and, with his height and impressive arm-span, he was a talented goalkeeper. He did not begin playing basketball until his senior year in high school. Education was always of primary importance for Dikembe, and while his stature and amazing potential attracted international attention in basketball circles, success in an international science contest won him a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) academic scholarship to Georgetown University, where he planned to study medicine. The Road to Excellence Georgetown Hoyas coach John Thompson had heard about Dikembe. Thompson looked forward to helping Dikembe realize his basketball potential. However, Dikembe was ineligible to play his first year because he was unable to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), which was offered only in English, a language he did not speak. However, he soon took intensive English classes and enrolled in pre-medical courses. Eventually, he changed his major and earned a dual degree in diplomacy and linguistics. Dikembe learned many languages: English,

French, Spanish, Portuguese, and a number of African dialects. His linguistic abilities enabled him to serve as a summer intern at the World Bank and in the U.S. Congress. Dikembe was awarded an athletic scholarship after his first year at Georgetown. Once he was eligible to play, he learned quickly under Thompson’s tutelage. The timing he had learned as a goalkeeper served him well, and he was an instant success as a shot-blocker, setting a Big East Conference record in his first year with 12 blocks in a single game. In his junior year, he shared the Big East Conference defensive player of the year award with teammate Alonzo Mourning. Dikembe had an opportunity to shine in his final year for Georgetown: He led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. He also led

Dikembe Mutombo securing a rebound in a 1995 game. (NBAE/Getty Images)

285

Great Athletes

Dikembe Mutombo

Milestones 1994 Set an NBA Playoffs record with 31 blocked shots in a five-game series 1996 Tied a Nuggets franchise record with 31 rebounds 1997-1998 Led the NBA in total blocked shots for the 5th consecutive season, including a Nuggets’ franchise record 336 in 1993-1994 1998 Blocked 2,000th career shot 2004 Blocked 3,000th career shot 2007 Passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become second in career blocked shots (behind Hakeem Olajuwon) Oldest player in NBA history to have more than twenty rebounds in a game (March 2)

the team in field-goal percentage. He left Georgetown as the Hoyas’ all-time leader in field-goal percentage and the second-leading shot-blocker, behind Patrick Ewing, with a total of 354. In 1991, the Denver Nuggets drafted him as the fourth pick overall. The Emerging Champion Dikembe quickly established himself as a force in the NBA. In his first year, he led the Nuggets in blocked shots, rebounds, and field-goal percentage, while averaging 16.6 points per game. He was the only rookie to play in the 1992 all-star game. The following season, he improved his shot block-

ing and rebounding, averaging 3.5 blocked shots and 13 rebounds per game. He was ranked third in the NBA in each of these categories. In 1993-1994, Dikembe had more success. In an amazing first-round playoff upset against the topseeded Seattle SuperSonics, he blocked 31 shots, setting a new NBA record for most blocks in a fivegame series. Although the Nuggets lost the conference semifinals to the Utah Jazz, Dikembe blocked 38 shots, setting another NBA record, this time for most blocks in a seven-game series. He also led the league in blocks, with 4.1 per game. During the 1994-1995 season, Dikembe again led the league in blocked shots and won the NBA defensive player of the year award. He led the league again in blocks during the 1995-1996 season, becoming the first player to lead the league in that category three consecutive seasons. After that year, Dikembe’s contract expired, and he signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks. He left Denver as the Nuggets’ all-time leader in blocked shots, with 1,486. Dikembe was second in the NBA during the 1996-1997 season in both shot-blocking and rebounding, and he won the NBA’s defensive player of the year award for the second time. He earned yet another defensive player of the year award for the 1997-1998 season. Dikembe’s best season came in 2000-2001. After


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

71 82 82 82 74 80 82 50 82 75 80 24 65 80 64 75 39

869 781 642 628 569 721 743 338 573 556 641 131 295 217 95 153 80

428 398 365 349 284 380 399 173 322 269 321 49 141 108 50 85 43

.493 .510 .569 .556 .499 .527 .537 .512 .562 .484 .501 .374 .478 .498 .526 .556 .538

500 492 439 379 354 434 452 285 421 291 364 55 119 143 91 87 45

321 335 256 248 246 306 303 195 298 211 278 40 81 106 69 60 32

.642 .681 .583 .654 .695 .705 .670 .684 .708 .725 .764 .727 .681 .741 .758 .690 .711

870 1,070 971 1,029 871 929 932 610 1,157 1,015 863 153 437 426 306 488 199

156 147 127 113 108 110 82 57 105 76 83 19 25 10 4 13 5

1,177 1,131 986 946 814 1,066 1,101 541 942 749 920 138 363 322 169 230 118

16.6 13.8 12.0 11.5 11.0 13.3 13.4 10.8 11.5 10.0 11.5 5.8 5.6 4.0 2.6 3.1 3.0

Totals

1,187

8,032

4,164

.518

4,951

3,385

.684

12,326

1,240

11,713

9.9


286

Basketball he had an outstanding performance in the 2001 all-star game, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired him in a trade. Dikembe led the league in rebounds, was named defensive player of the year, and helped lead Philadelphia to the NBA Finals. After the season ended, he resigned with the team. Though Dikembe’s offensive and defensive numbers were similar to those of the previous season, Philadelphia traded him to the New Jersey Nets. With New Jersey, Dikembe was limited because of injuries to twenty-four games and relegated to a backup role. In late 2003, the Nets waived him, and Dikembe signed with the New York Knicks, who afterward traded him to the Chicago Bulls. He never played a game for the Bulls, however, as the team dealt him to the Houston Rockets. Continuing the Story In Houston, Dikembe served as a backup for center Yao Ming. In 2007, he became the oldest player ever in the NBA to tally more than 20 rebounds in a game. He was thrust into a starting role during the 2007-2008 season, which was expected to be his last in the NBA, when Yao was injured. In January, 2008, Dikembe blocked 5 shots in a game to move into second place behind Hakeem Olajuwon as the NBA’s most prolific career shot-blocker. On the last day of 2008, he signed a contract to play for the Houston Rockets for the remainder of their season, which he planned to make his farewell tour. Off the court, Dikembe earned a reputation as a humanitarian. Aside from his own two children, he and his wife adopted four of his nieces and nephews. In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to aid poor and disadvantaged people in his country. That same year, he donated more than $3 million for construction of a general hospital in Kinshasa, named in honor of his late mother, Biamba. As a result of his work in his homeland and in the United States, Dikembe was awarded a President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2000. He also earned the NBA humanitarian award in 2001. A spokesperson for Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), in 2007, he was praised for his work in President George W. Bush’s state of the union address.

Dikembe Mutombo

Honors and Awards 1992, 1995-2002 NBA All-Star 1994-95, 1998-99 NBA All-Defensive Second Team 1994-98, 2000-01 NBA Defensive Player of the Year 1996 NBA Player of the Week ending December 1 1996-98 NBA All-Defensive First Team 1997 NBA Player of the Week ending November 9 1997-98 All-NBA Third Team NBA All-Interview Second Team 1998-99 IBM Award 1999 President’s Volunteer Service Award 2000 NBA Player of the Week ending January 30 2001 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award 2007 Inducted into World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award (International)

Summary A latecomer to basketball, 7-foot 2-inch Dikembe Mutombo learned the game quickly and became a standout in college at Georgetown University. He was one of the top defensive players in the NBA throughout his seventeen-year career, earned NBA all-star honors eight times, and was named NBA defensive player of the year four times. The oldest NBA player ever to collect 20 rebounds in a game, he finished his career as the second most prolific shot-blocker in NBA history. Alexander Jordan, updated by Jack Ewing Additional Sources Araton, Harvey. Crashing the Borders: How Basketball Won the World and Lost Its Soul at Home. New York: Free Press, 2005. Hareas, John. Basketball. New York: Dorling Kindersley Children, 2005. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Basketball Encyclopedia. 3d ed. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Lane, Jeffrey. Under the Boards: The Cultural Revolution in Basketball. Lincoln, Nebr.: Bison Books, 2007. Torres, John Albert. Sports Great Dikembe Mutombo. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2000.

287

Steve Nash Born: February 7, 1974 Johannesburg, South Africa Also known as: Stephen John Nash (full name) Early Life Stephen John Nash was born in South Africa and grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where he did not have an early interest in basketball. As the son of a professional soccer player, Steve was drawn to his father’s sport, at which he excelled. Both his parents loved athletics and encouraged all three of their children to play a variety of sports. Steve was a standout not only in soccer but also in lacrosse and hockey. Steve started playing basketball at twelve years of age; the sport soon became his passion. He took the Mount Douglas Secondary School team to the provincial championship, but he was so focused on basketball that his grades suffered. His concerned parents enrolled him at St. Michael’s University School, a private boarding school. Steve continued to excel at basketball and was named British Columbia AAA player of the year in his senior season. The Road to Excellence Despite his outstanding play, Steve was not recruited by a single university. He strongly believed that he had the talent and the will to play in a major basketball program. In the summer before his final year of high school, he had competed successfully against some of the top American West Coast high school basketball players. His high school coach, Ian Hyde-Lay, was also persuaded that Steve could successfully play major college basketball in the United States. Therefore, Hyde-Lay called, wrote, and sent videos to dozens of 288

major university programs but did not get a positive response from a single program. However, Dick Davey, Santa Clara University head coach, heard about Steve and went to Canada to recruit him. In 1992-1993, his freshman year, Steve led the Santa Clara Broncos to the West Coast Conference (WCC) Championship and to the team’s first appearance in the NCAA Basketball Tournament in five years. In Steve’s sophomore year, the Broncos had a mediocre season. However, the following sea-

Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash in 2008. (Rick Scuteri/Reuters/ Landov)

Basketball

Steve Nash

Honors and Awards 1995-96 West Coast Conference Player of the Year 1996 United States Basketball Writers Association all-American team (honorable mention) 2002-03 All-NBA Third Team 2002-03, 2005-08 NBA All-Star Team 2005 Lou Marsh Trophy 2005-06 NBA most valuable player Lionel Conacher Award 2005-07 All-NBA First Team 2007 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Named Officer in the Order of Canada 2008 All-NBA Second Team

son, Steve led them to conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Basketball Tournament again. Steve was named WCC player of the year after leading the conference in both scoring and assists. In the 1995-1996 season, the Broncos repeated as WCC champions and returned to the NCAA tournament for the third time in four years. Steve was again named WCC player of the year and an honorable-mention all-American. The Emerging Champion Despite Steve’s success in college, professional teams were concerned about his size and strength. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, he was considered small for the professional games. Nevertheless, he was the fifteenth pick in the NBA draft, selected by the

Phoenix Suns. Steve played as a substitute his first two years in the NBA. Prior to his third year, the 1998-1999 season, Steve was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Plagued by injuries the next two seasons, he missed a number of games but showed flashes of greatness when he did play. His breakout season was 2000-2001, when he became the Mavericks’ starting point guard and averaged more than 15 points and 7 assists a game. He led the Mavericks into the second round of the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs. The next three seasons, Steve played brilliantly for the Mavericks, as he averaged, respectively, 17.9, 17.7, and 14.5 points, with 7.7, 7.3, and 8.8 assists. In all three years he was among the league leaders in three-point shooting percentage. Furthermore, his on-court leadership was as important as his statistical contributions. The Mavericks were a great offensive team with many high-scoring players, such as Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, and Michael Finley. Steve’s job was to keep everyone happy and involved in the offense, and he did so seamlessly. Despite winning fifty-two games in the 2003-2004 season, Dallas was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Continuing the Story Allowed to become a free agent following 2003-2004 season, Steve accepted a five-year, $50-million offer from the Suns, the team for which he began his professional career. He provided the talented but young Phoenix team with veteran leadership and led the high-scoring Suns to the best record in the


GP 65 76 40 56 70 82 82 78 75 79 76 81 860

FGM 74 268 114 173 386 525 518 397 430 541 517 485 4,428

FG% .423 .459 .363 .477 .487 .483 .465 .470 .502 .512 .532 .504 .485

FTM 42 74 38 75 231 260 308 230 211 257 222 222 2,170

FT% .824 .860 .826 .882 .895 .887 .909 .916 .887 .921 .899 .906 .897

Reb. 63 160 114 121 223 254 234 232 249 333 269 282 2,536

Ast. 138 262 219 272 509 634 598 687 861 826 884 898 6,788

TP 213 691 315 481 1,092 1,466 1,455 1,128 1,165 1,489 1,412 1,371 12,278

PPG 3.3 9.1 7.9 8.6 15.6 17.9 17.7 14.5 15.5 18.8 18.6 16.9 14.3


289

Steve Nash Western Conference. His excellent play and leadership resulted in a most valuable player (MVP) award for Steve. However, the Suns lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. In 2005-2006, Steve had his finest season statistically, with personal bests in points, 18.8; rebounds, 4.2; and field-goal percentage, .512. Again, he led the league in assists at 10.5 per game. Steve was rewarded with his second consecutive MVP award. However, Phoenix was ousted in the Western Conference Finals, this time by his former team, the Mavericks. Steve had another excellent year the following season, with a career high in assists average, 11.6, and selection as first-team all-NBA. Once again, however, the Suns’ season ended with playoff elimination, this time by the eventual champion Spurs. In the middle of the 2007-2008 season, wanting desperately to end its playoff frustrations, the Suns traded outstanding forward Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neil. Despite another exemplary season by Steve, the Spurs eliminated the Suns from the playoffs for the third time in four years. Although frustrated, at the close of the 2007-2008 season, Steve was still young enough to continue to pursue an NBA Championship. He started the 2008-2009 season energeti-

290

Great Athletes cally and was once again among league leaders in assists. Summary Steve Nash should not have been able to play in the NBA for many reasons. He was too small; he could not jump; and he was from Canada, not a traditionally strong basketball country. However, not only did he play, but he also won two MVP awards and the respect and admiration of fans, analysts, teammates, and opponents. Steve was a team player, and his teams, when functioning at their peak, were as talented as any team in the league. He always appreciated all that he was given, and his charity, The Steve Nash Foundation, helps needy children in many countries. Jerome L. Neapolitan Additional Sources Bailey, Peter. Steve Nash: Most Valuable Player. Bolton, Ont.: Fenn, 2007. Ballard, Chris. “Friendly Fire: Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki Are Best Buddies, but They Won’t Stop Battling Until One Wins the NBA Title.” Sports Illustrated 106, no. 17 (April 23, 2007): 40. “Steve Nash: The MVP Sequel.” Sports Illustrated 104, no. 16 (April 17, 2006): 70.

Curly Neal Born: May 19, 1941 Greensboro, North Carolina Also known as: Fred Neal Early Life Fred “Curly” Neal was born on May 19, 1941, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Best known as the smiling, bald-headed Harlem Globetrotters’ ballhandling wizard for more than twenty years, Curly played in more than 6,000 games, traveled millions of miles, and played basketball in ninety-seven countries as a member of the team. His trademark shaved head was actually his creation: At the age of twelve, he decided to shave his head because it was fun to do and cheaper to maintain than a full head

of hair. At the time, shaved heads were not popular, and the school principal sent Curly home. The look, however, became part of his image and the source of his ironic nickname. He became the most recognized Globetrotter and possibly one of the most easily recognized athletes around the world. The Road to Excellence Curly starred as a basketball player at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro and received many scholarship offers. After high school he enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1961, he was awarded his first of two all-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honors. During his senior season, 1963, he not only received his second such honor but also led his team to the CIAA title, while averaging 23.1 points per game.

Curly Neal resting during a Harlem Globetrotters game in 1975. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion After finishing college, Curly had tryouts with the NBA’s New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Chicago Bulls. However, he was also 1 of 125 players invited to try out for five spots on the Globetrotters’ roster and made the team. Curly figured he would have done well in the NBA but may not have had as long a career, even though the Globetrotters played many more games than NBA players did every year. Upon joining the Globetrotters, Curly did not envision himself as the team’s dribbling wizard. During his first year, his magic took hold. Owner Abe Saperstein asked him to give ballhandling a try when one of the other dribblers was injured. Familiar with behind-theback and through-the-leg moves from college, Curly worked hard to incorporate other maneuvers into the routine. Soon enough, Curly had increased his dribbling arsenal to include a variety of techniques, including sliding on the floor while maintaining the dribble. Curly soon took the place of Globetrotter legend Marques Haynes as dribbler extraordinaire. Although best known for his ballhandling skills, Curly was also an excellent shooter. 291

Curly Neal

Great Athletes

One of his specialties was half-court Honors and Milestones shots. He often wowed crowds with his uncanny ability to make long bas1961, 1963 All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association 1963-85 Played in more than 6,000 games with the Globetrotters kets. On one occasion, while the team 1986 Inducted into Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame was appearing on ABC’s Wide World of 1993 Harlem Globetrotters Legends Ring Sports, he sank three in a row from half 2008 Number retired by Globetrotters at Madison Square Garden Inducted into North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame court. Playing for one of the most entertaining teams in the history of orgaactive as a Globetrotter by making appearances as nized basketball, Curly became an international an ambassador of goodwill. celebrity. Often his travels with the team brought him to countries on various continents around the Summary world. Because of the rigorous travel schedule, In 1993, Curly received one of his greatest honors Curly was sometimes uncertain in what city he had when he was inducted into the prestigious Legends awoken. Still, he loved the game and the fans. The Ring of the Harlem Globetrotters. He was one of fans, he said, were what made playing for the Globeonly twenty-seven people honored in the ring. trotters so rewarding. Curly, wearing jersey number Membership in the Legends Ring is bestowed on 22, spent twenty-two seasons with the Globetrotthose individuals who made significant contributers, retiring from the team in 1985. tions to the success and development of the Globetrotters organization. The award honors those who Continuing the Story have excelled both on and off the court, in athletic As a member of the Globetrotters during one of ability, showmanship, humanitarian contributions, the team’s most popular eras, Curly could often be and crowd appeal. seen on popular television programs such as ABC’s In 1986, Curly became an inductee to the CenWide World of Sports, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Hartral Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of lem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine, and the made-forFame. In 2008, the Globetrotters retired Curly’s television movie The Harlem Globetrotters on Gillinumber at New York’s Madison Square Garden. He gan’s Island. Curly also bridged the generations as was the fifth Globetrotter to receive such an honor, an animated character on The Harlem Globetrotters placing him in the company of basketball legends cartoon series and on episodes of The New Scooby Wilt Chamberlain, Meadowlark Lemon, Marques Doo Movies. The team’s sports entertainment sucHaynes, and Goose Tatum. Later that same year, he cess also earned them a star on the Hollywood Walk became the first John C. Smith University alumni of Fame. inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Curly remained active in community programs. Fame. He worked for the Orlando Magic, in its commuMichael D. Cummings, Jr. nity relations department, and directly with the NBA. In 1991 and 1992, he was featured in the Additional Sources NBA’s “Stay in School” program, which was deGreen, Bob. Spinning the Globe: The Rise, Fall, and Resigned to encourage more than 50,000 Central turn to Greatness of the Harlem Globetrotters. New Florida middle school students to stay in school York: Harper Collins, 2005. and stay off drugs. Curly always stressed the imporMenville, C. The Harlem Globetrotters: An Illustrated tance of education to children. He stated that not History. New York: Benjamin Company, 1978. everyone will play professional athletics; therefore, Wilker, J. The Harlem Globetrotters. Philadelphia: a solid education is needed to be successful. AlChelsea House, 1997. though his playing days were over, Curly remained

292

Dirk Nowitzki Born: June 19, 1978 Würzburg, West Germany (now in Germany) Also known as: Dirk Werner Nowitzki (full name) Early Life Dirk Werner Nowitzki was born and raised in Würzburg, a German town between Frankfurt and Nuremberg. His was a professional sporting family. His father, Jorg Werner, was a professional handball player who played for a team that competed all over the world. His mother, Helga, was a professional basketball player who played on the European circuit. His sister, Silke, was accomplished in both track and field and basketball. From an early age, Dirk was a tall child who towered above most of his classmates. He played tennis and handball through his junior high school years and did not play in his first competitive basketball game until he was fifteen. Among the things that moved Dirk to take up basketball was his frustration with the treatment he received from classmates because of his size. Dirk joined a local Würzburg team that was part of a national youth basketball program. During his first year, his play attracted the interest of a former German international basketball player, Holger Geschwinder, who was so impressed by Dirk’s talent that he offered to be his personal coach. After providing Dirk with a year of unorthodox training that emphasized shooting and passing over strength training, Geschwinder asked Dirk if he wanted to play against the greatest players in Germany or against the greatest players in the world. At the age of sixteen, Dirk chose to play against the best in the world. The Road to Excellence As Dirk finished his schooling and national military commitment, he also continued to develop his basketball game.

Too young to enter the professional ranks, Dirk continued to play in the German youth league. His coach decided that with his height and shooting skills, Dirk would be better as an outside shooter than a low-post, inside shooter and shot-blocker. Dirk’s first team played poorly, and because of his poor grades in school, Dirk spent much of the season on the bench. As the years progressed, however, Dirk grew more confident, and his talent blossomed. In his final season in the German youth league, Dirk put up excellent numbers. After only five years of playing, Dirk had risen from a bench player to a starter who averaged 28.2 points per game. In the championship game, he scored 26 points and was named the German basketball player of the year, an amazing improvement for a boy who had started out as a tennis player.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks taking the shot with Tim Duncan’s hand blocking his view. (Ron T. Ennis/MCT/Landov)

293

Great Athletes

Dirk Nowitzki


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

47 82 82 76 80 77 78 81 78 77

136 515 591 600 690 605 663 751 673 630

.405 .461 .474 .477 .463 .462 .459 .480 .502 .479

99 289 451 440 483 371 615 539 498 478

.773 .830 .838 .853 .881 .877 .869 .901 .904 .879

162 532 754 755 791 670 757 728 693 659

47 203 173 186 239 207 240 226 263 266

385 1,435 1,784 1,779 2,011 1,680 2,032 2,151 1,916 1,871

8.2 17.5 21.8 23.4 25.1 21.8 26.1 26.6 24.6 23.6

Totals

758

5,854

.471

4,263

.870

6,501

2,050

16,990

22.4


Meanwhile, Dirk’s prowess on the basketball court also drew international attention. Scouts from the NBA were taking notice. In the 1998 NBA draft, the Dallas Mavericks made Dirk an early firstround pick, and Dirk became only the fourth German player to enter the NBA. The Emerging Champion Dirk’s first season in the NBA was disappointing, but Dallas made major changes before his second season began in the fall of 1999. Billionaire Mark Cuban bought the team, instantly introducing new excitement that both coaches and players were happy to see. Dallas also had a new lineup, built around Dirk, Michael Finley, and point guard Steve Nash, who became known as the Big Three. During his second season, Dirk doubled his scoring average and played well enough to be named to the league’s all-sophomore team. When the 2000-2001 season began, Dirk was named one of the Mavericks’ cocaptains. That season, he helped lead the Mavericks to the playoffs for the first time in more than ten years. From that time, both the Mavericks and Dirk continued to improve, and Dallas became playoff

Dallas Mavericks Records* Most career points, 16,990 Most three-pointers, 1,019 Most free throws, 4,263 Most rebounds, 6,501 Most points in a game, 53 (December 2, 2004)

*Through 2007-2008 season

294

regulars. At the end of the 2001-2002 season, the team advanced to the Western Conference Finals but lost to the San Antonio Spurs. In 2003-2004, the Mavericks lost in the first round of the playoffs, but Dirk had proven that he was a go-to player with terrific talent. The following season was a rollercoaster period that saw many changes, including the departure of Steve Nash, who had become Dirk’s best friend, and the Mavericks’ longtime head coach, Don Nelson. Avery Johnson replaced Nelson as coach and raised the Mavericks to even greater heights. Meanwhile, Dirk continued to put up outstanding numbers. After the 2004-2005 season ended, he finished third in the vote for the league’s most valuable player (MVP), behind former teammate Nash and Shaquille O’Neal. Dallas’s 2005-2006 season was a barn burner. The team won sixty games, and Dirk averaged 26.6 points and 9 rebounds per game. Although the Big Three were no longer together, Dirk proved to be a team leader on whom the Mavericks could depend. In the spring of 2006, he led the team to its first appearance in the NBA Finals. The Mavericks won the first two games against the Miami Heat, but Miami won the next four games and the NBA title in a surprising turnaround. Continuing the Story Dirk and the Mavericks rebounded during the 2006-2007 season by posting the league’s best record with 67 wins, which was also a franchise record. Dirk won the league’s MVP award—the first European player ever to win this NBA honor. However,

Basketball

Dirk Nowitzki

in a shocking upset, the Mavericks fell to Honors and Awards former coach Don Nelson’s Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. 2001-05 Gazzetta dello Sport European Basketball Player of the Year 2002 World Championships most valuable player During the 2007-2008 season, Dirk put 2002-09 NBA All-Star Team up good numbers once again and replaced 2005 Basket magazine German Basketball Player of the Year Maverick legend Rolando Blackman as the FIBA European Basketball Player of the Year team’s all-time leading scorer. He also re2007 NBA most valuable player 2008 All-NBA Second Team corded his first triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) in a game. However, the Mavericks again lost during in the first fights poverty in Africa. An inspiration to millions round of the playoffs. At the end of the season, of young people, especially in his native Germany, Johnson was fired. When Dirk started the 2008Dirk was not merely a great basketball player; he 2009 season, his eleventh in the NBA, he was still in was also a great person. the prime of his career, with promising future prosKaren Hayslett-McCall pects. Indeed, in January, 2009, he again made the Western Conference all-star team. Additional Sources MacRae, Sloan. Meet Dirk Nowitzki: Basketball’s Blond Summary Bomber. New York: PowerKids Press, 2009. Dirk Nowitzki became a superb basketball player Smallwood, John. Heroes of the Hardwood. New York: who balanced his worldwide fame with his personal Scholastic, 2005. life. His hobbies included reading and playing the Zuehlke, Jeffrey. Dirk Nowitzki. Minneapolis: Lersaxophone to relax. He used his fame to start the ner, 2008. Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, a charity group that

295

Hakeem Olajuwon Born: January 21, 1963 Lagos, Nigeria Also known as: Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (full name); the Dream; Hakeem the Dream; Nigerian Nightmare

keem visit Houston and six other American universities. Hakeem’s first stop was in New York City. Because the weather was cold, Hakeem immediately headed for warmer climates and settled in Houston.

Early Life Known as “The Dream” to fans and “The Nigerian Nightmare” to opponents, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, the son of Salame Olude Olajuwon and Abike Olajuwon, was born on January 21, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria, an urban area sprawled over three islands with a population between six and ten million people. The concrete, two-bedroom home in the Surblere district of Lagos where Hakeem was born was within walking distance of the National Stadium where he played as a youth. The Olajuwons reared six children, one daughter and five sons. Hakeem’s parents both stood taller than 6 feet and were broadly built but trim. No member of either of their families was short, but Hakeem was the tallest. The Road to Excellence As a tall, skinny child growing up in Lagos, Hakeem had to sneak out of his house to play team handball and soccer. He was best at handball, which is popular in Nigeria and much different from the handball played in the United States. In Nigeria, handball is similar to soccer. Hakeem’s half brother Kaka, who also played sports, persuaded his parents that Hakeem could participate in sports and maintain high marks in school. Sports also kept Hakeem busy and off the tough streets of Lagos. Hakeem played basketball at Moslem Teachers College, equivalent to a United States high school. He once scored 60 points for the Nigerian national team, but his fundamental skills of the game were lacking. Guy Lewis, the University of Houston basketball coach, said that Hakeem was not taught the proper fundamentals of basketball while he was growing up. Chris Pond, an old friend of Lewis who worked as a coach with the U.S. State Department for a Central African Republic team, recommended that Ha296

Center Hakeem Olajuwon, who blocked the most shots— 3,830—in NBA history. (Courtesy of Houston Rockets)

Basketball

Hakeem Olajuwon


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02

82 68 75 79 82 82 56 70 82 80 72 72 78 47 50 44 58 61

677 625 677 712 790 806 487 591 848 894 798 768 727 306 373 193 283 194

.538 .526 .508 .514 .508 .501 .508 .502 .529 .528 .517 .514 .510 .483 .514 .458 .498 .464

338 347 400 381 454 382 213 328 444 388 406 397 351 160 195 69 123 47

.613 .645 .702 .695 .696 .713 .769 .766 .779 .716 .756 .724 .787 .755 .717 .616 .621 .712

974 781 858 959 1,105 1,149 770 845 1,068 955 775 784 716 460 478 274 431 366

111 137 220 163 149 234 131 157 291 287 255 257 236 143 88 61 72 66

1,692 1,597 1,755 1,805 2,034 1,995 1,187 1,510 2,140 2,184 2,005 1,936 1,810 772 945 455 689 435

20.6 23.5 23.4 22.8 24.8 24.3 21.2 21.6 26.1 27.3 27.8 26.9 23.2 16.4 18.9 10.3 11.9 7.1

Totals

1,238

10,749

.512

5,423

.719

13,748

3,058

26,946

21.8


The Emerging Champion When Hakeem arrived at Houston as a seventeenyear-old, 7-foot, 190-pound freshman, local observers said he had a mysterious name and an impressive frame but was lacking a game. With great coaching, a burning desire to be the best, and hard work, in less than three years Hakeem possessed all-American skills that earned him national fame. He spent hours during the summers practicing with Moses Malone, one of the best centers in the NBA. Malone often pushed Hakeem around, forcing Hakeem to refine his raw basketball skills as rapidly as possible. During the winter, Coach Lewis honed and polished those skills. Hakeem excelled in several phases of the game, including shooting, rebounding, and blocking shots. His shot-blocking ability was such that Coach Lewis once called him the greatest shot-blocker he had ever seen. In his second season of college basketball, he was chosen the most outstanding player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament. By the beginning of his third season of college basketball, Hakeem had become the most famous player in college basketball’s most famous fraternity, “Phi Slamma Jamma.” Phi Slamma Jamma was a nickname for the Houston team created by

Thomas Bonk, a Houston Post columnist, to glamorize the Cougars’ dunking ability. Hakeem had become the king of the dunk shot. His overall game skills improved so rapidly that many observers found the fact that he had been playing only a short period of time hard to believe. Baylor University’s coach Jim Haller remarked that the difference from what Hakeem had been to what he had become was a real testimony to hard work. He said most people respected and could relate to hard work and dedication. Hakeem led the Houston team to the NCAA Final Four for three consecutive years. His team had eighty-eight wins and only sixteen losses during his three seasons. In his last season, he led the nation in field-goal accuracy and in rebounding. He became the third player in the history of the NCAA to lead the nation in at least two statistical categories in a season. Continuing the Story After leaving college early and entering professional basketball, Hakeem continued to impress NBA fans and critics with his style of play, his hustle, and his tireless spirit. He was the first player drafted into the NBA in 1984, by the Houston Rockets. During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Hakeem 297

Hakeem Olajuwon

Great Athletes

greatest NBA players of all time. In 1997, Houston advanced to the 1983 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Western Conference Finals again. Although he had moments of bril1983-84 NCAA All-Tournament Team liance, Hakeem struggled with 1984 Consensus All-American knee problems after 1997. HowSporting News All-American ever, he played well enough durOverall first choice in the NBA draft ing the 2000-2001 season to be of1985 NBA All-Rookie Team fered contracts by several teams, 1985-90, 1992-97 NBA All-Star Team including the Toronto Raptors, 1985, 1987-88, 1990, 1993-94 NBA All-Defensive Team with which he signed a four-year 1986, 1990, 1996 All-NBA Second Team deal. 1987-89, 1993-94, 1997 All-NBA First Team Hakeem’s accomplishments 1990 Southwest Conference Player of the Decade were as impressive in the professional ranks as they had been in NBA record for the most blocked shots in a playoff game (10) (record shared) his collegiate career. A superb 1991, 1995, 1999 All-NBA Third Team player both under and away from the basket, Hakeem was the best 1993 IBM Award center in the NBA from 1986 un1993-94 NBA Defensive Player of the Year til the emergence of Shaquille 1994 NBA most valuable player O’Neal in 1997. He earned twelve 1994-95 NBA Finals most valuable player all-NBA honors. He was selected 1996 NBA Greatest 50 Players of All Time Team as the starting center for the West Gold medal, Olympic Basketball team eight times in the annual 1999 Named one of twenty best NBA players of all time NBA all-star game. He led the NBA 2002 Retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830) in rebounding through two seaUniform number 34 retired by the Houston Rockets sons, 1988-1989 and 1989-1990. 2008 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame He joined Malone, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Dennis Rodman to become only the fifth was a star for a rather mediocre Rockets team. Beplayer in the history of the NBA to accomplish that cause of unsettled contract talks with the Rockets, feat. He also led the league in blocked shots. He Hakeem had the toughest season of his career in was the third player in the history of the NBA to 1991-1992. For the first time in Hakeem’s career, lead the league in both rebounding and blocked the Rockets failed to make the playoffs. Finally, the shots in the same year, joining Bill Walton and organization made key deals to acquire quality Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was one of only eight players to support Hakeem. players in NBA history to have more than 20,000 Things turned around for Hakeem and the points and 12,000 rebounds and became the NBA’s Rockets during the 1993-1994 season. He was seall-time leading shot-blocker with 3,830. lected as the NBA’s most valuable player (MVP), After retiring in November, 2002, Hakeem setthe defensive player of the year, and the NBA Finals tled with his wife Dalia and their five children. He MVP. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA also has a daughter from an earlier relationship, Championships in 1994 and 1995. In 1995, in the and she became a basketball player at the UniverWestern Conference Finals against the San Antosity of Oklahoma, playing center like her father. nio Spurs, Hakeem dominated NBA MVP David Robinson. Summary During the 1995-1996 campaign, Hakeem’s knees Hakeem Olajuwon’s basketball achievements were began to fail. The Seattle SuperSonics swept the remarkable. His dedication to hard work on the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. In the fundamentals of the game, coupled with the desire fall of 1996, Hakeem was named one of the fifty to be the best, paid handsome dividends for him.

Honors, Awards, and Records

298

Basketball He succeeded in achieving the American Dream: opportunity plus hard work yielded success. His achievements were given the highest recognition in 2008 when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. With his success on the court came continued growth in retirement. He lived in Texas and worked in real estate as a buyer and seller. Hakeem’s faith remained his guide in life. He stated that life was about simplicity and not greed. That principle kept him on a stable and steady path throughout his life. Thurman W. Robins, updated by Leslie Heaphy

Hakeem Olajuwon Additional Sources Christopher, Matt. On the Court with Hakeem Olajuwon. Boston: Little, Brown, 1997. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Olajuwon, Hakeem, and Peter Knobler. Living the Dream: My Life and Basketball. Boston: Little, Brown, 1996.

299

Shaquille O’Neal Born: March 6, 1972 Newark, New Jersey Also known as: Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal; Shaq; Big Aristotle; the Diesel; Shaq Fu; Shaq Attack; Shaq Daddy Early Life Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey, to Joe Toney and Lucille O’Neal, a municipal employee. Shaquille never knew his biological father and was raised by

his mother and stepfather Philip Harrison, a career service man in the military. Because of his father’s career in the military, Shaquille moved with his family from city to city every few years. By the time Shaquille was ready for high school, his family had settled near San Antonio, Texas. At Cole High School, Shaquille set numerous scoring and rebounding records. He also grew to his adult height of 7 feet 1 inch, and college recruiters everywhere were clamoring for him to attend their schools to play basketball. Shaquille finally settled on Louisiana State University (LSU).

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal slam dunks the ball in a 2003 game against the Atlanta Hawks. (Tami Chappell/Reuters/Landov)

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The Road to Excellence At LSU, Shaquille began to blossom. The big freshman had a solid season in the Southeastern Conference, one of college basketball’s toughest divisions. That year, Shaquille averaged a respectable 13.9 points per game, but he received more attention for his ability to rebound and block shots. As a first-year player, he averaged more than 12 rebounds per game, an impressive total for one so young and so new to big-time college basketball. In his second varsity season, Shaquille improved dramatically. He doubled his scoring and increased his rebounding average to 14.6 per game—leading the nation in that category. By now, Shaquille was earning accolades, and many predicted he would be an outstanding professional player, even though he was not yet twenty years old. He was named a first team all-American following his sophomore and junior seasons, scoring more than 24 points per game in the latter. However, the college game had begun to wear on Shaquille. Teams knew they could not stop him with

Basketball

Shaquille O’Neal

just one player, so they focused their entire defenses on surrounding him every time he touched the ball. The prevalence of zone defenses, which were legal in college basketball but were not allowed in the professional game at that time, also heightened the unbalanced way in which he was defended. In 2001, the NBA lifted its ban on zone defenses, a factor that haunted Shaquille later in his professional career.

young rookie immediately justified that selection, as well as the seven-year, $41-million contract he was given. His presence in the middle as a shotblocker, rebounder, and scorer instantly transformed the Magic from an mediocre team that had won just twenty-one games the season before into a playoff contender. Although Orlando missed the playoffs by a small margin, the team won forty-one games in Shaquille’s first season.

The Emerging Champion Shaquille had little remaining to accomplish in the college game. He had not led his team to a national title, but he had garnered many individual awards and had been named the 1991 college player of the year by both the Associated Press and United Press International. Because of the beating Shaquille was taking each game under the basket and because of his family’s modest means, he decided to turn professional, leaving LSU a year early. Nonetheless, the decision was not easy. Shaquille and his parents recognized the importance of education, and the three of them wanted to make sure that he earned his degree—if not in four years, then at least sometime in the near future. He finished his degree at LSU in 2000. Though Shaquille made a difficult decision, the Orlando Magic did not have to. Orlando, an NBA expansion team, had earned the right to the first pick in the draft, with which it chose Shaquille. The

Continuing the Story As a youngster, Shaquille had always worried about fitting in because his family moved so often. At twenty-one years old, Shaquille was more than fitting in: He was becoming wildly popular. He became a marketing phenomenon, receiving lucrative contracts from major corporations. Basketball fans in NBA cities flocked to games to see the new young superstar and the rapidly improving Magic. As a visiting team, Orlando drew more fans to its games than any team except the defending champion Chicago Bulls, who featured the incomparable Michael Jordan. Shaquille was perhaps the strongest player in the league even as a rookie, and fans loved to watch his thunderous dunks, which occasionally pulled the basket down off its support stand. Because of his popularity, strength, and skill, Shaquille was voted to the Eastern Conference allstar team, becoming the first rookie to start in the game since Jordan.


GP 81 81 79 54 51 60 49 79 74 67 67 67 73 59 40 61 1,042

FGM 733 953 930 592 552 670 510 956 813 712 695 554 658 480 283 331 10,422

FG% .562 .599 .583 .573 .557 .584 .576 .574 .572 .579 .574 .584 .601 .600 .591 .593 .581

FTM 427 471 455 249 232 359 269 432 499 398 451 331 353 221 124 170 5,441

FT% .592 .554 .533 .487 .484 .527 .540 .524 .513 .555 .622 .490 .461 .469 .422 .503 .525

Reb. 1,122 1,072 901 596 640 681 525 1,078 940 715 742 769 760 541 297 554 11,933

Ast. 152 195 214 155 159 142 114 299 277 200 206 196 200 113 79 93 2,794

TP 1,893 2,377 2,315 1,434 1,336 1,699 1,289 2,344 2,125 1,822 1,841 1,439 1,669 1,181 690 832 26,286

PPG 23.4 29.3 29.3 26.6 26.2 28.3 26.3 29.7 28.7 27.2 27.5 21.5 22.9 20.0 17.3 13.6 25.2


301

Shaquille O’Neal

Honors and Awards 1991 United Press International College Player of the Year Associated Press College Player of the Year 1991-92 College All-American 1993 NBA All-Rookie First Team NBA Rookie of the Year 1993-98, 2000-09 NBA All-Star Team 1994 Gold medal, World Basketball Championships 1994, 1996-97 All-NBA Third Team 1995, 1999 All-NBA Second Team 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1998, 2000-06 All-NBA First Team 2000 NBA most valuable player IBM Award 2000, 2004 All-Star Game most valuable player 2000-02 NBA Finals most valuable player

Shaquille completed his first season in the league as one of the best rookies ever. He finished in the top ten in the NBA in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage, and blocked shots. Consequently, he was named the NBA’s rookie of the year in a nearly unanimous decision, receiving all but two of the ninety-eight votes. He continued to improve in his second NBA season, earning another starting spot in the all-star game and leading the Orlando Magic to the franchise’s first appearance in the NBA playoffs. After the NBA season, Shaquille won a gold medal playing for Team USA in the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, Canada. He was the most valuable player (MVP), averaging 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest. Shaquille won his first NBA scoring title in 19941995, scoring 29.3 points per game. He and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway led the Magic to the NBA Finals, where the team lost to the Houston Rockets. During the 1995-1996 campaign, Shaquille missed twenty-eight games because of an injury. He still played well, ranking third in scoring and sixth in rebounding. Shaquille won another gold medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic team in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. On July 18, 1996, Shaquille signed a seven-year, $120-million contract to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. During the 1996-1997 season, he was honored as one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all 302

Great Athletes time. Although Shaquille played well for the Lakers during his first three seasons with the team, the Lakers had a difficult time finding the right combination of players to win a championship. In 2000, however, Shaquille and Kobe Bryant led Los Angeles to the NBA title. Shaquille enjoyed a dominant season, winning the NBA scoring title, the MVP award, and the NBA Finals MVP award. Shaquille won the regular-season MVP award with the highest percentage of first-place votes—99.2 percent—in NBA history. Shaquille enjoyed another great season in 2000-2001. He again led the league in fieldgoal percentage (.572) and ranked second in blocked shots (2.81 per game) and third in both scoring (28.7) and rebounding (12.7). He also continued to rank as the league’s top passing center. His play was always dominating but got even stronger as the season progressed, and he helped the Lakers finish the season and begin the playoffs with nineteen consecutive wins. The Lakers’ performance in the playoffs in 2001 was historic. After sweeping Portland, Sacramento, and San Antonio in the first three rounds, Los Angeles beat Philadelphia four games to one in the NBA Finals to finish with a 15-1 playoff record—the best in league history. Along the way, the Lakers won all eight road games to become the first playoff team ever to go undefeated on the road. For his dominating performance, Shaquille was once again voted the MVP of the NBA Finals. In 2002, Shaquille married Shaunie Nelson, with whom he had three children. He won a third championship with the Lakers in 2002. In 2004, he was traded to the Miami Heat; in 2006, he and Dwyane Wade led the Heat to its first NBA Championship. During the 2006-2007 season, he became the fourteenth player in NBA history to compile 25,000 points. In 2008, at the age of thirty-six, Shaquille was traded again and became a member of the Phoenix Suns. The 2007-2008 season was the first in fourteen years in which he did not make an all-star team. However, he came back strongly in 20082009 and again made the all-star team. Summary With Shaq’s offensive dominance, other teams constructed special defenses to stop him. The most

Basketball famous was termed the “hack-a-Shaq.” This technique was developed by Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson; the defender simply held Shaquille when his team got the ball. This strategy forced Shaquille to shoot free throws. As he was one of the poorest free-throw shooters in the history of professional basketball, the technique often worked. Throughout his career, Shaquille was constantly compared to the greats of the past. Many veteran observers ranked him the greatest big man ever to play the game. Others were more cautious. However, most likely, Shaquille will become a member of basketball’s hall of fame the first year he is eligible. As Shaquille’s NBA career soared, his impact on popular culture reached beyond basketball. He appeared in movies, video games, and television shows and released numerous music albums. He was one of the few sports icons recognized across the world simply by one name—Shaq. Shaquille O’Neal established himself immediately as a star in professional basketball. Despite his youth, he became one of the league’s most feared

Shaquille O’Neal and most productive players in the pivot position. Because of his spectacular play and rim-rattling dunks, he also became one of the NBA’s most popular players and a popular culture icon. John McNamara, updated by Douglas A. Phillips Additional Sources Christopher, Matt. On the Court with Shaquille O’Neal. Boston: Little, Brown, 2003. Gutman, Bill. Shaquille O’Neal: Basketball Sensation. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 1994. Nelson, Murray. Shaquille O’Neal: A Biography. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2006. O’Neal, Shaquille. Shaq Talks Back. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2001. Rappoport, Ken. Shaquille O’Neal. New York: Walker, 1994. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Townsend, Brad. Shaquille O’Neal: Center of Attention. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1998.

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Robert Parish Born: August 30, 1953 Shreveport, Louisiana Also known as: The Chief Early Life Robert Lee Parish, one of five children of Robert Parish, Sr., and Ada Parish, was born on August 30, 1953, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Robert’s father was a plant worker, and his mother held down two jobs to help provide her children with a comfortable life. As a child, Robert was quiet and solitary, traits he would retain as an adult. He was also exceptionally tall and athletic. When he began playing basketball for Shreveport’s University Junior High, the school had already given out all its regular jersey numbers, so the 6-foot 2-inch teenager was assigned number 00—an unusual number that stuck with him throughout his career. The Road to Excellence Robert continued to grow during his teenage years, reaching 7 feet while he was still in high school. He remained quick and graceful despite his height, and he dominated Louisiana high school basketball. He led Shreveport’s Woodlawn High to the state title in his senior year, and he was named the number-one high school player in the country by Basketball America magazine. Because of his high school success, Robert was deluged with offers from college recruiters. He did poorly on his college entrance examinations, however, and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officials watched the recruiting process closely. To avoid trouble with the NCAA, Robert turned down offers from major-college basketball powers and chose to attend tiny Centenary College in Shreveport. Nevertheless, the NCAA ruled that Robert and several other Centenary recruits would have to sit out their freshman season and retake the entrance exams. Robert and the others filed suit to contest the decision, but a federal court ruled in the NCAA’s 304

favor. As a result, Centenary was placed on probation for Robert’s entire college career. Although he helped Centenary to a series of fine seasons and twice led the nation in rebounding, Robert was virtually ignored by the national media, and his statistics did not appear in NCAA records. He was one of the nation’s best college players, but he was not invited to try out for the U.S. team that was to compete in the World University Games after his junior season. Centenary coach Riley Wallace managed to arrange a tryout for his star, however, and Robert not only made the team but also won the starting center’s job. That sum-

Robert Parish of the Boston Celtics in 1980. (Jim Cummins/ NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Robert Parish


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97

77 82 76 72 82 80 78 80 79 81 80 74 80 79 81 79 79 74 81 74 43

288 430 554 510 635 669 619 623 551 530 588 442 596 505 485 468 416 356 159 120 70

.503 .472 .499 .507 .545 .542 .550 .542 .542 .549 .556 .589 .570 .580 .598 .535 .535 .491 .427 .498 .490

121 165 196 203 282 252 271 274 282 245 227 177 294 233 237 178 162 154 71 50 21

.708 .625 .698 .715 .710 .710 .695 .745 .743 .731 .735 .734 .719 .747 .767 .772 .689 .740 .703 .704 .677

543 679 916 793 777 866 827 857 840 770 851 628 996 796 856 705 740 542 350 303 89

74 95 115 122 144 140 141 139 125 145 173 115 175 103 66 70 61 82 44 29 22

697 1,025 1,304 1,223 1,552 1,590 1,509 1,520 1,394 1,305 1,403 1,061 1,486 1,243 1,207 1,115 994 866 389 290 161

9.1 12.5 17.2 17.0 18.9 19.9 19.3 19.0 17.6 16.1 17.5 14.3 18.6 15.7 14.9 14.1 12.6 11.7 4.8 3.9 3.7

Totals

1,611

9,614

.537

4,095

.721

14,724

2,180

23,334

14.5


mer, he helped the team to the gold medal before returning to Centenary. After averaging 24.8 points and 18 rebounds a game in his senior year, he was named a first team all-American by The Sporting News—but because of the NCAA’s ban, he remained almost unknown to the public.

Robert showed steady improvement, raising his scoring average from 9.1 points a game as a rookie to 17.2 points a game by his third season, when he took over as the team’s full-time center. He also averaged more than 10 rebounds a game and became a solid defender. The Warriors, though, declined in the standings each year, compiling a dismal 24-58 record in the 1979-1980 season. Although Robert was one of Golden State’s top players, his steady, controlled style of play and his impassive demeanor were interpreted by Bay Area fans and media as signs of indifference to the team’s fortunes. After the season, he was traded along with a draft choice to the Bos-

The Emerging Champion Professional scouts, though, were well aware of his ability. After his freshman year, the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association (ABA) offered him $1 million to turn professional. Robert’s parents vetoed the deal, however, and he returned to Centenary to finish his education. After his graduation, the Golden State Warriors of the NBA made him the eighth pick in the Honors and Awards 1976 NBA draft. NBA competition was far stiffer than 1975 Gold medal, World University Games what Robert had encountered at Cente1976 Sporting News All-American nary, and he struggled at first to bring his 1981-87, 1990-91 NBA All-Star Team play up to professional standards. More1982 All-NBA Second Team over, the Warriors were a team of cool vet1989 All-NBA Third Team erans who offered him little help. Center 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Clifford Ray took Robert under his wing, 1998 Uniform number 00 retired by Boston Celtics however, and helped his young rival to 2003 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame learn the ins and outs of the pro game.

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Robert Parish ton Celtics in exchange for two other draft choices. The Celtics used the Warriors’ pick to draft Kevin McHale, who, like Robert, would become a perennial all-star; Golden State used Boston’s picks to select Joe Barry Carroll and Rickey Brown, both of whom proved to be disappointments. In a poll of NBA executives years later, the trade was voted the most one-sided deal in the league’s history. Continuing the Story Robert blossomed with the Celtics, elevating his play even further. He and McHale teamed with star forward Larry Bird to give the Celtics a matchless front line. Boston compiled a sparkling 62-20 record and won the NBA title in Robert’s first season with the team. For the next six years, the Celtics challenged the Los Angeles Lakers for recognition as the NBA’s top franchise, winning additional NBA Championships in 1984 and 1986 and making it to the finals on two more occasions. The team’s consistent success squelched any lingering questions about Robert’s ability to contribute to a winner; in Boston, his expressionless face earned him the affectionate nickname “Chief” for his resemblance to a character in the 1975 film One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. By the end of the 19931994 season, he ranked among the NBA’s all-time leaders in rebounding and scoring, and as his career totals mounted, he began to receive overdue recognition as one of the best players of his era. During the 1994 off-season, Robert left the Celtics and signed a free-agent contract with the Charlotte Hornets. Serving primarily as a backup center to Alonzo Mourning, Robert was an important addition to the Hornets, helping them earn the first fifty-win season in franchise history. On November 12, 1994, he became the eighth player in NBA history to garner more than 14,000 rebounds. The Hornets made it to the playoffs but fell to the Chicago Bulls in the first round.

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Great Athletes In the 1995-1996 season with the Hornets, Robert averaged only 3.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. In 1996, he signed with the Bulls as a free agent for his final NBA season. In addition to the three championship rings he won with the Celtics, Robert won one with the Bulls. During the 19961997 season, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. He announced his retirement from the NBA on August 25, 1997. Robert ended his career with the most seasons (21) and the most games (1,611) ever played in the NBA. He participated in 9 all-star games and 184 playoff games. With his patented high trajectory jump shot, he finished with 23,334 career points. The Celtics retired his jersey number, 00, on January 18, 1998. In 2003, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Summary Robert Parish overcame the hardships of his youth and the struggles of his college and early professional career to become one of the most productive and consistent players of his generation. Although the quiet, self-effacing “Chief” was content to leave the spotlight to others, he was an invaluable part of one of the best teams of the 1980’s. Robert McClenaghan Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. 2d ed. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. May, Peter. The Last Banner: The Story of the 1985-86 Celtics, the NBA’s Greatest Team of All Time. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007. Ryan, Bob. The Boston Celtics: The History, Legends, and Images of America’s Most Celebrated Team. New York: Gallery Books, 1990. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Candace Parker Born: April 19, 1986 St. Louis, Missouri Also known as: Candace Nicole Parker (full name) Early Life Born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri, Candace Parker was the youngest child of Larry and Sara Parker. Her father, who had played outstanding basketball at the University of Iowa, and her mother, a former cheerleader, encouraged basketball as a family activity. Growing up, Candace played basketball with her brothers and other boys but began to pursue it seriously in the seventh

Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks dribbling the ball up the court in a 2008 game against the Phoenix Mercury. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

grade. With her own remarkable talent and her father’s coaching, she soon became a better player than boys of her own age. Taller than other children, Candace was urged to see her height as a gift and to use it to develop versatility. The Road to Excellence Following her family’s move to a Chicago suburb, Candace attended Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois, graduating in 2004. Candace’s father video recorded her games—as he had those of her oldest brother Anthony, who went on to the NBA—and continued to guide her through her high school career. Candace’s team won the state championship in her junior year, 2003. In the summer following her junior year, she injured her knee and required surgery. In December of her senior year, she returned to her team, which won a second consecutive state title. Candace won the USA Today player of the year in both 2003 and 2004. Also, in both those years, she garnered the Naismith Award and was selected the Gatorade national basketball player of the year. She was named player of the year in Illinois in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Candace was chosen Illinois Miss Basketball three years in a row and was rated the top high school senior and the number-one prospect by the annual Blue Star Index. In March, 2004, seventeenyear-old Candace beat out five male players to win the slam-dunk contest of the McDonald’s high school game in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Candace was a member of the undefeated U.S. junior World Championship team that won a gold medal in August, 2004. During this competition, she reinjured her left knee and underwent surgery to repair the torn cartilage. The Emerging Champion Candace, who had announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on ESPN, arrived on campus in August, 2004. Her knee required a second surgery in September, and she was given medical-redshirt status for her freshman year of college, thus maintaining her four years of athletic 307

Great Athletes

Candace Parker


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2008

33

442

231

.523

187

137

.733

313

113

610

18.5

Totals

33

442

231

.523

187

137

.733

313

113

610

18.5


eligibility. Candace spent that year intensively rehabilitating her knee and attending classes. She was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) allacademic freshman team. During 2005-2006, her sophomore year, she began to set school records at Tennessee and was named SEC freshman of the year and the SEC rookie of the year. In her junior year, 2006-2007, she emerged as a dominant player. At 6 feet 4 inches, she was listed as guard/forward/center, displaying the versatility her father had pushed her to achieve. In her free-flowing style of play, Candace could play every position. She could dribble, shoot from outside, and dunk the ball. In 2007, Candace led Tennessee to the NCAA Championship, racking up impressive statistics in the process. For the season, she averaged 21.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 70

Honors and Awards 2002-04 Illinois Miss Basketball Illinois state Player of the Year 2003-04 Naismith Prep Player of the Year 2004 McDonald’s First-Team All-American USA Today High School Player of the Year Gatorade High School Player of the Year 2006 Southeastern Conference tournament most valuable player Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year Southeastern Conference Freshman Team Associated Press Second-Team All-American Kodak All-American 2006, 2007 First-team all-Southeastern Conference 2007 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Wade Trophy United States Basketball Writers Association Player of the Year 2007-08 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament most outstanding player John R. Wooden Award Southeastern Conference Female Athlete of the Year 2008 Associated Press Player of the Year Naismith Trophy WNBA Most Valuable Player WNBA Rookie of the Year Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

308

percent from the free-throw line. She received the State Farm Wade Trophy, the John R. Wooden Award, the Honda Award for basketball player of the year, and the Basketball Writers Association national player of the year award, and she was named ESPN player of the year. She was also tabbed SEC player of the year. In her senior year at Tennessee, Candace announced that she would forgo her final year of eligibility in order to prepare for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, and to seek a professional career. In April, 2008, despite having suffered a separated shoulder in a previous game, Candace led the Lady Volunteers over the Stanford Cardinal women to a second consecutive NCAA Women’s Championship. She received the tournament’s most outstanding player award for the second time. Candace also received several prestigious national honors including academic all-American, Associated Press and ESPN player of the year, the Naismith Award, and the John R. Wooden Award. Continuing the Story Candace was a first-round selection by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA draft. In her first game, on May 17, 2008, she scored 34 points, setting a new record for a rookie in a debut game. Later in the season, she became the second WNBA player to slam-dunk in a game; the first was her Sparks teammate Lisa Leslie. Candace was the WNBA rookie of the month in both May and July. During her first WNBA season, she averaged 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. Along with Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury and Lindsay Whalen of the Connecticut Sun, Candace was named the WNBA peak performer for 2008. In August, she was part of the U.S. basketball team at the Beijing Olympic Games. She helped the American team win its fourth consecutive gold medal. After

Basketball the Olympics, Candace and the Sparks finished the WNBA season strongly. Though the team was eliminated in the Western Conference Finals, Candace helped reestablish the Sparks as a preeminent team in the WNBA. Following the season, Candace was named the WNBA rookie of the year and the WNBA most valuable player. She became the first person in WNBA history to accomplish the feat and joined Wes Unseld and Wilt Chamberlain as the only basketball players to win both awards in the same season. Summary Candace Parker’s success can be attributed to her father’s persistence and her own unique ability. With his emphasis on fundamentals and her basketball intelligence, talent and practice, she was

Candace Parker able to blend her skills with the structure of the game to become a national champion. Candace’s entry into the WNBA signaled a new era for the league, as more players take their game above the rim. In her rookie season, Candace emerged as one of the best women’s basketball players in the world. Mary Hurd Additional Sources Anderson, Kelli. “Sparks Are Flying.” Sports Illustrated 108, no. 20 (May 19, 2008). Laurence, Andrew. “Regarding Candace.” Sports Illustrated, April 17, 2008. Smith, Michelle. “Ready for Takeoff: Tennessee Forward Candace Parker Has the Talent to Take Women’s Hoops to New Heights.” Sports Illustrated for Kids 18, no. 3 (March 1, 2006).

309

Tony Parker Born: May 17, 1982 Bruges, Belgium Also known as: William Anthony Parker (full name) Early Life William Anthony “Tony” Parker was born on May 17, 1982, in Bruges, Belgium. His family moved to France when Tony was young. His father, William Anthony Parker, Sr., played professional basketball for fifteen years outside the United States. His mother, Pamela Firestone, was a model originally

from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Tony has two younger brothers, Terrence and Pierre, who also play basketball. Tony played soccer and basketball as a young boy. Initially, he was more interested in soccer. At the age of nine, he switched his allegiance to basketball after he saw Michael Jordan lead the Chicago Bulls to the first of six NBA Championships. Tony’s family had always visited his paternal grandparents in Chicago during the summers; Tony began using that time to improve his basketball skills. The Road to Excellence Tony started playing basketball in amateur leagues in France prior to becoming a teenager. After receiving the most valuable player (MVP) award for the Salbris Junior Tournament in 1997, he entered a professional league in France at only fifteen years old. Though Tony began playing in one of the lowlevel professional leagues, his strong performance led him to quickly advance to the more prestigious leagues. In 2000, he played a major role in helping France to win the European Junior Championships. In his last season of playing professionally in France, Tony averaged 14.7 points and 5.6 assists per game for a Parisian team. In 2001, he was chosen to play for the French national team in the European Championships. He led all players in scoring, steals, and assists. He was so impressive that he was named MVP of the tournament. Tony was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the twenty-eighth pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft. In his rookie year, he played in seventyseven of eighty-two regular-season games; he started seventy-two. In his first game with the Spurs, he set the record as the youngest player to enter a game with the franchise at 19 years and 166 days. Though David Robinson and Tim Duncan were the team’s stars, Tony was considered an important role player. His performance led him to be named to the league’s all-rookie team.

Tony Parker scoring during the 2003 Rookie Challenge at the NBA all-star game. (Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images)

310

The Emerging Champion The Spurs defeated the New Jersey Nets to win the NBA Championship in Tony’s second season. Tony

Basketball

Tony Parker

Honors and Awards 2002 NBA All-Rookie First Team 2003, 2005, 2007 Won NBA Championships with San Antonio Spurs 2005 Bronze medal, European Championships (with France) 2006-07, 2009 NBA All-Star 2007 NBA Finals most valuable player

range. For the second consecutive year, Tony was selected to play in the all-star game. His outstanding performance contributed to the Spurs’ success once again. At the end of the season, San Antonio won its fourth championship in nine years by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers four games to zero. Tony led the team in scoring in the first three games of the series. Averaging 24 points per game in the finals, he was named MVP of the series. In the 2007-2008 season, Tony continued his excellent playmaking. Once again, he led the Spurs in assists, averaging 6 per game. He also finished third on the team in scoring, with an average of 18.8 points per game, less than a point behind Manu Ginobili and Duncan. The Spurs, however, lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

played a key role in the team’s title. He was able to neutralize his counterpart and the Nets’ best player, the veteran Jason Kidd. By the end of the season, Tony had also improved enough to be considered one of the best point guards in the league. He increased his scoring average by more than 6 points, from 9.2 to 15.5 per game. His assists per game average also increased from 4.3 to 5.3. Once again, he was selected to play for France in the European Championships, in 2003. Furthermore, L’Equipe, a French newspaper, named him the champion of Summary French champions for 2003. He was the first basTony Parker established himself as one of the best ketball player ever to receive this award. point guards in the NBA. He combined quickness, Tony continued to improve. He helped the Spurs good shooting, and ballhandling skills. He also win another championship at the end of the 2004symbolized the emergence of a burgeoning inter2005 season, as the team defeated the defending national influence on the NBA. champions, the Detroit Pistons, four games to three. Kevin L. Brennan Tony had his best season up to that point, averaging 16.6 points per game and a career-best 6.1 asAdditional Sources sists. In the 2005-2006 season, the Spurs failed to reBednar, Chuck. Tony Parker. Philadelphia: Mason peat as NBA champions. Though the Spurs lost in Crest, 2009. the second round of the playoffs to the Dallas MavFinkel, Jon, and Tomás Montalvo-Lagos. Greatest ericks, Tony averaged a career-high 18.9 points per Stars of the NBA: Guards Edition. Los Angeles: game that year. He also shot a career-best average, Tokyopop, 2007. making 55 percent of his field-goal attempts. In adMacRae, Sloan. Meet Tony Parker: Basketball’s Famous dition, he set the league record for the most apPoint Guard. New York: PowerKids Press, 2009. pearances in playoff games before the age of twenty-four. His NBA Statistics outstanding performance led to an appearance on the all-star Season GP FGM FG% FTM FT% Reb. Ast. TP PPG team. 2001-02 77 268 .419 108 .675 197 334 705 9.2 Continuing the Story In the 2006-2007 season, the Spurs rebounded from the previous year’s early playoff exit. Tony’s playmaking skills made the team better, and Tony improved his three-point shooting. He made a career-best 39.5 percent of his shots from three-point

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 75 80 80 77 69

484 423 539 623 570 515

.464 .447 .482 .548 .520 .494

219 191 210 253 274 248

.755 .702 .650 .707 .783 .715

216 237 298 261 250 221

432 411 491 460 420 411

1,269 1,099 1,331 1,510 1,429 1,295

15.5 14.7 16.6 18.9 18.6 18.8

Totals

540

3,422

.487

1,503

.716

1,422

2,959

8,638

16.0


311

Chris Paul Born: May 6, 1985 Lewisville, North Carolina Also known as: Chris Emmanuel Paul(full name); CP3 Early Life Chris Emmanuel Paul was born in Lewisville, North Carolina, on May 6, 1985, to Charles and Robin Paul. He has an older brother named C. J. Chris was close to his grandfather, who owned a gas station. When Chris was young, he worked for his grandfather. Chris played both basketball and football during his youth. Initially, he was better at football, as he played a variety of positions on both offense and defense. Though he was fast and agile in his early teens, he was not tall. He played on the junior varsity basketball team his first two years at West Forsyth High School. The Road to Excellence Chris played on the varsity team at West Forsyth during his last two years. Benefiting from a growth spurt, he had good size to complement his quickness. In his junior year, he led his team to the semifinals while averaging 25 points per game. As a result, he earned the 2002 Central Piedmont player of the year award. He was also named to the all-state second team. He had an even better year in his senior season. He averaged almost 31 points per game, along with 8 assists and 6 steals. He also scored 61 points in a single game, the fourth highest in the history of high school basketball in North Carolina. Because of his performance, Chris received numerous accolades: He was included on the all-USA high school second team and was a Parade all-American, North Carolina’s high school bas312

ketball player of the year, and North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball. He had 10 assists for the East squad in the McDonald’s All-American high school game. PrepStars Recruiter’s Handbook ranked him the country’s ninth best high school basketball player. Though Chris was heavily recruited by colleges with great basketball programs, he decided to attend Wake Forest University.

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul in 2008. (Layne Murdoch/ NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Chris Paul


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

78 64 80

407 381 630

.430 .437 .488

394 292 332

.847 .818 .851

400 280 321

611 569 925

1,258 1,104 1,684

16.1 17.3 21.1

Totals

222

1,418

.456

1,018

.840

1,001

2,105

4,046

18.2


The Emerging Champion Chris had an immediate impact for Wake Forest. He was the starting point guard in every game as a freshman. He averaged 14.8 points per game, which was the second highest on the team. He led the team in several categories, including assists, steals, three-point field-goal percentage, and freethrow percentage. Making 46.5 percent of his three-point field-goal attempts was the fourth best in the team’s history. His total of 84 steals was the second highest in a season in the school’s history. He played an important role in helping Wake Forest advance to the third round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. His outstanding performance led to his selection as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the year in 2003-2004 and as a member of the conference’s all-freshmen and alldefensive teams. He was also named the national freshman player of the year by several magazines. Chris’s strong output continued during his sophomore season. He averaged 15.3 points per game, which was third on the team. He once again led the team in assists, with 6.6 per game, and steals, with 2.4 per game. He improved his shooting from three-point range to 47.4 percent. After a great regular-season record and a number-five

Honors and Awards 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team Bronze medal, World Championships 2008 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 2008-09 NBA All-Star Team All-NBA First Team NBA All-Defensive Team

ranking, Wake Forest was upset in the second round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament by the University of West Virginia. Continuing the Story Chris decided to enter the NBA draft in 2005. The New Orleans Hornets picked him with the fourth selection in the draft. Though the Hornets had a dismal season in the previous year and had to play some home games in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, because of Hurricane Katrina, the team improved substantially in the 2005-2006 season. Chris’s performance had much to do with this. He averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. As a result, he received the 2006 rookie of the year award. In the following season, he had another strong performance: He averaged 17.3 points per game and increased his assists per game to 8.9. Though his average for steals fell to 1.8 per game, the season was still a good one for him, especially considering he missed about 20 percent of the year because of injuries. In his third season, Chris had his best year to that point. He had career-high averages in points, with 21.1; assists, with 11.6; and steals, with 2.7. His totals of 925 assists and 217 steals ranked him first in the league. He also ranked first in the league in triple-doubles, double figures in three major statistical categories. His excellent play contributed to the Hornets’ winning the division championship. However, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Hornets in the Western Conference playoff semifinals. Chris’s outstanding performance led to substantial recognition. He was named to the all-star team for the 2007-2008 season. In the all-star game, he had an impressive 14 assists. He placed second in the voting for the league’s most valuable player award, behind Kobe Bryant. Chris was named to the U.S. Olympic team in 313

Chris Paul 2008. He played an important role in helping it go undefeated and win the gold medal. He averaged 8 points and 4.1 assists. In the gold medal game, he scored 13 points and had 5 assists. During the 20082009 NBA season that followed, he returned in top form. In January, 2009, he was voted a starter in the all-star game. Summary In a short period of time, Chris Paul became one of the best point guards in basketball. His exceptional quickness helped him be a great ball handler, defender, and shooter. His shooting skills were espe-

314

Great Athletes cially notable for a point guard. In only his third year, he established himself as a team leader and one of the best players in the NBA. Kevin L. Brennan Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “Everybody Loves Chris.” Sports Illustrated 104, no. 6 (February 13, 2006): 66. McCallum, Jack. “Wild West Shootout.” Sports Illustrated 108, no. 7 (February 18, 2008): 32. Macri, Anthony. “Defending Chris Paul: The Spurs’ Difficult Choices.” Basketball Prospectus, May 4, 2008.

Gary Payton Born: July 23, 1968 Oakland, California Also known as: Gary Dwayne Payton (full name); the Glove Early Life Gary Dwayne Payton was born on July 23, 1968, in Oakland, California, and spent his early life in a public-housing complex. For the first few years of Gary’s life, his parents, Alfred and Annie Payton, did their best to shelter him and his four siblings from the tough surroundings. Alfred, a Bay Area chef, won $30,000 at a dice table in Reno, Nevada. The family used the money to move into a large house in East Oakland. The place where they hoped to escape the city’s drugs and violence became gang turf. Nonetheless, Alfred kept his kids off the streets and decided that his son would play basketball during summers. He pushed school officials to let Gary attend Skyline High School, in the largely white, prosperous East Bay Hills above Oakland. The school was a weak link in Oakland Athletic League basketball but a powerhouse in academics. The Road to Excellence Gary became a basketball star at Skyline High. He learned to go to the hoop and talk trash with the best shooters on Oakland playgrounds. He helped turn the losing team’s fortunes, leading Skyline to two league titles. Gary made all-state, averaging more than 20 points and 10 assists per game. Despite Gary’s performance, most college recruiters considered him more trouble than his court talents were worth. Gary attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, where Coach Ralph Miller made him cut his hair and play defense. Gary built his court reputation on offense but was willing to do anything to play basketball. He became Pac-10 Conference freshman of the year and defensive player of the year. He started every game during his four-year ca-

reer to become the school’s record-holder in points, assists, and steals. During Gary’s tenure, Oregon State made three National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament appearances. For Gary’s senior season, Sports Illustrated named him college player of the year, and he was first-team allAmerican. He was later named to the Pac-10 Conference all-decade team and enshrined in Oregon State’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton finding a teammate with a pass in 1995. (Jonathan Daniel/NBAE/Getty Images)

315

Great Athletes

Gary Payton The Emerging Champion After Gary graduated from college, the Seattle SuperSonics chose him as the second overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft. He started slowly but played well enough his first professional season to earn a place on the 1990-1991 all-rookie second team. With experience, he gained confidence, and his shooting improved the next season as he worked toward becoming one of the league’s premier point guards. In 1994, he began a nine-year run as both an all-NBA and all-NBA first-team defensive selection. Gary’s talents peaked in 1995-1996. That season, Gary led the NBA in steals and averaged 19.3 points and 7.5 assists per game. The point guard’s trash-talking style was legendary. The NBA named him defensive player of the year, and the Sonics won a franchise-record sixty-four games that year, advancing to the NBA Finals. In the summer of 1996, Gary won a gold medal at the Olympics with Team USA. Gary had a great 1996-1997 season, averaging 21.8 points per game. The Houston Rockets, however, beat the Sonics in the playoffs, despite Gary’s heroics: In the last game of that series, Gary had an NBA-record thirteen three-pointers. The 1998-1999 season started late, because of salary disputes between owners and players. Gary, in the forefront of the standoff, insisted NBA veter-

ans be allowed to seek market value. In 2000, he again earned a gold medal with Team USA and established career highs in scoring, field goals, and field-goal attempts in an April 16 game against the Rockets. Continuing the Story During the middle of the 2002-2003 NBA season, after twelve years with Seattle, Gary was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. After the end of the season, he was an unrestricted free agent. He turned down a lucrative contract offer to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, hoping to help the team make a bid for the NBA Championship. Gary helped lead the Lakers to fifty-six regular-season wins and an appearance in the NBA Finals. The Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the final round, but Gary’s quest for an NBA Championship was not over. After the season, Gary was traded again, this time to the Boston Celtics. In February, 2005, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, who waived him. Gary returned to Boston as a free agent, starting in seventy-seven games. Later in 2005, he signed a one-year contract with the Miami Heat. There, reunited with Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal, Gary finally earned an NBA title, hitting crucial shots in game-changing situations to help Miami beat the Dallas Mavericks in the finals. Gary retired following the 2007 season; he ranked in the


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07

82 81 82 82 82 81 82 82 50 82 79 82 80 82 77 81 68

575 734 963 1,159 1,345 1,276 1,482 1,278 923 1,666 1,591 1,578 1,466 1,024 725 547 366

259 331 476 584 685 618 706 579 401 747 725 737 665 482 339 230 144

.450 .451 .494 .504 .509 .484 .476 .453 .434 .448 .456 .467 .454 .471 .468 .420 .393

97 148 196 279 348 306 355 375 276 423 354 335 352 252 201 126 57

69 99 151 166 249 229 254 279 199 311 271 267 250 180 153 100 38

.711 .669 .770 .595 .716 .748 .715 .744 .721 .735 .766 .797 .710 .714 .761 .794 .667

243 295 281 269 281 339 378 376 244 529 361 396 334 342 236 233 132

528 506 399 494 583 608 583 679 436 732 642 737 663 449 469 257 201

588 764 1,110 1,349 1,689 1,563 1,785 1,571 1,084 1,982 1,823 1,815 1,634 1,199 873 626 358

7.2 9.4 13.5 16.5 20.6 19.3 21.8 19.2 21.7 24.2 23.1 22.1 20.4 14.6 11.3 7.7 5.3

Totals

1,335

18,698

8,708

.466

4,480

3,265

.729

5,269

8,966

21,813

16.3


316

Basketball top ten all-time in the NBA in games, assists, steals, and minutes played. Considered one of the best point guards in NBA history, he was recognized as much for his outstanding defense as for his offensive skills and finished among the top five in rebounding for his position. For a tough, trash-talking player from the rough streets of Oakland, Gary demonstrated he had a soft spot for the less fortunate. In 1996, he established the Gary Payton Foundation to provide recreational and educational opportunities to underprivileged youths in his hometown. He also was active in HIV awareness fund-raising efforts and supported the Boys and Girls Club of America and other charities. He wrote an inspirational children’s book, Confidence Counts. Summary A excellent basketball player throughout high school and college, Gary Payton rose from the Oakland projects to the top of his profession as a point guard in the NBA. Playing seventeen years for five teams, he used superior quickness and good hands to star on both offense and defense. A durable player who missed only twenty-five games throughout his career, Gary gave back to the environment that fostered him, donating time and money in a variety of efforts designed to help troubled youths. Vincent F. A. Golphin, updated by Jack Ewing

Gary Payton

Honors and Awards 1987 Pac-10 Conference freshman player of the year 1990 Sports Illustrated college player of the year Associated Press All-American First Team Second overall pick in NBA draft 1991 NBA All-Rookie Second Team 1994-98, 2000-03 NBA All-Star Team 1994-2002 NBA All-Defensive First Team 1996 Inducted into Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame NBA Defensive Player of the Year 1996, 2000 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1997 NBA All-Pro First Team

Additional Sources Bernstein, Ross. Gary Payton: Star Guard. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 2000. Hollinger, John. Pro Basketball Prospectus: 2004-2005 Edition. Dulles, Va.: Potomac Books, 2004. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Mandell, Judith. Super Sports Star Gary Payton. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow Elementary, 2001. Oliver, Jon A. Basketball Fundamentals. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 2003. Payton, Gary, et al. Confidence Counts. Dallas, Tex.: Taylor, 1999. Thompson, Keith R. Heroes of the Hardcourt: Ranking Pro Basketball’s One Hundred Greatest Players, and Introducing a Whole New Way of Looking at the Game. Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse, 2005.

317

Dramen Petrovi6 Born: October 22, 1964 Šibenik, Croatia, Yugoslavia (now in Croatia) Died: June 7, 1993 Denkendorf, near Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany Early Life The son of a Serbian police chief and a Croatian mother, Dramen Petrovi6 learned to play basketball when he was ten years old. Shooting long-distance became his specialty, as he stepped farther and farther away from the basket to attempt shots. At fifteen years old, he joined his first organized basketball league, in his hometown. When Dramen was a teenager, the University of Notre Dame attempted

to recruit him to play college basketball in the United States, but he declined, joining the Yugoslav team Cibona Zagreb instead. In 1984-1985, Dramen made his first international news when he scored 112 points in a single game. He played for the Yugoslav team in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal with the team in 1988. The Road to Excellence In 1986, Dramen signed a four-year contract to play with Real Madrid in Spain. That same year, he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the third round, and after three years of legal wrangling with both Real Madrid and the NBA, he finally came to play for the team in 1989, after he bought out his own contract for $1.5 million. During his time in Portland, Dramen was a backup for Clyde Drexler, competing for time on the floor with Danny Ainge. He continued to work hard, often staying after practice to work on his shooting, confiding in a friend that “I never think, ‘Oh, good, I’ve opened the door to European players, and now I am going to sit on the bench and be happy.’ I want to be a cornerstone of a team, a leader.” When he was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1991, Dramen quickly became a star, leading the Nets to the playoffs as the team’s scoring leader in the 1991-1992 season. Also in 1992, Dramen led the firstever Croatian Olympic basketball team to the silver medal.

Dramen Petrovi6 taking a shot for the New Jersey Nets in 1993. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

318

The Emerging Champion Known for his offense, especially his three-point shooting ability, Dramen led the league in threepointers during his final season in 1993. Surprisingly, he was

Basketball

Dramen Petrovi6

Continuing the Story Dramen was playing with the Croatian 1984 Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball national team in a tournament in Poland when he took a few days off to visit 1985-86, 1988 Croatian Sportsman of the Year his German girlfriend. On June 7, 1993, 1986 World Championships most valuable player Dramen was a passenger in his girlfriend’s 1988, 1992 Silver medal, Olympic Basketball car when it collided with a truck that 1989 European Championship most valuable player had veered into their lane; Dramen was La Gazzetta dello Sport European Basketball Player of the Year killed instantly. The news of his death 1992 Best player, Balkan Championship for Junior Men stunned his NBA colleagues but was conNew Jersey Nets most valuable player sidered a national tragedy in Croatia, 1993 All-NBA Third-Team where flags flew at half-mast and thouUniform number 3 retired by New Jersey Nets sands of people, including the Croatian 2002 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame president, attended his funeral. 2007 Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame After Dramen’s death, the Nets re2008 Fifty Greatest Euroleague Competitors tired his uniform number, 3, and in 2002, Dramen was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In snubbed by both fans and coaches for the all-star Croatia, more than fifteen years after his death, game that year, although he was named to the allDramen remained a revered national sports hero. NBA third team at the end of the season. During In 2001, when Croatian Goran Ivaniš evi6 won the his tenure in the NBA, particularly during his rise men’s Wimbledon title, he dedicated the award to with the Nets, Dramen endured ethnic slurs, includDramen, calling him “a great professional athlete of ing John Starks’s implication that Dramen was the world.” complicit with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. In addition to his frustrations with comments Summary from players such as Starks, Dramen was going Dramen Petrovi6 played an important role in the NBA through difficult contract negotiations with the as one of the first European players in the league, Nets after the 1993 season and was thinking of leavand at the time of his death, as one of the most ing the NBA to resume his European basketball casuccessful. Experts continue to debate whether or reer. Whether he would have left the Nets to connot Dramen was the best European player ever. He, tinue his career in Europe if he had lived will unlike some of the European players who came remain unknown. Nonetheless, despite Dramen’s to the NBA before him, came straight from the Eudifficulties with the Nets, his skills as a player enropean leagues, without U.S. college basketball couraged other NBA teams to begin more thorexperience. In this regard, he set the standard ough scouting of the European leagues for potenfor many European players who joined the league tial superstars; future star players, such as Dirk beginning in the 1990’s. He is perhaps most signifiNowitzki and Pau Gasol, benefited from Dramen’s cant for the impact he had on Croatia and in proimpact with the Nets. moting his home country to the rest of the world.

Honors and Awards

NBA Statistics Season 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 Totals

GP 77 61 82 70 290

FGM 207 243 668 587 1,705

FG% .485 .493 .508 .518 .506

FTM 135 114 232 315 796

FT% .844 .832 .808 .870 .841

Reb. 111 110 258 190 669

Ast. 116 86 252 247 701

TP 583 623 1,691 1,564 4,461

PPG 7.6 10.2 20.6 22.3 15.4


319

Dramen Petrovi6 Dramen was a national hero in Croatia, which was still reeling from years of civil war at the time of his death. Croatians considered Dramen an ambassador not only for his sport but also for his newly formed country. Julie Elliott Additional Sources Araton, Harvey. “Petrovi6 an Athlete of the World.” The New York Times, May 7, 2002, p. S1.

320

Great Athletes “Basketball Talent: Imports Are Up.” The New York Times, August 20, 1989, p. S1. Freeman, Mike. “Petrovi6‘s Fluency Goes Beyond 1-2-3.” The New York Times, March 2, 1993, p. S11. “Mourning Hero Who Transcended Sports World.” The New York Times, June 9, 1993, p. S12. O’Donnell, Chuck. “A Basketball Pioneer.” Basketball Digest 30, no. 8 (Summer, 2003): 18-20. “Petrovi6 Is Buried as a Hero of Croatia.” The New York Times, June 12, 1993.

Bob Pettit Born: December 12, 1932 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Also known as: Robert E. Lee Pettit, Jr. (full name) Early Life Robert E. Lee Pettit, Jr., was born on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where his father was the State Director of Institutions. Bob came from a tall family: His father was 6 feet 4 inches; his mother was 5 feet 8 inches, and her brothers ranged from 6 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 5 inches. His father had played basketball and baseball in college. The skinny Bob was enthusiastic about sports but failed at all he attempted. He was cut from the freshman football team at Baton Rouge High

Bob Pettit, who was the first NBA player to reach 20,000 career points. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

School after one day of practice and was the first player to be dropped from the baseball team. He made the freshman basketball team because of his height (5 feet 10 inches) but played in only three games, without scoring a point. Bob became the butt of jokes because of his athletic failures, and a group of football players shaved his head. The Road to Excellence Determined to succeed at basketball, Bob made a hoop of a wire hanger and shot tennis balls at it until his sympathetic father put up a basket in their backyard and bought him a basketball. His father also advised him to skip rope and play table tennis to improve his coordination. Hours of practice paid off when Bob made his high school team as a junior. By his senior year, he was 6 feet 7 inches tall and had learned to dominate smaller players, leading Baton Rouge High School to the state championship. Bob was offered fifteen college scholarships but turned them down to accept a tuition-only scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU) in his hometown because he feared he was not good enough to deserve a full scholarship. At the beginning of his college career, Bob’s reflexes were slow and he did not know how to play defense, pass, or drive in for a shot. He improved dramatically, however, and was named to all-American teams in his junior and senior seasons, averaging 31.4 points per game in the latter. In 1954, he became the firstround draft choice of the lowly Milwaukee Hawks. The Emerging Champion Bob had played center in college but was considered too light to meet the physical demands of that position in the NBA. He was switched to forward, becoming, at 6 feet 9 inches, the tallest forward in the game. Coach Red Holtzman also made Bob work on his rebounding and defensive play and forced him to become more aggressive so that heavier players would not push him around so easily. After a slow start, Bob raised his scoring average to 20.4 points per game and was named the league’s rookie of the year. 321

Great Athletes

Bob Pettit


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65

72 72 71 70 72 72 76 78 79 80 50

520 646 613 581 719 669 769 867 778 791 396

.407 .429 .415 .410 .438 .438 .447 .450 .446 .463 .429

426 557 529 557 667 544 582 695 685 608 332

.751 .736 .773 .745 .758 .753 .724 .771 .774 .789 .820

994 1,164 1,037 1,216 1,182 1,221 1,540 1,459 1,191 1,224 621

229 189 133 157 221 257 262 289 245 259 128

1,466 1,849 1,755 1,719 2,105 1,882 2,120 2,429 2,241 2,190 1,124

20.4 25.7 24.7 24.6 29.2 26.1 27.9 31.1 28.4 27.4 22.5

Totals

792

7,349

.436

6,182

.761

12,849

2,369

20,880

26.4


After Bob’s rookie season, the Hawks moved to St. Louis, and the team’s star responded to increased fan support. He led the league in scoring and was named the NBA’s most valuable player. As Bob improved, so did the Hawks. In the 1956-1957 season, the team that had finished in last place only two seasons earlier advanced to the NBA Finals but lost to the Boston Celtics. The following season, led by coach Alex Hannum, the Hawks returned to the finals and defeated the Celtics four games to two. The final game was particularly dramatic as Bob scored 50 points, including 19 of his team’s final 21, making the winning basket in the final second to lead St. Louis to a 110-109 victory. He was named most valu-

able player for the second time, and he set an NBA record for points in a season that was broken the following year by Wilt Chamberlain. The 1958 championship was Bob’s only one. The Hawks advanced to the championship series two more times but were defeated by the Celtics both times.

Continuing the Story Bob was the dominant scorer in the NBA before the arrival of Chamberlain. He scored both from outside, using a soft, smooth jump shot, and inside on sheer determination. He was the first NBA player to score 20,000 points in a career and finished with a career average of 26.4 points per game. Not satisfied merely to score, Bob worked hard to become one of professional basketball’s greatest all-time rebounders. Honors, Awards, and Records He averaged 16.2 rebounds a game over his career, learning to use finesse 1953-54 Consensus All-American and positioning to offset the strength 1955 NBA Rookie of the Year of heavier opponents. Bob was an NBA 1955-65 NBA All-Star Team all-star each of his eleven seasons in All-NBA Team the league. Through 2008, his 27 re1956, 1958-59, 1962 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player (corecipient 1959) bounds were still the record for the 1956, 1959 NBA most valuable player most rebounds in a NBA all-star game. 1958 NBA record for the most free throws made in a Finals game, 19 Many experts label Bob as the greatest 1962 NBA record for the most rebounds in an All-Star Game, 27 all-star performer in the history of 1970 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the NBA. NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team By the time he retired, Bob had set 1979 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award NBA records (all since broken) for 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team points scored, field goals made, and 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team minutes played. His statistics would Uniform number 9 retired by Atlanta Hawks have been more impressive had he

322

Basketball not been hampered by such injuries as two broken arms, four fractures in his back, various facial lacerations requiring a total of 125 stitches, and a knee injury that prematurely ended his career in 1965. Bob became one of the classiest, most exciting players of his time by overcoming his natural frailty and awkwardness through hard work. Sympathizing with other tall people who were ridiculed because of their size, he worked with youngsters to help them gain self-confidence. Bob was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. In 1962, Bob began working for the American Bank and Trust Company and became a vice president of the bank when he retired from professional basketball. He was the co-organizer and first president of the Southern Indiana Officials Association and then served the University of Evansville as the director of the physical education department and subsequently as the athletic director. Bob also spent twenty years as a high school and college referee. He married Carole Crowell, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, on June 19, 1965. In 1970, Bob was named to the NBA’s twenty-fifth anniversary all-time team; in 1980, he was named to the NBA’s thirty-fifth anniversary all-time team. In 1996, as part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of

Bob Pettit the NBA, Bob was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Summary Bob Pettit began his professional basketball career during a period when 6-foot 9-inch players were considered giants and ended it when players even taller were commonplace. He was dominant because of his height and excelled through his speed, ballhandling ability, shooting accuracy, intelligence, and, most important, fierce competitiveness. Michael Adams Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Baseball: Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Seventy-five Players of All Time. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. Pettit, Bob, and Bob Wolff. Bob Pettit: The Drive Within Me. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1966. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

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Paul Pierce Born: October 13, 1977 Oakland, California Also known as: Paul Anthony Pierce (full name); the Truth Early Life Paul Anthony Pierce was born in Oakland, California, to Lorraine Hosey and George Pierce; he has two older half brothers. Lorraine, a single mother, moved with Paul to the poor, tough Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood after Paul finished the sixth grade. Under the guidance of assistant coach and policeman Sean Collins, Paul grew from a pudgy child into a fierce competitor: He got into fistfights with other players if he thought they were not playing hard enough. He got up at 5:30 in the morning to play basketball before classes and often played until 10 at night. He was not a varsity starter until his junior year. In 1996, he was the California

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce posting up against Kobe Bryant in the 2008 NBA Finals. (Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters/Landov)

324

player of the year and was selected as a McDonald’s all-American. In one playoff game, he scored twenty points in two minutes. A Los Angeles Lakers fan, Paul and friends often sneaked into the Great Western Forum to watch the team. He and his friends hated the Boston Celtics. The Road to Excellence Heavily recruited by colleges, Paul chose the University of Kansas for its historically strong basketball program. On scholarship, he majored in crime and delinquency studies. From 1996 to 1998, at 6 feet 6 inches and 235 pounds, he played as both shooting guard and small forward, or swingman, for the varsity Jayhawks. He was a member of the 1996 USA Under-21 World Championship team that won a gold medal with a 5-0 record. Paul considered turning professional after his sophomore year but stayed with the Jayhawks, hoping to win a

Basketball

Paul Pierce


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

48 73 82 82 79 80 82 79 47 80

284 486 687 707 663 602 556 689 373 509

.439 .442 .454 .442 .416 .402 .455 .471 .439 .464

139 359 550 520 604 517 549 627 320 409

.713 .798 .745 .809 .802 .819 .822 .772 .796 .843

309 396 522 566 578 522 539 530 277 411

115 221 253 261 349 410 348 375 194 363

791 1,427 2,071 2,144 2,048 1,836 1,769 2,116 1,173 1,570

16.5 19.5 25.3 26.1 25.9 23.0 21.6 26.8 25.0 19.6

Totals

733

5,556

.442

4,594

.795

4,650

2,889

16,945

23.1


title. He was enjoying college life and was not ready for the business of professional sports. In 1997, he was selected for the all-Big Twelve Conference third team. Although he played only three years, as of 2008, Paul was the sixth all-time leading scorer for the Jayhawks and only one of seven players to score 700 points in a season. His number 34 jersey was retired in 2003. In 1998, his junior year, Paul was selected tenth overall round by the Boston Celtics; some were surprised Paul was not taken earlier in the draft. Therefore, Paul felt motivated to work hard to demonstrate his talent. He practiced shooting by calling out the names of those selected ahead of him and the teams that passed on him before releasing the ball.

In 2001, Paul won the three-point contest in the all-star game. That year, Shaquille O’Neal dubbed Paul “The Truth,” a tribute to his playing abilities. A member of the 2002 USA FIBA World Championship team, he was the leading scorer, but the team ultimately lost. In 2002-2003, Paul, was the Celtics’ leading scorer, averaging 25.9 points per game, and helped the team to 40-plus wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 19911992 and 1992-1993 seasons. Paul and cocaptain Antoine Walker were twice selected as Eastern Conference players of week, and Paul played on his first NBA Eastern Conference all-star team. The Celtics reached the playoffs for the first time since 1994-1995 but lost to the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals. With 2,144 points, Paul became the first Celtic to finish as the league leader in total points scored and the first Celtic since Larry Bird to score 2,000 points in consecutive seasons. Paul ranked first in the NBA and broke the franchise record in free throws made and attempted, shooting 604-for-753, 80.2 percent. For the second year in a row, the Celtics lost to the Nets.

The Emerging Champion In February, 1999, Paul was the NBA rookie of the month; later that season, he was a unanimous choice for the all-rookie first team. In fall 2000, Paul was stabbed multiple times in an altercation at a bar in Boston. Surviving life-saving surgery, he was returned to the court in three weeks and scored thirty points in his first game Honors and Awards back. During that season, he was the only Celtic who played in all eighty-two games 1995-96 Big Eight Conference Freshman of the Year and led the team in points scored, averag1997-98 Big Twelve Conference tournament most valuable player ing 25.3 per game. In March, 2001, he was 1998 Associated Press First Team All-American NBA player of the month, averaging 30.3 1999 NBA All-Rookie Team points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 2002-03, 2008 All-NBA Third Team steals. With 738 free-throw attempts, he 2002-06, 2008-09 NBA All-Star Team surpassed the previous team record set by 2008 NBA Finals most valuable player Cedric Maxwell in 1978-1979.

325

Paul Pierce Cocaptain again, Paul became the first Celtic since Larry Bird to post four consecutive seasons of more than 3,000 minutes, with 3,099. He also reached 10,000 points in his 431st career game, surpassing Bird, who did not score his 10,000th point until his 436th career game. Between 2001 and 2005, Paul was the NBA player of the week nine times. Continuing the Story Paul became the Celtics’ sole captain in 2005-2006. In March, 2006, he was named to the USA Basketball men’s senior national team but could not compete because of elbow surgery. Paul scored 30 or more points in thirteen of fourteen games between February 4 and March 8, 2006, a feat no other Celtic had ever accomplished. In February, he averaged a league-high 33.5 points per game, making him the first Celtic since John Havlicek in 1970 to lead the league in scoring in a month. By the end of the season, he had tied Bird’s record of more than 2,000 points in four seasons. He was one of only two NBA players to score more than 15 points in every game he played that season, and the only player to lead his team in points, 26.8; rebounds, 6.7; assists, 4.7; and steals, 1.4. The 2007-2008 season was Paul’s tenth with the Celtics. When general manager Danny Ainge added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the team, Paul finally had all-stars as teammates. Maturing to a team-oriented player, Paul led the Celtics in a

326

Great Athletes complete turnaround from the second-worst record in the NBA in 2006-2007 to the best, with 66 wins and only 16 losses in 2007-2008. In a dramatic moment of game one of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Paul injured his knee, was carried to a wheelchair, and went to the locker room. However, he emerged two minutes later and immediately made two three-point baskets. Boston won its seventeenth NBA Championship on June 17, 2008, and Paul was selected as the series MVP. Summary Through early 2009, Paul Pierce had played his entire career for the Boston Celtics, wearing number 34. A seven-time all-star, he was the sixth highest scorer in Celtics history. He also generously donated his time to charities in both Boston and Los Angeles. Paul’s statistics made him one of the alltime best Celtics, putting him in the company of some of the best players ever on the team with the most NBA Championships in history. Jane Brodsky Fitzpatrick Additional Sources Shenolikar, Sachin. “No Doubt.” Sports Illustrated for Kids 14, no. 5 (May, 2002). Wise, Mike. “Pierce Finds New Life in His Game.” The New York Times, January 5, 2002. Witz, Billy. “Pierce’s Road from Inglewood Could Hit Its Summit Nearby.” The New York Times, June 10, 2008.

Scottie Pippen Born: September 25, 1965 Hamburg, Arkansas Also known as: Scottie Maurice Pippen (full name); Pip Early Life The youngest of twelve children, Scottie Pippen was born into an impoverished family in rural Hamburg, Arkansas. Scottie’s father, Preston, labored in a paper mill, earning a meager salary that hardly fed the large family. Preston was the victim of repeated heart attacks, and his health deteriorated until his death in 1991. Scottie’s mother headed the household and tended to her family’s daily needs. Scottie helped with chores and earned money doing odd jobs and babysitting. Occasionally, he played basketball with friends from school. As a youth, Scottie was not an especially impressive athlete. He failed to make his high school’s varsity basketball team until his senior year, by which time he had barely reached 6 feet in height. College recruiters bypassed the lanky Scottie. Through the efforts of his high school coach, Scottie was offered a grant from the University of Central Arkansas to be the basketball team’s towel boy. Swallowing his pride, Scottie jumped at the free ticket to college; he was only the second member of his large family to attend a university. He worked hard and held out hope that if he succeeded in college he would be able to raise his family out of poverty. The Road to Excellence Scottie enjoyed playing in practice games with Central Arkansas’ basketball team, but he earned his permanent spot on the squad by default: When two players were injured, he stepped in as point guard. Smaller than most of his teammates, Scottie was better able to coordinate his moves, but he lacked confidence. By his sophomore year, Scottie had grown a few inches and clearly stood out as the team’s best player. As his game improved, his confi-

dence was boosted. With a proper diet and workout routine, he gained weight and began to look like the strong athlete that he had become. Reaching his full height of 6 feet 7 inches during his senior year, Scottie distinguished himself by retaining the remarkable balance, speed, and coordination that he had developed as a smaller man. Averaging more than 23 points per game during his senior season, Scottie showed that he was a professional prospect, but his school had never been a big draw for recruiters. In fact, no player from Cen-

Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen completing a reverse slam dunk in a 1992 playoff game. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

327

Scottie Pippen

Great Athletes

The Emerging Champion Scottie lived up to the Bulls’ expectations in practices following the draft, but once the playing season began, he floundered. Not only was he indecisive on the court, but he also suffered from debilitating back pain. After he underwent back surgery at the close of his first NBA season, however, his game displayed marked improvement. His agility and increasing confidence contributed significantly to the Bulls’ success. Many attributed his growth to Jordan’s expert tutelage, but others suggested that the nagging pressure of proximity to Jordan led Scottie to excel. In his second season, Scottie helped his team to advance to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals. When an on-court collision left him with a concussion, however, he was forced out of a key game, and the Bulls lost the series, and a spot in the NBA Finals, to the Detroit Pistons. Playing well in 1990, Scottie became an all-star, and the Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals again. Just prior to the decisive seventh game, however, Scottie developed a migraine headache and had to sit out the game. Without him, the Bulls lost to the Pistons again, missing the chance to play for the league championship for a second year in a row. This incident and Scottie’s inconsistencies led people to question both his endurance and his ability to deliver under pressure. In the 1991-1992 season, ScotNBA Statistics tie started slowly, but his game picked up halfway through the Season GP FGM FG% FTM FT% Reb. Ast. TP PPG season. Increasingly, he stood 1987-88 79 261 .463 99 .576 298 169 625 7.9 1988-89 73 413 .476 201 .668 445 256 1,048 14.4 out as an important force on his 1989-90 82 562 .489 199 .675 547 444 1,351 16.5 team, averaging 21 points per 1990-91 82 600 .520 240 .706 595 511 1,461 17.8 game and winning selection to 1991-92 82 687 .506 330 .760 630 572 1,720 21.0 1992-93 81 628 .473 232 .663 621 507 1,510 18.6 the NBA all-defensive team. The 1993-94 72 627 .491 270 .660 629 403 1,587 22.0 competitive rivalry that charac1994-95 79 634 .480 315 .716 639 409 1,692 21.4 terized the relationship between 1995-96 77 563 .463 220 .679 496 452 1,496 19.4 1996-97 82 648 .474 204 .701 531 467 1,656 20.2 Scottie and Jordan was finally 1997-98 44 315 .447 150 .777 227 254 841 19.1 maturing into a more supportive, 1998-99 50 261 .432 132 .721 323 293 726 14.5 fraternal relationship. As friends 1999-00 82 388 .451 160 .717 513 406 1,022 12.5 2000-01 64 269 .451 119 .739 333 294 721 11.3 and teammates, they drove the 2001-02 62 246 .411 113 .774 321 363 659 10.6 Bulls to record-setting victories 2002-03 64 265 .444 121 .818 278 285 689 10.8 in the 1991, 1992, and 1993 NBA 2003-04 23 53 .379 17 .630 68 50 136 5.9 Finals. Totals 1,178 1,335 .473 772 .704 7,494 6,135 18,940 16.1 Scottie’s skill and popularity Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FG% = field goal percentage; FTM = free were evident in his selection to throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. For the first time in Olympic his-

tral Arkansas had ever advanced to the NBA. Marty Blake, a scout who worked for the league, was impressed, however, and was persistent in getting Scottie noticed. Playing in top form at the predraft Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, Scottie made a deep impression on NBA coaches. The Chicago Bulls wanted to draft Scottie, but the team had only the eighth pick in the 1987 NBA draft and feared another club would select him earlier. On the eve of the draft, the Bulls made a deal with the Seattle SuperSonics, who had a higher drafting position, to ensure that Scottie would go to Chicago. Seattle took Scottie with the fifth pick, then immediately sent him to Chicago for the Bulls’ choice, Olden Polynice, and a future draft pick. The deal was one the SuperSonics came to regret. Although the Bulls had exerted great effort to secure Scottie, the team’s management still harbored doubts about his ability to withstand the pressures of the NBA. Scottie seemed to lack the confidence and arrogance that characterize most professional ballplayers. He was surprised by the buzz of the draft, and he was unaccustomed to the attention that suddenly focused on him as the fifth pick. Once he got to Chicago, however, he fell neatly into the shadow of his teammate, Michael Jordan.

328

Basketball

Scottie Pippen

Honors and Awards 1990, 1992-97 1991, 2000 1992-99 1992, 1996 1992, 1997 1993, 1998 1994 1994-96 1996

NBA All-Star Team NBA All-Defensive Second Team NBA All-Defensive First Team Gold medal, Olympic Basketball All-NBA Second Team All-NBA Third Team NBA All-Star Game most valuable player All-NBA First Team NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

tory, the United States was allowed to compose a team of professional, rather than amateur, basketball players. Scottie lived his Olympic dream playing alongside Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, and other greats to win the gold medal for the United States. Continuing the Story With Michael Jordan’s surprising retirement from basketball in 1993, Scottie emerged as Chicago’s uncontested star. In the 1994 all-star game, his fourth, Scottie showed the NBA’s best players that he would not be overshadowed any longer. He scored 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and made 4 steals on his way to winning the game’s most valuable player honors. Scottie was an all-around player who could rebound, shoot, run the offense, hit “clutch” shots, defend, hit three-point shots, and make key steals. He was named to the all-NBA defensive first team for eight consecutive seasons between 1992 and 1999. In 1994, 1995, and 1996, he was selected to the all-NBA first team. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA in 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Scottie earned another gold medal as part of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. After Jordan came out of retirement, Scottie and Jordan combined to guide the Bulls to another “three-peat,” winning the NBA Championship in 1996, 1997, and 1998. During the 1996 season, the Bulls set the NBA record for the most wins in a season, with seventy-two. Scottie was traded to the Houston Rockets in January, 1998. Soon thereafter, Barkley signed a one-year contract to stay with the Rockets. This combination did not work out, as Scottie openly criticized Barkley as a selfish player. As a result, Scottie was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for

the 1999-2000 season. He helped bring the Blazers to within one game of the NBA Finals that year. However, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 2001 playoffs. After the 2002-2003 season, Scottie returned to the Bulls, but because of nagging injuries, he only played twenty-three games and then retired. Because he was threatened with a breach-of-contract lawsuit, he considered returning to the NBA, but he did not play again in the league. He played a few games in Europe during the 2006-2007 season, first in Finland and then in Sweden. During his NBA career he set many records for small forwards, including most assists and steals. Scottie’s success in basketball not only enabled him to pull his family far above the poverty line but also opened a world of opportunity to the boy from rural Arkansas. However, much of the money he earned was mismanaged, but he sued and received a large settlement. Among his other activities, he ran a summer basketball camp at Central Arkansas and appeared in television commercials. He also served as an analyst for the NBA on ABC and ESPN. He established the Scottie Pippen Youth Foundation to provide assistance for struggling young people and spent time visiting underprivileged children in Chicago. Summary Although Scottie Pippen experienced some humbling moments in his career, he was a true success story. His ballhandling skills and court vision redefined the small-forward position, which he termed the “point-forward” position. He overcame many challenges, which molded him into a great athlete. Debra L. Picker, updated by Thomas L. Erskine Additional Sources Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Pippen, Scottie. Scottie Pippen: Reach Higher. Lanham, Md.: Taylor Trade, 1997. Pippen, Scottie, and Sam Smith. Memoirs. New York: HarperCollins, 1997. “Super Sidekicks.” Sports Illustrated 106 (January 22, 2007): 63.

329

Frank Ramsey Born: July 13, 1931 Corydon, Kentucky Also known as: Frank Vernon Ramsey, Jr. (full name); Kentucky Colonel Early Life Frank Vernon Ramsey, Jr., was born in Madisonville, Kentucky, on July 13, 1931, to Frank, Sr., and Sara Ramsey. On the same day, one hour later, in the city of Lexington, some 200 miles away and where Frank would one day become a national basketball champion, a girl named Jean Hardwick was born. Twenty-three years later they would wed. Playing basketball and baseball and regularly attending church with his mother were major parts of Frank’s early life. Frank was also known for his colorful antics on and off the basketball court. He became an outstanding high school player and was a 1948 high school basketball all-American. After graduation, Frank left Madisonville to attend the University of Kentucky, where he played basketball for Adolph Rupp. The Road to Excellence When the Kentucky Wildcats opened the 19501951 season, they had high hopes for Frank. He exceeded all expectations. Like others before him, Frank learned quickly that the Kentucky Wildcats were more than a great team: They were a lifestyle. People defied doctors’ orders to go to games. Thousands of fans listened avidly to Kentucky games on radio, since tickets were almost impossible for many fans to get. Scrimmages usually drew nine thousand spectators. Frank became a part of this rich basketball tradition quickly. As a sophomore he was a leader on a Kentucky team that had a 32-2 record and won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. His 10.1-points-per-game scoring average and 434 rebounds playing the guard position influenced others in the Southeastern Conference (SEC); Frank was selected as the SEC’s outstanding sophomore for the 1950-1951 season. Frank was mentioned as an all-American in many polls. 330

Kentucky continued to dominate national college basketball during Frank’s junior year as the Wildcats finished 29-3. Frank played in all thirtytwo games, averaged 15.9 points, and had 383 rebounds. In the midst of the Wildcats’ success, though, trouble was brewing. The Kentucky team was placed on probation during the 1952-1953 season for recruiting violations and was forbidden to play in NCAA contests. Instead, the team played scrimmage games. In the 1953-1954 season, Frank teamed with another all-American, Cliff Hagan, to lead Kentucky to the Wildcats’ first perfect season, 25-0, and the SEC Championship. However, the Wildcats rejected an NCAA tournament bid because Frank, Cliff, and another senior were declared ineligible for tournament play. Frank left Kentucky after helping lead the Wildcats to an 86-5 record in three seasons. Frank scored 1,344 points during his University of Kentucky career, averaging 14.7 points per game. Frank was awarded the school’s Chandler Trophy in recognition of his leadership, scholarship, character, and ability. The Emerging Champion After his graduation, Frank was drafted by the Boston Celtics of the NBA. After completing a brief military service tour as a jailer at Ft. Knox, Ken-


GP

FGM

FTM

TP

PPG

1954-55 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64

64 35 69 72 73 79 79 77 75

236 137 377 383 422 448 436 284 226

243 144 383 341 273 295 334 271 196

715 418 1,137 1,107 1,117 1,191 1,206 839 648

11.2 11.9 16.5 15.4 15.3 15.1 15.3 10.9 8.6

Totals

623

2,949

2,480

8,378

13.4

Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FTM = free throws made; TP = total points; PPG = points per game

Basketball

Honors and Awards 1951 1951-52 1952, 1954 1954

SEC Outstanding Sophomore Basketball Player College All-American All-SEC Team Consensus All-American Chandler Trophy 1981 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Uniform number 23 retired by Boston Celtics

tucky, he joined the Celtics and became an integral part of seven NBA Championship teams in eight years. Frank once said that he haggled with the Celtics only once about money—during his rookie season in 1954. Frank and Red Auerbach, the Celtics’ coach and manager, agreed on a salary of $8,000. After that Frank let the Celtics pay him whatever salary they thought he was worth. The most Frank was ever paid was $20,000 a year. Known as the “Kentucky Colonel,” Frank was always ready to play a game and did whatever it took to win. He was a confident player who excelled in “clutch” situations. All his averages went up in playoff games. Frank was instrumental in bringing the Celtics its first NBA title. The Celtics’ championship playoff series with the St. Louis Hawks was tied at the start of the seventh and final game. In double overtime, Frank made an off-balance twenty-foot jump shot to put Boston ahead 124-122, and the Celtics went on to win, 125-123. Frank became the first “sixth man” in professional basketball. He was capable of playing in the backcourt or up front. The Celtics often turned to Frank to break the game open in a matter of minutes. He gave the Celtics the needed spark. Continuing the Story Frank was an integral part of a Boston era that included other Celtics and greats such as Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, Sam and K. C. Jones, Bob Cousy, Jim Loscutoff, and Bill Sharman. Frank was the perfect sixth man, a versatile and steady performer as well as a real producer for the Celtics. His best season with Boston was 1957-1958, when he averaged 16.5 points per game and had 504 rebounds. Frank played nine seasons for the Celtics. He re-

Frank Ramsey tired in 1964. In Frank’s last six seasons the Celtics won the championship every year. In the nine seasons he played for Boston, Frank scored 8,378 points and averaged 13.4 points per game in a reserve role. His uniform number 23 was retired by the Celtics. Former Celtics coach Red Auerbach dubbed Frank the most versatile player ever to play in the NBA. At the end of Frank’s playing career, Auerbach asked him to serve as an assistant coach for the Celtics. Because of the instability associated with coaching, Frank gracefully declined. A few years later, Frank gave coaching a try with the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association (ABA). After guiding the Colonels into the ABA playoffs and losing, Frank chose to leave the position after only one year at the helm. In 1981, in recognition of his three years as a Kentucky Wildcat varsity player and his play for the Boston Celtics, Frank was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After his retirement, Frank returned to Madisonville, where he became a successful businessman and banker. Frank also served as a member of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. Summary Frank was the first “substitute player” admitted to the hall of fame. He was the NBA’s first legitimate “sixth man,” a role that became integral to future generations of NBA teams. Frank was an allpurpose player who played hard every time he put on a uniform. Ronald L. Crosbie Additional Sources Ballard, Chris. “Frank Ramsey, Celtics Sixth Man.” Sports Illustrated 94, no. 9 (February 26, 2001): 14. Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Shaughnessy, Dan. Ever Green: The Boston Celtics, a History in the Words of Their Players, Coaches, Fans, and Foes, from 1946 to the Present. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991.

331

Willis Reed Born: June 25, 1942 Hico, Louisiana Also known as: Willis Reed, Jr. (full name) Early Life Willis Reed, Jr., was born on June 25, 1942, in Hico, Louisiana. He was the only child of Willis Sr. and Inell Reed. His father worked as a warehouse foreman. Willis grew up in the farming community of Bernice, Louisiana. As a child, he earned money doing a variety of odd jobs such as hauling hay and cutting grass. Willis was always tall for his age and not very coordinated. By the time he reached the eighth grade, he stood 6 feet 2 inches tall. Willis started playing basketball because of his size, but he was not very good at first. He participated in a number of sports at Westside High School, which was located in the nearby town of Lillie, Louisiana. Westside’s basketball coach, Lendon Stone, convinced Willis to improve his coordination by jumping rope and doing daily drills. Willis’s skills as a basketball player began to show refinement. Although he was tall enough to play as a center, Willis was determined to learn to handle the ball as proficiently as someone playing a guard position. The Road to Excellence Willis averaged 12 points per game playing center for Westside during his freshman year. He increased his average per game to 17.5 in his sophomore year, and college recruiters began to take notice. Willis had already made up his mind to attend Grambling College, an all-black school in Grambling, Louisiana. The basketball coach from Grambling, Fred Hobdy, helped Willis while he was still playing at Westside by providing him with sizefifteen basketball shoes. Willis had grown to 6 feet 7 inches by the time he graduated from Westside in 1960, and he had become an all-state performer in both basketball and football. Willis was also a good student, so he had no trouble getting admitted to Grambling. The left-handed Willis had a successful career at Grambling. In 1961, he helped his team win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 332

(NAIA) small-college championship during his freshman year. Willis averaged 18.5 points per game in his four years at Grambling, and he led the team to three Southwestern Atlantic Conference Championships. Willis was named to the Little AllAmerican team three times, and he also represented the United States in the 1963 Pan-American Games in Brazil. His only basketball disappointment during his college years was that he did not make the 1964 U.S. Olympic team. However, Willis had proven to be a high-quality basketball player, and he expected to be drafted into the professional ranks.

New York Knicks center Willis Reed. (Courtesy of New York Knickerbockers)

Basketball

Willis Reed


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74

80 76 78 81 82 81 73 11 69 19

629 438 635 659 704 702 614 60 334 84

.432 .434 .489 .490 .521 .507 .462 .438 .474 .457

302 302 358 367 325 351 299 27 92 42

.742 .757 .735 .721 .747 .756 .785 .692 .742 .792

1,175 883 1,136 1,073 1,191 1,126 1,003 96 590 141

133 91 126 159 190 161 148 22 126 30

1,560 1,178 1,628 1,685 1,733 1,755 1,527 147 760 210

19.5 15.5 20.9 20.8 21.1 21.7 20.9 13.4 11.0 11.1

Totals

650

4,859

.476

2,465

.747

8,414

1,186

12,183

18.7


The Emerging Champion The NBA held its annual draft in May of 1964. Willis was chosen by the New York Knicks in the second round of the draft. He was disappointed that no team had picked him in the first round. Willis was determined to prove to the Knicks and the NBA that he was better than a second-round choice. By the time Willis left college, he stood 6 feet 10 inches and weighed 240 pounds. Playing the center position his rookie season for New York, he left no doubt that he was going to be a star in the NBA. Willis averaged 19.5 points per game and established a new Knicks rebounding record with a total of 1,175. In 1965, he was named rookie of the year and was selected to the NBA all-rookie team. For most of the next three seasons, Willis was moved to the forward position, since the Knicks had acquired the veteran center Walt Bellamy. The new position was a challenge for Willis, but he made the extra effort to help his team, and the Knicks advanced into the playoffs at the end of the 1966-1967 season. The center position was more natural for Willis, and he got his chance to go back to that position in the 1968-1969 season. The Knicks traded Bellamy to the Detroit Pistons for Dave DeBuschere in December of 1968. With forward DeBuschere added to the team, Willis returned to the pivot position. The Knicks were finally becoming a solid team. Everything came together for the Knicks in the 1969-1970 season. The team finished the regular season in first place in the Eastern division and then defeated the Baltimore Bullets and the Milwau-

kee Bucks to reach the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Willis had to miss much of the final series with a hip injury, but his leadership and inspirational presence proved to be too much for the Lakers, and the Knicks won the franchise’s first NBA Championship. In 1970, Willis was named NBA most valuable player (MVP) for the regular season and NBA playoff MVP. He was also selected to the all-NBA first team and the NBA all-defensive first team. Continuing the Story In 1973, the Knicks won the NBA Championship again. They defeated the Lakers in the finals, and Willis was named MVP for the playoffs once again. He had suffered a variety of injuries during the season, though, and 1973 was his last year with the Knicks. Willis played for the Seattle SuperSonics during the 1973-1974 campaign, but knee injuries

Honors and Awards 1965 NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team 1965-71 NBA All-Star Team 1967-69, 1971 All-NBA Second Team 1970 NBA most valuable player All-NBA First Team NBA All-Defensive First Team NBA All-Star Game most valuable player Inducted into NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame 1970, 1973 NBA Playoff most valuable player 1976 Uniform number 19 retired by New York Knicks 1981 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

333

Willis Reed kept him out of the lineup for most of the season. At the end of the season, Willis decided to retire as a player. During his ten-year career, he averaged 18.7 points per game and more than 12 rebounds a game. Upon retirement, Willis was the only player in NBA history to win the regular season MVP, the all-star MVP, and the finals MVP all in the same year (1970). In 1976, the Knicks retired his uniform number 19—the first uniform number ever retired by the Knicks—paying tribute to Willis as the spirit of the Knicks during the 1970’s. After his retirement as a player, Willis invested in a variety of business ventures. In 1977, he was named to replace Red Holzman as coach of the Knicks. Willis took the team to the playoffs in his first season as head coach, but he was fired after only fourteen games in his second year. He served as an assistant coach at St. John’s University during the 1980-1981 season and as the head coach of Creighton University from 1981 to 1985. In 1985 Willis served as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, and later filled the same role with the Sacramento Kings. Willis became head coach of the New Jersey Nets in February, 1988. When the season ended in 1989, he moved to the Nets’ front office. In 1993, Willis was appointed the Nets’ general manager. Within two years, he built a perennial playoff contender. In 1996, when John Calipari was hired as the Nets’ head coach, Willis became the senior vice president of basketball operations for the franchise. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of

334

Great Athletes the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, Willis was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. He later became the New Orleans Hornets’ vice president of basketball operations. Summary In 1981, Willis Reed was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His tenure with the New York Knicks was remarkable not only for his statistics but also for the inspirational attitude that Willis brought to the game. He was always determined to give his best for the good of the team. The intangibles that he brought to the Knicks’ two championship seasons were the material from which legends are made. Willis was a winner and a credit to basketball. Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Gutman, Bill. Tales from the 1969-1970 New York Knicks. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2005. Heisler, Mark, Willis Reed, Jerry West, and Pete Newell. Big Men Who Shook the NBA. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2005. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Kalinsky, George, and Phil Berger. The New York Knicks: The Official Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. New York: Macmillan, 1996. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998.

Oscar Robertson Born: November 24, 1938 Charlotte, Tennessee Also known as: Oscar Palmer Robertson (full name); the Big O Early Life Oscar Palmer Robertson was born on November 24, 1938, in the small town of Charlotte, Tennessee. He was the youngest of three boys. His family was poor and there was little work for his father, so they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, when Oscar was five years old. Oscar’s father found work as a meat cutter and Oscar was introduced to the Hoosier state’s love for basketball. Oscar lived near Butler Fieldhouse, which basketball fans annually packed to the 15,000-seat capacity for the state basketball tournament. The passion for basketball in the area inspired Oscar to dedicate himself to the sport.

The Road to Excellence Oscar began to excel on the playgrounds of Indianapolis even against older boys. Oscar’s older brother Bailey was an outstanding high school player, and his success inspired Oscar to continue to develop. In 1953, Oscar entered the all-black high school Crispus Attucks and made the varsity team as a freshman. In his second year in high school, Oscar began to make a name for himself. As a sixteen-year-old sophomore, Oscar led his team to the final sixteen teams in the state tournament before losing to tiny Milan (the team featured in the 1986 film Hoosiers). The following year, Oscar led Crispus Attucks to the first state championship for an Indianapolis school. His 25-plus points-per-game average and all-around play earned him the nickname of “The Big O,” which he carried throughout his career.

Oscar Robertson in 1959. (AP/ Wide World Photos)

335

Great Athletes

Oscar Robertson


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74

71 79 80 79 75 76 79 65 79 69 81 64 73 70

756 866 825 840 807 818 838 660 656 647 592 419 446 338

.473 .478 .518 .483 .480 .475 .493 .500 .486 .511 .496 .472 .454 .438

653 700 614 800 665 742 736 576 643 454 385 276 238 212

.822 .803 .810 .853 .839 .842 .873 .873 .838 .809 .850 .836 .847 .835

716 985 835 783 674 586 486 391 502 422 462 323 360 279

690 899 758 868 861 847 845 633 772 558 668 491 551 446

2,165 2,432 2,264 2,480 2,279 2,378 2,412 1,896 1,955 1,748 1,569 1,114 1,130 888

30.5 30.8 28.3 31.4 30.4 31.3 30.5 29.2 24.7 25.3 19.4 17.4 15.5 12.7

Totals

1,040

9,508

.485

7,694

.838

7,804

9,887

26,710

25.7


Honors and Awards 1958-60 United Press International Division I Player of the Year

Sporting News College Player of the Year Consensus All-American 1959 Gold medal, Pan-American Games 1959-60 U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year Helms Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year NCAA All-Tournament Team 1960 Gold medal and Cocaptain, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

The next year, Oscar led Crispus Attucks to the first undefeated state championship in the history of this tournament known as Hoosier Hysteria. When The Big O left Crispus Attucks, he had led the school to an 87-6 record and a forty-fivegame winning streak and averaged 28 points per game his senior year. In 1956, Oscar was named “Mr. Basketball” as Indiana’s finest basketball player.

1961 NBA Rookie of the Year 1961-71 All-NBA Team 1961-72 NBA All-Star Team 1961, 1964, 1969 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1964 NBA most valuable player 1979 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team 1985 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time ESPN Sports Century top 50 greatest North American athletes of the 20th century Uniform number 1 retired by Milwaukee Bucks 2000 National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Player of the Century 2003 Cincinnati Royals uniform number 14 retired by the Sacramento Kings 2006 Inducted into National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

336

The Emerging Champion Oscar chose the University of Cincinnati to further his educational and athletic career. Almost immediately, he established himself as the premier collegiate player of the era. In his first year of varsity competition, he averaged 35.1 points per game. In three years of varsity competition, he led Cincinnati to eightynine wins and nine losses. He led the nation in scoring all three years with a 33.8 average, was named all-American all three years, and was also named college player of the year three

Basketball times. During his collegiate career, he broke fourteen scoring records. Oscar was more than a scorer, however. He was the complete ballplayer who could shoot, rebound, and pass. Even more, Oscar was the leader of the team. His attitude on and off of the court made him extremely popular with all collegiate players and fans. Continuing the Story Although Oscar never made it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) finals, he was perhaps the most respected collegiate player of his time. In 1960, his teammates named him the cocaptain of the U.S. Olympic team, which won the gold medal. In 1960, Oscar moved on to the NBA and was the rookie of the year in 1961. During the 1961-1962 campaign, Oscar averaged a triple double for the season, averaging 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. He is the only player to accomplish the feat. In fourteen years in the NBA, he averaged 25.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 9.5 assists per game. He led Cincinnati to six consecutive playoff appearances and guided Milwaukee to four consecutive playoff appearances and one NBA title. In 1964, he was named the league most valuable player and was named allNBA eleven times. At the time of his retirement, he was the NBA’s all-time leader in career assists and free throws made, records that have since been broken. When he finished his career in 1974, he was considered to be one of the greatest all-around players in the history of the game. Many basketball experts believe that Oscar was the most versatile player in the history of the NBA. Oscar’s offensive abilities changed the image of a point guard from simply a passer and floor general to an offensive weapon. Oscar served as the president of the NBA Players Association from 1963-1974. He is known for the landmark suit that was filed by the NBA’s Players Association against the NBA in 1970. The antitrust suit challenged the merger of the NBA and the American Basketball Association (ABA) as well as the legality of the college draft and the NBA’s re-

Oscar Robertson serve clause, which prohibited a player’s free agency. Although the leagues merged and the draft continued, free agency changed and eventually led to high salaries for NBA players. In 1980, Oscar was named a member of the thirty-fifth anniversary all-time NBA team. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, Oscar was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. During ESPN’s SportsCentury in 1999, a distinguished panel of forty-eight journalists, historians, observers, and administrators chose Oscar as one of the fifty greatest North American athletes of the past one hundred years. In 2006, he was an inaugural inductee of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Summary Oscar Robertson was a dedicated athlete who was admired by all who played with and against him. As a 6-foot 5-inch guard, Oscar could score, rebound, and pass as well as anyone. He was the complete ballplayer and a role model for young people and his fellow players both on and off the court. Following his athletic career, he took his high ideals and dedicated spirit into the business world, where he became the president of the largest minorityowned chemical manufacturing company in the United States. Joe Blankenbaker Additional Sources Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Roberts, Randy. “But They Can’t Beat Us!” Oscar Robertson and the Crispus Attucks Tigers. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 1999. Robertson, Oscar. The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, 2003. Robertson, Oscar, and Michael O’Daniel. The Art of Basketball: A Guide to Self-Improvement in the Fundamentals of the Game. Los Angeles: O. Robertson Media Ventures, 1998.

337

David Robinson Born: August 6, 1965 Key West, Florida Also known as: David Maurice Robinson (full name); the Admiral Early Life David Maurice Robinson was born on August 6, 1965, in Key West, Florida, to Freda and Ambrose Robinson. He was the second of three children. Because David’s father was in the military, the family

was forced to move many times during David’s early years. After David’s father retired from the Navy, the Robinsons settled in Woodbridge, Virginia. There, David excelled in school, as a straightA student, and in most sports except basketball. In fact, Robison was an athletic 5 feet 9 inches by his eighth grade year so, for the first time, he attempted to play organized basketball. David decided that basketball was not for him, so he focused on his other academic and sports-related interests, including carpentry, art, music, literature, mathematics, and the physical sciences. David also developed a strong affinity for other sports such as tennis, baseball, and gymnastics.

San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson shooting over Kevin Garnett in the 2001 playoffs. (Adrees Latif/Reuters/ Landov)

338

The Road to Excellence As a 6-foot 7-inch senior in high school, David, after encouragement from classmates and the coach of the Osbourn Park High School team, decided to try basketball again, a sport he had not played since his eighth grade year in junior high. By the end of the season, David had posted impressive basketball statistics. In fact, David earned all-area and all-district honors during his only year of playing high school basketball. However, basketball was not his first priority, and he continued to focus on his academics, especially mathematics. As the result of his hard work in the classroom, David scored an excellent 1320 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). After much debate about where to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer, David opted to follow in his father’s footsteps by applying to the United States Naval Academy to embark on a career as a naval officer. He was formally accepted to the academy and entered in June, 1983. As a freshman, David played basketball for the Navy Midshipmen as a reserve center; he received little playing time and never started a game. However, during the spring of his freshman year at the academy, David began to mature physically. In fact, he grew four inches and gained weight, literally transforming from a boy to a man in a matter of months. David,

Basketball

David Robinson

standing 7 feet 1 inch, began to develop his basketball skills by working diligently during the offseason before his sophomore year. By the start of his sophomore year, David had grown close to his teammates, particularly to point guard Doug Wojcik, the all-time assists leader at the academy, who was responsible for passing David the ball. During the next three seasons, David became a dominant scorer, and the Naval Academy, led by David and Wojcik, became a prominent powerhouse in Division I college basketball. In his last three years at the academy, David developed into one the finest college basketball players in the nation and was referred to by the press as “The Admiral.” His teammates called him “The Howler” because he howled continually at opponents as a form of intimidation and distraction while they were shooting. Aside from setting thirty-three individual school records at the Naval Academy, David reached an impressive college career milestone. He became the first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I player to score 2,600 points, collect 1,300 rebounds, and make 60 percent of his shots from the field. Additionally, David won a number of basketball awards, including the Colonial Athletic Association’s player of the year award in 1985, 1986, and 1987 and the prestigious Wooden, Naismith, and Rupp awards as the nation’s best Division I college basketball player in 1987.

However, although David became an outstanding individual player, his greatest collegiate contribution was to the winning effort of the entire Naval Academy team. In particular, the academy’s record during David’s career was 106-25, by far the best four-year period in the school’s history. In 1985, David along with point guard and cocaptain Wojcik, led the Midshipmen to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the team’s first appearance in twenty-five years. In 1986, Navy advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament, also known as the Sweet Sixteen, for the first time in school history. The Navy Midshipmen lost to the Duke Blue Devils, ending an attempt at a national championship. The Emerging Champion In addition to his great college play, David played on U.S. national teams during the summers of 1985, 1986, and 1987, and on the 1988 Olympic team. In fact, he helped the U.S. team beat the Soviet Union to win a gold medal in the 1986 FIBA World Championship. As one of the best centers in the nation, David attracted the attention of NBA teams, many of whom would have gladly drafted the young star as a sophomore. However, David was required to serve in the Navy after graduation. Naval Academy students pay no tuition for their college education. In return, they must serve in the U.S. Navy for five years after they graduate. Students who leave the school be-


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03

82 82 68 82 80 81 82 6 73 49 80 80 78 64

690 754 592 676 840 788 711 36 544 268 528 400 341 197

.531 .552 .551 .501 .507 .530 .516 .500 .511 .509 .512 .486 .507 .469

613 592 393 561 693 656 626 34 485 239 371 351 269 152

.732 .762 .701 .732 .749 .774 .761 .654 .735 .658 .726 .747 .681 .710

983 1,063 829 956 855 877 1,000 51 775 492 770 691 647 508

164 208 181 301 381 236 247 8 199 103 142 116 94 61

1,993 2,101 1,578 1,916 2,383 2,238 2,051 106 1,574 775 1,427 1,151 951 546

24.3 25.6 23.2 23.4 29.8 27.6 25.0 17.7 21.6 15.8 17.8 14.4 12.2 8.5

Totals

987

7,365

.518

6,035

.736

10,497

2,441

20,790

21.1


339

David Robinson fore the start of their junior year are not required to serve, however, and even though Naval Academy officials offered to reduce the length of David’s obligation from five years to two, many people thought that David would transfer to another college in order to avoid his service commitment. David chose to remain at the academy. Only after his remarkable junior year did David begin to consider a career in professional basketball. In spite of his military commitment, the San Antonio Spurs made him the NBA’s number-one draft choice in 1987. He received the largest contract ever offered to a rookie, approximately $26 million over eight years. The Navy excused him from three years of the normal five years of military commitment following graduation from the Naval Academy. The Navy’s rationale for his early dismissal was that his height prohibited him from serving on a submarine or ship and even excluded him from becoming a pilot. After serving for two years at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, Lieutenant Robinson

Great Athletes joined the Spurs. The year prior to David’s arrival, the Spurs’ record was 21-61. In the 1989-1990 season, David’s rookie year, the team’s record became a remarkable 56-26. The thirty-five-game improvement was a great turnaround for the ailing Spurs and also a league record. The Spurs won the Midwest Conference title that year, and David won rookie of the year honors as a unanimous choice. He also made the all-rookie team, the all-defensive team, and the all-NBA team. His sixth-place finish for the most valuable player award was an impressive accomplishment for a rookie. Most professional athletes only dream about having a first year like David’s. For a single athlete to have such a positive impact on a team’s performance is rare. David’s first year was just a glimpse of things to come.

Continuing the Story In his second year, David established himself as one of the dominant centers in the NBA. He ranked among the top twenty players in five categories: rebounding, scoring, blocked shots, steals, and shooting perHonors and Awards centage. His all-around ability 1985-87 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year made him valuable in any situa1986 Gold medal, FIBA World Championships tion. David claimed the NBA 1986-87 Consensus All-American rebounding title in 1991, the 1987 Bronze medal, Pan-American Games Rupp Trophy blocked-shot title in 1992, and United Press International Division I Player of the Year the scoring title in 1994. He was U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year the NBA defensive player of the Eastman Award Naismith Award year in 1992. He was a member of Wooden Award the all-NBA first team four times, Sporting News College Player of the Year 1991, 1992, 1995, and 1996; the Overall first choice in the NBA draft 1988 Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball all-NBA second team twice, 1994 NCAA Today’s Top Six Award and 1998; and the all-NBA third 1990 NBA All-Defensive Team team four times, 1990, 1993, NBA Rookie of the Year NBA All-Rookie Team 2000, and 2001. He was the first Schick Pivotal Player Award player in NBA histor y to be NBA All-Interview Team named to both an all-NBA team 1990-96, 1998, 2000-01 NBA All-Star Team 1990, 1993, 2000-01 All-NBA Third Team and an all-NBA defensive team 1991-92, 1995-96 All-NBA First Team in each of his first seven seasons. 1992 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Furthermore, David was the 1992, 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1994, 1998 All-NBA Second Team first male basketball player in 1994-96 IBM Award U.S. history to appear in three 1995 NBA most valuable player different Olympic Games. He 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Sporting News Good Guys in Pro Sports Award was a member of the 1988 team, 2001 NBA Sportsmanship Award which won the bronze medal in 2003 Sports Illustrated sportsman of the year (cowinner with Tim Duncan) Seoul, Korea; a member of the 2009 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1992 Dream Team, which won

340

Basketball the gold medal in Barcelona, Spain; and the leading scorer on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, which won the gold medal in Atlanta, Georgia. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, David was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In early 2009, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. David was ideally suited to the NBA. One of the strongest players of his era, at 7 feet 1 inch and 235 pounds, David proved to be one of the quickest and strongest as well. His muscular frame complemented his strong intellect. Many coaches were most impressed with his court sense: his ability to make sound, quick decisions during a game. In the 1998-1999 season, David and his teammate Tim Duncan, known together as the “The Twin Towers,” led the Spurs to an NBA Championship. Before Robinson retired officially in 2003, he and Duncan led the Spurs to another championship. David is a member of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. David and his wife, Valerie, reside in Key West, Florida, and have three boys, David, Jr., Corey, and Justin. He and his wife founded the David Robinson Foundation, a Christian organization with the objective of addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the family. In particular, David tried to promote the education of children and the development of positive values. In 1997, the Robinsons

David Robinson donated $5 million to establish the Carver Academy in San Antonio, which furthers education and tries to increase family solidarity. Summary David Robinson was one of the most influential centers in both college and professional basketball. His unique ability to balance academics and athletics was a true test of will. While attending the United States Naval Academy, he defined the term “scholar-athlete.” After serving his country for two years, David joined the NBA and became an all-NBA center. Equally impressive were his charitable commitments to the community, a true indication of leadership, responsibility, and integrity. William B. Roy, updated by Paul M. Klenowski Additional Sources Aaseng, Nathan. Sports Great David Robinson. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 1998. Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. Dolin, Nick, Chris Dolin, and David Check. Basketball Stars: The Greatest Players in the History of the Game. New York: Black Dog and Leventhal, 1997. Hubbard, Steve. David Robinson. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1996. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998.

341

Dennis Rodman Born: May 13, 1961 Trenton, New Jersey Also known as: Dennis Keith Rodman (full name); the Worm Early Life Dennis Keith Rodman was born to Philander and Shirley Rodman on May 13, 1961, in Trenton, New Jersey. When Dennis was just three years old, his father deserted the family, leaving Dennis and two younger sisters to the care of their mother. The family moved to Dallas, Texas, where Dennis grew up in the Oak Cliff Projects section of town. He was a shy, frail child and was repeatedly beaten up by older, more aggressive schoolmates. During high school, Dennis, at 5 feet 11 inches, failed to make the varsity basketball team. After graduating from high school, he held a variety of jobs, including janitor at the DallasFort Worth Airport. He reportedly stole fifteen watches from the airport gift shop on a dare and was arrested, though not charged after he told the police where the watches were. Shortly after this incident Dennis’s mother kicked him out of the house and their relationship became a distant one. Dennis’s life then changed dramatically; a tremendous growth spurt—just under a foot in a single year—resulted in a 6-foot 8-inch Dennis Rodman. At the age of twenty he began playing basketball. After a year of junior college, the late bloomer won a basketball scholarship to Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1983. The Road to Excellence In 1985 and 1986, his junior and senior years of college, Dennis led the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in rebounding, with 16.1 and 17.8, rebounds per game respectively. At a summer basketball camp during his college years, Rodman met Byrne Rich, a boy he coached and also comforted upon learning Byrne had killed his best friend in a hunting accident. The Rich family was so grate342

ful for Dennis’s support and friendship that they practically adopted the quiet college athlete. Dennis moved in with the Rich family, welcoming their encouragement as his basketball career began to catch fire. Dennis was named an all-American as a senior and was the Detroit Pistons’ pick in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft. He began his career with the Pistons as a forward and quickly found a home as one of a high-spirited group of players nicknamed the “Bad Boys.” Dennis also married model Annie Banks; they divorced after eighty-two

Dennis Rodman taking off for a slam dunk in early 1996. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Dennis Rodman


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00

77 82 82 82 82 82 62 79 49 64 55 80 23 12

391 709 531 496 560 635 429 292 240 304 286 360 46 31

213 398 316 288 276 342 183 156 137 146 128 155 16 12

.545 .561 .595 .581 .493 .539 .427 .534 .571 .480 .448 .431 .348 .387

126 284 155 217 176 140 163 102 111 106 88 111 39 14

74 152 97 142 111 84 87 53 75 56 50 61 17 10

.587 .535 .626 .654 .631 .600 .534 .520 .676 .528 .568 .550 .436 .714

332 715 772 792 1,029 1,530 1,132 1,367 823 952 883 1,201 258 171

56 110 99 72 85 191 102 184 97 160 170 230 30 14

500 953 735 719 669 800 468 370 349 351 311 375 49 34

6.5 11.6 9.0 8.8 8.2 9.8 7.5 4.7 7.1 5.5 5.7 4.7 2.1 2.8

Totals

911

5,310

2,766

.521

1,832

1,069

.584

11,957

1,600

6,683

7.3


days, after which Dennis’s only child, daughter Alexis, was born. Banks was the initial inspiration for the many tattoos which later covered much of Dennis’s body. The Emerging Champion Dennis quickly established himself as a key player on the Pistons under the welcome tutelage of coach Chuck Daly. Dennis was a strong rebounder and a crucial part of the Pistons’ defense, helping the team win back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. He continued to build his reputation as a star player and bad boy, winning NBA defensive player of the year honors in 1990 and 1991. When Daly left the team and several of Dennis’s friends were traded, the feeling that his first professional family was crumbling around him left Dennis with a cynical attitude toward the NBA. He charged that the NBA exploited its players but still expected them to have a squeaky-clean image—even when such an image was at odds with the demands of the game. He ended his career with the Pistons in 1992, after having earned top rebounder status that year. In 1993, Dennis joined the San Antonio Spurs, signing a three-year contract. He helped the Spurs get to the playoffs and led the league in rebounding in 1993, 1994, and 1995. With the Spurs, he established himself as a rebounder in the tradition of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, both centers who were much heavier and taller than Dennis. At 6 feet 8 inches, weighing

215 pounds, Dennis was relatively small for his specialty. While with the Spurs, Dennis had a brief relationship with singer Madonna and cemented his reputation as a renegade ballplayer and nonconformist. His bad-boy reputation and the failure of the Spurs to make the finals in 1994-1995 were key factors in his trade to the Chicago Bulls in 1996. The stage was set for Dennis to become a true champion. Continuing the Story From 1995 to 1998, Dennis played with the Chicago Bulls and became known as the league’s best rebounder and most tenacious defender. While he was with the team, the Bulls won three NBA Championships—-in 1996, 1997, and 1998. With Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Dennis was at the core of what many people have called the greatest basketball team of all time. In the players’ first regular season together, the Bulls won an unprecedented seventy-two games and went on to win the NBA Championship that year and the two following years.

Milestones 1992-98 Seven consecutive seasons leading league in total rebounds, rebounds per game 1991-94, 1997-98 Led league in defensive rebounds

343

Dennis Rodman

Honors and Awards 1985, 1986 1986 1989-93, 1996 1990-91 1990, 1992

NAIA rebound leader All-American NBA All-Defensive Team NBA Defensive Player of the Year NBA All-Star Team

During his tenure with the Bulls, Dennis grew increasingly outrageous and enjoyed a lot of media attention. He became a favorite guest on late-night talk shows. In 1996, he wrote a raucous, uncensored autobiography titled Bad As I Wanna Be, which quickly became a bestseller. He made his film debut with Whoopie Goldberg in Eddie the same year, signed with MTV to do a show called Dennis Rodman’s World Tour ’96, and starred in the Jean-Claude Van Damme action film Double Team in 1997. At the age of thirty-seven, Dennis took his five NBA Championship rings with him to Los Angeles to join the Lakers after the Bulls’ Jordan-PippenRodman triple threat disbanded in 1998. The Lakers hoped Dennis would tighten up the team’s then-lackluster defense and help Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant take the team to the finals. Dennis was a problematic Lakers player, getting more press attention for his six-month-long marriage to Baywatch actress Carmen Electra in 1998 than for his efforts on the court. Electra filed for divorce, and the Lakers released Dennis before the playoffs. Dennis joined one more NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, in the midst of the 1999-2000 season but was cut before the season ended. He retired from the NBA at the age of thirty-nine with a reputation as one of the game’s finest defensive players ever to step on a court.

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Great Athletes After his retirement from the NBA, Dennis played with a number of other non-NBA teams including the Long Beach Jam, the Orange County Crush, and the Tijuana Dragons of the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played three games for the British Basketball League’s Briton Bears and one game for Torpan Pojat, a Finnish professional team. Summary Though he was also known as one of basketball’s “bad boys,” Dennis Rodman was one of the greatest rebounders in the NBA. A two-time NBA defensive player of the year, five-time NBA all-star, and winner of five NBA Championship rings, Dennis should be remembered for much more than his multicolored hair, tattoos, and nose rings. Linda Bannister Additional Sources Bechtel, Mark, and Stephen Cannella. “On the Road with . . . Dennis Rodman.” Sports Illustrated 103, no. 19 (November 14, 2005): 20. Bickley, Dan. No Bull: The Unauthorized Biography of Dennis Rodman. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1997. Rodman, Dennis, and Jack Isenhour. I Should Be Dead by Now. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2006. Rodman, Dennis, and Tim Keown. Bad As I Wanna Be. New York: Delacorte, 1996. Rodman, Dennis, Pat Rich, and Alan Steinberg. Rebound: The Dennis Rodman Story. New York: Crown, 1994. Rodman, Dennis, and David Whitaker. Words from the Worm: An Unauthorized Trip Through the Mind of Dennis Rodman. Chicago: Bonus Books, 1997.

Bill Russell Born: February 12, 1934 Monroe, Louisiana Also known as: William Felton Russell Early Life William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. The Russells moved to Oakland, California, when Bill was nine years old. A few years later, his mother, Katie, died, leaving Bill and his brother, Charlie, to raise themselves while their father, Charles, worked in a foundry. Bill was not athletic as a youngster. He tried out for the McClymonds High School football and basketball teams but did not make either one. Finally, George Powles, coach of the junior varsity basketball team, invited Bill to join his squad. Even then, Bill did not play much and he had to share a jersey with another player. On his own, Powles gave the painfully skinny Russell two dollars to join the Boys Club and practice basketball. The Road to Excellence Bill got better and, more important, grew to 6 feet 5 inches by his senior year. With Hal DeJulio, a scout for the University of San Francisco (USF), watching, Bill helped McClymonds defeat powerful Oakland High School. A few months later, USF became the only university to offer Bill a scholarship. A small school, USF did not have its own gymnasium or much of a reputation for basketball. Bill helped change that. By his junior year in 1954, he had grown to 6 feet 10 inches, developed a hook shot, and become a defensive demon who blocked opponents’ shots in bunches with his great leaping ability. With Bill, USF won fifty-five straight games and two national championships. Between titles, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changed the rules to widen the lane—the colored area underneath the basket—from 6 feet to 12 feet, supposedly to offset the dominance of players like Bill. When Bill finished his senior year at San Francisco, the question became whether Bill would turn professional and play for the Boston Celtics of the NBA, who had traded for the right to draft him,

or play on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team in Melbourne, Australia. Bill decided to play in the Olympics, and led the U.S. team to a gold medal. Back in Oakland a few days after the Olympics, Bill married his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher. After a brief honeymoon, the couple was bound for Boston, where Bill joined the Celtics. The team, with stars Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, was flashy and quick but lacked a top player to rebound missed shots. The Celtics had always faded in the playoffs. The Emerging Champion Bill came to Boston in the middle of the 1956-1957 season and helped the Celtics win its first championship ever. In the last game of the best-of-seven finals with the St. Louis Hawks, Bill contributed 32 rebounds and 5 blocked shots as the Celtics won in two overtimes, 125-123. In a little more than a year, Bill had won championships in college, in the Olympics, and as a professional. The next year, Bill averaged 16.6 points and 22.7

Boston Celtics great Bill Russell. (National Archives)

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Great Athletes

Bill Russell

NBA Statistics Season 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 Totals

GP 48 69 70 74 78 76 78 78 78 78 81 78 77 963

FGM 277 456 456 555 532 575 511 466 429 391 395 365 279 5,687

FG% .427 .442 .457 .467 .426 .457 .432 .433 .438 .415 .454 .425 .433 .440

FTM 152 230 256 240 258 286 287 236 244 223 285 247 204 3,148

FT% .492 .519 .598 .612 .550 .594 .555 .550 .573 .551 .610 .537 .526 .561

Reb. 943 1,564 1,612 1,778 1,868 1,790 1,843 1,930 1,878 1,779 1,700 1,451 1,484 21,620

Ast. 88 202 222 277 268 341 348 370 410 371 472 357 374 4,100

TP 706 1,142 1,168 1,350 1,322 1,436 1,309 1,168 1,102 1,005 1,075 977 762 14,522

PPG 14.7 16.6 16.7 18.2 16.9 18.9 16.8 15.0 14.1 12.9 13.4 12.5 9.9 15.1


rebounds per game to win the first of his five most valuable player awards. In the playoffs, however, he broke his ankle in the third game of the finals, and Boston lost to the Hawks. In the following season’s championship, with Bill healthy, the Celtics swept the Minneapolis Lakers in four games to begin an incredible run of eight consecutive NBA titles. Wilt Chamberlain joined the league in the 19591960 season, and Bill’s battles with him were the highlight of every season. In these great struggles, it became clear how Bill had revolutionized basketball. When the NBA first introduced the 24-second shot clock in the 1954-1955 season, most coaches thought that teams with the best offensive players would win. Chamberlain, at 7 feet 2 inches, was the league’s greatest offensive threat, once averaging better than 50 points per game for an entire season. Bill was the game’s best defensive player, and in seven head-to-head playoff appearances, Bill’s Celtics beat Chamberlain’s teams six times. In the NBA, basketball became a game of defense. In the 1966-1967 season, longtime Celtics’ coach Red Auerbach retired and chose Bill as his successor, making Bill the first black head coach of a major sport. Boston lost in the playoffs to Chamberlain’s Philadelphia 76ers that year, and many predicted that Bill, at the age of thirty-three, would have to make way for younger stars. Bill brought Boston back the next season, however, beating Chamberlain and the 76ers on the way to another NBA title. In 1968-1969, with Cham346

berlain playing for the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers, the Celtics won again, giving Bill eleven titles in thirteen professional seasons. Afterward, he announced his retirement from basketball. Continuing the Story When Bill finished his professional career, he had 21,620 rebounds, an NBA record later broken by Chamberlain. Bill averaged 15.1 points per game. If the league had kept statistics on blocked shots when Bill played, he probably would have the record. In 1968, Bill was selected as the Sports Illustrated sportsman of the year. He was named to the NBA silver anniversary all-time team and also chosen as The Sporting News athlete of the decade in 1970. The Celtics retired his jersey number, 6, in 1972. He was voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1974. In 1980, Bill was selected as a member of the NBA thirty-fifth anniversary all-time team. That same year, he was also voted the greatest player in the history of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America. After he left the Celtics, Bill spent three years as a Columbia Broadcast Company (CBS) television announcer for NBA games. For a time, he and Rick Barry worked together as color commentators, providing candid comments on the games. In 1973, he became coach and general manager for the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics, but the team did poorly. In 1987, he took a similar job with the Sacramento Kings, with similar results. His biggest prob-

Basketball lem seemed to be that he did not have any players on either team as good as he was. During his NBA career, Bill was selected as an NBA all-star twelve times (1958-1969). As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. Outside of basketball, Bill tried acting, performing in an episode of Miami Vice and in the Seattle Children’s Theater. He also wrote an autobiography, Second Wind (1979). In 2006, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class.

Bill Russell

NBA Record Most rebounds in the playoffs, 4,104

Honors and Awards 1955 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1955-56 Helms Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year NCAA All-Tournament Team Consensus All-American 1956 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame United Press International Division I Player of the Year Citizens Savings Northern California Athlete of the Year 1958, 1961-63, 1965 NBA most valuable player 1958-68 All-NBA Team 1958-69 NBA All-Star Team 1963 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1968 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year 1969 NBA All-Defensive Team

Summary Individual statistics do not tell the story of Bill Russell. He was the greatest team player of all time, and his accomplishments must be judged by team success. In a career that began in 1954 and ended in 1969, playing for the University of San Francisco, the U.S. Olympic team, and the Boston Celtics, Bill’s teams won an incredible fourteen championships in sixteen attempts. He revolutionized basketball with his shot-blocking defense and rebounding. W. P. Edelstein

1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team 1972 Uniform number 6 retired by Boston Celtics 1974 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1975 Inducted into Black Athletes Hall of Fame 1980 Named the Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time 2006 Inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame 2007 Honorary doctorate from Suffolk University Honorary degree from Harvard University Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame 2009 NBA most valuable player award is named “Bill Russell Award”

Additional Sources Auerbach, Red, and John Feinstein. Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game. Boston: Little, Brown, 2004. Nelson, Murry R. Bill Russell: A Biography. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2005. Russell, Bill, and Taylor Branch. Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man. Rev. ed. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1991.

Russell, Bill, and David Falkner. Russell Rules: Eleven Lessons on Leadership from the Twentieth Century’s Greatest Winner. New York: Dutton, 2001. Taylor, John. The Rivalry: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and the Golden Age of Basketball. New York: Ballantine Books, 2006. Whalen, Thomas J. Dynasty’s End: Bill Russell and the 1968-69 World Champion Boston Celtics. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2004. 347

Arvydas Sabonis Born: December 19, 1964 Kaunas, Soviet Union (now in Lithuania) Also known as: Arvydas Romas Sabonis (full name) Early Life Arvydas Sabonis was born in Kaunas, Soviet Union (now in Lithuania), to a tailor father and bookkeeper mother. Arvydas grew up playing soccer and basketball, preferring to play guard and focusing on his passing. However, by the age of nine, he was nearly 6 feet tall, and his coaches steered him toward playing center. At sixteen years old, Arvydas was playing for the Lithuanian national team.

At 7 feet 3 inches and 279 pounds, Arvydas was an imposing center, but unlike many centers, in his early days, Arvydas was quick. Later in his career, after leg injuries slowed him down, he still retained excellent three-point range and passing skills. In 1982, Arvydas was part of the Soviet Union national team that came to the United States and played exhibition games against Indiana University and the University of Virginia. During those games, Arvydas stood out as a star. Indiana coach Bob Knight compared him to Bill Walton and said, “I could not get over what potential he had. Such a great raw talent.” During the game played against the University of Virginia, commentators noted that Arvydas outplayed Ralph Sampson, who was the first player chosen in the 1983 NBA draft. The Road to Excellence During most of the 1980’s, Arvydas played for Lithuania’s Zalgiris Kaunas team, which won three Soviet Union basketball championships, and the Soviet Union Olympic teams. Many considered him to be the best basketball player in the world but because of limited exposure in the United States, especially since the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics, few got the chance to see him play. The Portland Trail Blazers drafted Arvydas in the first round of the 1986 NBA draft, but negotiations to bring him to the league took nearly a decade and involved entreaties to the Soviet government from U.S. secretaries of state and Ron Wyden, a congressman from Oregon. During the 1988 Summer Olympics, Arvydas led the Soviet Union team to a gold medal.

Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis converting a layup in a 1998 game against the Golden State Warriors. (Andy Hayt/ NBAE/Getty Images)

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The Emerging Champion In addition to the political obstacles that delayed Arvydas’s debut in the NBA, Achilles tendon and knee injuries kept Arvydas from joining the Trail Blazers. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Arvydas was finally free to play in the NBA, but in-

Basketball

Arvydas Sabonis After his NBA playing days ended, Arvydas became part-owner of the Lithuanian basketball team Zalgiris Kaunas. As an owner-player for the team in 20032004, he won the league’s most valuable player award. In 2005, Arvydas retired from Zalgiris Kaunas.

Honors and Awards 1984-85, 1988, 1995, 1997, 1999 1985 1988 1992, 1996 1995 1996

European Basketball Player of the Year Eurobasket Most Valuable Player Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball Euroleague Final Four Most Valuable Player NBA Rookie of the Month (April) NBA Player of the Week (March 31) 2004 Euroleague Most Valuable Player All-Euroleague 2008 Fifty Greatest Euroleague Contributors

stead of joining the Trail Blazers, he signed a threeyear deal with Real Madrid, during which time he led the team to the European title. In the 1992 Summer Olympics, he was part of the Lithuanian team that won the bronze medal. Continuing the Story In 1995, Arvydas finally joined the Trail Blazers and quickly became popular with fans, especially because of his passing abilities. Teammates referred to him as “an oversized Globetrotter.” At thirty-one years old, Arvydas was the runner-up in both the rookie of the year and sixth man of the year voting. He continued to play well for the Trail Blazers for the next six years and was particularly noted for his rebounding and passing, despite suffering various injuries. In 2001, Arvydas retired for the first time but returned for the 2002-2003 season. In 2003, Arvydas announced his retirement from the Trail Blazers, noting that he wanted to spend more time with his family in Lithuania.

Summary Arvydas Sabonis had a remarkable career representing the Soviet Union in the Olympics and played well for the Portland Trail Blazers once he finally joined the team. However, Arvydas would have had a much greater impact on the NBA if Cold War politics had not kept him from playing for the Trail Blazers when he was drafted in 1986. In fact, he was a potential hall of famer. Most of Arvydas’s legend, in North America at least, was based on speculation and hearsay. Julie Elliott

Additional Sources Friend, Tom. “The Courtship of a Wayward Star: Sabonis.” The New York Times, November 1, 1995, p. B12. MacMullan, Jackie. “Legend at Large.” Sports Illustrated 88, no. 13 (March 30, 1998): 90-92. Taylor, Phil. “Catch This!” Sports Illustrated 84, no. 16 (April 22, 1996): 32-36. Toperoff, Sam. “A Lithuanian Basketball Star.” Atlantic Monthly 258 (July, 1986): 74. “When I Was a Kid.” Sports Illustrated for Kids 9, no. 1 (January, 1997): 22-24.


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2002-03

73 69 73 50 66 61 78

394 328 407 232 302 247 172

.545 .498 .493 .485 .505 .479 .476

231 223 323 135 167 121 129

.757 .777 .789 .771 .843 .776 .787

588 547 729 393 513 331 335

130 146 218 119 118 91 142

1,058 928 1,167 606 778 616 476

14.5 13.4 16.0 12.1 11.8 10.1 6.1

Totals

470

2,082

.500

1,329

.786

3,436

964

5,629

12.0


349

Dolph Schayes Born: May 19, 1928 New York, New York Also known as: Adolph Schayes (full name) Early Life Adolph Schayes was born on May 19, 1928, in the Borough of the Bronx in New York City. His parents, Carl and Tina Schayes, emigrated from Romania to the United States in the early 1920’s. Dolph was the second of their three sons. Dolph attended Public School 91 and Creston Junior High School. He and his friends formed their own clubs and challenged other groups of boys to games of football, baseball, and basketball. They played basketball more often than other sports because nearly every school had outdoor basketball courts, while it was necessary to travel miles to reach a park that had the space to play football and baseball. The Road to Excellence In 1942, Dolph entered DeWitt Clinton High School. As a 6-foot 5-inch sophomore, he became a member of the basketball team. Despite having an ideal height for a high school center, he played all positions. That enabled him to develop the skills needed to be a versatile player. In 1944, several universities offered Dolph scholarships. He accepted one from New York University (NYU), which was located a few blocks from his home. Dolph became a student at NYU in February, 1945, and immediately became a starter on the basketball team. At the age of sixteen, he found himself matched against many older, stronger, and more experienced athletes. The tough competition against these men enabled him to improve his playing skills. During the summers while he attended college, Dolph worked at resorts in New York State’s Catskill Mountains. 350

He played basketball in summer leagues organized by the resorts. In 1948, NYU competed in the finals of the National Invitational Tournament. Dolph received the Haggerty Award for the best New York City collegiate player. He graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering. When Dolph finished college, professional basketball had not become the popular sport it was in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In 1948, two leagues existed, the National Basketball League (NBL), organized in 1937, and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), founded in 1946. The New York Knickerbockers of the BAA and the Syracuse Nationals of the NBL both offered Dolph a contract. He signed to play for the Nationals, or Nats, as they were popularly known. Dolph was only twenty years old.

Dolph Schayes, seen in 1969, after becoming the first player in NBA history to record 15,000 points. (AP/Wide World Photos)

Basketball

Dolph Schayes


GP 63 64 66 63 71 72 72 72 72 72 72 75 79 56 66 24 1,059

FGM 272 348 332 263 375 370 422 465 496 581 504 578 594 268 223 44 6,135

FG% — .385 .357 .355 .367 .380 .383 .387 .379 .398 .387 .401 .372 .357 .388 .308 .380

FTM 267 376 457 342 512 488 489 542 625 629 526 533 680 286 181 46 6,979

FT% .724 .774 .752 .807 .827 .827 .833 .858 .904 .904 .864 .892 .868 .896 .879 .807 .844

Reb. — — 1,080 773 920 870 887 891 1,008 1,022 962 959 960 439 375 110 11,256

Ast. — 259 251 182 227 214 213 200 229 224 178 256 296 120 175 48 3,072

TP 811 1,072 1,121 868 1,262 1,228 1,333 1,472 1,617 1,791 1,534 1,689 1,868 822 627 134 19,249

PPG 12.8 16.8 17.0 13.8 17.8 17.1 18.5 20.4 22.5 24.9 21.3 22.5 23.6 14.7 9.5 5.6 18.2


The Emerging Champion In the fall of 1948, Dolph moved to Syracuse, New York, to begin his career with the Nats. He was chosen rookie of the year for the 1948-1949 season. By the fall of 1949, the BAA and the NBL merged and founded the NBA. During the 1950’s, Dolph emerged as an NBA star. For twelve consecutive years, he was selected for the first or second NBA all-star team. He was the league’s leading rebounder in 1951 and the leader in foul-shooting accuracy in 1958, 1960, and 1962. The Nats played well together, qualifying for the league playoffs most years and winning the 19541955 NBA Championship. As in high school and college, Dolph proved to be a multitalented player who improved as the years passed. He played the forward position for the Nats and showed he could make shots from close to the basket or from far away. Sportswriters often commented on his ability to shoot a high-arcing set shot. He was a fine rebounder and an excellent foul shooter. Dolph worked hard to improve his skills. He studied other players to see what made them successful and copied their techniques. To improve his foul-shooting accuracy, he practiced with a 14-inch-diameter hoop, which he fitted inside the regulation 18-inch-diameter one. When he broke his right wrist in 1952, he learned to shoot left-handed. When he broke

his left wrist in 1954, he worked to improve his onehanded shots and participated in the playoffs wearing a cast. Dolph came back to play after fracturing his cheekbone in 1961 and after suffering a knee injury in 1962. Continuing the Story At the end of the 1962-1963 NBA season, the Syracuse Nationals were sold to a group of Philadelphia businessmen. The team was renamed the Philadelphia 76ers. Dolph went to Philadelphia and became the player-coach of the team. After the 19631964 season, Dolph retired as a player. He coached the 76ers during the 1964-1965 and 1965-1966 seasons. He was named NBA coach of the year for 1965-1966. Following the season, however, the

Honors and Awards 1948 1949 1950-61 1951-62 1966 1970 1972 1977 1987 1988 1990

Haggerty Award National Basketball League (NBL) Rookie of the Year All-NBA Team NBA All-Star Team NBA Coach of the Year NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted into International Jewish Hall of Fame Inducted into Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame Inducted into New York University Hall of Fame Inducted into New York City Basketball Hall of Fame

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Dolph Schayes 76ers’ owners decided to hire a new coach. Dolph became the supervisor of officials for the NBA. In 1970, a new coaching opportunity arose. The NBA added teams and Dolph became the coach of the new Buffalo Braves. He served as coach during the 1970-1971 season and for one game of the 1971-1972 season. Braves owners, disappointed by the team’s performance the previous year and a loss on opening night, replaced Dolph with another coach. This ended his long association with professional basketball. Dolph returned to Syracuse. While playing for the Nats, he had started a real estate development and management business. In retirement, he built this into a successful firm. Dolph married Naomi Gross in 1951. They had four children, Debra, Carrie, David, and Daniel. Dan, the youngest, followed in his father’s footsteps. After playing college basketball at Syracuse University, he went on to become a professional basketball player in the NBA.

352

Great Athletes Summary Dolph Schayes became an outstanding player because he loved the sport and worked hard to develop his skills. He was dedicated to learning all he could about the sport and applying it when he played. Away from the basketball court, he applied the same kind of effort to whatever he did. As a result, Dolph became a respected businessman and community member. Ann M. Scanlon Additional Sources Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Siegman, Joseph. Jewish Sports Legends: The International Jewish Hall of Fame. Rev. ed. Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books, 2005.

Oscar Schmidt Born: February 16, 1958 Natal, Brazil Also known as: Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt (full name); Oscar Schmidt Bezerra; Mão Santa; Holy Hand Early Life Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt, or Oscar Schmidt Bezerra, was born on February 16, 1958, in the town of Natal in northeastern Brazil. He is most

commonly known as Oscar Schmidt, or, in his homeland of Brazil, simply Oscar. He was raised in Brazil and did not play college basketball. The Road to Excellence Oscar’s reputation as a prolific scorer and “clutch” shooter began in an Ibirapuera Stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1979. On this occasion, he also became known for “crying” for the ball. He was playing for the Syrian Sports Club in the finals of the Interclub Basketball World Championships. With his team down by several points, Oscar hit two shots to put the game into overtime. His teammates recalled that after he made those shots, he “cried” for the ball the entire overtime period. Oscar’s pinpoint shooting led his team to the Interclub Basketball World Championship. This game was the first time Oscar had ever played in front of a large crowd—approximately 18,000 fans attended. Following the game, fans tried to take the shirts from the players’ backs. This was Oscar’s introduction to the center stage. Oscar played for several years in both Italy and Spain, but became best known for his play with the Brazilian national team. While playing overseas, Oscar gained the reputation as a player who was not afraid to shoot from anywhere or in any situation. He had almost unlimited shooting range and incredible accuracy, which earned him the nickname “Mão Santa” (Holy Hand). When asked if he ever felt bad that the rest of the team spent their time setting picks for him while he took all of the shots, he responded: “some people . . . play the piano. And some people . . . move the piano.”

Brazilian star Oscar Schmidt shooting under a defender from the Puerto Rican team in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Emerging Champion In 1984, the New Jersey Nets selected Oscar in the sixth round of the NBA draft. The team spent years trying to convince Oscar to play in the United States, but Oscar refused. Oscar had friends that had described their own bad experiences in the NBA. One had 353

Great Athletes

Oscar Schmidt told him that NBA players would not pass the ball to foreign players. Oscar felt that he might not have been given a feature role on the Nets. So, while the NBA kept calling, Oscar remained content playing his staring role in Europe and Brazil. Though Oscar had countless achievements while playing professional basketball in Spain and Italy, his greatest took place in the 1987 Pan-American Games. His Brazilian squad had made the finals at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, against the heavily favored U.S. team. The American squad included David Robinson, Danny Manning, Pervis Ellison, and Keith Smart and had a thirty-four game winning streak in the Pan-American Games. At halftime, the U.S. team led the Brazilian team 6854 and looked as if it would pull away. However, in the second half, Oscar took over the game. He scored 46 points in leading Brazil to a stunning upset of the Americans and a Pan-American Games gold medal. Continuing the Story While Oscar was best known in the United States for his performance in the 1987 Pan-American Games, he was known in Europe and South America as one of the game’s all-time great scorers. His 49,703 career points is the highest total ever, including among NBA players. Oscar played professional basketball for twenty-six years until he was forty-five years old. He played in five different Olympic Games and led the Games in scoring on three occasions. He finally retired on May 26, 2003, stating that he wished he could play forever.

354

Records and Milestones Most all-time career points, 49,703 Best points-per-game average in Olympic Basketball history, 28.8

Brazilian National Team Statistics 1977, 1983, 1985 1978 1979 1979, 1981 1980, 1988, 1992 1986 1987 1989 1990

1st place, South American Championships 3d place, World Championships 3d place, Pan-American Games 2d place, South American Championships 5th place, Summer Olympics 4th place, World Championships 1st place, Pan-American Games 3d place, America’s Cup 5th place, World Championships

Summary Oscar Schmidt became known around the world as one of the great basketball players of all time. Though he never played in the NBA, he was a forerunner to the European and South American players that entered the NBA in the 1990’s and the first decade of the twenty-first century. In the United States, he is best remembered for his dominating performance against the Americans at the PanAmerican Games, at which the Brazilian team captured the gold medal. Theodore Shields Additional Sources Christie, James. “Schmidt Retires from Brazil at Forty-five.” The Globe and Mail, June 6, 2003, p. S3. Wolff, Alexander. Big Game, Small World: A Basketball Adventure. New York: Warner, 2004. _______. “The Man from Brazil.” Sports Illustrated 98, no. 23 (June 9, 2003).

Frank Selvy Born: November 9, 1932 Corbin, Kentucky Also known as: Franklin Delano Selvy (full name) Early Life Franklin Delano Selvy was born in Corbin, Kentucky, on November 9, 1932. He was named for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was inaugurated as president of the United States on the same day Frank was born. Frank was the third of seven children. His father was a coal miner and city worker. Frank grew up in the tough coal-mining areas of south central Kentucky. The Road to Excellence Frank did not make his high school basketball team as a freshman because he was considered too small. He persevered, however, and finally made the varsity as a junior. By the end of his senior year, he had grown to 6 feet tall. He was chosen to play in a state all-star game in which he played well against taller opponents. However, because he had played at a smaller high school and was only of average height, he was ignored by recruiters from major colleges and universities. Consequently, Frank enrolled at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. In college, he attracted national attention as a high-scoring guard. In his sophomore year, he starred in a memorable 73-72 upset of Duke University. He scored 36 points in that game, half the total of the entire Duke team. In his junior year, he was a consensus National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I second-team all-American. That year, he scored 738 points for an average of 29.5 points per game. In his senior year, he was a consensus NCAA Division I first-team all-American. That year he scored more than 1,200 points with an incredible 41.7-points-per-game average. On February 13, 1954, in his greatest game, Frank scored 100 points against Newberry College. This game was the first game ever televised throughout South Carolina. Frank was playing before friends from his hometown of Corbin, Kentucky. His parents also were there, and this was the only

time they ever saw him play as a collegian or a professional. He scored 24 points in the first quarter, 13 in the second quarter, 25 more points in the third quarter, and an unbelievable 38 points in the final quarter. His final 10 points came with less than 10 seconds to go in the game and his last points came from a shot from mid-court. Furman won the game 149-95. When Frank reflected on that game in 2000, he pointed out that he was much prouder of the victories he helped produce at Furman than of the 100 points he scored in one game. Frank had other high-scoring games, including 63 points against Mercer College, 30 points against the University of South Carolina, and 42 points against Manhattan College. The latter game, in 1954, earned him the Metropolitan New York Basketball Writers Award as the outstanding college player to play in New York that season. When Frank left Furman after the 1954 season, he held twentyfour major college records and had scored 50 points or more on eight different occasions. During the 1953-1954 campaign, he had averaged an amazing 41.3 points per game. He is a member of the Furman Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Hall of Fame and was selected as a member of the Southern Conference’s seventy-five-year anniversary team. In the mid-1990’s, Frank was selected as one of the top one hundred players in NCAA history. The Emerging Champion Frank had grown to be 6 feet 3 inches tall and 180 pounds by the end of his college career. He could shoot layups with either hand and had a deadly hook shot. He also excelled on drives to the basket. He was best known for his one-handed jump shot from outside the foul circle. Going straight up and holding the ball at arm’s length, he delivered the shot at the peak of his jump. Sometimes he faked the shot and drove to the basket when his opponent left his feet. His jump shot was considered to be virtually unstoppable. With his fakes and hesitation moves, he drew many fouls from his opponents, and he was an outstanding free-throw shooter. 355

Great Athletes

Frank Selvy


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1954-55 1955-56 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64

71 17 38 68 62 77 79 80 73

452 67 44 233 205 311 433 317 160

.378 .366 .263 .385 .393 .405 .420 .424 .378

444 53 47 201 153 210 298 192 78

.728 .746 .610 .767 .736 .727 .738 .714 .639

394 54 88 248 175 301 412 288 149

245 35 35 96 111 246 381 281 149

1,348 187 135 667 563 832 1,164 826 398

19.0 11.0 3.6 9.8 9.1 10.8 14.7 10.3 5.5

Totals

565

2,222

.394

1,676

.725

2,109

1,579

6,120

10.8


With such skills, Frank became one of the legendary scorers in college basketball. In three varsity seasons, he scored 2,538 points for a 32.5-pointsper-game average. He was the NCAA Division I scoring champion in 1953 and 1954. He was also the first player in NCAA Division I college basketball to score more than 1,000 points in a season (1953-1954), and he was the first to reach 2,000 points in a three-season career. Often overlooked was his 1953-1954 performance of a record 355 free-throw points on a record 444 attempts. In his famous 100-point game, he scored on 41 field goals in 66 attempts for a 62.1 percent shooting average. Frank was an honors student at Furman and received his degree in 1954. He was also a recognized leader on campus. He was active in many campus organizations and was a platoon leader and First Lieutenant in the college Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. He was also elected president of his senior class. Continuing the Story Frank was the first player chosen in the 1954 NBA draft. When the Baltimore franchise folded in the fall of 1954, he was sent to Milwaukee, where he averaged 19.0 points per game in his rookie season. The franchise was then moved to St. Louis in 1955. Frank played there briefly before going into the armed services. He returned to St. Louis late in the 1957-1958 season. He was then traded to New York for the 1958-1959 season and moved on to the Syracuse-Minnesota team in 1959. Finally, in 1960, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for the remainder of his professional career. Teamed in the Lakers’ backcourt with the famous Jerry 356

West, Frank had his greatest season as a professional in 1961-1962, when he scored 1,164 points for a 14.7-points-per-game average. He also scored an additional 589 points in fifty-two playoff games for an 11.3-points-per-game average. He was selected to play in both the 1955 and 1961 NBA allstar games. When he retired after the 1963-1964 season, he had scored a total of 6,709 points as a professional in 617 regular season and playoff games. Upon his retirement, he went into business in Greenville, South Carolina. When Wilt Chamberlain passed away in 1999, many writers recalled Chamberlain’s 100-point game in the NBA, and in retrospect, Frank’s 100-point collegiate game. When asked about Chamberlain’s performance, Frank recalled one night when he shocked Chamberlain. The Lakers were playing Philadelphia, and Chamberlain and Frank were matched up for a jump ball. The 7-foot 1-inch Chamberlain did not think that Frank would even attempt jumping, so

NCAA Division I Records Most free throws made in a season, 355 (1953-54) Most points in a game, 100 (1954) Most field goals in a game, 41 (1954)

Honors and Awards 1953-54 Consensus All-American 1954 Metropolitan New York Basketball Writers Award Overall first choice in the NBA draft 1955, 1961 NBA All-Star Team 1998 Named one of the top 100 players in NCAA history

Basketball he stood still. To Chamberlain’s surprise, Frank jumped and won the tap. In 2000, a contest was held to select the greatest moments in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers. One of those moments involved Frank—the seventh game of the 1962 NBA Championship series with the Boston Celtics. The Lakers had come back in the last minute of play to tie the score with two “clutch” field goals by Frank. He then took a memorable last-second shot that missed. Had he made that one, the Lakers would have claimed its first league title since moving to Los Angeles. The miss allowed the Boston Celtics to win an overtime victory for its fourth straight NBA title. Summary Frank Selvy is best known as the first NCAA Division I college basketball player to score 100 points in a game, the first to score more than 1,000 points in a season, and the first to score 2,000 points in a three-season career. At one time, he held twentyone different individual scoring records as a collegiate player. He was never the dominating player in the NBA that he had been in college, but he is re-

Frank Selvy membered as a hardworking, steady, consistent team player who was not afraid to take his shot in crucial games. Popular with fellow students and teammates, the handsome athlete parlayed his fame as a star basketball player into a successful career in public relations. Daniel R. Gilbert Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Gutman, Bill. The History of NCAA Basketball. New York: Crescent Books, 1993. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Encyclopedia. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Lazenby, Roland. The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Thornley, Stew. Basketball’s Original Dynasty: The History of the Lakers. Minneapolis: Nodin Press, 1989.

357

Bill Sharman Born: May 25, 1926 Abilene, Texas Also known as: William Walton Sharman (full name) Early Life William Walton Sharman was born on May 25, 1926, in Abilene, Texas. When he was just a few years old, Bill’s family moved to California, where he grew up. Bill made friends quickly in his new environment. Even at a very young age, he was a talented and versatile athlete, able to play almost any sport well.

Bill Sharman of the Boston Celtics. (NBAE/Getty Images)

358

Baseball was originally his favorite sport, and Bill even spent some time in the major leagues after graduating from college. When he and his father nailed a backboard up on the garage at his home, however, Bill became hooked on basketball as well. The Road to Excellence In high school, Bill continued to do well in sports, earning varsity letters in track, tennis, football, baseball, and basketball. Bill earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), where he continued to play basketball and baseball with almost equal skill. In basketball, his scoring average increased each year, and he scored more than 18 points per game in his senior year and was named all-American. After his brief attempt at professional baseball—he never became a mainstay of the talent-rich Dodger teams in the early 1950’s—Bill entered professional basketball. Upon joining the Boston Celtics in 1951, Bill teamed with legendary ball-handler Bob Cousy to form one of the top backcourts in history. Bill realized that Cousy was the star playmaker and ball handler, so he made himself into one of the great shooters of his day. After his first season in Boston, Bill averaged at least 16 points per game every season he played until his 1961 retirement from the NBA. He spent his final professional season as a player in the American Basketball League. Bill and Cousy formed a potent pair in the Celtics’ backcourt, but the team did not begin to make history and win championships until center Bill Russell came along in the fall of 1956. Bill Sharman played on four championship teams with the Celtics. The Emerging Champion As his career progressed, Bill became the kind of shooter at which other players and coaches could only marvel. His particular skill was a matter of dedication, concentration, and con-

Basketball

Bill Sharman

tinual practice. Bill often went to the Honors and Awards arena by himself, hours before the game was scheduled to start, and shoot 1949 Sporting News All-American 1950 Consensus All-American baskets, making sure that his touch 1953-60 NBA All-Star Game and accuracy were perfect. 1953, 1955-60 All-NBA Team Nowhere did this dedication and at1955 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player tention to detail show up better than at 1970 NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team ABA Cocoach of the Year the foul line. In basketball, such shots 1972 NBA Coach of the Year are known as free throws, although Bill 1975 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (as a player) wanted to earn every point possible at 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team the line. Seven times he led the NBA in Uniform number 21 retired by Boston Celtics foul shooting, three times topping 90 2004 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (as a coach) 2005 John R. Wooden Lifetime Achievement Award percent for a season. For his career, he was a 88-percent foul shooter, ranking among the top in the game’s history. Los Angeles. Compiling a 27-20 record over two Bill was an eight-time all-star and was selected seasons, Bill moved on to sports broadcasting for for the 1970 team commemorating the first twentytwo years. five years of the NBA. In 1976, he was voted into the Bill’s first NBA coaching job was with the San Hall of Fame. Francisco (now Golden State) Warriors. He guided the Warriors to the playoffs in his only two seasons Continuing the Story with the club, taking the team all the way to the finals Even with all of his accomplishments, Bill was not in his first season. In San Francisco, Bill also helped finished with basketball. Whereas others might groom future hall-of-famer Rick Barry, who was have been content with such an illustrious career, then just starting out his career. While playing for Bill kept pushing. For the 1961-1962 season, Bill Bill, Barry won the only scoring title of his career. served as the player-coach of the Los Angeles Jets of Bill continued to make a name for himself in the American Basketball League (ABL). In ninethe American Basketball Association (ABA), which teen games, Bill averaged 5.6 points per game. emerged in the late 1960’s, as a rival to the more esWhen the franchise folded, he took over as the tablished NBA. Bill coached the Utah Stars to the head coach of the Cleveland Pipers and guided league championship in 1971. them to an ABL Championship. After the ABL The next season, Bill was even better. He moved folded, Bill moved to the collegiate level and beback to Southern California and the NBA to coach came the head coach of California State University,


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61

31 63 71 72 68 72 67 63 72 71 61

141 244 403 412 453 538 516 550 562 559 383

.391 .389 .436 .450 .427 .438 .416 .424 .408 .456 .422

96 183 341 331 347 358 381 302 342 252 210

.889 .859 .850 .844 .897 .867 .905 .893 .932 .866 .921

96 221 288 255 302 259 286 295 292 262 223

39 151 191 229 280 339 236 167 179 144 146

378 671 1,147 1,155 1,253 1,434 1,413 1,402 1,466 1,370 976

12.2 10.7 16.2 16.0 18.4 19.9 21.1 22.3 20.4 19.3 16.0

Totals

711

4,761

.426

3,143

.883

2,779

2,101

12,665

17.8


359

Bill Sharman the Los Angeles Lakers. As a coach, Bill used many of the same drills and theories he had developed as a player, and his judgment paid off. In the 1971-1972 season, the Lakers won the team’s first NBA title in Los Angeles, and Bill was voted NBA coach of the year. Also, the Lakers finished with an amazing 69-13 regular season record, the best single-season record in NBA history at that time. The team set a record with thirty-three consecutive victories. Bill is the only coach in the history of professional basketball to win championships in three different leagues. He did it in the ABL, the ABA, and the NBA. As a player and as a coach, Bill believed in rigorous conditioning and strict discipline. He conducted practices on a precise schedule and initiated what is termed today the “shootaround,” where players go through a light morning practice prior to a game later in the day. Bill and the great UCLA coach John Wooden have similar coaching philosophies, which they expressed in their book titled The Wooden-Sharman Method: A Guide to Winning Basketball (1975). The Lakers finished in first place the first three years that Bill coached them. After that, he moved into the team’s front office and was responsible for drafting Earvin “Magic” Johnson and several other key players who kept the Lakers among the league’s top teams through the 1980’s. Bill served as the Lakers’ general manager from 1976 until 1982. He then moved up to club president, retiring in 1988. He continued to serve as a special consultant with the Lakers.

360

Great Athletes In 1970, Bill was selected to the NBA’s twentyfifth anniversary team. In 1996, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 2004, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach, becoming only the third person, behind John Wooden and Lenny Wilkens, to be inducted as both a player and coach. Summary Bill Sharman was one of the top players and coaches in professional basketball history. He became successful largely because of his drive and his willingness to practice as long and as hard as it took to achieve his goals. That formula enabled him to achieve success in the NBA in four different decades. John McNamara Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2002. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Rosen, Charles. The Pivotal Season: How the 19711972 Los Angeles Lakers Changed the NBA. New York: T. Dunne Books, 2005. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Wooden, John, Bill Sharman, and Bob Seizer. The Wooden-Sharman Method: A Guide to Winning Basketball. New York: Macmillan, 1975.

John Stockton Born: March 26, 1962 Spokane, Washington Also known as: John Houston Stockton (full name) Early Life John Houston Stockton was born on March 26, 1962, to Jack and Clementine Stockton. John’s father owned and operated a neighborhood tavern that stood next door to the Stockton house. John began playing basketball on the court behind his house; his first competition came from his older brothers. He was often the smallest player in those early games, but he compensated by playing harder and smarter than anyone else. He retreated to that backyard basketball court in all kinds of weather, rain or shine, sometimes playing until late at night, in order to make himself a better player. “The only person in the world who thought John would play in the NBA was John,” his father later recalled. The Road to Excellence John did not have far to go to continue his basketball career. He played his highschool basketball at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane and later attended Gonzaga University, the local college in Spokane. John’s coaches at both schools noticed that he was an uncommon player. While most other players looked to shoot the ball whenever they got it, John was more eager to pass, an ability that made him an extremely valuable player. John never grew very big. At 6 feet 1 inch and 170 pounds, he was no bigger than many of the fans who came to watch his high-school and college games. He played smarter and with more determination than anyone around him, and he was blessed with an uncanny ability to see all the players on the court at once, which contributed to his amazing passing ability.

John’s college career started slowly at first, and he averaged just 3 points per game in his freshman season at Gonzaga. As time went on, however, he adjusted to the level of competition, and he averaged 20 points per game in his senior season. Moreover, he was always a marvelous passer. The Emerging Champion Although Gonzaga University was not a hot bed for professional basketball prospects, John’s talents were so obvious to NBA scouts that several teams were interested in drafting him out of college. The

John Stockton, who is the NBA’s all-time leader in career assists, with 15,806. (Courtesy of NBA)

361

Great Athletes

John Stockton Utah Jazz chose John with the sixteenth pick overall in the 1984 NBA draft. At first, John struggled adjusting to the level of competition in the NBA. He did not start regularly in his first three seasons in the league. Instead, he backed up solid veteran Ricky Green at point guard. In his first three seasons, John did not average more than 8 points per game. However, things were changing in Utah. The year after the Jazz drafted John, the team selected a burly forward named Karl Malone out of another little-known college, Louisiana Tech. Together, Malone and John made Utah one of the best teams in the league during the late 1980’s and into the late 1990’s. During the 1987-1988 season, John almost doubled his scoring, raising his average to 14.7 points per game. He also led the NBA in assists. That was only the beginning; John went on to become the league’s annual leader in assists, dishing out more than 1,000 assists in five consecutive seasons. Continuing the Story During the late 1980’s, John became known as the best passer in the game, and he and Malone became one of the best combinations in professional basketball. When Malone got open underneath

the basket or on the fast break, John got the ball to him for another score. John and Malone formed a combination that was hard to beat. In the 1988 Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, John set the NBA playoff series records for assists, 111, and steals, 25. John and Malone even shared most valuable player honors in the 1993 NBA all-star game, which was played on their home floor in Utah. As John continued to play well, players, coaches, and sportswriters from all over the league began to notice him. He made the all-star team numerous years in a row, and he became a more dangerous shooter during those years as well, averaging as many as 17.2 points per game. John did not rest on the defensive end of the court either, earning a reputation as a tenacious defender and twice leading the league in steals. Although he was among the smallest players in the league, John clearly showed that he belonged in professional basketball and that he deserved to be mentioned as among the best players of his time. In 1992, for the first time ever, NBA players were allowed to play on the U.S. Olympic basketball team. The biggest stars in basketball were picked for the squad, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. Basketball experts knew


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03

82 82 82 82 82 78 82 82 82 82 82 82 82 64 50 82 82 82 82

157 228 231 454 497 472 496 453 437 458 429 440 416 270 200 363 328 401 309

.471 .489 .499 .574 .538 .514 .507 .482 .486 .528 .542 .538 .548 .528 .488 .501 .504 .517 .483

142 172 179 272 390 354 363 308 293 272 246 234 275 191 137 221 227 275 237

.736 .839 .782 .840 .863 .819 .836 .842 .798 .805 .804 .830 .846 .827 .811 .860 .817 .857 .826

105 179 151 237 248 206 237 270 237 258 251 226 228 166 146 215 277 263 201

415 610 670 1,128 1,118 1,134 1,164 1,126 987 1,031 1,011 916 860 543 374 703 713 674 629

458 630 648 1,204 1,400 1,345 1,413 1,297 1,239 1,236 1,206 1,209 1,183 770 553 990 944 1,102 884

5.6 7.7 7.9 14.7 17.1 17.2 17.2 15.8 15.1 15.1 14.7 14.7 14.4 12.0 11.1 12.1 11.5 13.4 10.8

Totals

1,504

7,039

.515

4,788

.826

4,051

15,806

19,711

13.1


362

Basketball

John Stockton

NBA Records Most seasons with the same franchise, 19 Most career assists, 15,806 Most career steals, 3,265

Honors and Awards 1988-90, 1992-93, 1996 1988-96 1989-97, 2000 1989, 1991-92, 1995, 1997 1991, 1997, 1999 1992, 1996 1993 1994-95 1996 2004 2009

All-NBA Second Team Led NBA in assists per game NBA All-Star Team NBA All-Defensive Second Team All-NBA Third Team Gold medal, Olympic Basketball NBA All-Star Game most valuable player All-NBA First Team NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Uniform number 12 retired by the Utah Jazz Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

the team needed good passers and picked John for the team, which easily captured the gold medal for the United States. John earned another gold medal playing for the United States on Dream Team II in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. John got to keep the game ball from both gold-medal games. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, John was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. He and Malone led the Jazz to two consecutive NBA Finals, in 1997 and 1998, losing to Jordan and the Chicago Bulls each time. John set almost every passing record in the NBA, including the most career assists, 15,806; the most assists in a single season, 1,164; the most seasons with over 1,000 assists, 7; the most times leading the league in assists, 9; the most consecutive years leading the NBA in assists, 9; the highest assists average for a season, 14.5; and the highest career assist average, 10.5. He also set the career record for the most steals, with 3,265. John was selected to the all-NBA first team twice, in 1994 and 1995; the all-NBA second team six times, in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996; and the all-NBA third team three times, in 1991, 1997, 1999. He was named an NBA all-star on ten occasions. Former Utah Jazz coach Frank Layden said that John was the best pure point guard to ever play in the NBA. John had a keen sense of where everyone

was on the court and made precision passes. He was extremely intense and focused on the basketball court and always gave everything he had to win. John and Malone performed the pick-and-roll more effectively and consistently than any other duo in the history of the NBA. After leading the NBA in assists every year from 1988 to 1996, John’s average dropped to 7.5 in 1999 but increased to 8.7 in 2001. On November 26, 2000, John established the NBA record for the most games played for one team, 1,271 games with the Utah Jazz, which broke the previous record of 1,270 games played by John Havlicek for the Boston Celtics. In John’s last NBA campaign, 2002-2003, he played in every game for the seventeenth time in his nineteen-year career. When he retired, he was twenty-eighth on the all-time NBA scoring list with 19,711 points. He only missed twenty-two games during his NBA career and compiled an amazing twenty or more assists in thirty-four different games. During his career, he played in 1,504 games for the Jazz, the most games played for one team by any player. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third on the all-time list for NBA games played. John and Malone played in a record 1,412 regular-season games as teammates. Both were known as tough, physical players. John averaged a career “double-double” of 13.1 points and 10.5 assists per game. On May 2, 2003, in his usual reserved manner, John announced his retirement from the NBA with a released statement versus the customary news conference. Later that year, Salt Lake City renamed the street that runs in front of the Jazz playing facility, the Energy Solutions Arena, John Stockton Drive. On November 22, 2004, John’s jersey, number 12, was retired by the Jazz. A bronze statue of John was placed in front of the Energy Solutions Arena on March 23, 2006, close by a statue of Malone. A bronze plaque commemorates the achievements that John and Malone accomplished while playing together for the Jazz. In 2009, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Summary Although he might not have looked like a typical basketball player, John Stockton proved that he could succeed in the NBA thanks to his determina363

John Stockton tion and court awareness. His ballhandling and passing skills and his consistent play made him one of the best point guards in basketball history. John McNamara, updated by Alvin K. Benson Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. Deseret News. The Jazz: Utah’s Dream Team. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News, 1997. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

364

Great Athletes Lazenby, Roland. Stockton to Malone: The Rise of the Utah Jazz. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 2002. Lewis, Michael C. To the Brink: Stockton, Malone, and the Utah Jazz’s Climb to the Edge of Glory. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Schnakenberg, Robert. Teammates: Karl Malone and John Stockton. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 1998. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

Amare Stoudemire Born: November 16, 1982 Lake Wales, Florida Also known as: Amare Carsares Stoudemire (full name) Early Life Amare Carsares Stoudemire was born in Lake Wales, Florida, on November 16, 1982. His father, Hazell, performed lawn-care service and owned a trucking business. His mother, Carrie, picked fruit. Following their parents’ divorce, Amare and his three brothers lived part of the time with their fa-

ther in Florida and at other times in New York with their mother. Amare played football and basketball at a young age. His favorite player was Shaquille O’Neal. Amare demonstrated outstanding athletic ability early in his life. In his early teens, he focused on basketball. His father had died, and Amare became concerned about his and his family’s future.

The Road to Excellence Amare received his first exposure to organized basketball when he started playing for an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team at the age of fourteen. He then played for Mount Zion Christian Academy, a prep school in North Carolina. Before his senior year in high school, he transferred to Cypress Creek High School near Orlando, Florida. Though the team was average, he was outstanding. In 2002, he was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Florida. He was also placed on Parade magazine’s first team for high school all-Americans. In the McDonald’s All-American game, he played an important role in helping the East squad win handily. Amare had such impressive basketball skills that PrepStars Recruiter’s Handbook listed him as the top high school player in the country. Initially, he planned to play for the University of Memphis. However, since he had been such a dominant player in high school, Amare decided to skip college and declare himself eligible for the 2002 NBA draft. The Phoenix Suns chose him with the ninth pick. He was considered to be a risky selection because he was a young player with few years of experience playing orgaAmare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns slam dunking the ball in a 2003 nized basketball. game. (Reuters/Landov) 365

Great Athletes

Amare Stoudemire


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 55 80 3 82 79

392 411 747 9 607 714

.472 .475 .559 .333 .575 .590

320 310 583 8 457 556

.661 .713 .733 .889 .781 .805

721 496 713 16 786 719

78 78 131 2 84 118

1,106 1,133 2,080 26 1,671 1,989

13.5 20.6 26.0 8.7 20.4 25.2

Totals

381

2,880

.541

2,234

.745

3,451

491

8,005

21.0


The Emerging Champion Amare proved immediately that he was worth the risk. Playing at both the center and the powerforward positions, he excelled at scoring, rebounding, and blocking shots. He played in all eighty-two games in his first season. He had double figures in both scoring and rebounding in twenty-five games. He finished with averages of 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and helped the Suns make the playoffs. He was the rookie of the year for the 20022003 season, becoming the first player who skipped college basketball to win the honor. In the following year, he experienced multiple injuries that kept him out of one-third of the games. Despite this, he still managed to lead the team in scoring with 20.6 points per game. His performance also earned him a place on the U.S. Olympic team in 2004. The team finished in a disappointing third place, earning a bronze medal. Amare continued to improve during his third professional season. He seemed to play even better in the Suns’ new offense, which emphasized a faster tempo. He finished the year with a careerbest average of 26 points per game. He made 56 percent of his field-goal attempts, which ranked second in the NBA. He also averaged 8.9 rebounds.

Honors and Awards 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year All-Rookie First Team 2004 Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball 2005, 2007-09 NBA All-Star Team 2005, 2008 All-NBA Second Team 2007 All-NBA First Team

366

He made his first all-star team and was a secondteam all-NBA. The Suns advanced to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs. In the next season, Amare suffered a setback. He had surgery on his left knee prior to the regular season and only played in three games. Continuing the Story Amare made a great comeback for the 2006-2007 season after missing most of the previous year. He played in all 82 games and averaged 20.4 points per game. He also had a career-high 9.6 rebounds per game. He was one of only three players in the league to rank in the top twenty in scoring, fieldgoal percentage, and rebounds. Also he registered double figures in both scoring and rebounding in a career-best forty-six games. He made the all-star game for the second time in his career. The Suns had a strong season but once again lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference playoffs. Amare had perhaps his best season in 20072008. He had career-high averages with 25.2 points per game and 2.1 blocked shots and made 59 percent of his field-goal attempts. For the second consecutive season, he had more than 9 rebounds per game. He was also one of only three players in the league to average 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots per game. He made the all-star team for the third time, and was selected to the all-NBA second team. His efforts helped the Suns make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. He started the 2008-2009 season strongly, too, and was again selected to the all-star game. Summary Amare Stoudemire established himself as one of the best basketball players of his era. He became

Basketball one of the most dominating big men in the league, using his size and strength to get rebounds, blocked shots, and points close to the basket. He also has great speed, especially for someone his size. His speed makes defending him particularly difficult for opposing centers and power forwards. Furthermore, he represents the trend of great high school players going directly to the NBA and having success. Kevin L. Brennan

Amare Stoudemire Additional Sources Fawaz, John. High-Flying Stars. New York: Scholastic, 2007. McCallum, Jack. “Forecast: Sunny and Hot—His Knees Healthy and His Attitude Adjusted, Amare Stoudemire Is Blending His Skills for a Title Contender.” Sports Illustrated 106, no. 2 (2007): 58. _______. Seven Seconds or Less: My Season on the Bench with the Runnin’ and Gunnin’ Phoenix Suns. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006.

367

Sheryl Swoopes Born: March 25, 1971 Brownfield, Texas Also known as: Sheryl Denise Swoopes (full name) Early Life Sheryl Swoopes was born on March 25, 1971, and grew up in Brownfield, Texas, a small town near Lubbock. She learned her basketball skills early by playing with her three older brothers and their friends. At the age of seven, she began her competitive career in a local children’s league. Getting the opportunity to play regularly with boys helped Sheryl develop a more physical game and work harder on her ballhandling skills. Her mother, Louise, watched all her children as they starred in school.

In 1993, she was the national college player of the year. Texas Tech compiled a 58-8 record during Sheryl’s two years with the team. Sheryl was the Southwestern Conference player of the year in 1992 and 1993, won the Naismith Award in 1993, and was named to the Division I all-American squad in 1991 and 1993. In the latter year, the Lady Red Raiders won the NCAA Basketball Tournament championship, and Sheryl was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the Final Four. She

The Road to Excellence Sheryl played basketball for Brownfield High School. In 1988, as a junior, she was named Texas player of the year when her team won the state championship. When she graduated in 1989, she received a scholarship to the University of Texas. After attending for a few days, Sheryl left the school and returned home. She had trouble with the immense size of the school and decided to start her career at a junior college in Texas. Also in 1989, Sheryl was named to the U.S. Olympic Festival’s South team, though she was unable to play because of injuries. The Emerging Champion Sheryl resumed her basketball career at Southern Plains Junior College in Texas; she was the junior college player of the year in 1991. She averaged 21.5 points with 11.9 rebounds to lead her squad. In 1991 and 1992, she was selected as a junior college all-American. Sheryl finished her career at Texas Tech, playing for the Lady Red Raiders. 368

Sheryl Swoopes at the 2002 WNBA all-star game. (Mitchell Layton/ NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Sheryl Swoopes


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast

TP

PPG

1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

9 29 32 31 32 31 31 33 31 3 29

53 405 489 484 509 434 429 486 436 25 192

25 173 226 245 221 175 181 217 180 9 75

.472 .427 .462 .506 .434 .403 .422 .447 .413 .360 .391

14 86 122 145 154 124 90 180 127 4 59

10 71 100 119 127 110 77 153 97 4 41

.714 .826 .820 .821 .825 .887 .856 .850 .764 1.000 .695

15 149 202 195 158 143 153 119 183 17 126

7 62 127 119 107 121 91 141 115 11 60

64 453 585 643 592 484 459 614 482 23 205

7.1 15.6 18.3 20.7 18.5 15.6 14.8 18.6 15.5 7.7 7.1

Totals

291

3,942

1,727

.438

1,105

909

.823

1,460

961

4,604

15.8


scored a record 47 points in the championship game. Also in 1993, Sheryl was named the Babe Zaharias female athlete of the year, which brought with it a $10,000 scholarship for her to finish her degree in exercise and sports science. All together, she was named player of the year by nine different sporting magazines and organizations based on her performance in 1993. Her number, 22, was retired by Texas Tech in February, 1994. Continuing the Story After leaving college, Sheryl played in Europe for two years before returning to the United States to participate in the 1994 FIBA Women’s World Championship and Goodwill Games. In 1996, 2000, and 2004, she played for the Olympic team, winning gold medals in each year. In 1997, Sheryl began playing in the WNBA, joining the Houston Comets. She was the first player to be signed by the WNBA. She quickly established herself as one of the strongest players in the league and was part of the all-WNBA first team from 1998 to 2000. One of her greatest joys, however, came off the court: On June 25, 1997, her son Jordan Eric Jackson was born. Two years later, she divorced and later disclosed that she was a lesbian. She raised her son with help from her partner, Alisa Scott. Within six weeks of giving birth to her son, Sheryl was back on the court playing at almost full strength. She was named a starter for the Western Conference all-stars in 1999 and in

2000. In 2000, she earned the MVP and the defensive player of the year awards. Nike created a shoe in her honor called Air Swoopes. Sheryl missed the 2001 season after tearing a knee ligament during a workout. However, she remained with the Comets as an assistant coach. During her career with the Comets she scored more than 2,500 points and had more than 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 200 steals. She was a three-time WNBA MVP. In the 2007 season, however, she suffered a back injury and could only play in three games. The following year she signed with the Seattle Storm and was instrumental in helping the team to the playoffs. Previously, she had led the Comets to four WNBA titles.

Honors and Awards 1991 Junior College Player of the Year 1993 NCAA Final Four most valuable player NCAA championship team National Player of the Year Babe Zaharias Female Athlete of the Year 1994 Uniform number 22 retired by Texas Tech 1996, 2000, 2004 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1998-2000, 2002, 2005 All-WNBA First Team 1999-2000 NBA All-Star Team, league’s leading vote-getter 2000, 2002, 2005 WNBA most valuable player 2000, 2002-03, 2005 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year 2003 All-WNBA Second Team 2005 All-WNBA Defensive First Team 2006 Bronze medal, World Championships

369

Sheryl Swoopes Summary Sheryl Swoopes established herself as one of the premier female basketball players of all time. She brought a new image to the game, as she and fellow basketball stars Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo became the spokespeople for the WNBA. The threesome have signed many endorsements and modeling contracts, which have brought increased exposure to the league and to women’s basketball. When she revealed her homosexuality, she became one of the highest profile athletes ever to do so. Leslie Heaphy, updated by Thomas L. Erskine

370

Great Athletes Additional Sources Burgan, Michael. Sheryl Swoopes. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2001. Deitsch, Richard. “Sheryl Swoopes.” Sports Illustrated 104 (June 26, 2006): 25-26. Griffin, Pat. Strong Women, Deep Closets: Lesbians and Homophobia in Sport. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 1998. “Hooping History.” Jet 96 (August 16, 1999): 44. Luscombe, Belinda. “Swoopes, There She Is.” Time 150 (August 18, 1997): 79. Schweitzer, Karen. Sheryl Swoopes. Broomall, Pa.: Mason Crest, 2008.

Goose Tatum Born: c. May 3, 1921 New Jersey Died: January 18, 1967 El Paso, Texas Also known as: Reece Tatum (full name); Clown Prince of Basketball Early Life As for so many African American athletes born in the first decades of the twentieth century, the early life of Reece “Goose” Tatum is hidden in obscurity. Even the date of his birth is in dispute, with most commentators claiming it probably occurred several years before the given date of 1921. The son of an itinerant Methodist minister, Goose attended segregated schools in small-town Arkansas. While playing football, someone said he looked like a goose, and the nickname stuck. By the late 1930’s, after several years of sandlot and semiprofessional baseball, Goose was playing professional baseball for the Birmingham Barons and later the Indianapolis or Cincinnati Clowns in the popular but segregated Negro League. Generally a first baseman or pitcher, Goose, with his 84-inch reach, was an imposing threat out on the pitching mound. He was a gifted natural athlete who also excelled at football and, eventually, basketball. The Road to Excellence In 1942, Abe Saperstein signed Goose to play for his legendary Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team. Saperstein had created the Globetrotters in Chicago in 1927—at its inception, the team had nothing to do with the real Harlem. By the end of the 1930’s, the team had achieved considerable popularity at a time when professional sports was still segregated and African Americans were barred from com-

peting with white athletes. Goose was an instant star with the Globetrotters. His physical abilities were combined with a madcap sense of basketball humor. Soon Goose was crowned “the Clown Prince of Basketball.” After serving in the Army Air Corps in World War II, where he refined his basketball skills, Goose returned to the Globetrotters. By the end of the 1940’s, the Globetrotters had become one of the United States’ most recognizable athletic attractions. Some, however, doubted that the Globetrotters really were as excellent as the team’s on-court record indicated, inasmuch as the Globetrotters’ victories were inevitably won against all-white traveling opponents, also owned by Saperstein, who were cast as the stooges and foils for the talented Globetrotters.

Goose Tatum, who was known as the “clown prince of basketball,” earned worldwide fame playing with the Harlem Globetrotters. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

371

Goose Tatum The Emerging Champion The Globetrotters were more than mere entertainment and Goose was much more than just a famous clown, though he was noted for stunts like hiding the basketball under his jersey while the opposing players wandered confusedly around the court, or falling down, apparently seriously injured, only to vault upright with a smile, his eyes flashing. He borrowed eyeglasses from spectators and placed them on the referee’s nose or attached a long rubber band to the basketball, then shot it toward the basket, only to have it return to his enormous hands. In 1948 and 1949, the Globetrotters defeated one of the premier professional basketball teams, the Minneapolis Lakers. In 1950, the Globetrotters engaged in a series against the best college and university players, with the Globetrotters winning eleven of the eighteen games in the so-called World Series of Basketball. The following year the Globetrotters won fourteen of eighteen games against the college all-stars, and Goose was selected as the series most valuable player. In 1952, the Globetrotters were again victorious against the collegians, eleven games to five, and again Goose was the most valuable player. The Globetrotters also traveled widely, touring Alaska in 1949 and Central and South America in 1950, where the team played before 50,000 fans in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1951, 75,000 people saw them perform in Berlin, fifteen years after the 1936 Olympics made a star of Jesse Owens, whose accomplishments belied the pernicious racial theories of Adolf Hitler. The Globetrotters toured the world in 1952. Wherever they played, Goose was always one of the featured players. During his basketball career he set scoring records in the Chicago Stadium, with 55 points, and the Cow Palace in San Francisco, with 64 points. The clown had an accurate hook shot. Goose’s play was not all just for laughs. Continuing the Story The Globetrotters and Goose were featured in two films during the 1950’s: Harlem Globetrotters and Go, Man, Go. Goose was well paid by Saperstein, making more than $40,000 per year, which, at the

372

Great Athletes time, was much more than most white professional basketball players made. However, he was always chronically out of funds, frequently having to borrow from Saperstein. Though he was a clown on the court, Goose was a loner, often restless and melancholy when off the court. He frequently refused to travel with the rest of the team, preferring to fly or take the train by himself. In 1955, Goose left Saperstein and the Globetrotters and founded his own basketball team, the Harlem Road Kings, later known as the Stars and the Magicians, and he played with his team until his death. Money was one incentive: His income rose to approximately $65,000 per year after leaving the Globetrotters. Still, his financial problems continued and he served a short prison sentence in 1961, after a conviction for not paying $186,000 in income taxes. Returning to his first sport, he also purchased an interest in a Negro League baseball team, the Detroit Clowns, occasionally playing first base and center field. By the mid-1960’s Goose’s health began to fail. He died in El Paso, Texas, in 1967. He was supposedly forty-five at the time of his death, but many believed he was several years older. Summary Goose Tatum’s life was both a triumph and a tragedy. He achieved fame and financial success during his lifetime. His tragedy was that much of his athletic career took place in a segregated society. By all accounts, Goose was an excellent basketball player, but how great he might have become in a later era is impossible to know. Still, for most Americans of the mid-twentieth century, black and white, there was only one “Goose,” and he was a superstar. Eugene Larson Additional Sources Christgau, John. Tricksters in the Madhouse: Lakers Versus Globetrotters, 1948. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004. Rogosin, Donn. Invisible Men: Life in Baseball’s Negro Leagues. New York: Kodansha International, 1995.

Diana Taurasi Born: June 11, 1982 Chino, California Also known as: Diana Lurena Taurasi (full name); DT Early Life Diana Lurena Taurasi was born on June 11, 1982, in Chino, California, a dairy-farming community in San Bernardino County. Her father, Mario Taurasi, was born in Italy but moved as a child to Argentina, where he ultimately met Diana’s mother, Liliana. The couple moved to the United States. Diana has one sister, named Jessika. The Road to Excellence Diana attended Chino’s Don Lugo High School, where she received the 2000 Cheryl Miller Award,

which is presented by the Los Angeles Times to the best basketball player in Southern California. Also while in high school, Diana was named the 2000 Naismith and Parade magazine national high school player of the year. In 2001, 6-foot Diana had a brilliant year. She earned a bronze medal as a member of the 2001 USA Junior World Basketball Championship team and a gold medal as a member of the 2000 USA Basketball Women’s Junior World Championship Qualifying team. Also during high school, she was named Gatorade’s California player of the year for two consecutive seasons. Diana attended the University of Connecticut where she majored in communication science and played brilliantly as a member of the popular Huskies team. In 2001, she ranked in the top ten in seven different Big East Conference categories. That same year, she was named to the Kodak all-American team and the Associated Press second-team. Throughout her college career, she won numerous prestigious awards, including the 2003 and 2004 Naismith national player of the year awards. That same year, she received the NCAA Basketball Tournament East Regional most outstanding player and United States Basketball Writers Association national player of the year awards.

Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury heading for the basket in a 2007 game. (Rick Scuteri/Reuters/Landov)

The Emerging Champion After her brilliant college basketball career, Diana was selected first overall in the 2004 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury, a team that had finished 8-26 the year before. During her first game with the Mercury, against the Seattle Storm, Diana scored 26 points and led her team to an 84-76 win. Over the entire season, Diana averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. The team did not qualify for the playoffs, but Diana could feel proud of her personal accomplishments during her first year as a professional basketball player. That year, 2004, she won the WNBA rookie of the year award and was named to the Western Conference all-star team. In addition, she played with the U.S. 373

Great Athletes

Diana Taurasi


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

34 33 34 32 34

503 427 660 468 579

209 175 298 206 258

.416 .410 .452 .440 .446

129 151 183 127 247

98 121 143 106 215

.760 .801 .781 .835 .870

149 138 122 135 172

132 150 139 137 121

578 527 860 613 820

17.0 16.0 25.3 19.2 24.1

Totals

167

2,637

1,146

.435

837

683

.816

716

679

3,396

20.3


Honors and Awards 2000 2002-04 2003 2003-04

2004, 2008 2004 2004, 2007 2005-07

Naismith National High School Player of the Year NCAA Championships with U Connecticut Wade Trophy Naismith Award Big East Conference Player of the Year NCAA Basketball Tournament most outstanding player Gold medal, Olympic Basketball WNBA Rookie of the Year First-team all-WNBA WNBA All-Star Team

women’s Olympic basketball team and won a gold medal, a feat she repeated at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2005, Diana suffered an ankle injury. Nevertheless, she averaged 16 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists each game. Furthermore, she was a 2005 all-star. Although the Mercury had a brilliant start to the 2005 season, the team failed to advance to the playoffs. At this point, former NBA coach Paul Westhead became the team’s head coach in time for the 2006 season and introduced a new approach to the team. Another rookie named Cappie Pondexter also began playing for the Mercury at this time. Coach Westhead’s upbeat system provided Diana and her team with new enthusiasm. In 2006, Diana led the league in scoring and played in the all-star game. Furthermore, she broke Katie Smith’s league records for points in a season and points in a game. Diana scored 741 points during the 2006 season and scored an outstanding 47 points during a game against Houston. In 2006, Diana averaged 25.3 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. However, though the Mercury finished 18-16, Phoenix missed the playoffs again.

374

Continuing the Story Diana’s fame continued to rise, and in 2007, Diana led the Mercury to WNBA playoff victories against the Seattle Storm and the San Antonio Silver Stars. Next, Diana and the Mercury had to battle the defending champions, the Detroit Shock. With teammate Pondexter at her side, Diana helped the Mercury to the franchise’s first WNBA title. Summary Throughout her career, Diana Taurasi has been called “unstoppable,” and many consider her to be one of the top women basketball players in the United States. Her success in high school and college, at the University of Connecticut, led her to the Phoenix Mercury, with which she became one of the WNBA’s premier players. A true champion, Diana became only the sixth player ever to win an NCAA title, a WNBA title, and an Olympic gold medal. M. Casey Diana Additional Sources Auriemma, Geno. Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection. New York: Warner Books, 2006. Buren, Jodi, and Donna A. Lopiano. Superwomen: One Hundred Women, One Hundred Sports. New York: Bulfinch Press, 2004. Grundy, Pamela. Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women’s Basketball. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2007. O’Neil, Dana Pennett, and Pat Williams. How to Be Like Women Athletes of Influence: Thirty-one Women at the Top of Their Game and How You Can Get There Too. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 2007.

Nikki Teasley Born: March 22, 1979 Washington, D.C. Also known as: Michelle Nicole Teasley (full name) Early Life Nikki Teasley was born Michelle Nicole Teasley on March 22, 1979, in Washington, D.C., to Ernestine Teasley and Nathaniel Johnson. Her father was never active in her life or the lives of her four brothers. Nikki grew up in a violent neighborhood often filled with criminal activity. Nikki rebelled and participated in illegal activities; she was arrested for automobile theft at the age of fourteen. In 1993, in response to the negative surroundings, Nikki’s mother moved the family to the more stable and less violent town of Fredrick, Maryland. At this location, the family lived with Nikki’s aunt. The Road to Excellence Nikki began playing basketball when she was nine years old. She learned the fundamentals of the game by watching her brothers and practicing in a local church parking lot. Her older brother Ernie signed her up for a recreation-league basketball team. Nikki dominated the other players. Then, she attended St. John’s at Prospect Hall High School, where she was named the Gatorade player of the year for Maryland three years in a row. In addition, Nikki proved her skills against other great players and earned high school all-American status four consecutive years.

Blue Star magazine, a sports publication, rated Nikki the number-one girls’ basketball recruit in the nation. Nikki’s high school statistics were impressive: During her senior year, Nikki averaged an astounding 27.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game. During this time, she also became known for the tricks and drills she could perform with a basketball, such as dribbling two balls between her legs at the same time. In 1997, Nikki set three records in the prestigious Women’s Basketball Coaches Association game: most points, 30; most field goals, 14; and most field-goal attempts, 24. Nikki also captained the gold-medal winning U.S. junior World Championship team that year. The Emerging Champion Nikki was an extremely talented point guard. A coach at her high school said, “She could do more things with a basketball than any player I’[d] ever coached, male or female.” Nikki was recruited to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), where she improved her basketball skills. In her freshman year, she was the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the year. Nikki scored a remarkable 27 points in her first college game. She averaged 12.9 points per game, leading all freshmen in the ACC. During the 1999 and 2001 seasons, Nikki was named one of the top-ten preseason candidates for the Naismith Award. However, despite all of her basketball success, Nikki was unhappy. After considering the demands


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

32 34 34 19 34 33

166 288 278 135 318 152

67 112 108 45 118 51

.404 .389 .388 .333 .371 .336

40 112 68 26 92 45

30 98 52 22 76 42

.750 .875 .765 .846 .826 .933

84 175 116 53 89 73

140 214 207 70 183 109

204 392 336 141 364 172

6.4 11.5 9.9 7.4 10.7 5.2

Totals

186

1,337

501

.375

383

320

.836

590

923

1,609

8.7


375

Great Athletes

Nikki Teasley of school and sports, she decided to take a break from college. She stepped away from the 20002001 season to concentrate on personal challenges that included a struggle with depression. She went home to Maryland, where she worked in construction during the day and at a local department store at night. During this time she learned to like and be herself. In 2001, Nikki returned to the Tar Heels a stronger player than ever. She ended her college career holding UNC records in assists, with 728, and three-pointers, with 236. Nikki averaged 5.8 assists a game, an ACC record. Continuing the Story Nikki was the number-five pick in the 2002 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft. She was chosen by the Portland Fire and later traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, who were the defending champions at the time. The Sparks’ coach Michael Cooper compared Nikki to NBA legend Magic Johnson. Coach Cooper stated that she was as good a passer, defender, and three-point shotmaker as Johnson. Nikki played thirty-two games as a rookie, scoring 204 points. She hit a gamewinning, three-point shot with 2.1 seconds left in the WNBA finals game against the New York Liberty. The 69-66 victory gave the Sparks a repeat championship. Nikki had 11 points and 11 assists in the game. In 2003, Nikki received WNBA all-star most valuable player honors and become the first player in WNBA history to average more than 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in a single season. Her unique and creative passing made her a standout to fans who enjoyed the entertainment aspect of professional basketball. In 2006, Nikki was traded from the Sparks to the Washington Mystics. The team was looking for guidance from an experienced veteran. Nikki, in her fifth year in the WNBA, had been a vital member of a championship winning team. In her first year in Washington, she played thirty-four games

376

Honors and Awards 1998 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year 2002 First-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference Associated Press all-American (honorable mention) 2003 WNBA All-Star Game most valuable player 2003, 2004 Second-team All-WNBA

and scored 364 points, averaging 10.7 a game. In 2007, Nikki played thirty-three games and scored 172 points for a 5.2 point average. She averaged 3.3 assists per game, also. However, her team performed inconsistently. In the spring of 2008, the Mystics released Nikki, ending her short career in Washington. She did not announce her retirement but did not immediately sign with another team. Nikki’s WNBA career per-game averages were 8.7 points and 5 assists. When not playing basketball, Nikki enjoyed music: playing drums and rapping. Summary Nikki Teasley overcame many challenges in her childhood and early playing years to have a successful basketball career in the WNBA. Nikki’s athletic ability always made her a standout, but her determination and tenacious attitude made her an inspiring role model for people everywhere. Nikki could have succumbed to the temptations of childhood surroundings or the pressure of living as a high-profile athlete, but, instead, she rose above these challenges by committing to the discipline and determination needed to be a student athlete and professional basketball player. Deborah Stroman Additional Sources Layden, Tim. “Back on the Ball.” Sports Illustrated 95, no. 20 (November 19, 2001): 134. Stevens, Joe. “WNBA Draft: Sparks Add Spark by Getting Teasley.” Los Angeles Daily News, April 20, 2002, p. S8.

Isiah Thomas Born: April 30, 1961 Chicago, Illinois Also known as: Isiah Lord Thomas III Early Life In the poverty-stricken West Side Chicago neighborhood known as K-Town, Isiah Lord Thomas III was born on April 30, 1961, the youngest of nine children. Although life in the gang-infested K-Town was dangerous and difficult, Isiah’s mother and father did their best to raise their large family. Isiah’s father was a foreman at International Harvester Company for a time; however, when the plant closed, Isiah Thomas II, jobless, became frustrated and angry. Eventually, he left home, leaving Mary Thomas in charge of the nine children, seven of whom were boys. Mary Thomas was determined not to have her boys pulled into the West Side’s gang life. She encouraged them to pursue athletics instead of getting involved in crime. In spite of her efforts, however, several of her sons were seduced by drugs and gangs. Only the youngest, Isiah, remained the family’s hope for a better life beyond the grip of poverty. The Road to Excellence Isiah led the journey to wealth and safety. At three years old, he often provided the halftime entertainment at the local Catholic Youth Organization basketball games. Wearing an oversized jersey and shoes, he would toss up shots with a high arc. “Isiah was amazing,” recalled his brother Alexis. Isiah continued to hone his skills throughout childhood at Gladys Park, just two blocks from his home. When he was in eighth grade, he tried for a basketball scholarship with Weber High School of the city’s Catholic bas-

ketball league. The coach of that school, however, rejected Isiah because he thought he was too small. The coach at St. Joseph High School, Gene Pingatore, secured a scholarship for Isiah. Pingatore said Isiah “had that special aura.” Isiah became an honor student at St. Joseph, and he led its basketball team to a second-place trophy in the state championship tournament in his junior year. The next year, he was one of the nation’s most sought-after basket-

Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas in 1989. (Andrew D. Bernstein/ NBAE/Getty Images)

377

Great Athletes

Isiah Thomas


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94

72 81 82 81 77 81 81 80 81 48 78 79 58

453 725 669 646 609 626 621 569 579 289 564 526 318

.424 .472 .462 .458 .488 .463 .463 .464 .438 .435 .446 .418 .417

302 368 388 399 365 400 305 287 292 179 292 278 181

.704 .710 .733 .809 .790 .768 .774 .818 .775 .782 .772 .737 .702

209 328 327 361 277 319 278 273 308 160 247 232 159

565 634 914 1,123 830 813 678 663 765 446 560 671 399

1,225 1,854 1,748 1,720 1,609 1,671 1,577 1,458 1,492 776 1,445 1,391 856

17.0 22.9 21.3 21.2 20.9 20.6 19.5 18.2 18.4 16.2 18.5 17.6 14.8

Totals

979

7,194

.452

4,036

.759

3,478

9,061

18,822

19.2


ball players, recruited by more than one hundred colleges. Indiana University was Isiah’s ultimate choice. Under Coach Bob Knight, Isiah made the all-Big Ten Conference team in his first season. In his second season, Isiah was named all-American and led the Hoosiers to the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament. Indiana won the 1981 national championship, defeating Louisiana State University in the semifinal round and the University of North Carolina in the final game. Isiah was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. The next season, because of difficulties with Indiana’s coach, Isiah decided to leave Indiana and turn professional. The Emerging Champion Isiah was picked second overall in the June 5, 1981, NBA draft. He signed a $1.6-million contract with the Detroit Pistons, whose record in the 1980-1981 season was the second worst in the league. Isiah had enough money to help his family out of poverty and soon bought his mother a house in the Chicago suburb of Clarendon Hills. Isiah’s fortunes were only beginning, however. As a point guard, he proved himself a team leader in his rookie year with the Pistons. In the 1983-1984 season, the Pistons had a winning season, at 49-33, for the first time in seven 378

years. That season, averaging 21.3 points and 11 assists, Isiah signed a new ten-year contract worth more than $12 million. He was also named most valuable player (MVP) in the all-star game, posting 21 points and 15 assists. The next season, Isiah set an NBA record for assists: 1,123. In 1986, he was once again MVP of the all-star game, leading the Eastern Conference to a win with 30 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals. In 1987, the Pistons emerged as legitimate playoff contenders. Throughout the playoffs, Isiah averaged 20.6 points per game. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons stretched the defending world champion Boston Celtics to the full seven games but lost the last, bitterly contested game. That season, however, through Isiah’s leadership, the Pistons proved to be championship caliber. Continuing the Story In 1988, the Pistons beat the Celtics for the Eastern Conference Championship and played in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, the defending world champions. In game six of that series, Isiah gave one of his all-time best performances: On an injured ankle, he scored 25 points in the third quarter, an NBA Finals record. As good as his performance was in the 1988 series with the Lakers, Isiah had to wait until 1989 to wear the world championship ring. In 1989, the Pistons again played the Lakers and swept the two-

Basketball

Isiah Thomas

time champions in four games. In 1990, the Honors, Awards, and Records Pistons repeated as world champions, led by Isiah’s dynamic play. He was named the 1980 Men’s U.S. Olympic Basketball Team NBA Finals MVP. Isiah was once quoted as All-Big Ten Team saying that he wanted “to establish in Detroit 1981 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (what) they’ve done in Boston since the NCAA All-Tournament Team 1950’s and 1960’s, in terms of tradition, in Consensus All-American terms of pride, in terms of style of play.” 1982 NBA All-Rookie Team Isiah was only the fourth player in NBA history to collect more than 9,000 assists. He 1982-93 NBA All-Star Team was an excellent passer and a smooth, clever 1984-86 All-NBA First Team playmaker. Despite his constant friendly NBA All-Star Game most valuable player smile, Isiah was a tough, fierce competitor. A 1987 Kennedy Citizenship Award dangerous shooter from anywhere on the 1988 NBA record for the most points in one quarter of a Finals game (25) floor, Isiah was an unselfish, team-oriented player. He served as the president of the 1990 NBA Finals most valuable player NBA Players Association from the late 1980’s 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team into the early 1990’s. Because of a series of 1999 Named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time injuries during the 1993-1994 season, Isiah 2000 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame slowed down considerably. A torn Achilles Uniform number 11 retired by Detroit Pistons tendon in April, 1994, brought an end to his illustrious career. He had been an NBA allstar twelve times and a member of the allpresident of basketball operations, but by 2005, the NBA first team on three occasions: 1984, 1985, and Knicks had the NBA’s highest team payroll with the 1986. worst record. In June, 2006, Knicks coach Larry Following his retirement, Isiah became part Brown was fired and replaced by Isiah, on condiowner and executive vice president of the Toronto tion he show “evident progress.” He did not. HowRaptors. As part of the celebration of the golden ever, Madison Square Garden (MSG) executives anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 seagave him a lucrative multiyear contract only nine son, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA months later. players of all time. He left the Raptors during the During the 2006-2007 season, Isiah allegedly in1997-1998 season and became an analyst for the stigated his team to commit a “hard foul” against a NBC’s NBA telecasts. Denver Nuggets’ player, which resulted in a vicious In August, 1999, Isiah purchased the Continenbrawl. Although Isiah was neither suspended nor tal Basketball Association (CBA) for $10 million. In fined, his legendary charm had receded to reveal a 2000, Isiah was inducted into the Naismith Memodecided nasty streak. rial Basketball Hall of Fame. Later in the year, he In 2007, Isiah and MSG, Inc. were sued for sexual was named the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. harassment by Anucha Browne Sanders, who mainOff the court, Isiah was active as a charity worker tained that she had been fired from her $260,000 and involved in educational, anticrime, and antijob as vice president of marketing and business oppoverty programs for young people. erations in retaliation for her complaints about verSince retiring from play, Isiah’s reputation has bal abuse and unwelcome advances. After a threebecome tarnished. His tenure with the Toronto week trial, a federal jury found Isiah and MSG guilty Raptors was mediocre. Many CBA coaches blamed and ordered MSG to pay $11.6 million in punitive him—after he refused an offer for the league to damages. Although Isiah admitted calling Sanders become an official NBA developmental organizaa vulgar name and attempting to hug and kiss her, tion—for bankrupting the CBA. As coach of the Inhe proclaimed himself “very innocent” and seemed diana Pacers from 2000 to 2003, Isiah was unable to unaware that his contemptuous behavior was inapbuild on Larry Bird’s accomplishments. propriate in the business world. During the 2007In 2003, Isiah joined the New York Knicks as 379

Isiah Thomas 2008 season, the Knicks compiled a dismal 23-59 record, and fans chanted, “Fire Isiah” at home games. He was “reassigned” in April, 2008. Summary Although considered small in size for the NBA, Isiah Thomas was big in character when he led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA crown and the Detroit Pistons to world championships in 1989 and 1990. Isiah’s post-playing career was not reflective of his on-court dominance and affability. Rustin Larson, updated by Jan Hall

380

Great Athletes Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Chicago: Masters Press, 1998. Challen Paul. The Book of Isiah: The Rise of a Basketball Legend. Toronto: ECW Press, 1996. _______. The Isiah Thomas Story: From the Back Court to the Front Office. Toronto: ECW Press, 2004. Dolin, Nick, Chris Dolin, and David Check. Basketball Stars: The Greatest Players in the History of the Game. New York: Black Dog and Leventhal, 1997. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998.

Nate Thurmond Born: July 25, 1941 Akron, Ohio Also known as: Nathaniel Thurmond (full name); Nate the Great Early Life Nathaniel Thurmond was born in Akron, Ohio, on July 25, 1941. While a young boy, he was given the nickname of “Nate.” During his career as a professional basketball player, he was called “Nate the Great.” Nate had an older brother, Ben. Nate’s father made a good living while working in the Firestone rubber plant in Akron; his mother was a

beautician. The Thurmond family never had a lot of money, but there was much love in the house along with the material necessities. Mr. and Mrs. Thurmond taught their sons not to be arrogant and to treat others well. Shortly after Nate retired from professional basketball, he made it a point to sit down with both of his parents and thank them for everything.

The Road to Excellence Nate was encouraged by his father and brother to try sports, so he played basketball at Spicer Elementary School. There Nate played against a team coached by Joe Siegferth, his future high school coach. Siegferth remembers young Nate as a “tall and skinny kid with sort of a pot belly.” He did not realize that he would see Nate again on a basketball court. Siegferth was named basketball coach at Akron Central High, and the freshman class included Nate Thurmond. Nate was a nice boy and coachable, but he was average as a player. Every season, however, he got better and grew larger. As a 6-foot 9-inch senior, Nate played forward because he was not considered strong and aggressive enough to play the center position. He averaged 12.9 points per game and was emerging as a good defensive player and rebounder. Nate was named to the all-city and honorable mention all-state teams. However, no one could imagine his professional basketball future. In the school yearbook, Nate wrote, “I would like to return to Central High as a basketball coach.” In 1959, Nate enrolled at Bowling Green State University in his home state of Ohio. Nate’s high school coach had also played there and was still friends with coach Harold Anderson. Anderson was glad to have Nate but was more interested in his Central High teammate Elijah Chatman. Nate refined his skills and became Bowling Golden State Warrior Nate Thurmond surveying the court after securing a rebound. (Walter Iooss, Jr./NBAE/Getty ImGreen’s varsity center as a sophomore. He led ages) the team in both scoring and rebounding and 381

Great Athletes

Nate Thurmond dominated rebounding in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for three seasons. Bowling Green won the MAC title in 1962 and 1963, and Nate was named to the all-American team both seasons. The Emerging Champion Nate was fully grown, strong, and 6 feet 11 inches tall. Because of his impressive defensive and rebounding skills, he drew comparisons to the center of the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell. The San Francisco Warriors picked Nate in the first round of the 1963 NBA draft. In Nate’s first NBA season, he was the backup center to the great Wilt Chamberlain. Nate was named to the NBA all-rookie team despite his limited role. The following year, however, Nate got his chance to perform. Near the all-star break in 1965, the Warriors traded Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers. Nate responded and even won a spot on the Western Conference all-star team. He finished the 1964-1965 season with a surprising 16.5-pointsper-game scoring average. Never known as a scorer, Nate raised his average to almost 22 points per game in the following seasons. Nate became a fixture at the center position for the Warriors for eleven seasons. Despite his rapid rise among the NBA’s “big men,” Nate did not reach superstar status quickly. He suffered a series of injuries throughout his career. In the 1967-1968 season, a broken hand kept him out of the playoffs, and in 1969-1970, he missed most of the season

with a knee injury. Nate considered an early retirement. He remembered the little agreement he and his mother had years ago when he quit his piano lessons: Do what you want and we’ll back you up— as long as you do your best. Nate’s best was yet to come. Continuing the Story In his comeback season of 1970-1971, Nate scored 43 points in one game against the Detroit Pistons. In 1971-1972, he passed the 10,000-point mark while averaging more than 20 points per game for the fifth season in a row. His development of an allaround game landed Nate in seven NBA all-star games. However, Nate is remembered primarily for rebounding and defense. He was named to five NBA all-defensive teams, and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called Nate “the toughest defender I ever faced.” In 1974, Nate was traded to the Chicago Bulls and played there until November of 1975, when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nate was thirty-four years old and two knee operations had slowed him, but his experience and fiery spirit inspired the Cavaliers. He led a team of ordinary players on a relatively new expansion team into the NBA playoffs. The 1975-1976 Cavalier season was called the “Miracle of Richfield”—for the Richfield Coliseum. In 1977, the grateful Cavaliers retired Nate’s number 42 jersey after his fourteenth, and last, sea-


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77

76 77 73 65 51 71 43 82 78 79 62 80 78 49

219 519 454 467 382 571 341 623 628 517 308 250 142 100

.395 .419 .406 .437 .411 .410 .414 .445 .432 .446 .444 .364 .421 .407

95 235 280 280 282 382 261 395 417 315 191 132 62 68

.549 .658 .654 .629 .644 .615 .754 .730 .743 .718 .666 .589 .504 .642

790 1,395 1,312 1,382 1,121 1,402 762 1,128 1,252 1,349 878 904 415 374

86 157 111 166 215 253 150 257 230 280 165 328 94 83

533 1,273 1,188 1,214 1,046 1,524 943 1,641 1,673 1,349 807 632 346 268

7.0 16.5 16.3 18.7 20.5 21.5 21.9 20.0 21.4 17.1 13.0 7.9 4.4 5.5

Totals

964

5,521

.421

3,395

.667

14,464

2,575

14,437

15.0


382

Basketball

Nate Thurmond

Honors, Awards, and Records 1961-63 All-Mid-American Conference Team 1962-63 Consensus All-American 1963 Record for the most rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game, 31 1964 NBA All-Rookie Team 1965 NBA record for the most rebounds in a quarter, 18 1965-68, 1970, 1973-74 NBA All-Star Team 1969, 1971-74 NBA All-Defensive Team 1977 Uniform number 42 retired by Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA during the 1996-1997 season, Nate was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. After retirement, Nate worked briefly as a sports broadcaster prior to becoming involved in public relations with the Warriors. He continued to make a number of appearances each year on behalf of charities and youth camps in the San Francisco area. Nate also began operating Big Nate’s Barbecue, a rib and chicken restaurant in San Francisco.

1984 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team

son. The Golden State Warriors (formerly the San Francisco Warriors) made Nate the first NBA player to have his number retired by two teams. On July 1, 1984, Nate was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, with six others, including his college coach, Harold Anderson. Nate was a quick big man, a tenacious rebounder, great shot-blocker, and smooth shooter. He was a teamoriented player who cared more about winning than statistics. Some basketball critics labeled Nate the best balanced package for an NBA center, providing just the right mix of offense and defense. In 1974, he was the first player in NBA history to record a quadruple double; he scored 22 points, collected 14 rebounds, had 13 assists, and blocked 12 shots in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Nate still holds the NBA record for most rebounds in one quarter of play, with 18 against the Baltimore Bullets on February 28, 1965. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the

Summary “There are other centers in the league who do some things better than Nate,” Warriors coach Al Attles said one year. “But who can do as many things as well as Thurmond can?” Nate Thurmond collected more than 14,000 points and 14,000 rebounds in the NBA. Beyond those attributes, Nate was described in one Warrior media guide as “solid as Gibraltar, honest as a day in June, dependable as a ’41 Chevy, and the bronze from which statues are created.” After Nate’s playing career ended, the Warriors made him the team’s director of community relations. Ronald L. Ammons Additional Sources Duerson, Adam. “Barbecue Nation.” Sports Illustrated 107, no. 1 (July 2, 2007): 88-89. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Porter, David L. Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2005. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998.

383

Jack Twyman Born: May 11, 1934 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Also known as: John Kennedy Twyman (full name) Early Life John Kennedy “Jack” Twyman was born on May 11, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh has always been a rugged, sports-minded city, a steelmill town that fueled the dreams of many young men who hoped to be football players. Jack’s dreams were different. He grew up hoping to be a professional basketball player, even though Pittsburgh had no professional team. In fact, in the early 1950’s, when Jack was growing up, there were only eight teams in the NBA. That meant there were fewer than one hundred potential spots on player rosters. Jack was not discouraged by the odds, however, and worked hard every day to improve his basketball skills. By the time he reached high school, he was tall and lanky and destined to be a high-scoring forward at Central Catholic High School. The Road to Excellence After his sterling high school career, he attracted the attention of the University of Cincinnati and earned a full basketball scholarship. At college, Jack took nothing for granted and worked hard to start in his freshman year, an unusual feat at the time. Jack preserved his edge in what was becoming a sport for bigger, faster men with a rugged offseason conditioning program. During the summers, he practiced 100 foul shots per day, as well as 200 jump shots and 150 set shots. He took this routine, which earned him the admiration and respect of veteran players, with him into the professional ranks. As a four-year starter on the University of Cincinnati team, Jack was a standout leader and was chosen an all-American in 1954-1955. At the time of his graduation, Jack was the second all-time leading rebounder in University of Cincinnati history. Jack’s college success earned him the status of a second-round draft pick of the Rochester Royals 384

in 1955, and he entered the NBA as a highly touted 6-foot 6-inch forward. The Emerging Champion When Jack entered the NBA, he endured the trials that most rookies in any sport face. He handled well the new pressures of nearly daily travel and the skepticism of his teammates and his opponents. Jack steadily increased his playing time in his first year as a Royal until he was a starter. Very quickly, Jack became one of the best pure-shooting forwards in the first two decades of the NBA. Jack was especially deadly from the corners, sinking jump shots that, under contemporary rules, would be worth three points instead of two. In 1957, Jack made the NBA all-star team for the first time in just his second year in the league and went on to be named to the all-star squad six more times in his career. His scoring average in the 19591960 season, his best year, was 31.2 points per game. Jack’s average was second only to that of the high-scoring center Wilt Chamberlain, quite an achievement for a forward well-known for his unselfishness and acute passing skills. In 1963, Jack and Oscar Robertson led the Royals to the Eastern Division finals, where the team lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games. At one stretch during his career, Jack played in 609 consecutive games. During the 1963-1964 season, Jack suffered a broken hand, causing him to sit out for twelve games, and his scoring average dipped to 15.9 points per game. The Royals again made it to the Eastern Division finals before losing to the Celtics once more. Jack was outstanding in the 1964 playoffs, averaging 20.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. After serving as a reserve rather than a starter during the 1965-1966 season, Jack retired as only the sixth player to garner more than 15,000 points in a NBA career. He was one of the best pure-shooting forwards during his tenure in the NBA. Continuing the Story Most champion athletes have a defining moment in their career that demonstrates their special tal-

Basketball

Jack Twyman

ent. Jack’s moment came not on the court Honors and Awards as much as it did off the court. During 1955 College All-American Jack’s career, the Rochester/Cincinnati 1957-63 NBA All-Star Team Royals never won a championship. While 1960, 1962 All-NBA Team Jack’s dreams of becoming a successful 1980 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award and well-regarded professional basketball 1982 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player were fulfilled early in his life, his 1996 Ohio Professional and Amateur Athlete Lifetime Achievement Award basketball achievements probably will alUniform number 27 retired by Sacramento Kings ways be overshadowed by the humanitarian care he expressed for a teammate. In a time when racial relations were morial Benefit Basketball Game, an event that durmuch less open between whites and African Ameriing Stokes’s lifetime drew star NBA players annucans, Jack befriended a young African American ally to raise money for his care and rehabilitation. player named Maurice Stokes. The two of them Later, the basketball event was refocused to proroomed together on the road. On the court, they vide funds for needy retired professional players anticipated each other’s moves and made a scoring from the game’s earlier days, when paychecks and tandem feared throughout the league. In their retirement funds were not as lucrative as they are third year together on the Royals, the team moved today. The basketball event was eventually changed from Rochester to Cincinnati. In March of 1958, to a golf tournament. Stokes was stricken with paralysis, a delayed reacAfter leaving professional basketball, Jack went tion resulting from a fall on the court several days on to a successful career as an insurance executive, before that had caused severe brain damage. serving as a vice president of A. W. Shell Insurance Stokes was in a coma for four months. Company in Cincinnati, and a sports broadcaster After Stokes had awakened, Jack visited him for the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). consistently and assumed all responsibility for his As one of the first retired athletes to become a care and rehabilitation, becoming Stokes’s legal sports broadcaster, Jack helped establish a trend guardian. Jack’s special friendship with Stokes confor future sports retirees. After five years of broadtinued until Stokes’s eventual death and was chroncasting, Jack became the top executive of Super icled many times during and since Jack’s playing Food Services, a major Midwest food distributor. In days. In 1973, a movie titled Maurie portrayed the 1996, he received the Ohio Professional and Amaspecial relationship between Stokes and Jack. teur Athlete Lifetime Achievement Award. Jack annually organized the Maurice Stokes Me-


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66

72 72 72 72 75 79 80 80 68 80 73

417 449 465 710 870 796 739 641 447 479 224

.422 .439 .452 .420 .422 .488 .479 .480 .450 .443 .450

204 276 307 437 598 405 353 304 189 198 95

.685 .760 .775 .783 .785 .731 .815 .811 .829 .828 .812

466 354 464 653 664 669 638 598 364 383 168

171 123 110 209 260 225 323 214 137 137 60

1,038 1,174 1,237 1,857 2,338 1,997 1,831 1,586 1,083 1,156 543

14.4 16.3 17.2 25.8 31.2 25.3 22.9 19.8 15.9 14.5 7.4

Totals

823

6,237

.450

3,366

.778

5,421

1,969

15,840

19.2


385

Jack Twyman Summary Jack Twyman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. This was an honor that his basketball career alone could have earned him, but it was also recognition of his love and commitment to his fallen teammate Maurice Stokes. Jack was a champion in basketball, but more important, in the spirit of kindness and compassion. Bruce L. Edwards

386

Great Athletes Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Isaacs, Neil D. Vintage NBA: The Pioneer Era, 19461956. Indianapolis, Ind.: Masters Press, 1996. Perry, Michael, and Nick Lachey. Tales from Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2004. Pluto, Terry. Tall Tales: The Glory Years of the NBA. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2000.

Wes Unseld Born: March 14, 1946 Louisville, Kentucky Also known as: Westley Sissel Unseld (full name) Early Life Westley Sissel Unseld was born on March 14, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother Cornelia worked in the cafeteria at Newburg Elementary School in Louisville, and his father Charles worked as an oiler for International Harvester. Wes grew up in an environment infused with great basketball. The rivalry between the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky was a yearly event that enthralled the population. Wes honed his basketball skills on the playgrounds of Louisville, dreaming that someday he would be involved in big-time basketball, perhaps even playing for one of the universities in the state. The Road to Excellence Wes emerged as a high-caliber basketball player at Louisville’s Seneca High School. In the 1962-1963 and 1963-1964 seasons, Wes led his high school team to the Kentucky state championship. Wes’s abilities as a player did not go unnoticed by the universities in the state. In 1964, Wes was the first African American player recruited by the University of Kentucky. Although this was a great opportunity, Wes chose to attend the University of Louisville because it was close to home and his father could watch him play. During his freshman season at Louisville, Wes immediately assumed a leadership role, scoring 501 points, for a remarkable 35.8 points-per-game average, with 331 rebounds. The scoring and rebounds did not diminish in the next three years of Wes’s college career. For the 1965-1966 season, Wes scored 518 points and took 505 rebounds; in 19661967, 523 points and 533 rebounds; and in 1967-1968, 645 points and 513 rebounds.

For these performances, Wes made The Sporting News All-American second team in 1967 and 1968. Among the Louisville records Wes set were the all-time scoring average, with 20.6 points per game, and rebounding average, with 18.9 rebounds per game. Wes also set the Louisville record for most points scored in a game—45 against Georgetown University in 1967—and became one of only a few

Wes Unseld of the Washington Bullets splitting two Boston Celtics defenders. (Courtesy of Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles)

387

Great Athletes

Wes Unseld


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81

82 82 74 76 79 56 73 78 82 80 77 82 63

427 526 424 409 421 146 273 318 270 257 346 327 225

.476 .518 .501 .498 .493 .437 .502 .561 .490 .523 .577 .513 .524

277 273 199 171 149 36 126 114 100 93 151 139 55

.605 .638 .657 .629 .703 .655 .685 .585 .602 .538 .643 .665 .640

1,491 1,370 1,253 1,336 1,260 517 1,077 1,036 877 955 830 1,094 673

213 291 293 278 347 159 297 404 363 326 315 366 170

1,131 1,325 1,047 989 991 328 672 750 640 607 843 794 507

13.8 16.2 14.1 13.0 12.5 5.9 9.2 9.6 7.8 7.6 10.9 9.7 8.0

Totals

984

4,369

.509

1,883

.633

13,769

3,822

10,624

10.8


Louisville players to accumulate more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. The Emerging Champion Wes had serious career plans to become a schoolteacher. However, when he was the named numberone draft choice, and picked second overall, by the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA in 1968, he reconsidered his career path. In the 1968-1969 season, Wes was named both rookie of the year and the league’s most valuable player. The only other person to be so honored was Wilt Chamberlain. In addition, Wes made the allNBA first team that year. At the time of his retirement, after thirteen years as a professional player, Wes was the seventh alltime rebounder in the league’s history, with 13,769 rebounds, and became one of four players to score

more than 10,000 career points and collect more than 10,000 rebounds. He was named to the all-star team five times and set Bullets records for most minutes played and most rebounds. The highest point in Wes’s Bullets career came in the 1977-1978 season when he led his team to the NBA Championship and was named the series’ most valuable player. The statistics behind this achievement are significant. For the 1977-1978 playoffs and championship series, Wes played 677 minutes, made 71 field goals, made 27 free throws, took a total of 216 rebounds, made 79 assists, and scored a total of 169 points.

Continuing the Story While a player, Wes Unseld had always been noted for his generosity off the court. In 1975, he received the first NBA Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for volunteer work in the neighborhoods of Baltimore, Maryland, and WashHonors and Awards ington, D.C. When he retired as an active 1967-68 Consensus All-American player in 1981, he continued to volunteer 1969 NBA most valuable player his time to worthy public service activities. All-NBA Team However, Wes’s playing career was only NBA Rookie of the Year part of the story. In 1981, Wes was hired NBA All-Rookie Team as vice president of the Capital Center 1969, 1971-73, 1975 NBA All-Star Team and the Washington Bullets. In 1987, he 1975 Kennedy Citizenship Award became an assistant coach for the Bullets, 1978 NBA Finals most valuable player and in January of 1988, he replaced Kevin 1988 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Loughery as head coach. 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team Uniform number 41 retired by Washington Bullets In his first season as head coach, Wes directed the Bullets to thirty wins, twenty-five

388

Basketball losses, and the playoffs. In spite of the team’s success that season, the Bullets lost to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1988 playoffs. During the 1988-1989 season, Wes had to readjust his offense because of the trade of key player Moses Malone. The team went without a center most of the season, so a new motion offense brought out the best in the veterans on his squad. Although they struggled at times, the Bullets still managed to post a record of forty wins and forty-two losses. The style of unselfish play that Wes maintained as a player became the style of play he emphasized as a coach. The number of assists by his top players was in the hundreds each season. What former teammate Mike Riordan said of Wes, in a Sports Illustrated article by Pat Putnam, can be applied to him as a coach as well: [He’s] totally unselfish. He keeps the ball moving so much everybody gets a piece of the action. Guys love playing with him. He makes everybody else look good. . . . Most people are impressed by scoring statistics. The players are more impressed by all the other things he does. . . . And you have to remember—this guy isn’t a superstar just on the court. He’s a superstar in life, too.

At the end of the 1993-1994 season, Wes stepped down as the Bullets’ coach, having compiled a 202345 record with a mediocre team. After working as a color analyst on national broadcasts of NBA games during the 1994-1995 season, Wes became the executive vice president and general manager of the Bullets in 1996, a job that he maintained after the Bullets changed their name to the Wizards.

Wes Unseld Many basketball experts believe that Wes is the most important person in the history of the Washington Bullets/Wizards franchise. Having been an incredibly proficient passer, rebounder, and team player, Wes received the ultimate honor in basketball when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988. Former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach labeled Wes as the best outlet passer to ever play in the NBA. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, Wes was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Summary One of the most exciting players in University of Louisville history, Wes Unseld took his recordbreaking potential to the NBA and fulfilled expectations. As a player, he led the Washington Bullets to a world championship, and as a coach, he developed an exciting, crowd-pleasing style of play. The five-time NBA all-star also became an all-star citizen, donating his services and talents to his community. Rustin Larson Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Monroe, Earl, and Wes Unseld. The Basketball Skill Book. New York: Atheneum, 1973. Shamsky, Art, and Barry Zeman. The Magnificent Seasons. New York: T. Dunne Books, 2004.

389

Dwyane Wade Born: January 17, 1982 Chicago, Illinois Also known as: Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. (full name); D-Wade; Flash Early Life Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr., grew up in Oak Lawn, Illinois, with his father and stepmother. He credited his older sister Tragil as the primary person who raised him and instilled in him the values that guided his later life. Dwyane followed his older stepbrother Demetrius to H. L. Richards High

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade gliding to the basket in a 2005 game against the New Jersey Nets. (Ray Stubblebine/Reuters/Landov)

390

School in Oak Lawn, where the latter was the star of an excellent basketball team. Dwyane lacked the size and skill to get much playing time his first two years in high school. In the summer before his junior year, he worked many hours developing his game and also grew 4 inches to become more than 6 feet tall. The support of his girlfriend Siohvaughn helped him develop the will to play to his potential. The couple married in 2002. The Road to Excellence After Demetrius graduated, Coach Jack Fitzgerald decided to make Dwyane the centerpiece of the high school basketball team. Dwyane had the size and skills to match his basketball passion and intelligence. From breaking pressure defenses and scoring to rebounding and setting up his teammates, Dwyane provided whatever the team needed. In his junior year, he averaged 20.7 points and 7.6 rebounds. Between his junior and senior years, Dwyane played with the Amateur Athletic Union Illinois Warriors, the state’s top amateur squad. This experience helped Dwyane improve his game: In his senior year, he averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds per game and led his team to a 24-5 record. Despite this excellent play, Dwyane attracted little interest from major colleges. Past problems in school, including a low American College Test (ACT) score, caused schools to question whether he would qualify academically to play. Marquette University assistant coach Tim Buckley greatly admired Dwyane as a player and a person. Therefore, he persuaded head coach Tom Crean to accept Dwyane as a partial qualifier who could practice with the team but not suit up for games. The Emerging Champion In 2001-2002, his sophomore year, Dwyane was given the opportunity to play and made the most of it, averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He also led the team in steals and blocked shots, and his 571 total points that year set a sophomore school record. He led Marquette to a

Basketball

Dwyane Wade


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

61 77 75 51 51

371 630 699 472 439

.465 .478 .495 .491 .469

233 581 629 432 354

.747 .762 .783 .807 .758

247 397 430 239 214

275 520 503 384 354

991 1,854 2,040 1,397 1,254

16.2 24.1 27.2 27.4 24.6

Totals

315

2,611

.481

2,229

.774

1,527

2,036

7,536

23.9


26-7 record, its best in nearly ten years. Despite high hopes for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament, Marquette was eliminated by Tulsa in the first round. Still Dwyane’s excellent season earned him first team all-Conference USA and honorable-mention all-American. Not satisfied, Dwyane worked on the shortcomings of his game, particularly his outside jump shot. He also became a father: His wife gave birth to a daughter, Zaire Blessing Wade. In the 2002-2003 season, he improved his statistics to 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game and led Marquette to a 27-6 record. Dwyane saved his best for the NCAA tournament. His effort against top-ranked Kentucky was excellent. His output of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists was only the third “triple double” in NCAA tournament history. It put Marquette in the Final Four, where the team lost to Kansas. Dwyane’s excellence garnered him all-American honors and numerous other awards. With a wife and child to support, Dwyane decided to forego his senior year and enter the draft.

Honors and Awards 2003 Associated Press all-American team 2004 NBA All-Rookie Team Bronze medal, Olympic Basketball 2005 All-NBA Defensive Second Team 2005-06 All-NBA Second Team 2005-09 NBA All-Star Team 2006 NBA Finals most valuable player Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year 2007 Uniform number retired by Marquette University All-NBA Third Team 2008 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

Continuing the Story After the Miami Heat picked him fifth overall in the 2003 NBA draft, Dwyane had an excellent rookie year. Overshadowed during the regular season by two of the best rookies in NBA history, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane elevated his game in the playoffs. He led Miami past the New Orleans Hornets in the first round, hitting the game-winning shot in game one, and he helped the Heat push the heavily favored Indiana Pacers to six games. With Dwyane getting better every game and with the acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal, the Miami Heat made it to the 2004-2005 Eastern Conference Finals and took a 3-2 lead on the Detroit Pistons. Dwyane played spectacular basketball throughout the playoffs, averaging nearly 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. However, injuries forced him out of game six, seriously impairing what he could do in game seven, and the Pistons rallied to win the series. In 2005-2006, Dwyane had a remarkable season, averaging 27.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.95 steals per game. He also made the gamewinning shot in the NBA all-star game. He was at his best for the playoffs, with one of the most memorable performances in NBA history. He not only compiled incredible numbers but also elevated his game in virtually every “clutch” situation. After losing the first two games of the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks, Miami was down 13 points in the fourth quarter of game three. Dwyane led a 22-7 run that turned the game and the series around. Miami won the NBA Championship in six games, and Dwyane was unanimously voted the series MVP. Severe injuries limited Dwyane in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, but he was fully recovered by the summer of 2008, when he was a key contribu391

Dwyane Wade

Great Athletes

tor to the gold-medal winning USA Basketball team at the Beijing Olympics. After returning home, Dwyane began the 2008-2009 NBA season strongly. In January, 2009, he was named a starter for his fifth NBA all-star game.

He has said he wants to leave the world a better place than he found it. To that end, he has established the Wade’s World Foundation to promote education, health, and social skills for at-risk children. Jerome L. Neapolitan

Summary Dwyane Wade has established himself as one of the best “clutch” players in basketball. His quickness, ability to penetrate defenses, fearlessness, and obvious love of the game have made him a fan favorite. With LeBron James, he is at the forefront of a new generation of stars who are reinvigorating the NBA.

Additional Sources Savage, Jeff. Dwyane Wade. Minneapolis: Lerner, 2007. Smallwood, John. Dwyane Wade. New York: Scholastic, 2007. Smithwick, John. Meet Dwyane Wade: Basketball’s Rising Star. New York: PowerKids Press, 2007.

392

Ben Wallace Born: September 10, 1974 White Hall, Alabama Also known as: Bearl James Wallace (full name); Big Ben; the Big Bash; the Body; the Fro; the Beast; Beast from the East

Early Life Bearl James “Ben” Wallace was born on September 10, 1974, in the village of White Hall, Alabama, the tenth of eleven siblings. The family’s financial situation was always modest. White Hall is an overwhelmingly African American community in rural Lowndes County with a median income far below the Alabama state average. Ben was introduced to basketball through competition with his seven older, and bigger, brothers and developed the muscular build, physical toughness, and tenacity that became his trademark. He attended Central High School in nearby Haynesville, lettering in track, baseball, football, and basketball. He won all-state honors in the latter three sports.

Ben Wallace of the Cleveland Cavaliers slamming the ball in 2009. (Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer/Landov)

The Road to Excellence While still in high school, Ben attended a summer basketball camp at York, Alabama, held by Charles Oakley, a standout power forward for the New York Knicks. Oakley was impressed by Ben’s stamina, determination, and ability to compete one-on-one against a seasoned professional. Ben became one of Oakley’s protégés. For his part, Ben began to focus more on basketball, as opposed to his other sports. Oakley directed Ben to Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, where, from 1992 to 1994, Ben became noted for his defensive and rebounding prowess. In 1994, Oakley steered him to his own alma mater, Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. There, a Division II dynasty had long flourished under Coach Dave Robbins. Ben was selected as a Division II all-American and helped the Virginia Union Panthers to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles. Academically, Ben studied criminal justice and minored in art. Undrafted by the NBA, Ben spent a brief stint playing in Italy. Upon his return to the United States in October, 1996, he tried out with the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards) and earned a place on the squad. 393

Great Athletes

Ben Wallace The Emerging Champion After Ben’s first season, in which he appeared in only thirty-four games, his career gradually developed toward stardom. At 6 feet 9 inches tall, Ben was among the shortest centers in professional basketball, but his muscular, 240-250 pounds and extraordinary work ethic propelled him to the ranks of excellence. He played for the Wizards from 1996 to 1999, until he was traded—along with Terry Davis, Tim Legler, and Jeff McInnis—to the Orlando Magic in return for Ike Austin. After one season in Orlando, Ben was exchanged, along with Chucky Atkins, for Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons. In Detroit, Ben’s talents blossomed, and he acquired a nationwide persona. His Afro-style haircut increased his level of intimidation, and his tattoo of London’s “Big Ben” lent him his most widely known nickname. Emerging as a defensive stalwart, he ranked near the top of the league in rebounds and blocked shots. He was named defensive player of the year on four occasions—2002, 2003, 2005, 2006—a feat equaled by only one other player: Dikembe Mutombo. Furthermore, Ben was on the Eastern Conference all-star team from 2003 to 2006. With Ben anchoring the NBA’s most formidable defense, the Pistons rose in the standings and won the 2001-2002 division title. However, in the playoffs, the Pistons lost in the second round to the Boston Celtics. Ben enjoyed a spectacular 2002-2003 season, averaging a league-leading 15.4 rebounds per game, and the Pistons crashed through the first and second rounds of the NBA playoffs. Then in

Honors and Awards 2002-06 All-NBA Defensive First Team 2002-03, 2005-06 NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2002, 2005 All-NBA Third Team 2003-06 NBA All-Star Team 2003-04, 2006 All-NBA Second Team 2007 All-NBA Defensive Second Team

2003-2004, with Ben and Chauncey Billups as cocaptains of the team, the Pistons acquired Rasheed Wallace, who complemented Ben in the post. The Pistons played toward a championship, besting the Milwaukee Bucks, the Nets, and the Indiana Pacers. In the NBA Finals, the Pistons upset the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. Continuing the Story In 2004-2005, the Pistons performed strongly once again. Ben had a good year, though he was suspended, uncharacteristically, for his role in an oncourt incident involving Ron Artest of the Pacers. In the playoffs, Ben had arguably his best personal series and was a key factor in Detroit’s crushing victories over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Pacers, and the Miami Heat. However, the Pistons failed to repeat as champions, dropping a tough seven-game series against the San Antonio Spurs. On July 13, 2006, exercising his contract option, Ben accepted an offer from the Chicago Bulls for $60 million over four years. However, he and his


GP 34 67 46 81 80 80 73 81 74 82 77 72 847

FGM 16 85 115 168 215 255 210 315 295 237 192 138 2,241

FG% .348 .518 .578 .503 .490 .531 .481 .421 .453 .510 .453 .392 .473

FTM 6 35 47 54 80 99 85 142 130 123 109 72 982

FT% .300 .357 .356 .474 .336 .423 .450 .490 .428 .416 .408 .426 .418

Reb. 58 324 384 665 1,052 1,039 1,126 1,006 902 923 821 604 8,904

Ast. 2 18 18 67 123 115 120 138 123 158 186 105 1,173

TP 38 205 277 390 511 609 506 773 721 597 494 348 5,469

PPG 1.1 3.1 6.0 4.8 6.4 7.6 6.9 9.5 9.7 7.3 6.4 4.8 6.5


394

Basketball

Ben Wallace

new coach and teammates never really meshed into a coherent unit, and after one and one-half seasons, he was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers in February, 2008. This trade helped Cleveland into the playoffs, where the Cavaliers defeated Washington in six games. However, with Ben playing injured, the Cavaliers lost to the eventual champion Celtics in seven games.

measuring defensive excellence. Despite his defensive prowess, Ben has been somewhat underestimated because of his stoic personality and lackluster offensive record—especially in terms of foul shooting. However, in contrast to some of the flashier more offensive-minded stars, Ben stands as a model for quiet determination and hard work. Raymond Pierre Hylton

Summary Ben Wallace, along with his Detroit Pistons teammates, reestablished interest in and respect for the defensive aspects of the game. The 2003-2004 Pistons championship team became the yardstick for

Additional Sources McCallum, Jack. “A New Way to Win.” Sports Illustrated 100, no. 25 (June 21, 2004). Smallwood, John. National Basketball Association Superstars 2005. New York: Scholastic, 2005.

395

Bill Walton Born: November 5, 1952 La Mesa, California Also known as: William Theodore Walton III (full name); Mountain Man Early Life William Theodore Walton III was the second child born to William Theodore II and Gloria Walton. The Walton children were encouraged to be active in a variety of interests, including sports and music. Bill attended the Blessed Sacrament School in San Diego, as did the rest of the Walton children. At the parochial school, he played both basketball and football and excelled as a ball handler on the basketball team. Bill was the team’s center on defense and guard on offense. Bill went to Helix High School in San Diego. His older brother Bruce also attended and was a member of the basketball team. Bruce was 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 285 pounds and took on the role of protecting his younger brother. By his junior year at Helix, Bill had grown to 6 feet 7 inches but weighed only 185 pounds. Because he was so slender, Bill tended to tire easily and was bullied by opposing players. His bulkier brother made sure that opposing players did not push Bill around; he did this by elbowing anyone who tried to take advantage of Bill. During his senior year, Bill had gained weight and learned how to pace himself. He led Helix to a 33-0 record by averaging 29 points and 24 rebounds a game. Many major colleges recruited Bill, but he finally chose the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The Road to Excellence A remarkable basketball legacy had already been established at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden, and Bill wanted to be a part of the winning tradition. He was to fill the void left by the departure of Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Because freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity squad, Bill had to wait until his sophomore year to compete for the national championship with the UCLA Bruins. In 1972, with Bill, 6 feet 11 inches, at center, the Bruins went undefeated and 396

won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. Coach Wooden was proud of Bill’s determination and willingness to put the team first. Bill averaged 21.1 points and 15 rebounds per game that year. The Bruins were no less powerful during Bill’s junior year, compiling another 30-0 record and another NCAA Championship. UCLA won an amazing eighty-eight consecutive games before losing in

Portland Trail Blazers center Bill Walton grabbing a rebound. (NBAE/Getty Images)

Basketball

Bill Walton

January, 1974, to Notre Dame. The only year that Bill did not lead the Bruins to the national championship was his senior year, when UCLA was upset in the semifinals by the eventual champions, the North Carolina State Wolfpack. During his three seasons at UCLA, Bill was named an all-American and the player of the year. His many awards included the 1973 James E. Sullivan Memorial Award as the nation’s premier amateur athlete. The Emerging Champion Bill was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1974. He signed a five-year contract worth close to $3 million. Expectations ran high in Portland for the franchise’s new center from UCLA. While Coach Wooden knew how to bring out the best in Bill, the situation in the professional ranks proved considerably different. At UCLA, Bill had been active in antiwar activities and was part of what has been termed the “counterculture.” He was able to fit in at the collegiate level, but Bill found resistance to his radical political viewpoints in Portland. He was a determined individual and willing to stand on his principles; therefore, the first couple of seasons with the Trail Blazers were challenging. He had a number of health problems that also made the situation in Portland difficult. During his first season, Bill lost 15 pounds, suffered a dislocated finger, had a bone spur on his left ankle, and was hobbled by tendinitis in his knees. All these factors forced Bill to miss more than half of his first season. The Trail Blazers finished in third place in the Pacific Division of the NBA’s Western Conference in Bill’s first year, but dropped to fifth

place in his second. He was criticized for not playing through injuries. Bill’s third season, however, was a complete reversal of the previous two; he was healthier than he had been in some time. He was elected team captain, and a bond was created among himself and his teammates. The Trail Blazers became a cohesive unit. A major factor was the addition of Jack Ramsay as Portland’s new coach. Ramsay was certain that Bill was an asset and not a liability, and Ramsay believed in the team concept, where unselfish play was rewarded. The 1976-1977 campaign became the Trail Blazers’ dream season. With an up-tempo style that capitalized on fast breaks at every opportunity, Portland finished the year by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA title. Continuing the Story In addition to winning the championship during the 1976-1977 season, Bill was named most valuable player for the playoffs. During the regular season, he averaged 14.4 rebounds, 18.6 points, and 3.2 blocked shots per game. Bill increased these statistics in the playoffs, averaging 15.2 rebounds, 18.2 points, and 3.4 blocked shots per game. Injuries once again hampered Bill’s contribution to the team during the following seasons. Bill was forced to miss the entire 1978-1979 season because of chronic injuries. He was traded to the San Diego Clippers in the spring of 1979. Once again, he was criticized for not living up to his potential. He occasionally showed glimpses of outstanding play, but for the most part, the spark seemed to be


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1979-80 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87

35 51 65 58 14 33 55 67 80 10

177 345 491 460 81 200 288 269 231 10

.513 .471 .528 .522 .503 .528 .556 .521 .562 .385

94 133 228 177 32 65 92 138 144 8

.686 .583 .697 .720 .593 .556 .597 .680 .713 .533

441 681 934 766 126 323 477 600 544 31

167 220 245 291 34 120 183 156 165 9

448 823 1,210 1,097 194 465 668 676 606 28

12.8 16.1 18.6 18.9 13.9 14.1 12.1 10.1 7.6 2.8

Totals

468

2,552

.521

1,111

.660

4,923

1,590

6,215

13.3


397

Bill Walton

Great Athletes

1988 season. During his thirteen years in the NBA, Bill had managed to play in Highest field goal percentage in NCAA Tournament play, .686 only 44 percent of the games during Highest field goal percentage in one NCAA Tournament, .763 (1973) the regular season and ended his career with a modest 13.3 scoring averNBA Record age. In 1990, he had major surgery on his ankles for the third time. This time Most blocked shots in an NBA Finals game, 8 (1977) (record shared) his ankle bones were fused and, thereHonors and Awards fore, the ankles could no longer flex. For the first time in many years, Bill no 1972-73 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player longer suffered from chronic pain. Rupp Trophy 1972-74 United Press International Division I Player of the Year In 1991, Bill received the NBA U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Player of the Year Players Association Oscar Robertson Naismith Award Leadership Award. In 1993, he received Sporting News College Player of the Year Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year (1974 co-recipient) the prestigious honor of induction into NCAA All-Tournament Team the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Consensus All-American of Fame. As part of the celebration of 1973 James E. Sullivan Award 1974 Lapchick Award the golden anniversary of the NBA durOverall first choice in the NBA draft ing the 1996-1997 season, he was named 1977 NBA Finals most valuable player one of the fifty greatest NBA players of 1977-78 NBA All-Star Team All-NBA Team all time. In 1997, Bill was inducted into NBA All-Defensive Team the National High School Sports Hall 1978 NBA most valuable player of Fame. In 1999, the NCAA honored 1986 NBA Sixth Man Award 1993 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Bill with the Silver Anniversary Award 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team for having made significant professional 1997 Inducted into National High School Sports Hall of Fame and civic contributions since complet1999 Silver Anniversary Award Uniform number 32 retired by Portland Trail Blazers ing his collegiate eligibility twenty-five years earlier. After his retirement as a player, Bill gone. Bill was so frustrated by his nagging injuries overcame a severe stuttering problem to become a that he brought suit against the Trail Blazers, claimsuccessful NBA analyst for NBC, the Los Angeles ing that the franchise’s insistence that he play, even Clippers, and ABC/ESPN. In the early 1990’s, Bill with serious injury, led to his permanent injuries. worked for CBS Sports during the NCAA Final During the 1979-1980 season, Bill cut his hair, Four. Furthermore he worked for NBC during the trimmed his beard, began eating meat again, and 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic tried to mend fences with the media. In 1981, he Games. In 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, underwent radical surgery to restructure his badly and 2000, Bill received the best television analyst/ injured left foot. During his time off, he attended commentator award from the Southern California Stanford Law School. The operation worked, alSports Broadcasters Association. In 2001, Bill won lowing Bill to play again and to help the Clippers an Emmy Award for best live sports television broadimprove during the 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 camcast. In 2002, he received the NBA Retired Player’s paigns. In 1985, the Clippers traded Bill to the BosAssociation Humanitarian Award, and he was hired ton Celtics. This move was his chance to make a as the lead analyst for ESPN/ABC’s coverage of contribution to a team that had a proven winning the NBA. He also became a regular contributor tradition. As a reserve, Bill helped the Celtics win to ESPN.com, NBA.com, ESPN The Magazine, and the NBA title in 1985-1986. He had found new life ESPN Radio. coming off the bench as a crafty veteran and was Bill resides in his hometown of San Diego with immensely happy to win the NBA sixth man award. his wife Lori. Bill has four sons: Adam, Nathan, During the next two seasons, Bill was sidelined Luke, and Chris. Adam played basketball at Louisiby a painful foot injury, missing the entire 1987ana State University, and Nathan played at Prince-

NCAA Division I Records

398

Basketball ton University. Luke played basketball at the University of Arizona and plays professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers. Chris played college basketball at San Diego State University. Summary Bill Walton was one of the most intelligent and flexible “big men” basketball has ever known. Always a rebel who upbraided the establishment, he could change the course of a game with his all-around play and unselfishness. Under the tutelage of John Wooden and Jack Ramsay, Bill blossomed into one of the greatest basketball players of all time. However, injuries plagued his playing career and limited his greatness. Later, Bill became one of the wittiest and most insightful basketball analysts in the field. Jeffry Jensen, updated by Michael Stellefson Additional Sources Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003.

Bill Walton Heisler, Mark. Giants: The Twenty-five Greatest Centers of All Time. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2003. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Love, Matt. Red Hot and Rollin’: A Retrospection of the Portland Trail Blazers’ 1976-77 NBA Championship Season. Pacific City, Oreg.: Nestucca Spit Press, 2007. McNeal, Stan. “Q and A: Bill Walton.” Sporting News 229, no. 16 (April 22, 2005): 78. Scott, Jack. Bill Walton: On the Road with the Portland Trail Blazers. New York: Crowell, 1978. Walton, Bill, Michael Dinerman, William Conroy, and Michael J. Fresina. Street and Smith’s Specialty Publications Presents One Hundred Greatest College Basketball Programs of All Time. Charlotte, N.C.: Street & Smith, 2005. Walton, Bill, and Gene Wojciechowski. Nothing but Net: Just Give Me the Ball and Get Out of the Way. New York: Hyperion, 1994.

399

Charlie Ward Born: October 12, 1970 Thomasville, Georgia Also known as: Charlie Ward, Jr. (full name) Other major sport: Football Early Life Charlie Ward was born on October 12, 1970, in Thomasville, Georgia. Both his parents were teachers who raised him with a strong commitment to Christianity and the desire to excel at all sports. In high school, he played football, basketball, and baseball. Afterward, he attended community college in Tallahassee, Florida, then transferred to nearby Florida State University, where he played football and basketball. The Road to Excellence Charlie was an excellent basketball player through his four years at Florida State, but his achievements on the football field overshadowed what he did on the basketball court. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, he led the football team to a 22-2 record. In 1993, Charlie’s senior season, Florida State won the college national football championship for the first time. Charlie threw for 3,032 yards and 27 touchdowns, with a 69.5percent completion rate and only 4 interceptions. He was named to the college all-American first team by The Sporting News. He also won a host of major awards, including the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award, both of which go to the best college football player in the country; the Walter Camp Award, for the college player of the year; the James E. Sullivan Award, for the nation’s best amateur athlete; and the Johnny Unitas Award, for the best college quarterback. The 91 percent of firstplace votes Charlie received for his Heisman Trophy was a record. He was the first African American quarterback and the first football player from the Atlantic Coast Conference to win the Heisman. Charlie hoped to play professional football, but many scouts judged him too small, at 6 foot 2 inches, to play quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Certain that his basketball skills would be valued by teams in the NBA, Charlie 400

knew that he had an alternative to the NFL. Consequently, he announced that he would not play for an NFL team unless he was selected in the first round of the 1994 draft. Afraid of wasting a high pick on a quarterback who might shun football, NFL teams passed on Charlie. Several months later, however, the New York Knicks made Charlie a firstround selection in the NBA draft. He was the twenty-sixth pick overall. The quarterback whom many scouts thought too small to play professional football proved to be big enough to play in a sport known for the great size of its athletes. If his basketball career had not worked out, Charlie might have had still other options. In 1993, the Milwaukee Brewers had selected him as a pitcher in the Major League Baseball draft, even though Charlie never played baseball in college. The following year, the New York Yankees also drafted him. The Emerging Champion In the fall of 1994, Charlie put football behind him and began his professional basketball career. During his rookie season, he saw limited playing time. He appeared in only ten games for the Knicks, averaging 1.6 points in 4.4 minutes per game. He missed the first half of December with a sprained right wrist, and a sore left shoulder caused him to miss a month. Charlie was not on the Knicks’ postseason roster as the team advanced to the conference semifinals. The next season Charlie raised his playing time to sixty-two games, backing up teammate Derek Harper at point guard. He averaged 12.7 minutes per game, but the arrival of veteran Gary Grant cut into his playing time. Nevertheless, Charlie played in seven of eight postseason games with the Knicks, averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 assists in 13.1 minutes per game. Continuing the Story At the start of the 1996-1997 season, his third in the NBA, Charlie continued to be the Knicks’ backup point guard, this time playing behind Chris Childs. However, he also started in twenty-one games, sev-

Basketball

Charlie Ward


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

10 62 79 82 50 72 61 63 66 71 14

19 218 337 516 334 447 373 303 414 390 77

4 87 133 235 135 189 155 113 165 160 24

.211 .399 .395 .455 .404 .423 .416 .373 .378 .408 .314

10 54 125 113 78 58 70 58 53 206 51

7 37 95 91 55 48 56 53 101 84 16

.700 .685 .760 .805 .705 .828 .800 .810 .774 .741 .846

6 102 220 274 172 228 159 127 177 144 39

4 132 326 466 271 300 273 203 306 215 43

16 244 409 642 378 528 433 326 305 424 75

1.6 3.9 5.2 7.8 7.6 7.3 7.1 5.2 7.2 6.0 5.4

Totals

630

3,428

1,400

.364

1,754

639

.771

1,648

2,539

3,947

6.3


enteen of which the Knicks won. His average of 6 assists per game ranked second on the team. He played in nine playoff games at the end of that season, but the Knicks lost once again. Charlie finally came into his own as one of the top basketball players in the NBA during the 19971998 season. He started in all eighty-two games of the regular season. He led the team in assists, at 5.7 per game, and steals, at 1.7 per game. He also reached his personal best scoring average of 7.8 points per game. His 466 total assists set a team record for the Knicks. During the midseason all-star weekend that took place in New York City, Charlie participated in the AT&T Shootout and finished fourth. At the end of the season, the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the semifinal round of the playoffs. During the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season, Charlie and Allan Houston were the only players to start all fifty games for the Knicks. Once again, Charlie led the team in assists, at 5.4 per game, tied for twenty-first in the NBA, and in steals at 2.1 per game, tied for tenth place in the NBA. He played an average of 31.1 minutes per game, his ca-

Football Honors 1993 Heisman Trophy James E. Sullivan Award Maxwell Award 2006 Inducted into National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame

reer high, and was a major part of the Knicks’ surprise run to the NBA Finals. Charlie started at point guard again during the 1999-2000 season and came through for the Knicks in the playoffs. Against the Miami Heat, he averaged 12.7 points in the first four games. He also scored a career playoff-high 20 points in a gamefour win that evened the series at two games apiece. Eventually, the Knicks won the series in seven games. Knicks coach, Jeff Van Gundy, considered Charlie the team’s most valuable player during the playoffs. After the 1999-2000 season, Charlie’s playing time started to diminish. After starting sixty-nine games during that season, he started only thirtythree games during the 2000-2001 season but still managed to record respectable numbers: 4.5 assists and 7.1 points per game. In the middle of the 2003-2004 season, the Knicks traded him to the Phoenix Suns. When the Suns quickly cut him to save salary-cap space, Charlie signed with the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he finished the season. Then, he signed with the Houston Rockets. By 2004, Charlie was feeling the burden of injuries accumulated over ten years. After starting in thirteen games for the Rockets, he retired from playing. He then worked with the team as an assistant coach. In 2007, he was hired to help coach a high school basketball team in Houston. At the end of the year, he became the head coach of the school’s football team. The season was a big challenge for Charlie, as the team lost every game in 2007. He met that challenge, however, by prepar401

Charlie Ward ing the team so well that it began the 2008 season with three consecutive, lopsided wins. Summary Charlie Ward was one of the most versatile athletes ever to achieve success in more than one sport. In 1993, as a quarterback at Florida State, he led the Seminoles to the school’s first national title and won numerous awards, including the Heisman Trophy, the Sullivan Award, and the Maxwell Award. His Heisman Trophy alone is irrefutable evidence of his greatness as a college football player. He never played professional football but was certainly one of the best football players ever to play professional basketball, and he was the only Heisman winner ever to play in the NBA. In 2006, he was elected to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame. Moreover, even though he did not play college baseball, he was drafted by two Major League Baseball teams. He was also a fine tennis player. Charlie’s greatness transcended his manifold athletic skills. An excellent student throughout his

402

Great Athletes school years, he earned a degree in therapeutic recreation from Florida State, graduating with a 3.3 grade point average. He was also a model citizen at every level at which he played and was well known for devoting time during his off-seasons to such community services as youth basketball camps. Richard Slapsys, updated by the Editors Additional Sources Benson, Michael. Everything You Wanted to Know About the New York Knicks: A Who’s Who of Everyone Who Ever Played on or Coached the NBA’s Most Celebrated Team. Lanham, Md.: Taylor Trade, 2007. Hale, Mark. “Charlie Has Double Vision: Ward Now Two-Sport Coach.” New York Post, June 15, 2008. Lupica, Mike. “Eyes On The Prize.” Esquire 121, no. 3 (March, 1994): 61-62. Murphy, A. “Twice Blessed.” Sports Illustrated 77 (October 5, 1992): 32-35. Ward, Charlie, and Joe Cooney. Charlie Ward: Winning by His Grace. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 1998.

Spud Webb Born: July 13, 1963 Dallas, Texas Also known as: Anthony Jerome Webb (full name) Early Life Born in Dallas, Texas, Anthony “Spud” Webb came from a family of modest means. Growing up with his three older sisters and two brothers, Spud had a relatively happy childhood. His father was a hard-working shopkeeper, and both of Spud’s parents encouraged him to be diligent and attend church regularly. He obtained his unusual nickname as a baby, when a family friend compared the shape of his head to Sputnik, the Russian satellite. His sister shortened the word to “Spud,” and the nickname stuck. Spud loved many sports as a child. He played football and ping-pong in addition to basketball. He was even a talented boxer as a young boy. Spud showed early signs of quickness and agility, but his involvement in sports as a youth was often hampered by his small size. In the seventh grade, he stood only 4 feet 9 inches and weighed 90 pounds. However, by the time he was a senior in high school, Spud’s strong determination and nearly constant practicing had earned him a spot on the varsity team, even though he was only 5 feet 4 inches. After a successful senior season, he was one of ten players selected for the Texas all-state team. The Road to Excellence Despite Spud’s amazing ability to dunk a basketball, his quickness on defense, and his outside-shooting range, Spud was not highly recruited by colleges. Although he was disappointed that no Division I schools wanted him, he chose to attend Midland Junior College in Texas. At the junior college level, he learned many fundamentals from Coach Jerry Stone and changed to a team-oriented style of play. In 1982, Spud

led Midland to the junior college national championship and started earning national recognition. He played basketball for Midland again as a sophomore, and although his team did not repeat its national championship season, he was named to the junior college all-American team. At this time, he still had not attained his adult height of 5 feet 7 inches. The inspirational story of a man his size who could dunk was spreading.

Atlanta Hawks guard Spud Webb slamming the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1986-1987 NBA season. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

403

Great Athletes

Spud Webb


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1997-98

79 33 82 81 82 75 77 69 79 76 77 4

199 71 191 133 294 359 448 342 373 302 186 5

.483 .438 .475 .459 .477 .447 .445 .433 .460 .438 .433 .417

216 80 107 52 162 231 262 279 204 226 125 2

.785 .762 .817 .867 .871 .868 .859 .851 .813 .934 .862 1.000

123 60 146 123 201 174 223 193 222 174 100 3

337 167 337 284 477 417 547 481 528 468 294 5

616 223 490 319 751 1,003 1,231 1,000 1,005 878 544 12

7.8 6.8 6.0 3.9 9.2 13.4 16.0 14.5 12.7 11.6 7.1 3.0

Totals

814

2,903

.452

1,946

.848

1,742

4,342

8,072

9.9


No Southwest Conference schools recruited Spud, even after his successful junior-college basketball career. Therefore, he was surprised when coaches Jim Valvano and Tom Abatemarco of North Carolina State University began courting him. North Carolina State was the defending national champion, and Spud was excited to play for a team with such a respected basketball tradition. However, at North Carolina State, Spud was expected to take a much stronger leadership role, calling plays and even choosing the defense. Many people still thought Spud could not be a successful basketball player because of his size. In his first game with his new team, he proved the skeptics wrong, finishing with 18 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. He was named the most valuable player of the game and received positive media attention NBC. Spud finished his impressive college career at North Carolina State averaging 10.4 points and 5.7 assists per game. He was named to the all-tournament team by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, although his team just missed making the Final Four his senior year. The Emerging Champion Many sports commentators and coaches thought that Spud’s college days were to be the peak of his basketball career, but Spud did not give up on his dream of playing in the NBA. He participated in exhibition games and also played for a semipro team called the Rhode Island Gulls, hoping that 404

the exposure might get him drafted into the NBA. The Detroit Pistons chose him in the fourth round of the 1985 draft. He was cut from the team during training, but the Atlanta Hawks’ coach Mike Fratello signed him soon after. Spud started as the point-guard position in his first professional game and played respectably, scoring 12 points with 10 assists. At the time, he was the shortest player to ever enter an NBA game. The highlight of Spud’s career was winning the 1986 slam dunk contest. This high-profile event, more than any other, thrust him into the national spotlight. After the contest, he made numerous media appearances and represented several companies in advertising campaigns. No matter how famous he became, however, he was careful to represent only reputable companies and convey his personal integrity at all times. Continuing the Story From 1985 until 1991, Spud was an important player for the Hawks. Then, he played three statistically successful seasons with the Sacramento Kings. In the twilight of his basketball career, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Orlando

Milestones NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1986) Career high points, 34 (1993) Career high assists, 17 (1993)

Basketball

Spud Webb

Magic. He finished twelve seasons in the NBA, averaging 9.9 points per game. After his retirement in 1997, Spud spent his time managing several business interests, speaking at events, and relaxing.

amazing jumping ability were inspirational to smaller athletes, and he made history as a motivational athlete. Valerie Brown

Summary Spud Webb, whose career culminated with his victory at the 1986 slam-dunk competition, impacted both college and pro basketball. He proved that size was not always the predominant attribute of an NBA player. As of 2008, Spud was the third shortest player in NBA history. His determination and

Additional Sources McCallum, Jack. “It’s a Game of Inches After All.” Sports Illustrated, December 2, 1985. Pearlman, Jeff. “Short Guy.” Sports Illustrated, November 4, 2002. Webb, Spud, with Reid Slaughter. Flying High. New York: Harper & Row, 1988.

405

Chris Webber Born: March 1, 1973 Detroit, Michigan Also known as: Mayce Christopher Webber III (full name); C-Webb Early Life Born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 1, 1973, Mayce Christopher “Chris” Webber III was the eldest of five children of Mayce Webber, Jr., and Doris

Webber. Chris grew up in a rough, lower-middleclass neighborhood. When Chris was in sixth grade and already taller than most of his classmates, his father suggested he play basketball. Originally awkward on the court, Chris improved considerably by the time he reached high school. Though Chris wanted to remain in public school in his neighborhood, his father sent him to a private school in the upper-class suburb of Birmingham. At Detroit Country Day School, Chris came into basketball prominence. He led the team to three state basketball championships. As a senior, he averaged more than 29 points and 13 rebounds per game, earning honors as the national high school player of the year.

Chris Webber of the Philadelphia 76ers scoring on a layup against the Indiana Pacers in 2005. (Brent Smith/Reuters/ Landov)

406

The Road to Excellence Heavily recruited for his on-court presence, Chris chose to remain close to home. He enrolled at the University of Michigan. The university’s 1991 incoming freshman class also included Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, and two other talented players. Pressed into service midseason, the all-freshman unit led a darkhorse team to a winning record and collected the nickname “The Fab Five.” Chris was a standout, becoming the Big Ten Conference freshman of the year and the first-ever freshman to lead the conference in rebounds. The Fab Five played into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament and advanced to the final game. In the 1992-1993 season, Michigan had another winning record, as the Fab Five matured into a solid, smooth-running, stylish unit. Chris, a first-team all-American, headed Michigan’s efforts as team leader in scoring, rebounds, blocks, and field-goal percentage. Once again, Michigan breezed through the preliminaries of the NCAA Basketball Tournament and into the final game. The game was close throughout. With only 20 seconds remaining, Michigan was down by 2 points. However, Chris made a small blunder of far-reaching consequences. He grabbed a rebound, brought the

Basketball

Chris Webber

Milestones 1993-94 Became the first NBA rookie to total more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 blocks, and 75 steals

ball down court, and called a timeout with 11 seconds left. However, the team was out of timeouts. The penalty was a technical foul on Chris. Awarded a pair of foul shots and the ball out of bounds, the University of North Carolina pulled away to a 77-71 victory. The Emerging Champion Humiliated by his error seen by millions on national television, Chris decided to forgo his final two years in college and entered the NBA draft. The Orlando Magic chose Chris but traded him to the Golden State Warriors. Though playing out of position at center, Chris averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds to win rookie of the year honors. Clashes with Warriors coach Don Nelson caused Chris to opt out of his contract with the team, and he was traded to the Washington Bullets (later the Wizards). Chris spent four seasons (1994-1998) in Washington, averaging more than 20 points and 9 rebounds per game. In 1997-1998, he became an NBA all-star for the first time. His last year in Washington was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Stopped for speeding, Chris was arrested for possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, and other violations. In 1998, Chris was traded to the Sacramento Kings. He excelled for his new team. In the strikeshortened 1998-1999 season, he led the NBA in rebounds, averaging 13 per game, as the resurgent Kings advanced to the playoffs. Chris enjoyed some of his best years as a professional with Sacramento. He was all-NBA five years in a row, from 1999 to 2003. In 2000-2001, he averaged a career-high 27.1 points per game. The following season, he inspired the Kings to a franchise-best record of 61-21. Though he put up good numbers in the 20022003 season, Chris was in legal trouble again. As part of an investigation into gambling, he was asked to testify and was charged with lying to a grand jury. Also, evidence indicated that Chris had accepted money throughout high school and college. As a result, Michigan forfeited victories in the NCAA tournaments in which Chris had participated, forfeited the entire 1992-1993 season, and expunged Chris’s school records. Adding injury to insult, in 2003, he hurt his knee and had to undergo surgery. Continuing the Story Chris was never the same player after surgery. In 2005, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2006, he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per


GP

FGA

FGM

FG%

FTA

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

76 54 15 72 71 42 75 70 54 67 23 67 75 61 9

1,037 938 276 1,167 1,341 778 1,548 1,635 1,075 1,433 421 1,283 1,422 639 31

572 464 150 604 647 378 748 786 532 661 174 555 617 289 15

.552 .495 .543 .518 .482 .486 .483 .481 .495 .461 .413 .433 .434 .452 .484

355 233 69 313 333 174 414 461 338 354 114 228 348 132 28

189 117 41 177 196 79 311 324 253 215 81 181 263 102 5

.532 .502 .594 .565 .589 .454 .751 .703 .749 .607 .711 .794 .756 .638 .417

694 518 114 743 674 545 788 777 546 704 200 612 741 437 32

272 256 75 331 273 173 345 294 258 364 105 318 256 188 18

1,333 1,085 356 1,445 1,555 839 1,834 1,898 1,322 1,542 430 1,306 1,518 684 35

17.5 20.1 23.7 20.1 21.9 20.0 24.5 27.1 24.5 23.0 18.7 19.5 20.2 11.2 3.9

Totals

831

15,024

7,912

.479

3,906

2,534

.649

8,124

3,526

17,181

20.7


407

Chris Webber

Honors and Awards 1994 Schick NBA Rookie of the Year Unanimously named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team 1997 NBA Player of the Week for the week ending April 20 1997, 2000-03 NBA All-Star 1998-99 All-NBA Second Team 1999 NBA Player of the Week for the week ending April 25 1999, 2002-03 All-NBA Second Team 2000 All-NBA Third Team NBA All-Interview Second Team 2000-03 NBA All-Star Team 2001 All-NBA First Team 2009 Uniform number 4 retired by Sacramento Kings

game. The following year, he was injured again, his contract was bought out, and he was waived. In 2007, Chris signed with the Detroit Pistons and helped the team to the conference finals. In 2008, he returned to the Golden State Warriors. His play with the team was limited to just nine games. In March, 2008, he retired and began a new career as a television commentator on TNT network. For his career, he averaged 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds. Chris became a legitimate candidate for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame despite past legal problems. He worked hard to redeem his tarnished image through good works. In 1993, he founded the Timeout Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at inner-city youth. During his time in Sacramento, he donated tickets to Kings’ home games to at-risk families. He regularly contributed to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also exhibits his extensive collection of memora-

408

Great Athletes bilia, including rare documents signed by such historical figures as Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr., to help African American children celebrate their heritage. Summary Chris Webber experienced success at every level of basketball. Noted for his ability to score and rebound, he was a five-time NBA all-star and averaged more than 20 points and 9 rebounds per game in his career. Though he led a number of his teams to the playoffs, he was never able to triumph in big games. However, in the first decade of the twenty-first century, he helped the Kings to the franchise’s greatest success since moving to Sacramento. Jack Ewing Additional Sources Albom, Mitch. Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream. New York: Warner Books, 1993. McMullen, Jackie. “Webb Feat.” Sports Illustrated, January 31, 2000. Macnow, Glen. Sports Great Chris Webber. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 1999. Russo, Chris, and Allen St. John. The Mad Dog One Hundred: The Greatest Sports Arguments of All Time. New York: Doubleday, 2003. Shapiro, Len, and Andy Pollin. The Great Book of Washington D.C. Sports Lists. New York: Running Press, 2008. Thornley, Stew. Super Sports Star: Chris Webber. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 2002.

Jerry West Born: May 28, 1938 Cheylan, West Virginia Also known as: Jerry Alan West (full name); Mr. Clutch; Zeke from Cabin Creek

Basketball, however, became his most successful sport.

The Road to Excellence Jerry first played basketball on the Cheylan Junior High School team and went on to play at East Bank Early Life High School. He set basketball records for East Jerry Alan West was born on May 28, 1938, in Cheylan, West Virginia, near the state capital of Bank High School in field goals, free throws, and total points. Charleston. Cheylan was a small town of approxiJerry’s high school coach, Roy Williams, inmately five hundred people. The West family mailstilled in Jerry the desire to learn all aspects of the ing address was listed as Cabin Creek, West Virgame: shooting, defense, passing, and playmaking. ginia. During his sophomore year in high school, Jerry Life in the coal-mining community of Cheylan suffered a broken ankle, the first of a series of mawas quiet and conservative. Jerry’s father, Howard, jor injuries in his career. After much hard work and worked as a machine operator, gas station owner practice, he was able to continue his brilliant high and operator, and electrician. The family lived in a school basketball career. six-bedroom house. Jerry, one of six children, had three brothers and two sisters. He participated in Jerry led East Bank High School to the West Virginia state championship in 1956. In his senior several junior high school and high school sports. year, he averaged 34.2 points per game and became the first player in West Virginia to score more than 900 points in a single season. He was selected to the all-state and all-tournament teams. Fred Schaus, West Virginia University basketball coach and, later, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, recruited Jerry to attend West Virginia University. As a sophomore, Jerry played on the West Virginia team, which was ranked number one in the country in 1958. During his three-year varsity career at West Virginia, Jerry averaged 24.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.6 percent. He was voted most valuable player (MVP) each of his three years on varsity. He also played for the winning 1958 Pan-American Games team and the 1960 gold-medal Olympic team in Rome, Italy. Finally, Jerry was the MVP in the 1959 National Collegiate Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West dribbling the ball past the defense of the Chicago Bulls in a 1968 playoff game. (AP/Wide World Photos) Athletic Association Final Four. 409

Great Athletes

Jerry West The Emerging Champion Jerry entered the NBA in 1961, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. His first year as a professional was disappointing, as he averaged only 17.6 points per game. With much dedication and perseverance, he finished his second year with an average of 30.8 points per game. One of the highlights of his second season came on January 17, 1962, when he scored 63 points against the New York Knicks; at the time, the point total was a single-game scoring record for guards. Jerry averaged a career high of 31.3 points per game during the 1965-1966 playing season. By this time in his career, Jerry was beginning to be recognized as “Mr. Clutch.” He earned this nickname because of his ability to win numerous college and professional games in high-pressure situations. One of his most memorable shots was a 60-foot basket he made in game three of the 1970 NBA Finals against New York to send the game into overtime. Jerry became the fifth player in NBA history to score 20,000 points and the third player to score 25,000 points. He was also recognized for his defensive skills and was selected to the NBA all-defensive team from 1969 to 1973. He led the Lakers to the NBA Finals nine times. In the 1969 finals, against the Boston Celtics, Jerry became the first player on a losing team to win the NBA Finals MVP award. In 1972, Jerry led the Lakers to the franchise’s first NBA Championship in Los Angeles. Including

the playoff games, the Lakers record for the 19711972 season was an incredible 81-16. Long after his retirement from playing, Jerry continued to hold many of the Los Angeles Lakers team records. He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979 and to the NBA thirty-fifth anniversary all-time team in 1980. Jerry met his wife, Jane, while they were students at West Virginia University. They had three sons, David, Michael, and Mark. After his first marriage ended in divorce, Jerry married Karen Bua in 1978. She had been a cheerleader at Pepperdine University. They had two sons. Their son Jonnie attended West Virginia University, where he played basketball for the Mountaineers. Continuing the Story Jerry had a distinguished fourteen-year career in the NBA. Former opponents, teammates, coaches, fans, and officials respected his talent and referred to him as the complete ballplayer. His speed, quickness, shooting ability, leadership, consistency, and perfectionism made him one of college basketball’s and the NBA’s best players. It is perhaps his dedication and hard work that best characterized Jerry’s basketball career. The fame and recognition that Jerry received did not change his personality. He remained modest, respectful, and courteous. He suffered numerous injuries throughout his high school, college, and professional careers. He overcame these injuries to


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74

79 75 55 72 74 79 66 51 61 74 69 77 69 31

529 799 559 740 822 818 645 476 545 831 667 735 618 232

.419 .445 .461 .484 .497 .473 .464 .514 .471 .497 .494 .477 .479 .447

331 712 371 584 648 840 602 391 490 647 525 515 339 165

.666 .769 .778 .832 .821 .860 .878 .811 .821 .824 .832 .814 .805 .833

611 591 384 443 447 562 392 294 262 338 320 327 289 116

333 402 307 403 364 480 447 310 423 554 655 747 607 206

1,389 2,310 1,489 2,064 2,292 2,476 1,892 1,343 1,580 2,309 1,859 1,985 1,575 629

17.6 30.8 27.1 28.7 31.0 31.3 28.7 26.3 25.9 31.2 26.9 25.8 22.8 20.3

Totals

932

9,016

.474

7,160

.814

5,376

6,238

25,192

27.0


410

Basketball

Jerry West

Honors, Awards, and Records 1958 Gold medal, Pan-American Games 1959 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player NCAA All-Tournament Team 1959-60 Consensus All-American 1960 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball Inducted into U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame 1962-73 All-NBA Team 1962-74 NBA All-Star Team 1965-66 NBA record for the most free throws made in a season (840) 1969 NBA Finals most valuable player 1969-73 NBA All-Defensive Team 1972 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1979 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1980 NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team Uniform number 44 retired by Los Angeles Lakers 1995, 2004 NBA Executive of the Year 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1999 Named one of the twenty best players of all time 2005 Uniform number 44 retired by West Virginia University 2007 Statue of West dedicated at the West Virginia University Coliseum

become a thirteen-time NBA all-star. He was named to the all-NBA first team twelve times. This success inspired many young people to participate in basketball. He was appointed as the Lakers’ head coach in 1976. In three seasons, he guided the team to a 145-101 record. From 1979 to 1982, he served as a scout and special consultant for the Lakers. He was hired as general manager in 1982 and appointed president of the Lakers in the summer of 1988, helping build the Lakers dynasty of the 1980’s. In 1995, he was promoted to executive vice president of basketball operations for the Lakers. After the team posted its best record in four campaigns, Jerry was named the NBA executive of the year for 1995. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 1996-1997 season, he was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 1999, he was named one of the twenty best NBA players of all time. After the Lakers won the NBA Championship in 2000, Jerry announced

his retirement from basketball. When the Lakers repeated in 2001, he had the satisfaction of knowing he had built the team. In 2002, Jerry became the president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies had been one of the worst NBA teams, but through Jerry’s efforts, the Grizzlies won fifty games during the 2004 season. He was named executive of the year by the NBA. Jerry left his position with the Grizzlies in 2007. Afterward, he focused on helping the Lakers as an interested fan who could be trusted to impart some valuable words of wisdom. With his love for the game and his love for the Lakers, Jerry was looking to help mold another championship team in Los Angeles.

Summary For many fans, the names “Mr. Clutch” or “Mr. Consistency” are synonymous with Jerry West. His cool, calm, and collected personality and leadership ability on the court were a coach’s dream. Jerry must be ranked as one of the best all-time players in the history of the NBA. It is appropriate that a silhouette of him dribbling a ball is used in the NBA’s official logo. Dana D. Brooks, updated by Jeffry Jensen Additional Sources Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Lace, William W. The Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Team. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 1998. Lazenby, Roland. The Lakers: A Basketball Journey. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1993. Ramen, Fred. Jerry West. New York: Rosen Central, 2002. Thornley, Stew. Basketball’s Original Dynasty: The History of the Lakers. Minneapolis: Nodin Press, 1989.

411

Nera White Born: November 15, 1935 Macon County, Tennessee Also known as: Nera Dyson White (full name)

was working in the mailing department at H. O. Ball’s. This job and playing basketball for NBC consumed most of her young adult life.

Early Life Born in 1935, in Macon, Tennessee, Nera White was the oldest of seven children and was raised on a farm near the small town of Lafayette, Tennessee. She started as a freshman on the Macon County High School women’s basketball team and was voted most valuable player for her district in 1954. Women’s basketball was played differently in Nera’s day. Each team had six women on the floor: two on defense only, two on offense only, and two that could run up and down the floor. Nera averaged 25 points per game during her senior year and was named to the Nashville Banner’s all-Middle Tennessee second team. A natural athlete, Nera also excelled in men’s baseball and softball, playing center field and shortstop. Reportedly, she could circle softball bases in 10 seconds. At 6 feet 1 inch, Nera was not the tallest or biggest player in women’s basketball. Her main attributes were her great speed and large hands that could easily palm a basketball.

The Emerging Champion Nera led her NBC team to AAU Championships ten times, including eight straight from 1962 to 1969. Before women’s basketball was an Olympic event, Nera led the U.S. national team to a firstplace finish at the 1957 FIBA World Championship in Rio de Janeiro; she was named most valuable player in the tournament. In those days, international teams for the United States were thrown together haphazardly. Nera’s 1957 championship team did not even practice together until it was in Brazil, and then the team practiced outside only. Nera was the star not only of the talented NBC team but also of all women’s AAU basketball. A perfectionist who demanded the best from herself and her teammates, Nera was not impressed by the lack of organization at the international level. Nera recalled the 1958 trip to Moscow, Russia, during the height of the Cold War, when Soviet hosts withheld dinner until after the game was over. She and her American teammates literally played hungry. A good outside shooter with impressive leaping ability, Nera could routinely dunk the basketball, according to her teammates. Like many great basketball players, Nera was more concerned with winning and leading than with individual honors. She always passed first in order to get easy baskets for her teammates. When ballhandling skills were required, Nera could dribble with the best players of her day. A complete athlete on the basketball court, Nera could also play defense and rebound. Unlike the more physical style of subsequent gen-

The Road to Excellence Intelligent and extremely shy, Nera probably would have gone unnoticed in an age before Title IX leveled the playing field for women athletes. However, Nera played for the Nashville Business College (NBC) in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in 1954. Her outstanding play earned her all-American status. She was an all-American fifteen years in all, every year until her retirement in 1969. Nera studied at the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tennessee, and all that prevented her from getting a bachelor’s degree in education was her shyness and inability to speak in front of an audience. With small groups of friends or teammates, Nera could hold her own in conversation. However, her timid nature kept her from relating to larger groups that were not assembled to watch her on the basketball court. Nera’s full-time job 412

Honors and Awards 1955-69 Amateur Athletic Union All-American 1957 Gold medal, World Championships World Championships most valuable player 1992 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1999 Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame 2000 Sports Illustrated for Women top 100 sportswomen

Basketball erations, the game Nera played was more like a ballet and less like a wrestling match. Continuing the Story Nera adopted a teammate’s child at his birth at the same time that NBC was folding; basketball was transitioning from six players to five. In 1969, even though she was a single mother to a biologically unrelated child, she raised her son in Tennessee. Life after basketball was uncertain for Nera. For several years, she had worked for H. O. Ball, farmed in the summers, and played AAU basketball the rest of the time. She had a comfortable routine. Shortly after Mr. Ball died in 1977, Nera lost her job. In her early forties with a son to raise, Nera could not find work. In 1982, she returned to her family farm where she raised beef cattle, silage, and tobacco. Passionate about guarding her privacy, Nera rarely gave interviews and preferred the company of her fellow local farmers. Her hometown of Lafayette named the high school gym in her honor.

Nera White Summary In 1992, Nera White was the first women’s player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1999, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Upon her retirement in 1969, Nera was admitted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. In an era before scholarships, professional leagues, or product endorsements, Nera was a pioneer in women’s basketball. Those who saw her play or played against her during her glory days acclaim her as one of, if not the, greatest women’s basketball player of all time. Randy L. Abbott Additional Sources Ikard, Robert W. Just for Fun: The Story of AAU Women’s Basketball. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 2005. Marantz, Steve. “A Good Life Regretted: Women Basketball Legend Nera White.” Sporting News, March 4, 1996, pp. 32-35.

413

Lenny Wilkens Born: October 28, 1937 Brooklyn, New York Also known as: Leonard Randolph Wilkens, Jr. (full name) Early Life Leonard “Lenny” Randolph Wilkens, Jr., was born on October 28, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a four-room apartment in the tough Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. This area has produced many fine athletes, but it has also produced many youngsters who were unable to escape the temptations of the neighborhood. Lenny’s African American father, a chauffeur, died in 1941, and Lenny’s Irish American mother, Henrietta Cross Wilkens, worked in a candy factory. Lenny began delivering groceries for a neighborhood vegetable market when he was seven to help support his four younger siblings. Henrietta, a devout Catholic, stressed to Lenny the importance of staying in school so he could make something of himself. Lenny, a left-hander, became wellknown throughout the neighborhood for his athletic skills. After he was encouraged by Father Thomas Mannion, Lenny starred in Catholic Youth Organization leagues in Brooklyn in his early teens. He later credited Mannion for making him work to improve himself. He also strived to model himself after his childhood hero, Jackie Robinson, who became Major League Baseball’s first African American player, with the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1947. The Road to Excellence Lenny did not play varsity basketball until his senior year at legendary Boys High School. He had quit the team the previous year after the coach did not play him because of his slight physique. 414

Mannion and Lenny’s boyhood friend Tommy Davis—who later won a batting title for the Los Angeles Dodgers—finally persuaded Lenny to try the high school team again. Davis was the star, and Lenny’s job was to pass the ball to him. Lenny averaged 11 points per game in his senior year and received enough notice to earn a scholarship to Providence College, which Mannion had encouraged to recruit him.

Lenny Wilkens with the Seattle SuperSonics. (Courtesy of Seattle SuperSonics)

Basketball

Lenny Wilkens

At Providence College, where Lenny was one of only six African American students, he averaged 14.9 points per game and impressed professional basketball scouts with his ability to pass and create shots for his teammates. His 1,193 points were second most in school history. Providence was not known as a basketball school in those days, but Lenny helped the Friars receive attention. The basketball team had never won more than nineteen games in a season before Lenny arrived, but it won eighteen, twenty, and twenty-four games in his three varsity seasons. In each of Lenny’s last two seasons, Providence played in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which was nearly as important in those days as the National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament became in the subsequent decades. Lenny was named to allAmerican teams and was selected the 1960 NIT most valuable player (MVP). The two twenty-win seasons that Lenny helped to produce brought so much prestige and so many good players to the school’s basketball program that Providence won twenty games in each of the seven years after Lenny left. In 1960 Lenny graduated with a degree in economics and was drafted in the first round by the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks of the NBA and signed for $8,000 with a $1,500 bonus. Although some thought him too small, at 6 feet 1 inch, to make an impact in professional basketball, Lenny wanted only a chance.

The Emerging Champion Lenny continued to shine as a point guard with St. Louis. The Hawks had a team of established stars, such as Cliff Hagan, Clyde Lovellette, and Bob Pettit—all future hall of famers—so once again, Lenny was asked to pass instead of shoot. Nonetheless, he averaged 11.9 points during his rookie year. Lenny was satisfied with his role. Although he could score, he realized the importance of distributing the ball and playing unselfishly. As good a player as he was, Lenny was best at making the players around him better. Many times, Lenny drove to the basket, drawing an extra defender, and slipped the ball to a teammate for an easy layup and two points for his team. Known as one of the great playmakers in the history of basketball, Lenny led the NBA in assists for the 1969-1970 and 1971-1972 seasons. He was selected as the MVP of the 1971 NBA all-star game and finished second to Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers in the MVP voting for the 1967-1968 season, when he averaged 20 points and 8.3 assists. Most players equate ability with scoring points. Lenny did not feel that way. He was happy to do his job with the same cool, quiet precision that he began displaying in his rookie season. He was content to let someone else receive the honors and accolades. The New York Knicks’ Bill Bradley, a future U.S. senator, described Lenny as the smartest backcourt player he had ever faced.


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1960-61 1961-62 1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75

75 20 75 78 78 69 78 82 82 75 71 80 75 74 65

333 140 333 334 434 411 448 546 644 448 471 479 572 462 134

.425 .385 .399 .413 .414 .431 .432 .438 .440 .420 .419 .466 .449 .465 .439

214 84 222 270 416 422 459 546 547 438 461 480 394 289 152

.713 .764 .696 .740 .746 .793 .787 .768 .770 .788 .803 .774 .828 .801 .768

335 131 403 335 365 322 412 438 511 378 319 338 346 277 120

212 116 381 359 431 429 442 679 674 683 654 766 628 522 235

880 364 888 938 1,284 1,244 1,355 1,638 1,835 1,334 1,403 1,438 1,538 1,213 420

11.7 18.2 11.8 12.0 16.5 18.0 17.4 20.0 22.4 17.8 19.8 18.0 20.5 16.4 6.5

Totals

1,077

6,189

.432

5,394

.774

5,030

7,211

17,772

16.5


415

Great Athletes

Lenny Wilkens

Honors and Awards 1960 NIT most valuable player Consensus All-American 1963-65, 1967-71, 1973 NBA All-Star Team 1971 NBA All-Star Game most valuable player 1989 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (as a player) 1994 NBA Coach of the Year 1996 One of NBA Top Ten coaches in history NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 1998 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (as a coach) Uniform number 19 retired by Seattle SuperSonics

After eight years in St. Louis, Lenny was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, a team introduced to the league in 1967. The Seattle management thought that with a player like Lenny the team might improve quickly. The SuperSonics even gave Lenny the chance to be player-coach in 1969, after he had averaged a career-high 22.4 points the previous season. He became the NBA’s second African American coach, following Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. In Lenny’s third year as player-coach, he guided the Sonics to a 47-35 record. Lenny then played for the Cleveland Cavaliers for two seasons. In 1975, he finished his playing career as player-coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. In fifteen seasons in the NBA, he scored 17,772 points, made 7,211 assists, and was selected as a member of the NBA all-star team nine times. He averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game. Highly admired by his teammates and opponents, Lenny served as vice president of the NBA Players Association from 1961 to 1969. Continuing the Story Lenny decided that he liked coaching and continued in the game after he retired as a player. He coached in Portland for two years, laying the foundation for the Trail Blazers team that won the NBA title in 1976-1977. Lenny returned to the SuperSonics as the director of player personnel in May, 1977. In 1977-1978, he took over a struggling Seattle team that had won only five of its first twenty-two games. He guided a collection of young, unknown players to the NBA Finals that season, where they lost in a hard416

fought seven-game series to the Washington Bullets. The next season, Lenny and the Sonics finally won the championship. Lenny took control of the losing Cleveland Cavaliers in the late 1980’s and helped turn that team around. During the 1988-1989 and the 1991-1992 seasons, Lenny led the Cavaliers to fifty-seven wins, the most victories in the history of the franchise. After the playoffs in 1993, Lenny left the Cavaliers and became head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. In 1994, for the first time in his coaching career, he was selected as the NBA coach of the year. On January 6, 1995, Lenny became the all-time winningest coach in NBA history with 939 victories, surpassing the 938 wins of the Boston Celtics’ great coach Red Auerbach. After serving as an assistant coach under Chuck Daly on the U.S. Dream Team that won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, Lenny coached the U.S. Dream Team II to the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. Ironically, despite his glowing career at Providence, Lenny had not been invited to the tryouts for the 1960 Olympic team. In June, 2000, Lenny became the head coach of the Toronto Raptors. After two winning seasons, the Raptors stumbled to a 24-58 record in 20022003, and Lenny was fired. His unemployment was brief. In January, 2004, the New York Knicks hired him. He was unable, however, to turn that declining franchise around and resigned the following January. After working for Fox Sports Northwest, Lenny became vice chairman of the Seattle SuperSonics in 2006 and was named vice president of basketball operations shortly afterward. He left that post in July, 2007. Summary In 1996, Lenny was named one of the NBA’s top ten coaches. As part of the celebration of the golden anniversary of the NBA during the 19961997 season, he was picked as one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. Despite never having a superstar on his teams, Lenny left coaching with 1,332 victories, the most in NBA history. Over his record thirty-two-year coaching career, his teams won fifty or more games nine times and two divi-

Basketball sional titles and went to the NBA Finals twice, winning one championship. His outstanding career earned him honorary doctorates from Providence, Seattle University, and St. Francis College in his native Brooklyn. Through all his achievements, Lenny remained the same shy person he was as a player. Even when his team won the championship, he gave all the credit to the players. He seldom raised his voice at his players or at the referees, and he never tried to draw attention to himself. When dealing with players, Lenny was known as tough but fair. Lenny was never interested in who got the credit for winning games or championships. He let others score the points and get the headlines. Nonetheless, basketball fans and insiders knew how much Lenny contributed to his teams. Lenny was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1989 and as a coach in 1998, joining

Lenny Wilkens John Wooden and Bill Sharman as the only individuals enshrined in both categories. John McNamara, updated by Michael Adams Additional Sources Dolin, Nick, Chris Dolin, and David Check. Basketball Stars: The Greatest Players in the History of the Game. New York: Black Dog and Leventhal, 1997. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Pluto, Terry. Tall Stories: The Glory Years of the NBA, in the Words of the Men Who Played, Coached, and Built Pro Basketball. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992. Triche, Arthur, ed. From Sweet Lou to ’Nique: Twentyfive Years with the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta, Ga.: Longstreet Press, 1992. Wilkens, Lenny, and Terry Pluto. Unguarded: My Forty Years Surviving in the NBA. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2001.

417

Dominique Wilkins Born: January 12, 1960 Paris, France Also known as: Jacques Dominique Wilkins (full name); Human Highlight Film Early Life Jacques Dominique Wilkins was born in Paris, France, on January 12, 1960, the son of a United

States Army sergeant stationed near the French capital. He was the second of eight children of Gertrude and John Wilkins. John Wilkins left the family when Dominique was just thirteen. The family later moved to Washington, North Carolina, where Dominique lived under his mother’s watchful eye. Gertrude felt her son was a target for all kinds of criminal types. He trusted just about everyone he met. Dominique was enterprising. At fifteen he challenged men in their twenties to games of one-on-one basketball; the winner of each game collected one dollar. Dominique beat them regularly and gave the money to his mother to buy food for the family. “I always thought he was doing odd jobs, raking grass,” Gertrude said in People Weekly. Dominique was more exacting: “She thought I was stealing it. She was always second-guessing me.”

Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks asking for the ball near the basket. (Courtesy of Atlanta Hawks)

418

The Road to Excellence Playing for a dollar a game against men of the street was not to be Dominique’s full-time occupation, however. As a high school senior, he established himself as a basketball phenomenon and attracted the attention of many large universities with his free-wheeling, run-anddunk-the-ball play. The University of Georgia was the school that finally lured Dominique onto campus. In his freshman season, 1979-1980, he played in sixteen games, scoring a total of 297 points for an average of 18.6 points per game. This kind of performance while on the second team prompted the coaches to make Dominique a starter the next season. In the 1980-1981 season, Dominique saw twice as much playing time as he had as a freshman. Playing in thirty-one games, he scored 732 points for a 23.6-points-per-game average and grabbed more than 200 rebounds. Dominique was named to The Sporting News AllAmerican second team for his season performance. The next season was nearly as good. Again

Basketball

Dominique Wilkins


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1996-97 1998-99

82 81 81 78 79 78 80 80 81 42 71 74 77 63 27

601 684 853 888 828 909 814 810 770 424 741 698 496 397 50

.493 .479 .451 .468 .463 .464 .464 .484 .470 .464 .468 .440 .424 .417 .379

230 382 486 577 607 541 442 459 476 294 519 442 266 281 29

.682 .770 .806 .818 .818 .826 .844 .807 .829 .835 .828 .847 .782 .803 .690

478 582 557 618 494 502 553 521 732 295 482 481 401 402 71

129 126 200 206 261 224 211 200 265 158 227 169 166 119 16

1,434 1,750 2,217 2,366 2,294 2,397 2,099 2,138 2,101 1,179 2,121 1,923 1,370 1,145 134

17.5 21.6 27.4 30.3 29.0 30.7 26.2 26.7 25.9 28.1 29.9 26.0 17.8 18.2 5.0

Totals

1,074

9,963

.461

6,031

.811

7,169

2,677

26,668

24.8


was making a contribution to his team’s wins, the press said he lacked true team-leadership skills. Dominique was viewed by some as a mere curiosity whose talents were best used in jumping high and winning slam-dunk competitions. He was not considered a “real” player. Atlanta teammate Scott Hastings said in a Sports Illustrated article by Jack McCallum, “’Nique used to do slam-dunk champiThe Emerging Champion Drafted by the Utah Jazz of the NBA in the first onships in the warmups, and it tired him out. He had a second-quarter sweat going before the game round in 1982, Dominique dropped out of college to become a professional basketball player. Before started.” Dominique took such criticism to heart and the 1982-1983 NBA season began, however, Domchanged his style of play. “I wanted to prove I was a inique was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for two players and an undisclosed amount of cash. total player,” Dominique said in Sports Illustrated. “I wanted to change people’s opinion of me. It bothThe trade worked out well for Atlanta. In the ered me that I had never made the all-star team, that first two seasons with Dominique on the team, the Hawks made the playoffs. Although Dominique people thought all I could do was dunk.” No longer was he known solely as the player who ran up the floor to make the spectacular slam Honors and Awards dunk. Dominique developed a smooth jump shot and assumed a leadership 1981-82 Sporting News All-American 1983 NBA All-Rookie Team role on the team. 1983-84, 1986-91 NBA All-Star Team When Atlanta coach Mike Fratello 1986 All-NBA First Team installed Dominique at the “big-guard” 1987-88, 1991, 1993 All-NBA Second Team 1989, 1994 All-NBA Third Team spot on the team, observers were amazed 1996 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball at the results. In the 1985-1986 season, Euroleague Final Four most valuable player Dominique was the NBA’s scoring cham2001 Uniform number 21 retired by the Atlanta Hawks pion with an average of 30.3 points per 2004 Inducted into Georgia Sports Hall of Fame 2006 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame game. In the playoffs that same season, Dominique had a game high of 50 points playing in thirty-one games, Dominique scored a total of 659 points and had a 21.3 points-per-game average. Again his rebounds exceeded 200, and again he received all-American honors. Although he was still an undergraduate, the NBA was seriously interested in his talents.

419

Dominique Wilkins against the Detroit Pistons, whom the Hawks beat 140-122. None of those points were scored by slam dunks, and it was the first 50-point performance in the playoffs since 1975, when Bob McAdoo scored as many for Buffalo. In the 1985-1986 season, Dominique was named to the Eastern Conference all-star team for the first time. This honor was the result of dedicated play for the Hawks. His Atlanta teammates remarked that Dominique had accepted the responsibility of the team leader. From the 1985-1986 season through the 1988-1989 season, Dominique led the Hawks to fifty or more wins each campaign. Continuing the Story With a $6.5 million contract that his mother negotiated for him—“I think he should be paid more,” she said in People Weekly—Dominique was able to support his mother, three sisters, two brothers, and his daughter, Aisha. A trusting, calm person, Dominique continued to be managed by his mother, for whom he bought a $250,000 house in Atlanta. “He’s the target for crooks and leeches because he trusts everyone,” his mother said. Dominique settled in a four-bedroom house outside Atlanta and bought two cars, a Ferrari and a Mercedes. In addition, Dominique continued to anchor the Atlanta team and lead the NBA in scoring statistics. No longer labeled an undisciplined player on the court, he earned the respect of the league. “I don’t see any part of his game that hasn’t improved,” said Fratello in People Weekly. In the early 1990’s, Dominique became an allaround contributor to the Hawks. During the 19901991 season, he averaged 25.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Midway through the 19911992 season, Dominique ruptured his Achilles tendon, but he came back strong the next season to post a 29.9 scoring average for the Hawks. After finishing the 1994 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, he played for the Boston Celtics during the 1994-1995 campaign, averaging 17.8 points per game. In August, 1995, Dominique played in the Greek League for Panathinaikos Athens. He averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in leading the team to the European Championship for Men’s Clubs in 1996. He was named a member of the U.S. Olympic

420

Great Athletes Dream Team II, which captured the gold medal in Atlanta in 1996. Dominique returned to the NBA for the 19961997 campaign, playing for the San Antonio Spurs. He was a pleasant surprise, leading the Spurs in scoring with 18.2 points per game and also contributing 6.4 rebounds per game. During the 1997-1998 season, he played in Europe for Teamsystem Bolognia in Italy. He then made another NBA comeback during the 1998-1999 season with the Orlando Magic. He saw limited action and only averaged 5.0 points per game. Dominique ended his NBA career in 1999. He had been selected to the all-NBA first team in 1986; to the all-NBA second team in 1987, 1988, 1991, and 1993; and to the all-NBA third team in 1989 and 1994. He finished with 26,668 career points, an average of 24.8 points per game. After he retired as a player, Dominique remained active in basketball. He held numerous positions with the Atlanta Hawks, including the vice president of basketball. He started his own company, whose product is distributed in the South. In 2006, Dominique was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Summary Known as the “Human Highlight Film,” Dominique Wilkins emerged from the University of Georgia to become one of the greatest players to wear an Atlanta Hawks uniform. A member of the all-NBA team four times and NBA scoring champion in 1986, Dominique became a master of the game and a true team leader. Rustin Larson Additional Sources Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Lawrence, Andrew. “Dominique Wilkins, Forward.” Sports Illustrated 102, no. 24 (June 13, 2005): 14. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Triche, Arthur, ed. From Sweet Lou to ’Nique: Twentyfive Years with the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1992.

Natalie Williams Born: November 30, 1970 Long Beach, California Early Life Natalie Williams was born November 30, 1970, to Nathaniel Russell Williams and Robyn Barker in Long Beach, California. She was raised in Taylorsville, Utah, near Salt Lake City, with a half sister and two half brothers. Her father played in the NBA for nine years. While in high school, Natalie— who eventually reached 6 feet 2 inches in height—excelled in athletics. She played basketball and volleyball and won the Utah state long-jump championship in track and field. During her senior year, she led the Taylorsville volleyball and basketball teams to state championships. The Road to Excellence Natalie attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where she led the volleyball team to the Final Four each of her four years. Thanks to her tremendous spiking ability, UCLA won the national volleyball championship in 1990 and 1991. Natalie was twice named national player of the year and was a four-year all-American in volleyball at UCLA. She represented the United States in volleyball at the 1991 and 1993 World University Games. At the 1993 Games, Natalie carried the torch in the Opening Ceremony. During her four seasons on the Bruins’ basketball team, from 1991 to 1994, Natalie averaged 20.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. She was named to the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) allAmerican first team in 1993, becoming the first woman to earn all-American honors in both basketball and volleyball during the same year. Natalie repeated as a dual allAmerican in 1994 and was a Naismith player of the year finalist in both 1993 and 1994. She was also a 1993 Kodak all-American. In addition, Natalie was named to the Pac-10 Conference all-decade team for the 1990’s.

The Emerging Champion After graduating from UCLA with a degree in sociology, Natalie played professional volleyball for two years with the Utah Predators. In 1996, she was named an alternate on the 1996 U.S. women’s Olympic volleyball team and also received a prestigious honor as Utah’s female athlete of the century. During the 1996-1997 season, Natalie played for the Portland Power in the American Basketball League (ABL), an independent professional bas-

Natalie Williams shooting a free throw for the Utah Starzz in a 2002 game. (Kent Horner/NBAE/Getty Images)

421

Great Athletes

Natalie Williams


GP

FGM

FGA

FG%

FTM

FTA

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

28 29 31 31 34 34 34

180 179 349 285 363 293 248

347 365 171 124 176 133 103

.519 .490 .490 .435 .485 .454 .415

144 182 133 132 148 119 67

191 228 97 98 105 83 45

.754 .798 .729 .742 .709 .697 .672

257 336 308 255 255 235 186

25 51 55 38 46 62 31

504 543 439 351 457 349 251

18.0 18.7 14.2 11.3 13.4 10.3 7.4

Totals

221

2,250

1,066

.474

1,018

754

.741

1,832

308

2,894

13.1


ketball organization for women that eventually included eleven teams. During her first professional season, Natalie was a unanimous all-ABL selection. The following season, she led the league in scoring and rebounding and was named most valuable player. Led by Natalie’s dominating play, the Power rose from last place in 1996-1997 to the Western Conference Championship in 1997-1998. During three seasons with the Power, Natalie averaged 20.0 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game. In 1998, after the ABL folded, Natalie led the U.S. national team to a gold medal in the FIBA Women’s World Championship. Gathering 86 rebounds, she set an American women’s record for a single world-championship series. In the 1999 draft of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the Utah Starzz selected Natalie as the third overall pick. Throughout the 1999 season, Natalie was dominant in scoring and rebounding. That year, she played in the first WNBA all-star game and was the leading scorer for the victorious Western Conference. Natalie then led the Starzz into the WNBA playoffs. Natalie and Utah Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek won the two-ball contest during the 1999

Honors and Awards 1993-94 All-American First Team Kodak All-American at UCLA 1994 Pac-10 Athlete of the Decade 1996 Utah’s Woman Athlete of the Century 1996-97 All-ABL First Team 1998 ABL most valuable player 1999 USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year 1999-2001 WNBA All-Star Team All-WNBA First Team 2000 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball

422

NBA events associated with the all-star game. As a member of the U.S. senior women’s national team, Natalie played in the 1999 hall-of-fame enshrinement game in October. Against a select team of WNBA stars, Natalie led in scoring and rebounding. Continuing the Story Showing tremendous dedication, athleticism, footwork, and the ability to outplay opponents under the basket, Natalie developed a well-balanced offensive game. Like her father, Natalie became adept at banking shots off the glass. She also featured a consistent midrange jump shot and developed into a good free-throw shooter. Natalie, strong and powerful but with a soft shooting touch, patterned her game after Utah Jazz power forward Karl Malone. In seventeen of the twenty-nine games she played for the Starzz in the 2000 season, she scored and rebounded in double figures. During 2000, she averaged 18.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game and was again selected to play in the WNBA all-star game. She was also selected to the 2000 allWNBA first team. In 2000, Natalie won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. Women’s Olympic team. Natalie scored 15 points and collected 9 rebounds in the deciding game against Australia. Back in the United States, she continued to play for the Starzz until 2002, the year she opened up a restaurant in Salt Lake City. She was a torch bearer for the 2002 Winter Games in that city. Before the start of the 2003 season, she was traded to the Indiana Fever. In 2003, Natalie started all thirty-four games, was second on the team in scoring and rebounding, and played in the WNBA all-star game. In 2003-2004, Natalie played for a women’s team

Basketball in Russia in order to compete in the International Basketball Federation World Cup. Natalie led the team in scoring and rebounding, as the team finished third in the tournament. Natalie also played briefly with the team in Euroleague competition before returning to the United States late in 2004 to rejoin the Fever. Before the 2005 season, Natalie announced that season would be her last. By the end of her career, she had played in 221 professional games, averaging 8.3 rebounds and 13.1 points per game. After retirement, Natalie, was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and concentrated on raising her adopted twins. In addition to conducting basketball skills clinics for girls, she worked in real estate and served as an assistant coach for a girls’ basketball team at Skyline High School. Summary A two-sport athlete, Natalie Williams earned allAmerican honors in both basketball and volleyball at UCLA. She was a key member of the U.S. wom-

Natalie Williams en’s basketball teams that won gold medals in the 1998 FIBA World Basketball Championships and the 2000 Summer Olympics. An athletic player around the basket, Natalie was a dominant force in the ABL and made a major impact in the WNBA as a leader in scoring and rebounding during a tenyear professional career. Alvin K. Benson, updated by Jack Ewing Additional Sources Benson, Harriet. Boosters Always Win! The Fans of Women’s Basketball. Palo Alto, Calif.: Tip-Off Press, 2003. Layden, Joseph. Superstars of U.S.A. Women’s Basketball. New York: Aladdin, 2000. O’Reilly, Jean, and Susan K. Cahn, eds. Women and Sports in the United States: A Documentary Reader. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2007. Owens, Tom, and Diana Star Helmer. Teamwork: The Utah Starzz in Action. New York: Rosen, 1999. Terzieff, Juliette. Women of the Court: Inside the WNBA. New York: Alyson Books, 2008.

423

Lynette Woodard Born: August 12, 1959 Wichita, Kansas Early Life Lynette Woodard was born on August 12, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest in a family that included three sisters and one brother. Lynette became excited about basketball at an early age as she watched her cousin Geese Ausbie perform his Harlem Globetrotter ballhandling tricks. At the age of five, Lynette began to practice what she saw her cousin do and spent a lot of time playing basketball.

and twice an academic all-American, matching her hardwood performances with dedication in the classroom. Lynette was recognized as the nation’s best collegiate female basketball player when she won the Wade Trophy in 1981. During her career, the Kansas Jayhawks compiled a 108-32 record. Her accomplishments were recognized by her alma mater when she became the first woman to be inducted into the university’s athletic hall of fame. She also received the National Collegiate Athletic Association Today’s Top Five Award in 1982.

The Road to Excellence While in high school, Lynette led her Wichita North High basketball team to two state championships. Having grown to a height of 6 feet by the end of her high school career, she was highly recruited by college coaches. In 1977, Coach Marian Washington convinced her to attend the University of Kansas. Though only a freshman, Lynette quickly established herself as one of the country’s top players. She led the nation in rebounding her first year and was named freshman of the year by two nationwide publications. In 1979, she followed her nation-leading rebound feat by leading the nation in scoring with a 31.7-points-per-game average. On January 6, 1981, Lynette broke the women’s career scoring record of 3,199 points when she scored the first basket in a home contest against Stephen F. Austin College. Lynette also led the nation in steals for three years. The Emerging Champion Her Kansas career was filled with many accomplishments. By the time she graduated with a speech communications degree in 1981, Lynette held eight University of Kansas career records, seven single-season records, and five single-game records. Four times she was named a Kodak All-American 424

Lynette Woodard of the Harlem Globetrotters. (Focus on Sport/ Getty Images)

Basketball

Lynette Woodard

College Statistics Season

GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81

33 38 37 30

366 519 372 305

.497 .562 .504 .533

101 139 137 122

.664 .656 .714 .693

490 545 389 281

47 97 165 196

833 1,177 881 732

25.2 31.7 23.8 24.5

Totals

138

1,562

.526

499

.682

1,705

505

3,623

26.3

WNBA Statistics 1997 1998

28 27

87 36

.399 .387

43 23

.672 .575

116 66

67 22

217 95

7.8 3.5

Totals

55

123

.395

66

.635

182

89

312

5.7


Before her collegiate career ended, Lynette became an international basketball sensation. Her scoring and rebounding abilities made her an asset for the U.S. teams. She played on three U.S. teams in 1978 and 1979, including the gold-medal-winning 1979 World University Games team. She was also selected for the 1980 Olympic team that did not play when the United States chose to boycott the Moscow Olympics. The boycott was a disappointment for Lynette and for all the players who had trained so hard for the Games. Following graduation, Lynette continued her career in a women’s professional basketball league in Skio, Italy. After a year overseas, she returned to the United States and played on the 1983 PanAmerican gold-medal-winning U.S. team and World University Games silver-medal-winning team. Lynette again became an Olympian in 1984. She captained the U.S. squad that won the gold medal at the Olympics in Los Angeles. Continuing the Story Lynette wondered where to play after the Olympics. She became an assistant coach at the University of Kansas. However, in 1983, Lynette saw a newspaper advertisement saying the Harlem Globetrotters were holding tryouts to select one woman to sign as a Globetrotter. Two tryout camps were held in late summer and early fall of 1985. Eighteen women, the nation’s best, were selected for the tryouts. When the tryouts were finished and the player was chosen, Lynette’s lifelong dream had come true: She had become a Globetrotter.

Lynette’s cousin Ausbie was no longer a member of the team, and the other members were a bit unsure of Lynette at first. They figured her selection might be just a publicity stunt. Ausbie encouraged her from afar, though, and Lynette’s talent and outgoing personality helped to win the quick approval of her male teammates. Lynette had little time to adjust herself, as she played her first game with the Globetrotters in Brisbane, Australia, just ten days after joining the team. Thus began a schedule that included almost two hundred games a year and a series of “firsts” for her and for the Globetrotters: her first game as a Globetrotter in the United States; her first live television appearance with the team; her first game in her hometown of Wichita as a Globetrotter. Lynette enjoyed playing for fun and making people laugh. The fans also seemed to enjoy seeing her perform with the team. In October, 1987, Lynette announced her time with the Globetrotters was finished. Lynette’s twoyear contract expired before the season, and terms of a new contract could not be worked out to her satisfaction. The major road-block in the contract negotiations was the Globetrotters policy limiting the players’ outside projects, particularly promotions. Lynette felt her contract was too binding and that it was in her best interest to leave the Globetrotters organization. Lynette’s post-Globetrotters projects included an instructional basketball video, speaking engagements, camps, and clinics. She again served as a Kansas assistant coach in the 19891990 season. 425

Great Athletes

Lynette Woodard

Honors and Awards 1978 Street and Smith’s College Freshman of the Year Inducted into University of Kansas Athletic Hall of Fame 1978-81 All-Big Eight Conference Team Kodak All-American 1979 Gold medal, World University Games 1979-81 Big Eight Conference Tournament most valuable player 1980 Women’s U.S. Olympic basketball team 1980-81 Academic All-American 1981 Street and Smith’s College Basketball Co-Player of the Year Broderick Award Wade Trophy 1982 NCAA Today’s Top Five Award National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Woman of the Year 1983 Silver medal, World University Games Gold medal, Pan-American Games 1984 Gold medal, Olympic Basketball 1985 NCAA Salute to the 1984 U.S. Olympians 1986 Women’s Sports Foundation Professional Sportswoman of the Year 1989 Big Eight Conference Player of the Decade Inducted into National High School Sports Hall of Fame 1991 Bronze medal, Pan-American Games 1993 Flo Hyman Award 2004 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2005 Inducted into Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Lynette played professional basketball for four seasons in Italy (1980-1981, 1987-1990) and led the Priolo team to the 1989 Italian National Championship. From 1990 to 1993, she played in Japan for Daiwa Securities, guiding the 1992 team to the divisional championship. She won a bronze medal with the U.S. team in the 1991 Pan-American Games. From 1993 to 1995, Lynette served as the athletic director for the Kansas City school district. While playing in Japan, Lynette became interested in the stock market. In 1995, she joined the Magna Securities Corporation in New York, serving as vice president of the first brokerage firm to be owned by African American women. In her spare time, Lynette continued to organize basketball training clinics for aspiring young athletes and also served on the 1996 Olympic committee board of directors.

426

In 1997, at the age of thirtyseven, Lynette played for the Cleveland Rockers in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She averaged 7.8 points and 2.4 assists per game. Lynette spent the 1998 season with the Detroit Shock, averaging 3.5 points per game. Retiring from the WNBA at the age of thirty-nine, she again joined the coaching staff at Kansas University in 1999. In 2004, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Summary Lynette Woodard’s career demonstrated that dreams can come true. From the age of five, she dreamed of becoming a Harlem Globetrotter. As a collegian, she became one of the all-time greats in the women’s game, propelling herself into a tryout and eventual selection as the first female player for the Globetrotters. Lynette was a prolific scorer, ending her college career with 3,649 points. Rita S. Wiggs

Additional Sources Green, Ben. Spinning the Globe: The Rise, Fall, and Return to Greatness of the Harlem Globetrotters. New York: Amistad, 2005. Robbins, Liz. “Reflecting on Days Before the WNBA.” The New York Times, July 12, 2006, p. D5. “She Showed She Could Play with the Big Guys.” People Weekly 41, no. 9 (March 7, 1994): 181. Vance, Doug, and Jeff Bollig. Beware of the Phog: Fifty Years of Allen Fieldhouse. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2005. Woolum, Janet. Outstanding Women Athletes: Who They Are and How They Influenced Sports in America. Phoenix, Ariz.: Oryx Press, 1998.

John Wooden Born: October 14, 1910 Hall, Indiana Also known as: John Robert Wooden (full name); Wizard of Westwood

ence—was a stern but caring man who instilled discipline and honesty in his children. John and his brothers were fond of playing a form of basketball with a rag ball and a tomato basket nailed to the hay loft in the barn.

Early Life John Robert Wooden was born on October 14, 1910, in Hall, Indiana. He lived his early days on farms in the local rural area. The Wooden home did not have running water or electricity. John was the third of six children in a close, hardworking family. John’s father—a strong and steady influ-

The Road to Excellence During the depression of the 1930’s, John’s father lost the family farm, and the family moved to Martinsville, Indiana, where John attended high school. At Martinsville, John met Nellie, his wife to be. His high school basketball coach was Glenn Curtis, a man John later succeeded as Indiana State University’s basketball coach. As a sophomore, John once quit the team over Curtis’s treatment of certain favorite players. John later said that incident taught him to listen to players who disagreed with him as a coach. John went on to win all-state honors in basketball three straight years while excelling in baseball as well. He led the basketball team to a state championship in 1927. After high school, John enrolled at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. There, he captained the 1932 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship team. John, a scrappy 5-foot 10-inch guard, was named all-American three times. He was awarded the 1932 Big Ten Conference Medal for outstanding merit and proficiency in scholarship and athletics, and was named college basketball’s player of the year. After graduating from Purdue in 1932, John began teaching at Dayton High School in Kentucky, where he was the coach for all sports. At Dayton, he exJohn Wooden during his college playing days. (AP/Wide World Photos) 427

John Wooden perienced his only losing season as a coach, an important learning experience. From Dayton, John returned to his native Indiana to coach at Central High School in South Bend, where he coached basketball, baseball, and tennis and taught English for nine years. In eleven years coaching highschool basketball, John compiled an overall record of 218-42. During World War II, John’s coaching career was interrupted for three years with service in the Navy. He served as a full lieutenant from 1943 to 1946. Later, John served as athletic director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. For two years, John coached basketball and baseball. Then he headed west for the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1948.

Great Athletes also landed sharpshooting guard Lucius Allen. For forwards, John recruited a pair of 6-foot 8-inch players, Lynn Shackleford and Mike Lynn. From 1966 to 1968, John’s Bruins had a fortyseven-game winning streak. The streak was finally snapped by the University of Houston, sparked by Elvin Hayes, in a game at the Houston Astrodome. Alcindor was injured and did not play well in the game, which was the team’s only loss; the Bruins finished the season with a 29-1 record. UCLA gained revenge against Houston in the NCAA Tournament by defeating the Cougars 101-69. The Bruins’ victory over the University of North Carolina gave UCLA another NCAA Championship. In 1969, the Alcindor-led Bruins became the first team to win three straight NCAA titles. They beat John’s alma mater, Purdue, in the championship game.

The Emerging Champion In his first two years at UCLA, John built and trained a fine team which won the Pacific Coast Continuing the Story Conference (PCC) championship in 1950. The John seemed long overdue to come off his winning UCLA Bruins marched to the PCC title again in streak. With the graduation of the awesome Alcin1952 and 1956, but John’s success within his own dor, many thought UCLA’s reign was finished, yet conference was only part of the story. In 1960, John the coach had a few more tricks for his rivals. The was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketnext season, Alcindor’s understudy, Steve Patterball Hall of Fame as a player. son, had the help of sophomore forwards Sidney John’s first great UCLA team emerged in 1963Wicks and Curtis Rowe, and the Bruins captured a 1964. The heart of the team was a pair of scrappy, fourth straight NCAA crown in 1970. The trio of sharpshooting guards, Walt Hazzard and Gail GoodPatterson, Rowe, and Wicks came back in 1971 to rich. The team was unranked in the preseason win a fifth straight title. The next year, John was inpolls, but the Bruins swept to a 30-0 season and the ducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) of Fame as a coach, the first person ever inducted championship. in more than one category. Goodrich was back the following season, but the In 1972, John built his team around another Bruins lost the first game. The team then rallied to outstanding center, Bill Walton. UCLA went undesweep its second national crown in a row. In the feated in 1971-1972 and 1972-1973, and captured NCAA final, Goodrich scored 42 of the Bruins’ 91 two more NCAA Championships. UCLA’s winning points, and UCLA knocked out the University of streak was finally stopped by the University of NoMichigan, 91-80. tre Dame in January, 1974, at a record 88. That The UCLA team had an offyear in 1965-1966, but as coach, College Statistics John had a banner season in reSeason GP FGM FTM FT% TP PPG cruiting. He landed the greatest collection of new basketball tal1929-30 13 45 26 — 116 8.9 1930-31 17 53 54 .693 140 8.2 ent ever assembled at one school. 1931-32 18 79 61 .709 219 12.2 His prize player was 7-foot 2-inch Totals 48 177 141 — 475 9.9 Lew Alcindor (who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) of New Notes: GP = games played; FGM = field goals made; FTM = free throws made; FT% = free throw percentage; TP = total points; PPG = points per game York, the most sought-after highschool player in the nation. John 428

Basketball

John Wooden

year, the Bruins were at last defeated Milestones in NCAA Tournament play, after 38 consecutive tournament victories. Coaching record in NCAA Tournament play includes sixteen appearances, twelve Final Four appearances, and ten championship titles, for an overall won-lost record of 47-10 The Bruins dropped a double-overOverall NCAA coaching record (including tournament games) is 664-162, for an .804 time thriller to North Carolina State winning percentage in the national semifinals. One of three members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted both In 1975, UCLA captured its tenth as a player and as a coach national crown under John. He announced his retirement to the team Honors and Awards before the final game against Ken1930-32 Helms Athletic Foundation All-American tucky, and the Bruins’ players gave 1932 Citizens Savings College Basketball Player of the Year their coach a going-away present. Big Ten Conference medal for outstanding They defeated the Wildcats 92-85. achievement in scholarship and athletics John’s coaching genius was with1960 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of out question. Whatever kind of team Fame (as a player) he had, he managed to produce a win1964, 1967, 1969-70, 1972-73 United Press International Division I Coach of the Year ner. John was named NCAA college 1964, 1967, 1970, 1972-73 U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division I Coach basketball coach of the year in 1964, of the Year 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, and 1973. 1967, 1969-70, 1972-73 Associated Press Division I Coach of the Year In his career at UCLA, John com1969-70, 1972 National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I piled a record of 620-147, a winning Coach of the Year percentage of more than 80 percent. 1970 Sporting News Sportsman of the Year He coached more than a dozen play1972 Sports Illustrated Co-Sportsman of the Year ers who went on to play professional Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of basketball. Fame (as a coach) John and his wife reared a son and 1974 John W. Bunn Award a daughter. John was named CaliforAwarded honorary doctorate in physical education by nia “Father of the Year” in 1964 and the Purdue University Board of Trustees for his outstanding contribution to coaching California “Grandfather of the Year” in 1974. After 53 years of marriage, 1994 Landry Medal his beloved wife died in 1985. 1995 Reagan Distinguished American Award In 1994, John was presented the NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Sportsmanship Award Landry Medal as an inspiration to 2000 Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Twentieth American youth. He was honored with Century the Reagan Distinguished American 2003 UCLA’s basketball court named “Nell and John Wooden Court” Award in 1995, as well as the NCAA 2006 Inducted into College Basketball Hall of Fame Theodore Roosevelt Sportsman Award. In 1999, John was named the greatest coach of the twentieth century by the self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to beEntertainment and Sports Programming Network come the best that you are capable of becoming,” (ESPN). The following year, he received the NaiJohn said. He believed that attaining success is like smith Men’s College Coach of the Twentieth Centhe process of building a pyramid, only each block tury Award. Even in his later nineties, John continis a character trait. His “pyramid of success” conued to attend many of the UCLA basketball games sists of 25 building blocks that include discipline, played at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. faith, patience, and self-control. John had three basic rules for his players: be on time for practice, do Summary not use profanity, and never criticize another player. After he retired, John Wooden spoke to many More than thirty years after his retirement from people about how he achieved so much success. coaching, John remained an inspiration to his for“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of 429

John Wooden mer athletes and to those who admired him as a successful leader. Kevin R. Lasley, updated by Alvin K. Benson Additional Sources Biro, Brian D. Beyond Success: The Fifteen Secrets to Effective Leadership and Life Based on Legendary Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. New York: Berkley, 2001. Bisheff, Steve. John Wooden: An American Treasure. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland House, 2004. Chapin, Dwight, and Jeff Prugh. The Wizard of Westwood: Coach John Wooden and His UCLA Bruins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1973. Heisler, Mark. They Shoot Coaches, Don’t They? UCLA and the NCAA Since John Wooden. New York: Macmillan, 1996. Johnson, Neville L. The John Wooden Pyramid of Success: The Authorized Biography, Oral History, Philosophy, and Ultimate Guide to Life, Leadership, Friendship, and Love of the Greatest Coach in the History of Sports. Los Angeles: Cool Titles, 2003. Nater, Swen, and Ronald Gallimore. You Haven’t Taught Until They Have Learned: John Wooden’s Teaching Principles and Practices. Morgantown, W.Va.: Fitness Information Technology, 2006.

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Great Athletes Williams, Pat, and David Wimbish. How to Be Like Coach Wooden: Life Lessons from Basketball’s Greatest Leader. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 2006. Wooden, John R. Practical Modern Basketball. New York: Ronald Press, 1966. _______. Wooden on Leadership. New York: McGrawHill, 2005. Wooden, John R., and Steve Jamison. My Personal Best: Life Lessons from an All-American Journey. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004. _______. Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1997. Wooden, John R., and Swen Nater. John Wooden’s UCLA Offense. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 2006. Wooden, John R., and John Reger. Quotable Wooden: Words of Wisdom, Preparation, and Success by and About John Wooden, College Basketball’s Greatest Coach. Nashville, Tenn.: TowleHouse, 2002. Wooden, John R., and Jack Tobin. They Call Me Coach: The Fascinating First-Person Story of a Legendary Basketball Coach. Rev. ed. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004.

James Worthy Born: February 27, 1961 Gastonia, North Carolina Also known as: James Ager Worthy (full name); Big Game James Early Life James Ager Worthy was born to a minister and registered nurse on February 27, 1961, in Gastonia, North Carolina. A natural athlete, James won headlines with his basketball exploits even before he entered high school. The tall— he eventually grew to the height of 6 feet 9 inches—and lanky James led Ashbrook High School to three state championships. His average of 21.5 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game in his senior year at Ashbrook attracted the attention of college programs from around the country, and James was recognized as one of the best high school basketball players in America. The Road to Excellence James chose to attend college in his home state, at the University of North Carolina. He arrived with high expectations and became one of the school’s first freshmen to start in his first game. Midway through his freshman year, however, James slipped and broke his ankle. He missed the season’s final fourteen games, and many people doubted that he could return to his previous form. James proved his doubters wrong, as he returned to North Carolina and won all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. His team advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship game but lost to Indiana University. As a junior, James led one of the most talented college teams ever assembled to a 32-2 record and the 19811982 NCAA national championship. James was named a first-team consensus all-American.

The Emerging Champion An unheralded freshman on that team named Michael Jordan stole some of James’s thunder by sinking a decisive jump shot against Georgetown University in the NCAA Finals, but James was the team’s undisputed leader and greatest player. James’s 28 points on 13-for-17 shooting and a key defensive steal won him the tournament’s most outstanding player award, and he shared national

James Worthy shooting a lay up against the Boston Celtics. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

431

Great Athletes

James Worthy


GP 77 82 80 75 82 75 81 80 78 54 82 80 926

FG% .579 .556 .572 .579 .539 .531 .548 .548 .492 .447 .447 .406 .521

FT% .624 .759 .776 .771 .751 .796 .782 .782 .797 .814 .810 .741 .769

Reb. 399 515 511 387 466 374 489 478 356 305 247 181 4,708

Ast. 132 207 201 201 226 289 288 288 275 252 278 154 2,791

TP 1,033 1,185 1,410 1,500 1,594 1,478 1,657 1,685 1,670 1,075 1,221 812 16,320

PPG 13.4 14.5 17.6 20.0 19.4 19.7 20.5 21.1 21.4 19.9 14.9 10.2 17.6

Notes: GP = games played; FG% = field goal percentage; FT% = free throw percentage; Reb. = rebounds; Ast. = assists; TP = total points; PPG = points per game

player of the year honors with the University of Virginia’s Ralph Sampson. James left college and was the first pick in the 1982 NBA draft. He joined the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James won championship rings in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Continuing the Story In 1982, the Los Angeles Lakers had an all-star small forward in Jamaal “Silk” Wilkes. James would have started—and starred—immediately for almost any team in the NBA, but in Los Angeles he could not crack the starting lineup. Instead of sulking, James resolved to study the game and learn as much as he could from the veteran Wilkes. He made the best of the situation and put up respectable statistics before fracturing his tibia late in the season. James missed the 1983 playoffs, in which the Lakers were swept in the NBA Finals by the Phil-

Honors and Awards 1982 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1983 NBA All-Rookie Team 1986-92 NBA All-Star Team 1988 NBA Finals most valuable player 1990-91 All-NBA Third Team 1995 Uniform number 42 retired by Los Angeles Lakers 1996 NBA 50 Greatest Players of All Time Team 2003 Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

432

adelphia 76ers, but was named to the NBA’s allrookie team. While recuperating, James returned to the University of North Carolina to finish his degree. The Lakers traded starting forward Norm Nixon in the 1983 off-season, and the following season James joined the Lakers’ starting lineup. The team won three championships in the next five years after epic battles with the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Detroit Pistons. James’s accomplishments in the 1988 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons cemented his reputation as one of the game’s top performers at the highest levels of competition. He posted the first and only triple-double of his professional career in the decisive game seven of the 1988 finals, with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, and was named the series’ most valuable player (MVP). Magic Johnson later called him one of the “top five players in playoff history.” James did not revolutionize the small forward position in the way that his contemporaries Julius “Dr. J” Erving and Larry Bird did, but his peers did consider him one of the greatest forwards of his generation. For basketball fans who came of age during the peak of the NBA’s popularity in the 1980’s and 1990’s, the sight of James finishing a Magic Johnson-led fast break for the Lakers is an enduring memory. For these fans, James epitomized the word “clutch”: He performed at his highest possible level when the games were most important. During his playing days, James was always in-

Basketball stantly recognizable for his trademark goggles—a pair of which is in the Smithsonian Institution. After his retirement in 1994, he became an ardent advocate of athletes wearing protective eyewear. Shortly after retiring, James launched Big Game James, a sports marketing firm that links sports celebrities with major corporations for endorsement purposes. James then put his basketball expertise to work as a commentator for the Fox Sports Network and CBS Sports. He later worked for the Lakers as a pregame analyst for television broadcasts. Summary A champion at every level of organized basketball, James Worthy earned the nickname “Big Game James” for his performances in the 1982 NCAA Final Four and in three NBA Championship Series. A seven-time NBA all-star with 16,320 career points,

James Worthy James was named one of the fifty greatest NBA players of all time. In 2003, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Todd Moye Additional Sources Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. Porter, David L. Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2005. Powell, Adam. University of North Carolina Basketball. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia, 2005. Rapoport, Ron. “One on One with James Worthy.” Sport 82 (May, 1991): 15-16.

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Yao Ming Born: September 12, 1980 Shanghai, China Also known as: Chairman Yao; the Ming Dynasty; Great Wall of Yao Early Life Yao Ming was born the only child of Chinese basketball stars Yao Zhiyuan and Fang Fengdi. He weighed 11 pounds at birth, more than twice the average weight of a Chinese newborn. At ten years old, Yao was examined by doctors because of his height: 5 feet 5 inches. The doctors estimated he would grow to be more than 7 feet tall; his adult height is 7 feet 6 inches. As the son of two professional basketball players, not surprisingly, Yao was

playing competitive basketball by the age of nine, the same year that he entered junior high school. The Road to Excellence At thirteen, Yao tried out for the Sharks junior club, a youth team associated with the local Chinese professional squad, the Shanghai Sharks. He practiced a total of 10 hours a day to be able to make the team. After four years with the junior team, he joined the senior-level team. At seventeen, he made his debut in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). As a rookie, he averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds per game. During this time, Yao met his future wife, Ye Li. Yao spent four years with the Shanghai Sharks. During his second season, he broke his foot, reducing his jumping ability significantly. In his third and fourth years with the Sharks, he dramatically increased his overall play, not only in points per game, rebounds, and minutes played, but also in the way he was able to dominate a game.

Yao Ming during his first season in the NBA. (AP/Wide World Photos)

434

The Emerging Champion By Yao’s second year with the Shanghai Sharks, the NBA was courting him. While he did sign a contract with an agent, Yao’s contract was deemed invalid, thus preventing his entry into the NBA at the age of nineteen. By 2002, at twenty-one, Yao had a team of people working for him to get him into the NBA. Nicknamed “Team Yao,” the hard-working group reached an agreement to get Yao into the NBA draft. Though he was widely predicted to be chosen number-one in the draft, some teams were concerned about whether the CBA would allow Yao to play in the United States. The Houston Rockets assured Chinese officials that they would pick Yao with the number-one selection, and he was cleared to play basketball in the United States.

Basketball

Yao Ming


GP

FGM

FG%

FTM

FT%

Reb.

Ast.

TP

PPG

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

82 82 80 57 48 55

401 535 538 467 423 432

.498 .522 .552 .519 .516 .507

301 361 389 337 356 345

.811 .809 .783 .853 .862 .850

675 735 669 581 452 594

137 122 61 85 94 129

1,104 1,431 1,465 1,271 1,202 1,209

13.5 17.5 18.3 22.3 25.0 22.0

Totals

404

2,796

.520

2,089

.826

3,706

628

7,682

19.0


One of the contingencies in Yao’s NBA contract stipulated that he play for the Chinese national team. As a result, Yao missed his rookie training camp with the Rockets while he played in the FIBA World Championship. His initial NBA debut was a poor one. He scored 1 point and had 1 rebound. His next twelve games were equally unimpressive. Many basketball analysts declared him an NBA bust. However Yao improved as the season progressed. He scored 20 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in mid-November and finished his rookie season with 13.5 points-per-game and 8.2rebounds-per-game averages. He was second in the NBA rookie of the year voting, behind Amare Stoudemire, and was a unanimous pick for NBA allstar rookie first ream. Furthermore, he was named the Sporting News rookie of the year. With the resignation of Rudy Tomjanovich, Yao started his second season under offensive-minded Jeff Van Gundy. The results were immediate. In his second year, Yao significantly increased his points and rebounds averages to 17.5 and 9.0, respectively. He was also voted to be the starting center in the 2004 NBA all-star game. Houston played its first postseason game in many years. While the Rockets lost to the Lakers, Yao had a

Honors and Awards 2002 First pick in the NBA draft 2003 NBA All-Rookie First Team The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Laureus Newcomer of the Year award 2003-09 NBA All-Star Team 2004, 2006, 2008 All-NBA Third Team 2007 All-NBA Second Team

solid series performance with 15 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In 2005, the Rockets added Tracy “T-Mac” McGrady. However, Yao spent most of the year injured and the pair was only able to play a total of thirty games together. The 2006 season did not start out much better when Yao broke his right knee just before Christmas. He returned for the playoffs, though. In a seven-game series with the Utah Jazz, Yao put up superstar numbers, averaging 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds. However, the Rockets lost the series. Continuing the Story Life outside of the NBA became profitable for Yao as well. He participated in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics with the Chinese national team. At the latter Games, held in Beijing, he led the delegation of Chinese Olympians at the Opening Ceremonies. In 2004, he coauthored a book, titled Yao: A Life in Two Worlds, with Ric Bucher. He was featured in the documentary The Year of the Yao, which told of his rookie year in the NBA and included comments from basketball greats Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal as well as other sport stars like Michael Irvin. The documentary focused on the cultural differences that Yao faced as he moved from China to the United States. In 2005, another book was published titled Operation Yao Ming that explored the life of Yao and his parents. On August 6, 2007, Yao married his longtime sweetheart, Ye Li. Summary A true success story, Yao Ming became an inspiration to millions of Chinese children and one of the most famous Chinese athletes ever. He takes an active role in many nonprofit foundations, including the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders. In 2003, 435

Yao Ming he helped raise $300,000 to help fight the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. In 2007, he held a charity basketball game that raised more than $965,000 for underprivileged children throughout China, and he donated $2 million to the relief effort after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Furthermore, has helped open the door for Chinese basketball players to join the NBA. Karen Hayslett-McCall

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Great Athletes Additional Sources Bradley, Michael. Yao Ming. Oregon City, Oreg.: Marshall Cavendish, 2004. Lamar, Brook. Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar. New York: Gotham Books, 2005. Yao Ming, and Ric Bucher. Yao: A Life in Two Worlds. New York: Miramax Books, 2004.

Resources

Bibliography Araton, Harvey. Crashing the Borders: How Basketball Won the World and Lost Its Soul at Home. New York: Free Press, 2005. Batchelor, Bob. Basketball in America: From the Playgrounds to Jordan’s Game and Beyond. New York: Haworth Press, 2005. Benson, Harriet. Boosters Always Win! The Fans of Women’s Basketball. Palo Alto, Calif.: Tip-Off Press, 2003. Bjarkman, Peter C. The Biographical History of Basketball. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Masters Press, 2000. Butler, Robbie, and Timothy V. Rasinski. The Harlem Globetrotters: Clown Princes of Basketball. New York: Couglan, 2001. Dolin, Nick, Chris Dolin, and David Check. Basketball Stars: The Greatest Players in the History of the Game. New York: Black Dog and Leventhal, 1997. Donovan, Anne. Women’s Basketball: The Post Player’s Handbook. Terre Haute, Ind.: Wish, 2001. Finkel, Jon, and Tomás Montalvo-Lagos. Greatest Stars of the NBA: Guards Edition. Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2007. Frazier, Walt, Alex Sachare, and Bill Walton. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Basketball. New York: Macmillan, 1999. Green, Ben. Spinning the Globe: The Rise, Fall, and Return to Greatness of the Harlem Globetrotters. New York: Amistad, 2005. Grundy, Pamela, and Susan Shackelford. Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women’s Basketball. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2007. Gutman, Bill. The History of NCAA Basketball. New York: Crescent Books, 1993. _______. More Modern Women Superstars. New York: Dodd, 1979. _______. Shooting Stars: The Women of Pro Basketball. New York: Random House, 1998. Hareas, John. NBA’s Greatest. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2003. Heisler, Mark. Giants: The Twenty-five Greatest Centers of All Time. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2003. Heisler, Mark, Willis Reed, Jerry West, and Pete Newell. Big Men Who Shook the NBA. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2005.

Hofstetter, Adam B. Olympic Basketball. New York: Rosen, 2007. Hubbard, Jan, and David J. Stern. The Official NBA Basketball Encyclopedia. 3d ed. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Ikard, Robert W. Just for Fun: The Story of AAU Women’s Basketball. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 2005. Isaacs, Neil D. Vintage NBA: The Pioneer Era, 19461956. Indianapolis, Ind.: Masters Press, 1996. Kalb, Elliott. Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball? Mr. Stats Sets the Record Straight on the Top Fifty NBA Players of All Time. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2004. LaBlanc, Michael L., and Mary K. Ruby, eds. Professional Sports Team Histories: Basketball. Detroit: Gale, 1994. Lamar, Brook. Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar. New York: Gotham Books, 2005. Lane, Jeffrey. Under the Boards: The Cultural Revolution in Basketball. Lincoln, Nebr.: Bison Books, 2007. Layden, Joseph. NBA Up and Coming Stars of the New Millennium. New York: Scholastic, 2000. _______. Superstars of U.S.A. Women’s Basketball. New York: Aladdin, 2000. McGovern, Mike. The Encyclopedia of TwentiethCentury Athletes. New York: Facts On File, 2001. Mallozzi, Vincent M. Basketball: The Legends and the Game. Willowdale, Ont.: Firefly Books, 1998. Menville, C. The Harlem Globetrotters: An Illustrated History. New York: Benjamin Company, 1978. Monroe, Earl, and Wes Unseld. The Basketball Skill Book. New York: Atheneum, 1973. Mullin, Chris, with Brian Coleman. Basketball. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2000. Nater, Swen, and Ronald Gallimore. You Haven’t Taught Until They Have Learned: John Wooden’s Teaching Principles and Practices. Morgantown, W.Va.: Fitness Information Technology, 2005. Oliver, Jon A. Basketball Fundamentals. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics, 2003. Pallette, Philip. The Game Changer: How Hank Lui439

Bibliography setti Revolutionized America’s Great Indoor Game. Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse, 2005. Pluto, Terry. Tall Tales: The Glory Years of the NBA. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2000. Ponti, James. WNBA: Stars of Women’s Basketball. New York: Pocket Books, 1999. Porter, David L. Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2005. Porter, Karra. Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women’s Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2006. Robertson, Oscar, and Michael O’Daniel. The Art of Basketball: A Guide to Self-Improvement in the Fundamentals of the Game. Los Angeles: O. Robertson Media Ventures, 1998. Russo, Chris, and Allen St. John. The Mad Dog One Hundred: The Greatest Sports Arguments of All Time. New York: Doubleday, 2003. Rutledge, Rachel. The Best of the Best in Basketball. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press, 1998. Sachare, Alex. One Hundred Greatest Basketball Players of All Time. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997. Sachare, Alex, and Joe Hubbard. The Official NBA Basketball Encyclopedia. London: Hi Marketing, 2000. Shouler, Kenneth A. The Experts Pick Basketball’s Best Fifty Players in the Last Fifty Years. Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 1998. Smallwood, John. Heroes of the Hardwood. New York: Scholastic, 2005. Smith, Ron, Ira Winderman, and Mary Schmitt

440

Great Athletes Boyer. The Complete Encyclopedia of Basketball. London: Carlton, 2002. Stewart, Mark. Basketball: A History of Hoops. New York: Franklin Watts, 1998. Summer, Barbara, ed. Open the Unusual Door: True Life Stories of Challenge, Adventure, and Success by Black Americans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Taragano, Martin. Basketball Biographies: 434 U.S. Players, Coaches, and Contributors of the Game, 1891-1990. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1991. Terzieff, Juliette. Women of the Court: Inside the WNBA. New York: Alyson Books, 2008. Thomas, Ron. They Cleared the Lane: The NBA’s Black Pioneers. 2d ed. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004. Thompson, Keith R. Heroes of the Hardcourt: Ranking Pro Basketball’s One Hundred Greatest Players, and Introducing a Whole New Way of Looking at the Game. Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse, 2005. Walton, Bill, Michael Dinerman, William Conroy, and Michael J. Fresina. Street and Smith’s Specialty Publications Presents One Hundred Greatest College Basketball Programs of All Time. Charlotte, N.C.: Street & Smith, 2005. Warner, Neil K. Off Court: Now the Other Side of the NBA. Lindon, Utah: Neil K. Warner Books, 2004. Wooden, John R. Practical Modern Basketball. New York: Ronald Press, 1966. Wooden, John, Bill Sharman, and Bob Seizer. The Wooden-Sharman Method: A Guide to Winning Basketball. New York: Macmillan, 1975.

Basketball Resources on the World Wide Web Sports sites on the World Wide Web offer rich sources of information on athletes, teams, leagues, and the various sports themselves. Through careful searching, one can find up-to-date news on almost every sport; schedules; detailed statistics; sports; biographies of athletes; histories of teams, leagues, and individual sports; and much more. Since the previous edition of Great Athletes was published in 2001, both the number and quality of sports Web sites offering unrestricted access have increased significantly, making it easier than ever before to find information. However, while finding information on the Web has grown easier, evaluating the reliability of the information one finds may be growing harder. The vast majority of sports Web sites are maintained by fans and bloggers whose objectivity and accuracy can be difficult to judge. Even articles on sites such as Wikipedia may present problems. Wikipedia articles are often detailed, up to date, and accurate, but they are not fully vetted and can be altered at any time by any user. Search engines such as Google and Yahoo! are efficient tools for finding information on athletes quickly, but if they are used carelessly, they may direct users to unreliable sites. For this reason, it is generally wise to begin any Web search with a list of Web sites that are proven to be reliable. The purpose of this list is to help guide readers to the best Web sources for basketball and to call attention to the variety of sites available online. Preference has been given to sites maintained by professional sports organizations, reputable news services, online magazines, halls of fame, and television networks, as well as other sites that provide accurate and unbiased information. However, a few blog sites are included to ensure coverage of subjects not well covered elsewhere, such as African basketball. Most of the sites listed here can be found quickly by entering their names into an online search engine. If that approach does not work, one can simply type a URL (uniform resource locator) into the address line of a Web browser. Note that it is usually unnecessary to enter “http://” and that many sites can be found through more than a single URL. As still more sites are certain to emerge, it is advisable to use text searches to find new sites. Also, look for links to other sites on the pages that you visit. Every site listed here was inspected and found to be working in January, 2009. Many of these sites offer links to merchandisers, but every effort has been made to avoid sites that serve primarily as sites for vendors and sports handicappers. URLs often change; if a link fails to work, search the name of the Web site with a standard Web search engine such as Google or Yahoo!

General Sites Africa South of the Sahara Sports News http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/ sports.html AllSports http://www.allsports.com Ballparks http://www.ballparks.com Black College Sports Review (magazine) http://www.black-sports.com

Broadcast Sports http://www.broadcastsports.com Cable News Network (CNN)/Sports Illustrated (SI) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame http://www.cshof.ca Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Sports http://cbc.ca/sports

441

Great Athletes

Basketball Resources on the World Wide Web CBS SportsLine http://cbs.sportsline.com

Rivals http://www.rivals.com

College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) http://www.cosida.com

Sport Science http://www.exploratorium.edu/sports

ESPN http://espn.go.com Excite: Sports http://sports.excite.com FOXSports http://www.foxsports.com History of Women in Sports Timeline http://www.northnet.org/stlawrenceaauw/ timeline.htm Home Box Office (HBO) Sports http://www.hbo.com/realsports International Association for Sports Information http://www.iasi.org/home.html International Olympic Committee (IOC) http://www.olympic.org MaxPreps: America’s Source for High School Sports http://www.maxpreps.com/national/home.aspx MSNBC Sports http://nbcsports.msnbc.com National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) http://www.ncaa.org New England Sports Network http://www.nesn.com One on One Sports http://www.1on1sports.com PioneerPlanet: Sports http://www.pioneerplanet.com/sports Real Fans Sports Network http://www.realfans.com 442

The Sporting Life http://www.sporting-life.com SportingNews.com http://www.sportingnews.com Sports Illustrated (magazine) http://www.pathfinder.com/si Sports Illustrated for Kids http://www.sikids.com Sports Network http://www.sportsnetwork.com/home.asp Sports Schedules as You Like ’Em http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/ferguson/ schedules SportsFan Radio Network http://www.sportsfanradio.com SportsFeed (news) http://www.sportsfeed.com SportsLine USA http://www.sportsline.com Turner Network Television (TNT) Sports http://tnt.turner.com/sports USA Network Sports http://www.usanetwork.com/sports USA Today-Sports http://www.usatoday.com Women’s Sports Information http://www.womenssportsinformation.com World Wide Web Virtual Library: Sports http://sportsvl.com

Basketball

Basketball Resources on the World Wide Web

Yahoo! Sports http://dir.yahoo.com/recreation/sports

FIBA Europe http://www.fibaeurope.com

Basketball

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) http://www.fiba.com

AfricaBasket http://www.africabasket.com

LatinBasket http://www.latinbasket.com

Asia-Basket http://www.asia-basket.com

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame http://www.hoophall.com

AustraliaBasket http://www.australiabasket.com

National Basketball Association (NBA) http://www.nba.com

Basketball in Africa http://basket-in-africa.blogspot.com

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball http://www.ncaa.com

Canada Basketball http://www.basketball.ca/hm EuroBasket http://www.eurobasket.com Europe Basketball http://www.internationalbasketball.com/ europe.html

SLAM (magazine) http://www.slamonline.com Women’s Basketball (magazine) http://www.wbmagazine.com Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) http://www.wbna.com

443

Glossary all-American: Nationwide honor awarded yearly to the best high school and college players. AllAmerican honors are awarded by a variety of organizations and publications, and their prestige varies. A “consensus” all-American is a player who is awarded all or most of these honors. all-league: Annual designation given by numerous organizations to top players in high school, college, and professional sports. all-NBA: Annual designation given to the top players at each basketball position. all-pro: Distinction given by many press organizations similar in meaning to all-league or allNBA. all-star game: Annual game between the best players from the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences, played in a different host city each year. The NBA all-star weekend also includes other skills events, such as the slam-dunk contest and the three-point shooting contest. Major news services such as the Associated Press select their own yearly all-star teams, but these selections usually do not involve specially held games. all-state: Annual designation given by numerous organizations to top players in each state in high school, college, and professional sports. amateur: Athlete who competes for honors, rather than tangible prizes or money, and who does not attain professional status. College players are amateurs within the sports in which they represent their schools, but they may also play professionally in other sports. assist: Pass completed to a teammate who immediately scores a field goal. Only one assist is credited on a scoring play in basketball, in contrast to ice hockey, which credits up to two assists. backboard: Flat surface to which the basket is connected; usually made of unbreakable glass so that spectators behind the basket can see through it. backcourt: Half of the court opposite that of the basket that the offensive team is attacking. backcourt players: Players in the guard positions. back-door cut: Set play in which an offensive player cuts behind the defender and toward the basket. 444

bang the boards: Go after rebounds aggressively. bank shot: Shot that strikes the backboard before reaching the basket. baseline: Line extending across each end of the court behind the basket. Also known as the end line. basket: Metal rim and cloth net attached to the backboard that is the target for the ball. In the early days of basketball, the basket was an actual peach basket, from which the bottom was eventually removed. “Basket” is also a colloquial term for a field goal. basketball: Sport played between two teams, of five players each, with the intention of putting a ball into an elevated goal situated at either end of the court. blocked shot: Play in which a defensive player stops an offensive player from scoring by hitting the shot away from the basket before the ball is on its downward arc. bounce pass: Pass that strikes the floor between passer and recipient. boxing out: Taking a position between one’s opponent and the basket to increase one’s chances of securing a rebound. cagers: Old colloquial term for basketball players that originated because early games were played on courts surrounded by chickenwire “cages” designed to keep the ball from going out of bounds. center: Position of player who normally works closest to the basket and has primary responsibility for getting rebounds and blocking shots. Usually the tallest player on a team. center court: Midpoint on the court marked by a small center on which jump balls are taken to begin games. crossover dribble: Switch of the dribble hand in front of the body. cut: Move by an offensive player to deceive, or “fake out,” a defender, usually to initiate a drive to the basket. defense: Team not possessing the ball that is trying to stop opponents from scoring. defensive rebound: Rebound recorded by any player on defense. See offensive rebound.

Basketball deliberate foul: Foul intentionally made to stop the clock and create an opportunity to regain possession of the ball after an inbound play or freethrow attempt. Also known as an intentional foul. disqualification: Fouling out, or ejection from the game after recording the maximum number of personal fouls. Five personal fouls are allowed in high school, college, and most youth league games, and six are allowed in the National Basketball Association. Players and coaches may also be ejected for other reasons, such as fighting or arguing with officials. double team: Combination of two players to guard a single opponent. double-double: Achievement by an individual player of double figures (10 or more) in any two categories: points, rebounds, assists, blocks, or steals. See also triple double. draft: Method by which NBA teams annually select new players, who have played for American high schools or colleges and for international teams. Usually the teams with the previous season’s worst records are accorded the right to choose first. Many teams trade or sell their draft picks to other teams. Dream Team: Term given to the 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team, the first to use professional players in the Summer Olympics. Its members included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. dribble: Bouncing of the ball on the floor of the court using only one hand at a time. Basketball players controlling the ball are not allowed to move their feet without dribbling the ball, and after they stop dribbling, they may not resume unless another player touches the ball. drive: To move rapidly and aggressively with the ball off the dribble, especially as a move toward the baseline or the basket. dunk: Scoring of a basket by driving the ball through the basket from above the rim. Also known as a slam dunk, jam, or stuff. Elite Eight: Last eight teams to survive in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. end line. See baseline. fake: Deceptive movement by a player handling the ball that causes a defensive player to lose balance or move out of position. fall-away jumper: Shot attempted while deliber-

Glossary ately moving away from the basket. See also jump shot. fast break: Play that emphasizes advancing the ball downcourt as fast as possible and anticipating an easy basket while denying the other team the chance to set up defensively. Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA): Also known as the International Basketball Federation, the governing body for basketball that sanctions the world basketball championships and sets rules for international competitions. FIBA. See Fédération Internationale de Basketball. field goal: Scoring shot, other than a free throw, that falls through the rim during regular play. Normally earns 2 points, but is awarded 3 points when a shot is made from outside the 3-point arc in most leagues. field-goal percentage: Percentage calculated by dividing field goals made by attempts. Final Four: Last four teams to survive in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. five-second violation: Failure to inbound the ball within five seconds that results in a turnover. forwards: Players who normally play closer to the basket than guards, outside the perimeters of the free-throw lane, through which they maneuver in and out. Most teams operate with two forwards, but teams lacking designated centers may be said to operate with three forwards. See also power forward; small forward. foul. See personal foul; technical foul. foul line: Line parallel to the baseline, 15 feet from the backboard, from which players shoot freethrows. Also known as the free-throw line. free agent: Player not under contract to any team, who is therefore at liberty to negotiate with any team or organization. A free agent can be a professional player whose contract has expired, one who has been waived or cut from a team, or an amateur trying to sign with a professional team. free throw: Uncontested shot taken from the foul line that is worth 1 point. Free throws are awarded after personal and technical fouls by the opposing team. free-throw line. See foul line. free-throw percentage: Percentage of successfully converted free-throw attempts. frontcourt: Offensive end of the court, between the midcourt line and baseline. frontcourt players: Forwards and centers. 445

Glossary full-court press: Defensive tactic that begins with guarding the opposing offensive players in the backcourt, instead of waiting until they cross the midcourt line. give-and-go: Offensive maneuver in which a player passes the ball to a teammate who returns it as the first player cuts to the basket. Also known as an inside cut. goaltending: Illegal physical interference with a field goal attempt. Both offensive and defensive players can be penalized for this infraction. guards: Players primarily responsible for moving the ball from the backcourt into the frontcourt to initiate offensive play. Typically the shortest players on a team, guards usually position themselves farthest from the basket. See also point guard; shooting guard. half-court press: Defensive strategy of applying pressure on the opposing team as soon as it advances the ball across midcourt. halftime: Designated intermission at the midpoint of a game. hand check: Type of foul in which a defensive player places one or both hands on the ball handler to impede the latter’s progress. high post: Area on either side of the free-throw line. holding: Type of foul in which one player grasps another to impede the latter’s progress. hoop: Colloquial term for the basket or its rim. “Hoops” is a colloquial term for the game itself. jump ball: Start or restart in which the referee throws the ball into the air between two opposing players who then jump to contest possession of the ball. All games are begun with jump balls at center court. In the early years of basketball, jump balls were used to restart games after every field goal. In later years, their use was restricted to starting second halves and resolving possession when opposing players became tied up with the ball. Now, most leagues below the professional level use jump balls only to start games. jump shot: Shot taken when a player leaves the floor and releases the ball toward the basket while in the air. See set shot. key: Area in front of the basket outlined by the lane and the free-throw circle. In the early days of basketball, the diameter of the circle was longer than the width of the lane, and the entire key took its name from the shape of an old-fash446

Great Athletes ioned keyhole. In American basketball, the lane is now the same width as the circle. In international basketball, the lane is wider at the base, making it a trapezoid shape. lane: Marked area under the basket between the end line and the free-throw line. lane violation: Misplay occurring when any player steps into the lane before a free-throw attempt reaches the hoop or the backboard. If a defending player commits this violation while an opponent misses a free throw, the shooter is allowed a second attempt. If any player, including the shooter, violates the lane, the shot is disallowed. lay up: Shot taken at point-blank range from underneath or to the side of the basket. low post: Area close to the basket on either side of the lane. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Official hall of fame of basketball, honoring American and international players, coaches, and other contributors; located in Springfield, Massachusetts, where James Naismith invented basketball in 1891. National Basketball Association (NBA): Top professional basketball league in the United States and Canada, founded in 1946. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): Principal governing body of interscholastic college athletic programs. College basketball programs are divided among three divisions. In 2009, 347 college and university men’s basketball teams competed in 32 conferences within Division I, which includes virtually all major college programs. Most smaller schools compete in Divisions II and III. Smaller numbers of women’s teams also compete in the same divisions. National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament: Premier college basketball tournament in the United States, held each March to determine the NCAA Division I national champion. The field begins with sixty-five teams and is narrowed down to one team over the course of three weekends. Teams are chosen for the tournament by either winning a conference title or earning an at-large bid. The latter selections are made by a committee. Similar tournaments are also held for Division I women’s teams and Division II teams. NBA. See National Basketball Association.

Basketball NCAA. See National Collegiate Athletic Association. net: Webbing, made of cotton or nylon, suspended below the basket’s rim. offensive rebound: Rebound recorded by any member of the offensive team, including the player who misses the shot. See defensive rebound. one and one: Foul-shooting sequence in which a player is awarded a second shot only after making the first one; used in college basketball. paint: Colloquial term for the area within the lane, which is usually painted a distinctive color. personal foul: Penalty attributed to an individual player. pick. See screen. pick-and-roll. See screen-and-roll. playoffs: Series of games played after the regular season to determine the champion of a league, conference, or division. point guard: One of the two backcourt positions, occupied by the playmaker and on-court leader. post player: Usually a center or forward who plays under or near the basket. Post players often receive the ball while facing away from the basket, toward which they may then turn to shoot. power forward: One of the two forward positions, usually occupied by one of the tallest players on a team. See also small forward. rim: Metal hoop, secured to the backboard, holding the net through the ball passes to score. rookie of the year: Award given to the top first-year player in a league, division, or conference. screen: Strategy in which an offensive player remains stationary at a specific point on the court in order to block a defensive player guarding another offensive player. screen-and-roll: Offensive set in which an offensive player blocks the ball handler’s defender and subsequently moves toward the basket. semifinals: Games played to determine which teams or players advance to championship finals. set shot: Shot taken by a player, both of whose feet are planted firmly on the floor. shooting guard: One of the two standard backcourt positions, occupied by the guard who bears primary responsibility for scoring. See also point guard. small forward: One of the two forward—or front-

Glossary court—positions, similar to the guard position in skill set but generally occupied by taller players than those who play the guard positions. See also power forward. streetball: Basketball games played on playgrounds or on other unsanctioned outdoor courts. Streetball players typically prefer flashy and tricky individual basketball skills over team skills. Sweet Sixteen: Last sixteen teams to survive in a tournament. technical foul: Rules violation that generally does not involve physical contact during play. Most frequently called for unsportsmanlike conduct, a technical foul, or “T,” may also be called against a nonplayer, such as a coach. Technical fouls are not included in personal-foul counts, but multiple infractions can lead to ejection from games. When a technical foul is called, play is stopped, and the opposing team is awarded a single free throw, attempted by the player of its choice, as all other players are moved to the opposite side of the court. After the attempt is made, whether it is successful or not, play is resumed. three-pointer: Field goal made from beyond the three-point line, or arc, that earns 3 points. three-second violation: Lane violation resulting in a turnover when an offensive player without the ball spends more than three seconds within the key. trap: Defensive strategy designed to create a turnover in which two players defend one offensive player with the ball. traveling: Violation resulting in a turnover when a ball handler takes more than one step without dribbling the ball. triple double: Achievement by an individual player of double figures (10 or more) in any three categories: points, rebounds, assists, blocks, or steals. See also double double. turnover: Play in which one team loses possession of the ball to the other through a ball-handling mistake, such as an errant pass, or a rule violation. walk on: Player who earns a place on a college team without the benefit of a scholarship offer, which a successful walk-on player may earn later. Christopher Rager

447

Basketball Players Time Line Birthdate

Player

Birthplace

April 9, 1898 April 12, 1900 October 14, 1910 June 16, 1916 January 15, 1920 c. May 3, 1921 October 26, 1921 June 18, 1924 December 23, 1924 October 22, 1925 May 25, 1926 October 3, 1926 April 9, 1928 May 19, 1928 August 9, 1928 September 7, 1929 July 13, 1931 December 9, 1931 April 25, 1932 May 25, 1932 November 9, 1932 December 12, 1932 January 13, 1933 June 24, 1933 February 12, 1934 May 11, 1934 August 26, 1934 September 16, 1934 November 15, 1935 June 26, 1936 August 21, 1936 October 28, 1937 May 28, 1938 November 24, 1938 December 13, 1938 March 30, 1940 April 8, 1940 October 16, 1940 May 19, 1941 July 25, 1941 April 15, 1942 June 25, 1942

Paul Robeson Joe Lapchick John Wooden Hank Luisetti Bob Davies Goose Tatum Joe Fulks George Mikan Bob Kurland Slater Martin Bill Sharman Marques Haynes Paul Arizin Dolph Schayes Bob Cousy Clyde Lovellette Frank Ramsey Cliff Hagan Meadowlark Lemon K. C. Jones Frank Selvy Bob Pettit Tom Gola Sam Jones Bill Russell Jack Twyman Tom Heinsohn Elgin Baylor Nera White Hal Greer Wilt Chamberlain Lenny Wilkens Jerry West Oscar Robertson Gus Johnson Jerry Lucas John Havlicek Dave DeBusschere Curly Neal Nate Thurmond Walt Hazzard Willis Reed

Princeton, New Jersey Yonkers, New York Hall, Indiana San Francisco, California Harrisburg, Pennsylvania New Jersey Birmingham, Kentucky Joliet, Illinois St. Louis, Missouri El Mina, Texas Abilene, Texas Sand Springs, Oklahoma Philadelphia, Pennsylvania New York, New York New York, New York Petersburg, Indiana Corydon, Kentucky Owensboro, Kentucky Wilmington, North Carolina Taylor, Texas Corbin, Kentucky Baton Rouge, Louisiana Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wilmington, North Carolina Monroe, Louisiana Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Jersey City, New Jersey Washington, D.C. Macon County, Tennessee Huntington, West Virginia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Brooklyn, New York Cheylan, West Virginia Charlotte, Tennessee Akron, Ohio Middletown, Ohio Martins Ferry, Ohio Detroit, Michigan Greensboro, North Carolina Akron, Ohio Wilmington, Delaware Hico, Louisiana

448

Basketball

Basketball Players Time Line

Birthdate

Player

Birthplace

July 7, 1942 April 23, 1943 June 3, 1943 July 28, 1943 November 24, 1943 January 23, 1944 March 28, 1944 November 21, 1944 March 29, 1945 November 17, 1945 March 14, 1946 April 16, 1947 June 22, 1947 September 2, 1948 September 10, 1948 October 25, 1948 October 25, 1948 November 26, 1948 September 21, 1949 February 22, 1950 September 25, 1951 November 27, 1951

Connie Hawkins Gail Goodrich Billy Cunningham Bill Bradley Dave Bing Sergei Belov Rick Barry Earl Monroe Walt Frazier Elvin Hayes Wes Unseld Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Pete Maravich Nate Archibald Bob Lanier Dave Cowens Dan Issel Krešimir ôsi6 Artis Gilmore Julius Erving Bob McAdoo Dramen Dalipagi6

April 27, 1952 November 5, 1952 August 30, 1953 January 5, 1954 March 23, 1955 March 26, 1955 April 15, 1956 September 29, 1956 December 7, 1956 July 23, 1957 December 19, 1957 February 16, 1958 July 1, 1958 August 12, 1959 August 14, 1959 September 23, 1959 January 12, 1960 February 27, 1961 April 30, 1961 May 13, 1961 November 1, 1961 March 26, 1962 June 22, 1962 August 5, 1962 January 21, 1963

George Gervin Bill Walton Robert Parish Alex English Moses Malone Ann Meyers Michael Cooper Carol Blazejowski Larry Bird Nick Galis Kevin McHale Oscar Schmidt Nancy Lieberman-Cline Lynette Woodard Magic Johnson Hortåncia Marcari Dominique Wilkins James Worthy Isiah Thomas Dennis Rodman Anne Donovan John Stockton Clyde Drexler Patrick Ewing Hakeem Olajuwon

Brooklyn, New York Los Angeles, California Brooklyn, New York Crystal City, Missouri Washington, D.C. Nashchyokovo, Soviet Union (now in Russia) Elizabeth, New Jersey Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Atlanta, Georgia Rayville, Louisiana Louisville, Kentucky New York, New York Aliquippa, Pennsylvania New York, New York Buffalo, New York Newport, Kentucky Batavia, Illinois Zagreb, Croatia, Yugoslavia (now in Croatia) Chipley, Florida Hempstead, New York Greensboro, North Carolina Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia (now in Bosnia and Herzegovina) Detroit, Michigan La Mesa, California Shreveport, Louisiana Columbia, South Carolina Petersburg, Virginia San Diego, California Los Angeles, California Elizabeth, New Jersey West Baden Springs, Indiana New Jersey Hibbing, Minnesota Natal, Brazil Brooklyn, New York Wichita, Kansas Lansing, Michigan Potirendaba, São Paulo, Brazil Paris, France (of U.S. parents) Gastonia, North Carolina Chicago, Illinois Trenton, New Jersey Ridgewood, New Jersey Spokane, Washington New Orleans, Louisiana Kingston, Jamaica Lagos, Nigeria 449

Great Athletes

Basketball Players Time Line Birthdate

Player

Birthplace

February 17, 1963 February 20, 1963 April 14, 1963 May 24, 1963 July 13, 1963 July 24, 1963 July 30, 1963 January 3, 1964 October 22, 1964 December 19, 1964 April 1, 1965 August 6, 1965 August 24, 1965 September 25, 1965 June 25, 1966

Michael Jordan Charles Barkley Cynthia Cooper Joe Dumars Spud Webb Karl Malone Chris Mullin Cheryl Miller Dramen Petrovi6 Arvydas Sabonis Mark Jackson David Robinson Reggie Miller Scottie Pippen Dikembe Mutombo

September 1, 1966 February 3, 1968 July 23, 1968 September 18, 1968 March 14, 1969 November 18, 1969 February 8, 1970 August 25, 1970 October 12, 1970 November 30, 1970 March 25, 1971 July 18, 1971 March 6, 1972 July 7, 1972 October 5, 1972 March 1, 1973 March 23, 1973 October 6, 1973 February 7, 1974

Tim Hardaway Vlade Divac Gary Payton Toni Kukoc Larry Johnson Sam Cassell Alonzo Mourning Robert Horry Charlie Ward Natalie Williams Sheryl Swoopes Penny Hardaway Shaquille O’Neal Lisa Leslie Grant Hill Chris Webber Jason Kidd Rebecca Lobo Steve Nash

September 10, 1974 June 7, 1975 July 20, 1975 April 25, 1976 May 19, 1976 January 26, 1977 July 28, 1977 August 9, 1977 October 13, 1977 May 13, 1978 June 19, 1978 August 23, 1978

Ben Wallace Allen Iverson Ray Allen Tim Duncan Kevin Garnett Vince Carter Manu Ginóbili Chamique Holdsclaw Paul Pierce Mike Bibby Dirk Nowitzki Kobe Bryant

Brooklyn, New York Leeds, Alabama Chicago, Illinois Shreveport, Louisiana Dallas, Texas Bernice, Louisiana Brooklyn, New York Riverside, California Šibenik, Croatia, Yugoslavia (now in Croatia) Kaunas, Soviet Union (now in Lithuania) Brooklyn, New York Key West, Florida Riverside, California Hamburg, Arkansas Kinshasa, Zaire (now in Democratic Republic of Congo) Chicago, Illinois Prijepolje, Serbia, Yugoslavia (now in Serbia) Oakland, California Split, Yugoslavia (now in Croatia) Tyler, Texas Baltimore, Maryland Chesapeake, Virginia Harford County, Maryland Thomasville, Georgia Long Beach, California Brownfield, Texas Memphis, Tennessee Newark, New Jersey Gardena, California Dallas, Texas Detroit, Michigan San Francisco, California Southwick, Massachusetts Johannesburg, South Africa (moved to Canada as infant) White Hall, Alabama Hampton, Virginia Merced, California Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands Maudlin, South Carolina Daytona Beach, Florida Bahía Blanca, Argentina Astoria, New York Oakland, California Cherry Hill, New Jersey Würzburg, West Germany (now in Germany) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

450

Basketball

Basketball Players Time Line

Birthdate

Player

Birthplace

March 11, 1979 March 22, 1979 April 13, 1979 May 24, 1979 July 21, 1979 July 6, 1980 September 12, 1980 January 17, 1982 May 17, 1982 June 11, 1982 November 16, 1982 May 29, 1984 December 30, 1984 May 6, 1985 April 19, 1986

Elton Brand Nikki Teasley Baron Davis Tracy McGrady Tamika Catchings Pau Gasol Yao Ming Dwyane Wade Tony Parker Diana Taurasi Amare Stoudemire Carmelo Anthony LeBron James Chris Paul Candace Parker

Peekskill, New York Washington, D.C. Los Angeles, California Bartow, Florida Stratford, New Jersey Barcelona, Spain Shanghai, China Chicago, Illinois Bruges, Belgium Chino, California Lake Wales, Florida Brooklyn, New York Akron, Ohio Lewisville, North Carolina St. Louis, Missouri

451

All-Time Great Players

Fifty Greatest NBA Players In 1996, the National Basketball Association selected fifty players as the greatest in the league’s fifty-year history. The chosen players were not ranked and are listed here in alphabetical order. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Dave Bing Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier

George Gervin Hal Greer John Havlicek Elvin Hayes Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas Kevin McHale Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich George Mikan Earl Monroe Hakeem Olajuwon Shaquille O’Neal Robert Parish

Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy

455

WNBA All-Decade Team In 2006, the Women’s National Basketball Association celebrated the completion of its tenth season by having fans vote for the first decade’s most outstanding players. The top ten players and five honorable mentions were elected from a list of thirty nominees selected by a panel of media members, players, and coaches. First Team Sue Bird, Seattle Storm (2002) Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever (2001) Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets (1997-2000, 2003) Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs (1999) Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm (2001) Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks (1997) Katie Smith, Minnesota Lynx (1999-2005), Detroit Shock (2005) Dawn Staley, Charlotte Sting (1999-2005), Houston Comets (2005)

456

Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets (1997Tina Thompson, Houston Comets (1997-

) )

Honorable Mention Ruthie Bolton, Sacramento Monarchs (19972004) Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics (19992004), Los Angeles Sparks (2005) Ticha Penicheiro, Sacramento Monarchs (1998) Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury (2004) Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty (19972003), Los Angeles Sparks (2004)

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Named after James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was established in 1949 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The hall honors players, coaches, referees, and “contributors,” such as team owners and broadcasters. Players must be retired for five years before they may be nominated; they are voted in by a twenty-four-member committee of media representatives, Hall of Fame members, and trustees. Only players are listed here, but players who have also been inducted as coaches are marked with plus signs (+). Their years of induction (as players) are given in parentheses. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1995) Nathaniel Archibald (1991) Paul J. Arizin (1978) Charles Barkley (2006) Thomas B. Barlow (1981) Richard F. Barry (1987) Elgin Baylor (1977) John Beckman (1973) Walter Bellamy (1993) Sergei Belov (1992) David Bing (1990) Larry Bird (1998) Carol Blazejowski (1994) Bernard Borgmann (1961) William W. Bradley (1983) Joseph R. Brennan (1975) Alfred N. Cervi (1985) Wilton N. Chamberlain (1979) Charles T. Cooper (1977) Kresimir Cosic (1996) Robert J. Cousy (1971) David W. Cowens (1991) Joan Crawford (1997) William J. Cunningham (1986) Denise Curry (1997) Dramen Dalipagi6 (2004) Adrian Dantley (2008) Robert E. Davies (1970) Forrest S. DeBernardi (1961) David A. DeBusschere (1983) Henry G. Dehnert (1969) Anne Donovan (1995) Clyde Drexler (2004) Joe Dumars (2006) Paul Endacott (1972)

Alex English (1997) Julius W. Erving (1993) Patrick Ewing (2008) Harold E. Foster (1964) Walter Frazier (1987) Max Friedman (1972) Joseph F. Fulks (1978) Lauren Gale (1977) Harry J. Gallatin (1991) William “Pop” Gates (1989) George Gervin (1996) Thomas J. Gola (1976) Gail Goodrich (1996) Harold E. Greer (1982) Robert F. Gruenig (1963) Clifford O. Hagan (1978) Victor A. Hanson (1960) Lusia Harris-Stewart (1992) John Havlicek (1984) Cornelius L. Hawkins (1992) Elvin E. Hayes (1990) Marques Haynes (1998) Thomas W. Heinsohn (1986) Nat Holman (1964) Robert J. Houbregs (1987) Bailey Howell (1997) Charles D. Hyatt (1959) Daniel P. Issel (1993) Harry “Buddy” Jeannette (1994) Earvin “Magic” Johnson (2002) William C. Johnson (1977) Donald Neil Johnston (1990) K. C. Jones (1989) Sam Jones (1984) Michael Jordan (2009)

Edward W. Krause (1976) Robert A. Kurland (1961) Robert J. Lanier (1992) Joe Lapchick (1966) Nancy Lieberman (1996) Clyde E. Lovellette (1988) Jerry R. Lucas (1980) Angelo Luisetti (1959) Edward C. Macauley (1960) Moses Malone (2001) Peter P. Maravich (1987) Hortencia Marcari (2005) Slater N. Martin (1982) Robert McAdoo (2000) Branch McCracken (1960) Jack McCracken (1962) Robert McDermott (1988) Richard S. McGuire (1993) Kevin McHale (1999) Dino Meneghin (2003) Ann E. Meyers (1993) George L. Mikan (1959) Vern Mikkelsen (1995) Cheryl Miller (1995) Vernon Earl Monroe (1990) Calvin J. Murphy (1993) Charles C. Murphy (1960) Hakeem Olajuwon (2008) Harlan O. Page (1962) Robert Parish (2003) Drazen Petrovic (2002) Robert L. Pettit (1971) Andy Phillip (1961) James C. Pollard (1978) Frank V. Ramsey, Jr. (1982) 457

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Willis Reed, Jr. (1982) Arnold (Arnie) Risen (1998) Oscar P. Robertson (1980) David Robinson (2009) John S. Roosma (1961) John D. Russell (1964) William F. Russell (1975) Adolph Schayes (1973) Ernest J. Schmidt (1974) John J. Schommer (1959) Barney Sedran (1962) Uljana Semjonova (1993)

458

Bill W. Sharman+ (1976) Christian Steinmetz (1961) John Stockton (2009) Maurice Stokes (2004) Isiah Thomas (2000) David Thompson (1996) John A. Thompson (1962) Nate Thurmond (1985) John (Jack) K. Twyman (1983) Westley S. Unseld (1988) Robert P. Vandivier (1975) Edward A. Wachter (1961)

Great Athletes William T. Walton (1993) Robert Wanzer (1987) Jerry A. West (1980) Nera D. White (1992) Leonard (Lenny) Wilkens+ (1989) Dominique Wilkins (2006) Lynette Woodard (2004) John R. Wooden+ (1960) James Worthy (2003) George Yardley (1996)

Annual Awards and Honors

John R. Wooden Award Established in 1977 to honor the most outstanding players in men’s college basketball, the John R. Wooden Award was named in honor of UCLA’s legendary coach, who had retired after winning his tenth national championship for UCLA in 1975. Recipients of the award are selected by a large panel of voters representing all fifty U.S. states. The awards take into consideration both regular- and postseason play, as well as the players’ character. Since 2004, a second award has been given to women players. Women 2004 Alana Beard, Duke 2005 Seimone Augustus, Louisiana State 2006 Seimone Augustus, Louisiana State 2007 Candace Parker, Tennessee 2008 Candace Parker, Tennessee 2009 Maya Moore, Connecticut Men 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988

Marques Johnson, UCLA Phil Ford, North Carolina Larry Bird, Indiana State Darrell Griffith, Louisville Danny Ainge, Brigham Young Ralph Sampson, Virginia Ralph Sampson, Virginia Michael Jordan, North Carolina Chris Mullin, St. John’s Walter Berry, St. John’s David Robinson, U.S. Naval Academy Danny Manning, Kansas

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Sean Elliott, Arizona Lionel Simmons, La Salle Larry Johnson, UNLV Christian Laettner, Duke Calbert Cheaney, Indiana Glenn Robinson, Purdue Ed O’Bannon, UCLA Marcus Camby, Massachusetts Tim Duncan, Wake Forest Antawn Jamison, North Carolina Elton Brand, Duke Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati Shane Battier, Duke Jason Williams, Duke T. J. Ford, Texas Jameer Nelson, Saint Joseph’s Andrew Bogut, Utah J. J. Redick, Duke Kevin Durant, Texas Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

461

USA Basketball Athlete of the Year Awards Affiliated with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), USA Basketball is the governing body of basketball within the United States. Every year since 1980, the organization has named one female basketball player and one male basketball player as its basketball athletes of the year. The award was originally intended for individual players, but in 1992 and 2008 the male athlete award went to U.S. national teams that distinguished themselves in international competitions. The female award for 1982 and the male awards for 1984 and 2004 were shared. Awards are made to both amateur and professional players. Female Players 1980 Carol Blazejowski 1981 Denise Curry 1982 Cindy Noble LaTaunya Pollard 1983 Lynette Woodard 1984 Cheryl Miller 1985 Jennifer Gillom 1986 Cheryl Miller 1987 Teresa Edwards 1988 Katrina McClain 1989 Venus Lacey 1990 Teresa Edwards 1991 Ruthie Bolton 1992 Katrina McClain 1993 Lisa Leslie 1994 Dawn Staley 1995 Sylvia Crawley 1996 Teresa Edwards 1997 Chamique Holdsclaw 1998 Lisa Leslie 1999 Natalie Williams 2000 Teresa Edwards 2001 Ayana Walker 2002 Lisa Leslie 2003 Seimone Augustus 2004 Dawn Staley 2005 Crystal Langhorne 2006 Diana Taurasi 2007 Candice Wiggins 2008 Katie Smith

462

Male Players 1980 Isiah Thomas 1981 Kevin Boyle 1982 Glenn Rivers 1983 Michael Jordan 1984 Michael Jordan Sam Perkins 1985 Chuck Person 1986 David Robinson 1987 Danny Manning 1988 Dan Majerle 1989 Larry Johnson 1990 Alonzo Mourning 1991 Christian Laettner 1992 1992 U.S. Olympic Team 1993 Michael Finley 1994 Shaquille O’Neal 1995 Ray Allen 1996 Scottie Pippen 1997 Earl Boykins 1998 Elton Brand 1999 Gary Payton 2000 Alonzo Mourning 2001 Chris Duhon 2002 Reggie Miller 2003 Tim Duncan 2004 Sean May Chris Paul 2005 Shelden Williams 2006 Carmelo Anthony 2007 Jason Kidd 2008 USA Men’s Senior Basketball Team

National Basketball Association

NBA Top Draft Picks Year

Player

Drafting team

School or country

1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

Clifton McNeely Andy Tonkovich Howie Shannon Charlie Share Gene Melchiorre Mark Workman Ray Felix Frank Selvy Dick Ricketts Sihugo Green Rod Hundley Elgin Baylor Bob Boozer Oscar Robertson Walt Bellamy Bill McGill Art Heyman Jim Barnes Fred Hetzel Cazzie Russell Jimmy Walker Elvin Hayes Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) Bob Lanier Austin Carr LaRue Martin Doug Collins Bill Walton David Thompson John Lucas Kent Benson Mychal Thompson Magic Johnson Joe Barry Carroll Mark Aguirre James Worthy Ralph Sampson Hakeem Olajuwon Patrick Ewing Brad Daugherty David Robinson

Pittsburgh Ironmen Providence Steamrollers Providence Steamrollers Boston Celtics Baltimore Bullets Milwaukee Hawks Baltimore Bullets Baltimore Bullets Milwaukee Hawks Rochester Royals Cincinnati Royals Minneapolis Lakers Cincinnati Royals Cincinnati Royals Chicago Packers Chicago Zephyrs New York Knicks New York Knicks San Francisco Warriors New York Knicks Detroit Pistons Houston Rockets Milwaukee Bucks

Texas Wesleyan Marshall Kansas State Bowling Green Bradley West Virginia Long Island Furman Duquesne Duquesne West Virginia Seattle Kansas State Cincinnati Indiana Utah Duke Texas Western Davidson Michigan Providence Houston UCLA

Detroit Pistons Cleveland Cavaliers Portland Trailblazers Philadelphia 76ers Portland Trailblazers Atlanta Hawks Houston Rockets Milwaukee Bucks Portland Trailblazers Los Angeles Lakers Golden State Warriors Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Houston Rockets New York Knicks Cleveland Cavaliers San Antonio Spurs

St. Bonaventure Notre Dame Loyola-Chicago Illinois State UCLA North Carolina State Maryland Indiana Minnesota Michigan State Purdue DePaul North Carolina Virginia Houston Georgetown North Carolina Navy

1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987

465

Great Athletes

NBA Top Draft Picks Year

Player

Drafting team

School or country

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Danny Manning Pervis Ellison Derrick Coleman Larry Johnson Shaquille O’Neal Chris Webber Glenn Robinson Joe Smith Allen Iverson Tim Duncan Michael Olowokandi Elton Brand Kenyon Martin Kwame Brown Yao Ming LeBron James Dwight Howard Andrew Bogut Andrea Bargnani Greg Oden Derrick Rose Blake Griffin

Los Angeles Clippers Sacramento Kings New Jersey Nets Charlotte Hornets Orlando Magic Orlando Magic Milwaukee Bucks Golden State Warriors Philadelphia 76ers San Antonio Spurs Los Angeles Clippers Chicago Bulls New Jersey Nets Washington Bullets Houston Rockets Cleveland Cavaliers Orlando Magic Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors Portland Trail Blazers Chicago Bulls Los Angeles Clippers

Kansas Louisville Syracuse Nevada-Las Vegas Louisiana State Michigan Purdue Maryland Georgetown Wake Forest Pacific Duke Cincinnati Glynn Academy, Georgia China St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S., Ohio S.W. Atlanta Christian Academy, Georgia Utah Italy Ohio State Memphis Oklahoma

466

NBA Rookies of the Year 1953 Don Meineke, Fort Wayne Pistons 1954 Ray Felix, Baltimore Bullets 1955 Bob Pettit, Milwaukee Hawks 1956 Maurice Stokes, Rochester Royals 1957 Tom Heinsohn, Boston Celtics 1958 Woody Sauldsberry, Philadelphia Warriors 1959 Elgin Baylor, Minneapolis Lakers 1960 Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors 1961 Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals 1962 Walt Bellamy, Chicago Packers 1963 Terry Dischinger, Chicago Zephyrs 1964 Jerry Lucas, Cincinnati Royals 1965 Willis Reed, New York Knicks 1966 Rick Barry, San Francisco Warriors 1967 Dave Bing, Detroit Pistons 1968 Earl Monroe, Baltimore Bullets 1969 Wes Unseld, Baltimore Bullets 1970 Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Milwaukee Bucks 1971 Dave Cowens, Boston Celtics Geoff Petrie, Portland Trail Blazers 1972 Sidney Wicks, Portland Trail Blazers 1973 Bob McAdoo, Buffalo Braves 1974 Ernie DiGregorio, Buffalo Braves 1975 Keith Wilkes, Golden State Warriors 1976 Alvan Adams, Phoenix Suns 1977 Adrian Dantley, Buffalo Braves 1978 Walter Davis, Phoenix Suns 1979 Phil Ford, Kansas City Kings 1980 Larry Bird, Boston Celtics 1981 Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Buck Williams, New Jersey Nets Terry Cummings, San Diego Clippers Ralph Sampson, Houston Rockets Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks Chuck Person, Indiana Pacers Mark Jackson, New York Knicks Mitch Richmond, Golden State Warriors David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic Chris Webber, Golden State Warriors Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks 1996 Damon Stoudamire, Toronto Raptors 1997 Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers 1998 Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs 1999 Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors 2000 Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls Steve Francis, Houston Rockets 2001 Mike Miller, Orlando Magic 2002 Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies 2003 Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns 2004 LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers 2005 Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats 2006 Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets 2007 Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers 2008 Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics 2009 Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

467

NBA Most Valuable Players 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982

468

Bob Pettit, St. Louis Hawks Bob Cousy, Boston Celtics Bill Russell, Boston Celtics Bob Pettit, St. Louis Hawks Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors Bill Russell, Boston Celtics Bill Russell, Boston Celtics Bill Russell, Boston Celtics Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Royals Bill Russell, Boston Celtics Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers Wes Unseld, Baltimore Bullets Willis Reed, New York Knicks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks Dave Cowens, Boston Celtics Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks Bob McAdoo, Buffalo Sabres Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers Moses Malone, Houston Rockets Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers Moses Malone, Houston Rockets

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers Larry Bird, Boston Celtics Larry Bird, Boston Celtics Larry Bird, Boston Celtics Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Charles Barkley, Phoenix Suns Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Karl Malone, Utah Jazz Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Karl Malone, Utah Jazz Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Defensive Players of the Year 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz Alvin Robertson, San Antonio Spurs Michael Cooper, Los Angeles Lakers Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets Dikembe Mutombo, Denver Nuggets Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics

1997 Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks 1998 Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks 1999 Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat 2000 Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat 2001 Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks 2002 Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons 2003 Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons 2004 Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers 2005 Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons 2006 Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons 2007 Marcus Camby, Denver Nuggets 2008 Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics 2009 Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

469

NBA Sixth Man Award In 1983, the National Basketball Association instituted the Sixth Man Award to recognize players who make major contributions to their teams by coming off the bench. To be eligible for the award, players must play as substitutes in more than half their games. Winners of the award are selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

470

Bobby Jones, Philadelphia 76ers Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics Bill Walton, Boston Celtics Ricky Pierce, Milwaukee Bucks Roy Tarpley, Dallas Mavericks Eddie Johnson, Phoenix Suns Ricky Pierce, Milwaukee Bucks Detlef Schrempf, Indiana Pacers Detlef Schrempf, Indiana Pacers Clifford Robinson, Portland Trail Blazers Dell Curry, Charlotte Hornets Anthony Mason, New York Knicks Toni Kukoc, Chicago Bulls

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

John Starks, New York Knicks Danny Manning, Phoenix Suns Darrell Armstrong, Orlando Magic Rodney Rogers, Phoenix Suns Aaron McKie, Philadelphia 76ers Corliss Williamson, Detroit Pistons Bobby Jackson, Sacramento Kings Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns Manu Ginóbili, San Antonio Spurs Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks

NBA Scoring Champions From the National Basketball Association’s first season through 1968-1969, the league’s official scoring champions were the players who scored the most total points each season. Since the 1969-1970 season, the scoring championship has gone to players—provided they have played in the requisite minimum number of games—with the highest points-per-game averages (PPG). During many seasons the PPG leaders have not been the players who have scored the most points. Season

Player

Team

Games Points

PPG

Total Points Leaders 1946-1947 Joe Fulks 1947-1948 Max Zaslofsky 1948-1949 George Mikan 1949-1950 George Mikan 1950-1951 George Mikan 1951-1952 Paul Arizin 1952-1953 Neil Johnston 1953-1954 Neil Johnston 1954-1955 Neil Johnston 1955-1956 Bob Pettit 1956-1957 Paul Arizin 1957-1958 George Yardley 1958-1959 Bob Pettit 1959-1960 Wilt Chamberlain 1960-1961 Wilt Chamberlain 1961-1962 Wilt Chamberlain 1962-1963 Wilt Chamberlain 1963-1964 Wilt Chamberlain 1964-1965 Wilt Chamberlain 1965-1966 Wilt Chamberlain 1966-1967 Rick Barry 1967-1968 Dave Bing 1968-1969 Elvin Hayes

Philadelphia Warriors Chicago Stags Minneapolis Lakers Minneapolis Lakers Minneapolis Lakers Philadelphia Warriors Philadelphia Warriors Philadelphia Warriors Philadelphia Warriors St. Louis Hawks Philadelphia Warriors Detroit Pistons St. Louis Hawks Philadelphia Warriors Philadelphia Warriors Philadelphia Warriors San Francisco Warriors San Francisco Warriors SF Warriors/Phil 76ers Philadelphia 76ers San Francisco Warriors Detroit Pistons San Diego Rockets

60 48 60 68 68 66 70 72 72 72 71 72 72 72 79 80 80 80 73 79 78 79 82

1389 1007 1698 1865 1932 1674 1564 1759 1631 1849 1817 2001 2105 2707 3033 4029 3586 2948 2534 2649 2775 2142 2327

23.2 21.0 28.3 27.4 28.4 25.4 22.3 24.4 22.7 25.7 25.6 27.8 29.2 37.6 38.4 50.4 44.8 36.9 34.7 33.5 35.6 27.1 28.4

Points-per-Game Leaders 1969-1970 Jerry West 1970-1971 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1971-1972 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1972-1973 Nate Archibald 1973-1974 Bob McAdoo 1974-1975 Bob McAdoo 1975-1976 Bob McAdoo 1976-1977 Pete Maravich 1977-1978 George Gervin 1978-1979 George Gervin 1979-1980 George Gervin

Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks Kansas City-Omaha Kings Buffalo Braves Buffalo Braves Buffalo Braves New Orleans Jazz San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs

74 82 81 80 74 82 78 73 82 80 78

2309 2596 2822 2719 2261 2831 2427 2273 2232 2365 2585

31.2 31.7 34.8 34.0 30.6 34.5 31.1 31.1 27.2 29.6 33.1 471

Great Athletes

NBA Scoring Champions Season

Player

Team

Games Points

PPG

1980-1981 1981-1982 1982-1983 1983-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1987 1987-1988 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009

Adrian Dantley George Gervin Alex English Adrian Dantley Bernard King Dominique Wilkins Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jordan David Robinson Shaquille O’Neal Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Michael Jordan Allen Iverson Shaquille O’Neal Allen Iverson Allen Iverson Tracy McGrady Tracy McGrady Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant LeBron James Dwyane Wade

Utah Jazz San Antonio Spurs Denver Nuggets Utah Jazz New York Knicks Atlanta Hawks Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls San Antonio Spurs Orlando Magic Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Philadelphia 76ers Los Angeles Lakers Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers Orlando Magic Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers Cleveland Cavaliers Miami Heat

80 79 82 79 55 78 82 82 81 82 82 80 78 80 79 82 82 82 48 79 71 60 75 67 75 80 77 75 79

30.7 32.3 28.4 30.6 32.9 30.3 37.1 35.0 32.5 33.6 31.5 30.1 32.6 29.8 29.3 30.4 29.6 28.7 26.8 29.7 31.1 31.4 32.1 28.0 30.7 35.4 31.6 30.0 30.2

472

2452 2551 2326 2418 1809 2366 3041 2868 2633 2753 2580 2404 2541 2383 2315 2491 2431 2357 1284 2344 2207 1883 2407 1878 2302 2832 2430 2250 2386

Women’s National Basketball Association

WNBA Top Draft Picks Year

Player

Drafting team

School or country

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Dena Head Margo Dydek Chamique Holdsclaw Ann Wauters Lauren Jackson Sue Bird LaToya Thomas Diana Taurasi Janel McCarville Seimone Augustus Lindsey Harding Candace Parker Angel McCoughtry

Utah Starzz Utah Starzz Washington Mystics Cleveland Rockers Seattle Storm Seattle Storm Cleveland Rockers Phoenix Mercury Charlotte Sting Minnesota Lynx Phoenix Mercury (traded to Minnesota) Los Angeles Sparks Atlanta Dream

Tennessee Poland Tennessee Belgium Australia Connecticut Mississippi State Connecticut Minnesota Louisiana State Duke Tennessee Louisville

475

WNBA Rookies of the Year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

476

(no award) Tracy Reid, Charlotte Sting Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics Betty Lennox, Minnesota Lynx Jackie Stiles, Portland Fire Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Cheryl Ford, Detroit Shock Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury Temeka Johnson, Washington Mystics Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx Armintie Price, Chicago Sky Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

WNBA Most Valuable Players 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

477

WNBA Defensive Player and Sixth Woman Awards Since the Women’s National Basketball Association’s first season in 1997, it has named the season’s most outstanding defender the defensive player of the year. In 2007, it followed the example of the NBA by designating the season’s most productive player off the bench the Sixth Woman of the Year. Defensive Player of the Year 1997 Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty 1998 Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty 1999 Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs 2000 Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets 2001 Debbie Black, Miami Sol 2002 Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets 2003 Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets 2004 Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

478

2005 2006 2007 2008

Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

Sixth Woman of the Year 2007 Plenette Pierson, Detroit Shock 2008 Candice Wiggins, Minnesota Lynx

WNBA Scoring Leaders Since the Women’s National Basketball Association began in 1997, it has given “peak performer” awards to players who have led the league in various statistical categories, some of which have changed over the years. Although it was not until 2002 that the league settled on the NBA’s system of using average points per game (PPG) to determine its scoring leader the entire list below is based on PPG. Year

Player

Team

Games Points

PPG

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Cynthia Cooper Cynthia Cooper Cynthia Cooper Sheryl Swoopes Katie Smith Chamique Holdsclaw Lauren Jackson Lauren Jackson Sheryl Swoopes Diana Taurasi Lauren Jackson Diana Taurasi

Houston Comets Houston Comets Houston Comets Houston Comets Minnesota Lynx Washington Mystics Seattle Storm Seattle Storm Houston Comets Phoenix Mercury Seattle Storm Phoenix Mercury

28 30 31 31 32 20 33 31 33 34 31 34

22.2 22.7 22.1 20.7 23.1 19.9 21.2 20.5 18.6 25.3 23.8 24.1

621 680 686 643 739 397 698 634 614 860 739 820

479

Indexes

Name Index Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem, 1 Allen, Ray, 5 Anthony, Carmelo, 8 Archibald, Nate, 11 Arizin, Paul, 14 Barkley, Charles, 17 Barry, Rick, 20 Baylor, Elgin, 23 Belov, Sergei, 26 Bibby, Mike, 28 Bing, Dave, 31 Bird, Larry, 34 Blazejowski, Carol, 37 Bradley, Bill, 39 Brand, Elton, 42 Bryant, Kobe, 45 Carter, Vince, 49 Cassell, Sam, 52 Catchings, Tamika, 54 Chamberlain, Wilt, 57 Cooper, Cynthia, 60 Cooper, Michael, 63 ôsi6, Krešimir, 66 Cousy, Bob, 68 Cowens, Dave, 71 Cunningham, Billy, 74 Dalipagi6, Dramen, 77 Davies, Bob, 79 Davis, Baron, 82 DeBusschere, Dave, 84 Divac, Vlade, 87 Donovan, Anne, 90 Drexler, Clyde, 93 Dumars, Joe, 96 Duncan, Tim, 98 English, Alex, 101 Erving, Julius, 104 Ewing, Patrick, 107 Frazier, Walt, 110 Fulks, Joe, 113

Galis, Nick, 116 Garnett, Kevin, 118 Gasol, Pau, 121 Gervin, George, 124 Gilmore, Artis, 127 Ginóbili, Manu, 130 Gola, Tom, 133 Goodrich, Gail, 135 Greer, Hal, 138 Hagan, Cliff, 141 Hardaway, Penny, 144 Hardaway, Tim, 147 Havlicek, John, 150 Hawkins, Connie, 153 Hayes, Elvin, 156 Haynes, Marques, 159 Hazzard, Walt, 161 Heinsohn, Tom, 164 Hill, Grant, 167 Holdsclaw, Chamique, 170 Horry, Robert, 173 Issel, Dan, 175 Iverson, Allen, 178 Jackson, Mark, 181 James, LeBron, 184 Johnson, Gus, 187 Johnson, Larry, 190 Johnson, Magic, 193 Jones, K. C., 197 Jones, Sam, 200 Jordan, Michael, 203 Kidd, Jason, 207 Kukoc, Toni, 210 Kurland, Bob, 213 Lanier, Bob, 215 Lapchick, Joe, 218 Lemon, Meadowlark, 220 Leslie, Lisa, 222 Lieberman-Cline, Nancy, 226 Lobo, Rebecca, 229

Lovellette, Clyde, 232 Lucas, Jerry, 234 Luisetti, Hank, 237 McAdoo, Bob, 240 McGrady, Tracy, 243 McHale, Kevin, 246 Malone, Karl, 249 Malone, Moses, 252 Maravich, Pete, 255 Marcari, Hortåncia, 258 Martin, Slater, 261 Meyers, Ann, 264 Mikan, George, 267 Miller, Cheryl, 270 Miller, Reggie, 273 Monroe, Earl, 276 Mourning, Alonzo, 279 Mullin, Chris, 282 Mutombo, Dikembe, 285 Nash, Steve, 288 Neal, Curly, 291 Nowitzki, Dirk, 293 Olajuwon, Hakeem, 296 O’Neal, Shaquille, 300 Parish, Robert, 304 Parker, Candace, 307 Parker, Tony, 310 Paul, Chris, 312 Payton, Gary, 315 Petrovi6, Dramen, 318 Pettit, Bob, 321 Pierce, Paul, 324 Pippen, Scottie, 327 Ramsey, Frank, 330 Reed, Willis, 332 Robertson, Oscar, 335 Robinson, David, 338 Rodman, Dennis, 342 Russell, Bill, 345

483

Great Athletes

Name Index Sabonis, Arvydas, 348 Schayes, Dolph, 350 Schmidt, Oscar, 353 Selvy, Frank, 355 Sharman, Bill, 358 Stockton, John, 361 Stoudemire, Amare, 365 Swoopes, Sheryl, 368 Tatum, Goose, 371 Taurasi, Diana, 373 Teasley, Nikki, 375

484

Thomas, Isiah, 377 Thurmond, Nate, 381 Twyman, Jack, 384 Unseld, Wes, 387 Wade, Dwyane, 390 Wallace, Ben, 393 Walton, Bill, 396 Ward, Charlie, 400 Webb, Spud, 403 Webber, Chris, 406

West, Jerry, 409 White, Nera, 412 Wilkens, Lenny, 414 Wilkins, Dominique, 418 Williams, Natalie, 421 Woodard, Lynette, 424 Wooden, John, 427 Worthy, James, 431 Yao Ming, 434

Country Index ARGENTINA Manu Ginóbili, 130 BELGIUM Tony Parker, 310 BRAZIL Hortåncia Marcari, 258 Oscar Schmidt, 353 CANADA Steve Nash, 288 CHINA Yao Ming, 434 CROATIA Krešimir ôsi6, 66 Toni Kukoc, 210 Dramen Petrovi6, 318 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Dikembe Mutombo, 285 FRANCE Tony Parker, 310 GERMANY Dirk Nowitzki, 293 JAMAICA Patrick Ewing, 107 LITHUANIA Arvydas Sabonis, 348 NIGERIA Hakeem Olajuwon, 296 RUSSIA Sergei Belov, 26 SOUTH AFRICA Steve Nash, 288

SOVIET UNION Sergei Belov, 26 Arvydas Sabonis, 348 SPAIN Pau Gasol, 121 UNITED STATES Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1 Ray Allen, 5 Carmelo Anthony, 8 Nate Archibald, 11 Paul Arizin, 14 Charles Barkley, 17 Rick Barry, 20 Elgin Baylor, 23 Mike Bibby, 28 Dave Bing, 31 Larry Bird, 34 Carol Blazejowski, 37 Bill Bradley, 39 Elton Brand, 42 Kobe Bryant, 45 Vince Carter, 49 Sam Cassell, 52 Tamika Catchings, 54 Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Cynthia Cooper, 60 Michael Cooper, 63 Bob Cousy, 68 Dave Cowens, 71 Billy Cunningham, 74 Bob Davies, 79 Baron Davis, 82 Dave DeBusschere, 84 Anne Donovan, 90 Clyde Drexler, 93 Joe Dumars, 96 Tim Duncan, 98 Alex English, 101 Julius Erving, 104 Patrick Ewing, 107 Walt Frazier, 110 Joe Fulks, 113 Nick Galis, 116

Kevin Garnett, 118 George Gervin, 124 Artis Gilmore, 127 Tom Gola, 133 Gail Goodrich, 135 Hal Greer, 138 Cliff Hagan, 141 Penny Hardaway, 144 Tim Hardaway, 147 John Havlicek, 150 Connie Hawkins, 153 Elvin Hayes, 156 Marques Haynes, 159 Walt Hazzard, 161 Tom Heinsohn, 164 Grant Hill, 167 Chamique Holdsclaw, 170 Robert Horry, 173 Dan Issel, 175 Allen Iverson, 178 Mark Jackson, 181 LeBron James, 184 Gus Johnson, 187 Larry Johnson, 190 Magic Johnson, 193 K. C. Jones, 197 Sam Jones, 200 Michael Jordan, 203 Jason Kidd, 207 Bob Kurland, 213 Bob Lanier, 215 Joe Lapchick, 218 Meadowlark Lemon, 220 Lisa Leslie, 222 Nancy Lieberman-Cline, 226 Rebecca Lobo, 229 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Jerry Lucas, 234 Hank Luisetti, 237 Bob McAdoo, 240 Tracy McGrady, 243 Kevin McHale, 246 Karl Malone, 249 Moses Malone, 252 Pete Maravich, 255 485

Great Athletes

Country Index Slater Martin, 261 Ann Meyers, 264 George Mikan, 267 Cheryl Miller, 270 Reggie Miller, 273 Earl Monroe, 276 Alonzo Mourning, 279 Chris Mullin, 282 Curly Neal, 291 Hakeem Olajuwon, 296 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Robert Parish, 304 Candace Parker, 307 Chris Paul, 312 Gary Payton, 315 Bob Pettit, 321 Paul Pierce, 324 Scottie Pippen, 327 Frank Ramsey, 330 Willis Reed, 332 Oscar Robertson, 335

486

David Robinson, 338 Dennis Rodman, 342 Bill Russell, 345 Dolph Schayes, 350 Frank Selvy, 355 Bill Sharman, 358 John Stockton, 361 Amare Stoudemire, 365 Sheryl Swoopes, 368 Goose Tatum, 371 Diana Taurasi, 373 Nikki Teasley, 375 Isiah Thomas, 377 Nate Thurmond, 381 Jack Twyman, 384 Wes Unseld, 387 Dwyane Wade, 390 Ben Wallace, 393 Bill Walton, 396 Charlie Ward, 400 Spud Webb, 403

Chris Webber, 406 Jerry West, 409 Nera White, 412 Lenny Wilkens, 414 Dominique Wilkins, 418 Natalie Williams, 421 Lynette Woodard, 424 John Wooden, 427 James Worthy, 431 VIRGIN ISLANDS Tim Duncan, 98 YUGOSLAVIA Krešimir ôsi6, 66 Dramen Dalipagi6, 77 Vlade Divac, 87 Toni Kukoc, 210 Dramen Petrovi6, 318

Position Index CENTERS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1 Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Krešimir ôsi6, 66 Dave Cowens, 71 Vlade Divac, 87 Anne Donovan, 90 Tim Duncan, 98 Patrick Ewing, 107 Pau Gasol, 121 Artis Gilmore, 127 Connie Hawkins, 153 Elvin Hayes, 156 Tom Heinsohn, 164 Dan Issel, 175 Gus Johnson, 187 Bob Kurland, 213 Bob Lanier, 215 Joe Lapchick, 218 Lisa Leslie, 222 Rebecca Lobo, 229 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Jerry Lucas, 234 Moses Malone, 252 George Mikan, 267 Alonzo Mourning, 279 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 Dirk Nowitzki, 293 Hakeem Olajuwon, 296 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Robert Parish, 304 Willis Reed, 332 David Robinson, 338 Bill Russell, 345 Arvydas Sabonis, 348 Oscar Schmidt, 353 Amare Stoudemire, 365 Nate Thurmond, 381 Wes Unseld, 387 Ben Wallace, 393 Bill Walton, 396 Yao Ming, 434 COACHES Larry Bird, 34

Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Cynthia Cooper, 60 Michael Cooper, 63 Bob Cousy, 68 Dave Cowens, 71 Billy Cunningham, 74 Bob Davies, 79 Dave DeBusschere, 84 Clyde Drexler, 93 Cliff Hagan, 141 Walt Hazzard, 161 Tom Heinsohn, 164 Dan Issel, 175 Magic Johnson, 193 K. C. Jones, 197 Sam Jones, 200 Bob Lanier, 215 Joe Lapchick, 218 Nancy Lieberman-Cline, 226 Kevin McHale, 246 Slater Martin, 261 Cheryl Miller, 270 Bob Pettit, 321 Frank Ramsey, 330 Willis Reed, 332 Bill Russell, 345 Dolph Schayes, 350 Frank Selvy, 355 Bill Sharman, 358 Isiah Thomas, 377 Wes Unseld, 387 Jerry West, 409 Lenny Wilkens, 414 Lynette Woodard, 424 John Wooden, 427 FORWARDS Paul Arizin, 14 Sergei Belov, 26 Larry Bird, 34 Carol Blazejowski, 37 Bob Davies, 79 Joe Fulks, 113 Tom Gola, 133 Cliff Hagan, 141

John Havlicek, 150 Connie Hawkins, 153 Elvin Hayes, 156 Tom Heinsohn, 164 Chamique Holdsclaw, 170 Rebecca Lobo, 229 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Jerry Lucas, 234 Hank Luisetti, 237 Frank Ramsey, 330 Willis Reed, 332 Dolph Schayes, 350 Nera White, 412 GUARDS Dramen Dalipagi6, 77 Bob Davies, 79 Gail Goodrich, 135 Hal Greer, 138 John Havlicek, 150 Walt Hazzard, 161 Michael Jordan, 203 Meadowlark Lemon, 220 Pete Maravich, 255 Slater Martin, 261 Ann Meyers, 264 Earl Monroe, 276 Chris Mullin, 282 Curly Neal, 291 Frank Ramsey, 330 Frank Selvy, 355 Goose Tatum, 371 Jerry West, 409 John Wooden, 427 POINT GUARDS Nate Archibald, 11 Mike Bibby, 28 Sam Cassell, 52 Bob Cousy, 68 Baron Davis, 82 Walt Frazier, 110 Tim Hardaway, 147 Marques Haynes, 159 Mark Jackson, 181 487

Great Athletes

Position Index Magic Johnson, 193 K. C. Jones, 197 Sam Jones, 200 Jason Kidd, 207 Nancy Lieberman-Cline, 226 Steve Nash, 288 Candace Parker, 307 Tony Parker, 310 Chris Paul, 312 Gary Payton, 315 Oscar Robertson, 335 John Stockton, 361 Diana Taurasi, 373 Nikki Teasley, 375 Isiah Thomas, 377 Charlie Ward, 400 Spud Webb, 403 Lenny Wilkens, 414 POWER FORWARDS Charles Barkley, 17 Elton Brand, 42 Dave DeBusschere, 84 Tim Duncan, 98 Kevin Garnett, 118 Pau Gasol, 121 Robert Horry, 173 Dan Issel, 175 Gus Johnson, 187 Larry Johnson, 190 Bob McAdoo, 240 Kevin McHale, 246

488

Karl Malone, 249 Moses Malone, 252 Dirk Nowitzki, 293 Bob Pettit, 321 Dennis Rodman, 342 Amare Stoudemire, 365 Chris Webber, 406 Natalie Williams, 421 SHOOTING GUARDS Ray Allen, 5 Dave Bing, 31 Bill Bradley, 39 Kobe Bryant, 45 Vince Carter, 49 Cynthia Cooper, 60 Michael Cooper, 63 Billy Cunningham, 74 Clyde Drexler, 93 Joe Dumars, 96 Nick Galis, 116 George Gervin, 124 Manu Ginóbili, 130 Penny Hardaway, 144 Allen Iverson, 178 Tracy McGrady, 243 Hortåncia Marcari, 258 Reggie Miller, 273 Dramen Petrovi6, 318 Bill Sharman, 358 Diana Taurasi, 373 Jack Twyman, 384

Dwyane Wade, 390 Lynette Woodard, 424 SMALL FORWARDS Carmelo Anthony, 8 Rick Barry, 20 Elgin Baylor, 23 Larry Bird, 34 Bill Bradley, 39 Vince Carter, 49 Tamika Catchings, 54 Michael Cooper, 63 Billy Cunningham, 74 Clyde Drexler, 93 Alex English, 101 Julius Erving, 104 Penny Hardaway, 144 Grant Hill, 167 Robert Horry, 173 LeBron James, 184 Toni Kukoc, 210 Tracy McGrady, 243 Cheryl Miller, 270 Chris Mullin, 282 Paul Pierce, 324 Scottie Pippen, 327 Sheryl Swoopes, 368 Jack Twyman, 384 Dominique Wilkins, 418 James Worthy, 431

Team Index College Teams BOSTON COLLEGE Bob Cousy (coach), 68 BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY Nate Thurmond, 381 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY Krešimir ôsi6, 66 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH George Gervin, 124 CENTENARY COLLEGE Robert Parish, 304 COLLEGE OF IDAHO Elgin Baylor, 23 COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS Bob Cousy, 68 Tom Heinsohn, 164 DEPAUL UNIVERSITY George Mikan, 267 DUKE UNIVERSITY Elton Brand, 42 Grant Hill, 167 EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY George Gervin, 124 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY Meadowlark Lemon, 220 FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Sam Cassell, 52

Dave Cowens, 71 Charlie Ward, 400 FURMAN UNIVERSITY Frank Selvy, 355 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY Patrick Ewing, 107 Allen Iverson, 178 Alonzo Mourning, 279 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 GETTYSBURG COLLEGE Bob Davies (coach), 79 GONZAGA UNIVERSITY John Stockton, 361 GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY Willis Reed, 332 INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY Larry Bird, 34 JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY Artis Gilmore, 127 JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY Curly Neal, 291 LA SALLE UNIVERSITY Tom Gola, 133 LANGSTON UNIVERSITY Marques Haynes, 159 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY Pete Maravich, 255 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Bob Pettit, 321

LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY Karl Malone, 249 MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY Joe Dumars, 96 MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY Dwyane Wade, 390 MARSHALL UNIVERSITY Hal Greer, 138 MEMPHIS STATE UNIVERSITY (now UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS) Penny Hardaway, 144 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Magic Johnson, 193 MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY Carol Blazejowski, 37 MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY Joe Fulks, 113 NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Dolph Schayes, 350 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY Sam Jones, 200 NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Spud Webb, 403 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY John Havlicek, 150 Jerry Lucas, 234 489

Great Athletes

Team Index OKLAHOMA A&M UNIVERSITY (now OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY) Bob Kurland, 213 OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY Anne Donovan, 90 Nancy Lieberman-Cline, 226 PRARIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY Cynthia Cooper (coach), 60

STANFORD UNIVERSITY Hank Luisetti, 237

UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT Dave DeBusschere, 84

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Carmelo Anthony, 8 Dave Bing, 31

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON Clyde Drexler, 93 Elvin Hayes, 156 Hakeem Olajuwon, 296

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY Sheryl Swoopes, 368 UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY (Navy) David Robinson, 338

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Bill Bradley, 39

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA Charles Barkley, 17 Robert Horry, 173

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE Lenny Wilkens, 414

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Mike Bibby, 28

PURDUE UNIVERSITY John Wooden, 427

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Jason Kidd, 207

ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY Bob Lanier, 215

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1 Baron Davis, 82 Gail Goodrich, 135 Walt Hazzard, 161 Ann Meyers, 264 Reggie Miller, 273 Bill Walton, 396 Natalie Williams, 421 John Wooden (coach), 427

ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY Mark Jackson, 181 Chris Mullin, 282 SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY Steve Nash, 288 SEATTLE UNIVERSITY Elgin Baylor, 23 SETON HALL UNIVERSITY Bob Davies, 79 Nick Galis, 116 SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY Dennis Rodman, 342 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Walt Frazier, 110 490

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS Scottie Pippen, 327 UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI Oscar Robertson, 335 Jack Twyman, 384 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT Ray Allen, 5 Rebecca Lobo, 229 Diana Taurasi, 373

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO Gus Johnson, 187 UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA Isiah Thomas, 377 UNIVERSITY OF IOWA Connie Hawkins, 153 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Paul Pierce, 324 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY Cliff Hagan, 141 Dan Issel, 175 Frank Ramsey, 330 UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE Wes Unseld, 387 UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS Julius Erving, 104 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (Florida) Rick Barry, 20 UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Chris Webber, 406 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Kevin McHale, 246 UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS Larry Johnson, 190

Basketball

Team Index

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO Michael Cooper, 63

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY Tim Duncan, 98 Chris Paul, 312

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA Vince Carter, 49 Billy Cunningham, 74 Michael Jordan, 203 Bob McAdoo, 240 Nikki Teasley, 375 James Worthy, 431

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY Jerry West, 409 WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY Earl Monroe, 276

Clyde Lovellette, 232 Bob McAdoo, 240 Kevin McHale, 246 Pete Maravich, 255 Robert Parish, 304 Gary Payton, 315 Paul Pierce, 324 Frank Ramsey, 330 Bill Russell, 345 Bill Sharman, 358 Bill Walton, 396 Dominique Wilkins, 418

Professional Teams UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Gary Payton, 315 UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO K. C. Jones, 197 Bill Russell, 345 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA Alex English, 101 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Cynthia Cooper, 60 Lisa Leslie, 222 Cheryl Miller, 270 UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE Tamika Catchings, 54 Chamique Holdsclaw, 170 Candace Parker, 307 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Slater Martin, 261 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, EL PASO Nate Archibald, 11 Tim Hardaway, 147 VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY Paul Arizin, 14 VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY Ben Wallace, 393

ATLANTA HAWKS Mike Bibby, 28 Connie Hawkins, 153 Walt Hazzard, 161 Toni Kukoc, 210 Moses Malone, 252 Pete Maravich, 255 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 Spud Webb, 403 Lenny Wilkens (coach), 414 Dominique Wilkins, 418 BALTIMORE BULLETS Elvin Hayes, 156 Gus Johnson, 187 Earl Monroe, 276 Wes Unseld, 387 BIRMINGHAM BLACK BARONS Goose Tatum, 371 BOSTON CELTICS Ray Allen, 5 Nate Archibald, 11 Dave Bing, 31 Larry Bird, 34 Sam Cassell, 52 Bob Cousy, 68 Dave Cowens, 71 Kevin Garnett, 118 Artis Gilmore, 127 John Havlicek, 150 Tom Heinsohn, 164 K. C. Jones, 197 Sam Jones, 200

BUFFALO BRAVES Walt Hazzard, 161 Bob McAdoo, 240 Moses Malone, 252 CAPITAL BULLETS Elvin Hayes, 156 K. C. Jones (coach), 197 Wes Unseld, 387 CAROLINA COUGARS Billy Cunningham, 74 CHARLOTTE HORNETS Dave Cowens (coach), 71 Vlade Divac, 87 Larry Johnson, 190 Alonzo Mourning, 279 Robert Parish, 304 CHARLOTTE STING Anne Donovan(coach), 90 CHICAGO BULLS Elton Brand, 42 George Gervin, 124 Artis Gilmore, 127 Michael Jordan, 203 Toni Kukoc, 210 Robert Parish, 304 Scottie Pippen, 327 Dennis Rodman, 342 Nate Thurmond, 381 Ben Wallace, 393 CHICAGO SKY Dave Cowens (coach), 71 491

Great Athletes

Team Index CHICAGO STAGS Bob Cousy, 68 CINCINNATI ROYALS Nate Archibald, 11 Bob Cousy, 68 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Jerry Lucas, 234 Oscar Robertson, 335 Jack Twyman, 384 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Walt Frazier, 110 LeBron James, 184 Nate Thurmond, 381 Ben Wallace, 393 Lenny Wilkens, 414 CLEVELAND ROCKERS Lynette Woodard, 424 CONNECTICUT SUN Rebecca Lobo, 229 DALLAS CHAPARRALS Cliff Hagan, 141 DALLAS MAVERICKS Sam Cassell, 52 Alex English, 101 Tim Hardaway, 147 Jason Kidd, 207 Steve Nash, 288 Dirk Nowitzki, 293 Dennis Rodman, 342 DENVER NUGGETS Carmelo Anthony, 8 Alex English, 101 Tim Hardaway, 147 Dan Issel, 175 Allen Iverson, 178 Mark Jackson, 181 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 DETROIT PISTONS Dave Bing, 31 Dave DeBusschere, 84 Joe Dumars, 96 Grant Hill, 167 492

Allen Iverson, 178 Bob Lanier, 215 Bob McAdoo, 240 Dennis Rodman, 342 Isiah Thomas, 377 Ben Wallace, 393 Chris Webber, 406 DETROIT SHOCK Nancy Lieberman-Cline, 226 Lynette Woodard, 424 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS Rick Barry, 20 Baron Davis, 82 Tim Hardaway, 147 Walt Hazzard, 161 Chris Mullin, 282 Robert Parish, 304 Nate Thurmond, 381 Chris Webber, 406 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Marques Haynes, 159 Meadowlark Lemon, 220 Curly Neal, 291 Goose Tatum, 371 Lynette Woodard, 424 HOUSTON COMETS Cynthia Cooper, 60 Rebecca Lobo, 229 Sheryl Swoopes, 368 HOUSTON ROCKETS Charles Barkley, 17 Rick Barry, 20 Sam Cassell, 52 Clyde Drexler, 93 Elvin Hayes, 156 Robert Horry, 173 Mark Jackson, 181 Tracy McGrady, 243 Moses Malone, 252 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 Hakeem Olajuwon, 296 Scottie Pippen, 327 Charlie Ward, 400 Yao Ming, 434

INDIANA FEVER Tamika Catchings, 54 Natalie Williams, 421 INDIANA PACERS Larry Bird (coach), 34 Alex English, 101 Tim Hardaway, 147 Mark Jackson, 181 Gus Johnson, 187 Reggie Miller, 273 Chris Mullin, 282 Isiah Thomas (coach), 377 INDIANAPOLIS CLOWNS Goose Tatum, 371 KANSAS CITY KINGS Nate Archibald, 11 Bob Cousy (coach), 68 KENTUCKY COLONELS Artis Gilmore, 127 Dan Issel, 175 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS Elton Brand, 42 Sam Cassell, 52 Baron Davis, 82 Mark Jackson, 181 Bill Walton, 396 Dominique Wilkins, 418 LOS ANGELES LAKERS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1 Elgin Baylor, 23 Kobe Bryant, 45 Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Michael Cooper, 63 Vlade Divac, 87 Pau Gasol, 121 Gail Goodrich, 135 Connie Hawkins, 153 Walt Hazzard, 161 Robert Horry, 173 Magic Johnson, 193 Bob McAdoo, 240 Karl Malone, 249 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Gary Payton, 315

Basketball Dennis Rodman, 342 Frank Selvy, 355 Jerry West, 409 James Worthy, 431 LOS ANGELES SPARKS Michael Cooper (coach), 63 Chamique Holdsclaw, 170 Lisa Leslie, 222 Candace Parker, 307 Nikki Teasley, 375 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES Pau Gasol, 121

Team Index MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES Sam Cassell, 52 Kevin Garnett, 118 Kevin McHale (coach), 246 Spud Webb, 403 NEW JERSEY NETS Vince Carter, 49 Jason Kidd, 207 Bob McAdoo, 240 Alonzo Mourning, 279 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 Dramen Petrovi6, 318

MIAMI HEAT Penny Hardaway, 144 Tim Hardaway, 147 Alonzo Mourning, 279 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Gary Payton, 315 Dwyane Wade, 390

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS Baron Davis, 82 Chris Paul, 312

MILWAUKEE BUCKS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1 Ray Allen, 5 Nate Archibald, 11 Sam Cassell, 52 Dave Cowens, 71 Alex English, 101 Toni Kukoc, 210 Bob Lanier, 215 Moses Malone, 252 Gary Payton, 315 Oscar Robertson, 335

NEW YORK KNICKS Nate Archibald, 11 Bill Bradley, 39 Dave DeBusschere, 84 Patrick Ewing, 107 Walt Frazier, 110 Tom Gola, 133 Penny Hardaway, 144 Mark Jackson, 181 Larry Johnson, 190 Jerry Lucas, 234 Bob McAdoo, 240 Earl Monroe, 276 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 Willis Reed, 332 Frank Selvy, 355 Isiah Thomas (coach), 377 Charlie Ward, 400 Lenny Wilkens (coach), 414

MILWAUKEE HAWKS Bob Pettit, 321 MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS Elgin Baylor, 23 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Slater Martin, 261 George Mikan, 267 Frank Selvy, 355 MINNESOTA PIPERS Connie Hawkins, 153

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ Gail Goodrich, 135 Pete Maravich, 255

NEW YORK LIBERTY Rebecca Lobo, 229 NEW YORK NETS Rick Barry, 20 Julius Erving, 104

OAKLAND OAKS Rick Barry, 20 ORIGINAL CELTICS Joe Lapchick, 218 ORLANDO MAGIC Patrick Ewing, 107 Penny Hardaway, 144 Grant Hill, 167 Tracy McGrady, 243 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Ben Wallace, 393 Spud Webb, 403 Dominique Wilkins, 418 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS Charles Barkley, 17 Elton Brand, 42 Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Billy Cunningham, 74 Julius Erving, 104 Hal Greer, 138 Allen Iverson, 178 Toni Kukoc, 210 Bob McAdoo, 240 Moses Malone, 252 Dikembe Mutombo, 285 Dolph Schayes, 350 Chris Webber, 406 PHILADELPHIA WARRIORS Paul Arizin, 14 Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Joe Fulks, 113 Tom Gola, 133 PHOENIX MERCURY Cynthia Cooper (coach), 60 Nancy Lieberman-Cline, 226 Diana Taurasi, 373 PHOENIX SUNS Charles Barkley, 17 Sam Cassell, 52 Gail Goodrich, 135 Penny Hardaway, 144 Connie Hawkins, 153 Grant Hill, 167 Robert Horry, 173 493

Great Athletes

Team Index Gus Johnson, 187 Jason Kidd, 207 Steve Nash, 288 Shaquille O’Neal, 300 Amare Stoudemire, 365 PITTSBURGH PIPERS Connie Hawkins, 153 PORTLAND POWER Natalie Williams, 421 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Clyde Drexler, 93 Dramen Petrovi6, 318 Scottie Pippen, 327 Arvydas Sabonis, 348 Bill Walton, 396 Lenny Wilkens, 414 ROCHESTER ROYALS Bob Davies, 79 Jack Twyman, 384 SACRAMENTO KINGS Mike Bibby, 28 Vlade Divac, 87 Spud Webb, 403 Chris Webber, 406 ST. LOUIS HAWKS Cliff Hagan, 141 Clyde Lovellette, 232 Slater Martin, 261 Bob Pettit, 321 Frank Selvy, 355 Lenny Wilkens, 414 SAN ANTONIO SPURS Tim Duncan, 98 George Gervin, 124 Artis Gilmore, 127 Manu Ginóbili, 130 Robert Horry, 173 Moses Malone, 252 Tony Parker, 310 David Robinson, 338

494

Dennis Rodman, 342 Charlie Ward, 400 Dominique Wilkins, 418 SAN DIEGO CLIPPERS Bill Walton, 396 SAN DIEGO CONQUISTADORS Wilt Chamberlain (coach), 57 K. C. Jones (coach), 197 SAN DIEGO ROCKETS Elvin Hayes, 156 SAN FRANCISCO WARRIORS Rick Barry, 20 Wilt Chamberlain, 57 Tom Gola, 133 Jerry Lucas, 234 Nate Thurmond, 381 SEATTLE STORM Anne Donovan (coach), 90 Sheryl Swoopes, 368 SEATTLE SUPERSONICS Ray Allen, 5 Patrick Ewing, 107 Walt Hazzard, 161 K. C. Jones (coach), 197 Gary Payton, 315 Lenny Wilkens, 414 SPIRITS OF ST. LOUIS Moses Malone, 252

Hakeem Olajuwon, 296 Lenny Wilkens (coach), 414 TRI-CITIES BLACKHAWKS Bob Cousy, 68 UTAH JAZZ Mark Jackson, 181 Karl Malone, 249 Pete Maravich, 255 John Stockton, 361 UTAH STARRZ (WNBA) Natalie Williams, 421 UTAH STARS (ABA) Moses Malone, 252 VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES Mike Bibby, 28 VIRGINIA SQUIRES Julius Erving, 104 George Gervin, 124 WASHINGTON BULLETS Dave Bing, 31 Elvin Hayes, 156 K. C. Jones (coach), 197 Moses Malone, 252 Wes Unseld, 387 Ben Wallace, 393 WASHINGTON CAPITOLS Bill Sharman, 358 WASHINGTON CAPS Rick Barry, 20

SYRACUSE NATIONALS Hal Greer, 138 Dolph Schayes, 350 Frank Selvy, 355

WASHINGTON MYSTICS Chamique Holdsclaw, 170 Nikki Teasley, 375

TORONTO RAPTORS Vince Carter, 49 Mark Jackson, 181 Tracy McGrady, 243

WASHINGTON WIZARDS Michael Jordan, 203 Ben Wallace, 393 Chris Webber, 406

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