1975 NBA draft
| 1975 NBA draft | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Date(s) | May 29, 1975 |
| Location | New York City, New York |
| Overview | |
| 174total selections in10rounds | |
| League | NBA |
| First selection | David Thompson,Atlanta Hawks |
The1975 NBA draftwas the 29th annualdraftof theNational Basketball Association( NBA ). The draft was held on May 29, 1975, before the1975–76 season.In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S.college basketballplayers and othereligible players,including international players. The first two picks in the draft belonged to the teams that finished last in each conference, with the order determined by acoin flip.[1]TheAtlanta Hawks,who obtained theNew Orleans Jazzfirst-round pick in a trade, won the coin flip and were awarded thefirst overall pick,while theLos Angeles Lakerswere awarded the second pick. Prior to the draft, theKansas City-Omaha Kingswere renamed theKansas City Kings.[2]Before the draft, 18 collegeunderclassmenand 2 high school players were declared eligible for selection under the "hardship" rule.[3]These players had applied and gave evidence of financial hardship to the league, which granted them the right to start earning their living by starting their professional careers earlier.[4]
This was the most recent NBA draft to be held in a month other than June until2020,but the off-season was earlier at the time. The league also hosted a supplementary draft forAmerican Basketball Association(ABA) players who never were never drafted by the NBA teams on December 30, 1975. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility was eligible for selection. If a player left college early, he would not be eligible for selection until his college class graduated.
Draft selections and draftee career notes
[edit]David ThompsonfromNorth Carolina State Universitywas selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks. He was also drafted first overall in the 1975 ABA Draft by theVirginia Squires,before the Squires traded his draft rights to theDenver Nuggets.He opted to join the ABA with the Nuggets before moving to the NBA in1976afterboth leagues merged.[5]During his first and only season in the ABA, he won the ABA All-Star Game MVP and ABA Rookie of the Year, as well as selected to the ABA All-Star Game and All-ABA Team. His NBA achievements include twoAll- NBA Teamselections and four NBAAll-Star Game selections.[6]For his achievements, he has been inducted to theBasketball Hall of Fame.[7]Marvin Webster,the 3rd pick, also opted to join the ABA with the Nuggets before moving to the NBA in 1976.[8]Thompson and Webster were the only first-round picks from the draft who declined to play in the NBA and opted to play in the ABA. Coincidentally, Webster was also drafted by the Hawks, which means that both the Hawks' first-round picks did not play with them. Instead, both signed to play for the Nuggets in the ABA.[9]
Gus Williams,the 20th pick, joined theSeattle SuperSonicsafter two seasons with theGolden State Warriors.He then won theNBA championshipwith the Sonics in1979.He was also selected to two All- NBA Team and two All-Star Games.[10]World B. Free(then known as Lloyd Free), the 23rd pick, played for five teams in his 13-year career and was selected to one All- NBA Team and one All-Star Game.[11]Dan Roundfield,the 28th pick, was also drafted in the 1975 ABA Draft. He opted to join the ABA with theIndiana Pacersbefore moving to the NBA in 1976. His achievements include one All- NBA Team selection, three NBA All-Star Game selections, three NBA All-Star Game selections and four NBA All-Defensive Team selections.[12]Alvan Adamsfrom theUniversity of Oklahoma,who went on to win theRookie of the Year Awardin his first season, was selected 4th by thePhoenix Suns.[13]Adams and 6th pickLionel Hollinsare the only other players from this draft who was selected to an All-Star Game.[14][15]After retiring as a player, Hollins went on to have a coaching career. He was twice named as the interim head coach for theVancouver/Memphis Grizzliesin1999and2004before becoming a permanent head coach in2009.[16]
Darryl Dawkins,the 5th pick, andBill Willoughby,the 19th pick, became the first two high school players to directly enter the NBA after their high school graduation.[17]They also became the second and third players to go directly from high school basketball to professional league, afterMoses Malonein the 1974 ABA Draft.[18]They also became the second and thirdhigh school players ever drafted in the NBA,afterReggie Hardingin the1962 draft.However, because the rules prevented Harding from playing in the league until one year after his high school class graduated, he had to wait a year before entering the league in1963.[19][20]Dawkins played 14 seasons in the NBA with four different NBA teams, while Willoughby played 8 seasons with six teams.[21][22]
In the tenth round, the New Orleans Jazz selected aSovietbasketball playerAlexander Belovwith the 161st pick. Belov, who was playing withSpartak Leningradbefore the draft, stayed with the club until the end of his career. He had a successful career, winning twoEuropean Cup Winners' Cupand oneSoviet Union championship,as well as fourgold medalswith theSoviet Union national team.For his achievements, he has been inducted by theInternational Basketball Federation(FIBA) to theFIBA Hall of Fame.[23]
Key
[edit]| Pos. | G | F | C |
| Position | Guard | Forward | Center |
| ^ | Denotesplayer who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| * | Denotesplayer who has been selected for at least one All-Star GameandAll- NBA Team |
| + | Denotesplayer who has been selected for at least one All-Star Game |
| # | Denotes player who has never appeared in an NBA regular season or playoff game |
Draft
[edit]
Notable undrafted players
[edit]These players were not selected in the 1975 draft but played at least one game in the NBA.
| Player | Pos. | Nationality | School/club team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Jones | F |  United States
|
Saint Louis(Sr.) |
| Irv Kiffin | F | United States
|
Oklahoma Baptist(Sr.) |
Trades
[edit]- a 12On May 20, 1974, theAtlanta HawksacquiredBob Kauffman,Dean Meminger,1974 and 1975 first-round picks, 1975 and 1976 second-round picks, and a 1980 third-round pick from theNew Orleans Jazzin exchange forPete Maravich.[26]The Hawks used the picks to draft David Thompson and Bill Willoughby.
- b 12On October 8, 1974, the New Orleans Jazz acquired Russ Lee and a first-round pick from theMilwaukee Bucksin exchange forSteve Kuberskiand a second-round pick.[27]Previously, the Jazz acquiredNeal Walkand the pick on September 16, 1974, from thePhoenix Sunsin exchange forDennis Awtrey,Nate Hawthorne,Curtis Perryand a 1976 first-round pick.[28]The Jazz used the pick to draft Rich Kelley. The Bucks used the pick to draft Clyde Mayes.
- cOn May 17, 1974, theLos Angeles Lakersacquired a first-round pick from theCleveland Cavaliersin exchange forJim Chones.[29]The Lakers used the pick to draft Junior Bridgeman.
- dOn May 28, 1975, theKansas City Kingsacquired the tenth pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange forRon Behagenand a 1976 second-round pick.[30]Previously the Jazz acquiredHenry Bibbyand a first-round pick on February 1, 1975, from the New York Knicks in exchange forJim Barnettand Neal Walk.[28]Previously the Knicks acquired the pick on December 26, 1974, from theDetroit Pistonsin exchange forHoward Porter.[31]The Kings used the pick to draft Bill Robinzine.
- eOn September 3, 1974, theGolden State WarriorsacquiredClifford Rayand a first-round pick from theChicago Bullsin exchange forNate Thurmond.[32]The Warriors used the pick to draft Joe Bryant.
- f 12On the draft-day, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiredButch Beard,a first-round pick and a second-round pick from the Golden State Warriors in exchange forDwight Davis.[33]The Cavaliers used the picks to draft John Lambert and Mel Utley.
- gOn the draft-day, the Phoenix Suns acquired a first-round pick from theBuffalo Bravesin exchange for a 1976 first-round pick.[34]The Suns used the pick to draft Ricky Sobers.
- hOn September 24, 1974, the Golden State Warriors acquired a second-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange forZelmo Beaty.[35]The Warriors used the pick to draft Gus Williams.
- iOn January 7, 1974, the Chicago Bulls acquired a second-round pick from theSeattle SuperSonicsin exchange forJohn Hummer.[36]The Bulls used the pick to draft Steve Green.
- jOn May 28, 1974, the New York Knicks acquired Howard Porter and a second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a 1974 first-round pick.[31]Previously the Bulls acquired John Hummer, the pick and a 1974 second-round pick on September 10, 1973, from the Buffalo Braves in exchange forGar HeardandKevin Kunnert.[36]The Knicks used the pick to draft Larry Fogle.
- kOn September 6, 1974, the Phoenix Suns acquiredDave Stallworthand a second-round pick from theWashington Bulletsin exchange forClem Haskins.[37]The Suns used the pick to draft Allen Murphy.
- lOn May 23, 1975, the Phoenix Suns acquiredPaul Westphal,1975 and 1976 second-round picks from theBoston Celticsin exchange forCharlie Scott.[38]The Suns used the pick to draft Jimmy Dan Conner.
- mOn December 6, 1974, the New Orleans Jazz acquired a third-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange forStu Lantz.[39]The Jazz used the pick to draft Jim McElroy.
- nOn August 20, 1974, the Washington Bullets acquiredDick Gibbsand a third-round pick from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange forArchie Clark.[40]The Bullets used the pick to draft Tom Kropp.
- oOn September 18, 1974, thePortland Trail Blazersacquired a third-round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange forMickey Johnson.[41]The Blazers used the pick to draft Gus Gerard.
- pOn October 9, 1973, the Phoenix Suns acquired 1974 and 1975 third-round picks from the Washington Bullets (as the Capital Bullets) in exchange forWalt Wesley.[42]The Suns used the pick to draft Bayard Forrest.
Early entrants
[edit]College underclassmen
[edit]For the fifth straight year in a row, the NBA would utilize the hardship exception for young underclassmen to enter the NBA draft. For the second straight year in a row, twenty underclassmen initially declared entry for this year's draft, but three of these players in theUniversity of Notre Dame'sAdrian Dantley,Morris Brown College'sHarry Davis,andTunxis Community College's Glenn Matthews would later decline entry into this year's draft. The followingcollege basketballplayers successfully applied for an NBA hardship.[43]
- Alvan Adams– C/F,Oklahoma(junior)
- Joe Bryant– F,La Salle(junior)
- Luther Burden– G,Utah(junior)
- Henry Fields – G,Ohio State(freshman)
- Larry Fogle– G,Canisius(junior)
- Bayard Forrest– C,Grand Canyon(junior)
- Lloyd Free– G,Guilford(junior)
- Robert Hawkins– G,Illinois State(junior)
- Walter Luckett– G,Ohio(junior)
- Cyrus Mann– C,Illinois State(freshman)
- Glen Matthews – F,Tunxis CC(junior)
- Frank Oleynick– G,Seattle(junior)
- Joe Pace– C,Coppin State(junior)
- Eugene Short– F,Jackson State(junior)
- Larry Smith – F,North Carolina A&T(junior)
High school players
[edit]This year's draft was also the first one in NBA history to officially allow for high school seniors to enter the NBA draft via hardship exceptions. This year saw two high school players qualify for these hardships. It was also the only NBA draft to see high school declare their entry into the NBA directly from high school until1995.The following high school basketball players successfully applied for an NBA hardship.[43]
Supplementary draft
[edit]
On December 9, 1975, the NBA planned to host a supplementary draft to settle negotiating rights to five ABA players who had never been eligible for the NBA draft because their college classes had not graduated and they had not apply for hardship. The teams selected in reverse order of their win–loss record in theprevious season.The team that made a selection must withdraw their equivalent selection in the1976 draft.[44]The teams were allowed to not exercise their rights on this hardship draft and thus retained their full selection in the 1976 Draft. The draft itself attracted strong opposition from the ABA who accuse the NBA trying to reduce confidence in the stability of their league. Despite the initial postponement of the draft, the draft was finally held on December 30, 1975.[45]
TheNew Orleans Jazzused the first pick to selectMoses Malone,a former high school player who went directly to professional basketball after he was drafted in the 1974 ABA Draft. TheLos Angeles Lakersused the second pick to selectMark Olberding,a college freshman who was drafted in the 1974 ABA Draft. Because the Jazz and the Lakers had traded their first-round picks in the 1976 Draft, they had to forfeit their first-round pick in the1977 draft.[46]The other players selected wereMel Bennett,Skip WiseandCharles Jordanin the second, third and fourth-round respectively. All players, except Wise, were under contract with their ABA team at the time of the draft.[47]They remained with their team until the end of the season. After theVirginia Squiresfolding before theABA– NBA mergerin June 1976, Bennett joined the team that drafted him, the Philadelphia 76ers.[48]Under the merger agreement, the Jazz and the Lakers had to yield their rights to Malone and Olberding and they regained their 1977 first-round picks.[49]Malone was later drafted by thePortland Trail Blazersin theABA Dispersal Draft,while Olberding remained with the Spurs who joined the NBA.[50][51]Two other draftees, Wise and Jordan never played in the NBA.[52][53]
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. | Nationality | Team | ABA team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Moses Malone^ | F/C | United States
|
New Orleans Jazz | Spirits of St. Louis |
| 1 | 2 | Mark Olberding | F | United States
|
Los Angeles Lakers | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2 | 3 | Mel Bennett | F | United States
|
Philadelphia 76ers | Virginia Squires |
| 3 | 4 | Skip Wise# | G | United States
|
Golden State Warriors | San Antonio Spurs |
| 4 | 5 | Charles Jordan# | F | United States
|
Buffalo Braves | Indiana Pacers |
Notes
[edit]^1:Lloyd Free changed his first name into World, his nickname, in 1981 and is commonly known as World B. Free.[54]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- General
- "Complete First Round Results 1970–79".NBA.Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2010.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- "1975 NBA Draft".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 14, 2010.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- "1972–1976 NBA Drafts".The Association for Professional Basketball Research.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- Specific
- ^"Evolution of the Draft and Lottery".NBA.Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2010.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- ^"Kings Drop Omaha From Name".The Milwaukee Journal.Newspaper, Inc. March 18, 1975. Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2012.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- ^"Burden, Dantley top list".Lawrence Daily Journal-World.Lawrence, Kansas: The World Company. May 9, 1975.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- ^"Spencer Haywood Bio".NBA.Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- ^"David Thompson Bio".NBA.Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"David Thompson Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 21, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 10, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Marvin Webster Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Thompson Is Highest Paid Rookie Star".The Victoria Advocate.Victoria, Texas. July 12, 1975.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Gus Williams Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"World B. Free Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 17, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Dan Roundfield Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Rookie of the Year".NBA.Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Alvan Adams Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Lionel Hollins Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 31, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Lionel Hollins Coaching Record".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^Broussard, Chris (November 16, 2003)."Why Pros Spent 20 Years Shunning High Schoolers".The New York Times Company.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^Deford, Frank (February 19, 1979)."Bounding Into Prominence".Sports Illustrated.Time Warner Company. Archived fromthe originalon April 19, 2010.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
- ^"Pistons Can't Use 7-Foot Prep".Lawrence Journal-World.Lawrence, Kansas: The World Company. July 3, 1962.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^Hilton, Dan (July 14, 2008)."Doesn't the Extra Year Help Teams?".NBA /Suns.Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Darryl Dawkins Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 14, 2010.RetrievedJuly 26,2010.
- ^"Bill Willoughby Statistics".basketball-reference.Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2014.RetrievedJuly 26,2010.
- ^"Aleksander Belov Bio".FIBA. February 24, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2011.RetrievedNovember 29,2010.
- ^"Bruce Seals Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 2, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Gus Gerard Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Pete Maravich Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on August 8, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Steve Kuberski Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^ab"Neal Walk Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Jim Chones Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Ron Behagen Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^ab"Howard Porter Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Nate Thurmond Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 16, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Butch Beard Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Adrian Dantley Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 17, 2010.RetrievedJuly 17,2010.
- ^"Zelmo Beaty Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^ab"John Hummer Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Clem Haskins Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Charlie Scott Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Stu Lantz Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Archie Clark Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 4, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Mickey Johnson Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^"Walt Wesley Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2010.
- ^ab"1975 Underclassmen Hardship List".The Draft Review.August 4, 2007.RetrievedDecember 11,2022.
- ^"DeBusschere blasts ABA rival".The Tuscaloosa News.Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Public Welfare Foundation. December 7, 1975.RetrievedJuly 22,2010.
- ^"New Orleans must wait for Moses".Beaver County Times.Beaver, Pennsylvania. December 9, 1975.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Malone Drafted By Jazz".The Victoria Advocate.Victoria, Texas. December 31, 1975.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Jazz Claims Moses Malone In Supplementary Draft".Florence Times Tri-Cities Daily.Florence, Alabama. December 31, 1975.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Mel Bennett Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"...ABA Gets Wish".The News and Courier.Charleston, South Carolina: Evening Post Publishing Company. June 18, 1976.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Moses Malone Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 12, 2010.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Mark Olberding Statistics".basketball-reference.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Skip Wise Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on August 19, 2010.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^"Charles Jordan Statistics".basketball-reference.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2010.RetrievedJuly 21,2010.
- ^Gutierrez, Paul (March 8, 1999)."World B. Free, NBA Gunner".Sports Illustrated.Time Warner Company. Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2010.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.