Bob Elliott (basketball)

Last updated

Bob Elliott
Personal information
Born (1955-08-18) August 18, 1955 (age 68)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
College Arizona (1973–1977)
NBA draft 1977: 2nd round, 42nd overall pick
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career1977–1983
Position Center / power forward
Number55
Career history
1977–1978 Fernet Tonic Bologna
1978–1982 New Jersey Nets
1982–1983 Detroit Spirits
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× First-team All-WAC (1975–1977)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Robert Alan Elliott (born August 18, 1955) is a retired American basketball player. Elliott was a three-time academic and athletic All-American at the University of Arizona, leading his team to a Western Athletic Conference championship and two NCAA tournament appearances. He was a 1977 Third Team All American, a 1975, 1976 and 1977 Third Team All-WAC conference honoree, and a 1975, 1976, and 1977 Academic All American. Elliott received a bachelor of science in accounting, and later, an MBA from the University of Arizona as well. He is a past chairman of the Retired NBA Players Association.

Contents

University of Arizona basketball

Elliott came to the University of Arizona from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. [1] Many Arizona basketball advocates credit the young Elliott for introducing modern Arizona basketball to the nation under the coaching style of Fred "The Fox" Snowden (the first black head basketball coach in D1 collegiate basketball). At a time when UCLA was the west coast powerhouse athletic program, Tucson worked to move from being a small "Old Pueblo" town with a great university to the U of A metropolis that it is today. Sold-out games and revenue from the Snowden Era put basketball in the spotlight. Elliott was described as having "one of the best drop steps you will ever see."[ citation needed ] He had an 18.6 career scoring average while in college between 1973–1977. He is still second, behind Sean Elliott, on the University of Arizona's all time records list with 2,131 points, field goals (808), attempted field goals (1,512), free throws (515), and attempted free throws (767). He scored 39 points against Utah in 1977, which is noted as the fourth best all-time single game performance at U of A.

NBA career

Elliott was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, but never played for them. He spent half a year playing basketball in Europe and three seasons with the New Jersey Nets. Following his NBA career, Elliott briefly played for the Detroit Spirits of the Continental Basketball Association during the 1982–83 season. [2]

EA Sports

Elliott may be best known in younger generations for his voice work as a color-commentator on NBA Live games [3] with late sportscaster (and former Memphis Grizzlies announcer) Don Poier from 1999 to 2003.

Community involvement

Elliott is involved with multiple charities and has established a scholarship in the names of him and his wife through the University of Arizona. He is an avid musician and plays at national events with the NBA Retired Players Association Band, which is closely linked with NBA Cares events. His wife is an involved and accredited member of the Tucson Unified School District and Behind The Bench (Retired Players Wives Association), has national counseling awards and multiple degrees, and also stays active in community groups and community relations groups.

Author of "Tucson A Basketball Town"

Released on February 26, 2014, this book is the story of the foundations of basketball at The University of Arizona during the Fred Snowden era. Co-written by Elliott's teammate and former NBA player Eric Money, it discusses the rise of basketball's popularity, being the first team to play in McKale center, the racial barriers that were broken, and the undying support of Tucson for the players. The book also pays homage to the Arizona basketball teams of the pre-Snowden era, through Lute Olson, and into Sean Miller.c.

Personal life

Elliott currently resides in Tucson, Arizona. He and his wife Beverely have four adult children and ten grandchildren. Elliott also owns a successful accounting practice, Elliott Accounting Group, in Tucson that has been active for over 30 years.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Maravich</span> American basketball player (1947–1988)

Peter Press Maravich, known by his nickname Pistol Pete, was an American professional basketball player. He starred in college at Louisiana State University's Tigers basketball team; his father, Press Maravich, was the team's head coach. Maravich is the all-time leading NCAA Division I men's scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. All of his accomplishments were achieved before the adoption of the three-point line and shot clock, and despite being unable to play varsity as a freshman under then-NCAA rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Mikan</span> American basketball player (1924–2005)

George Lawrence Mikan Jr., nicknamed "Mr. Basketball", was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Invariably playing with thick, round spectacles, the 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), 245 lb (111 kg) Mikan was one of the pioneers of professional basketball. Through his size and play, he redefined basketball as a game dominated in his day by "big men". His prolific rebounding, shot blocking, and ability to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot all helped to change the game. He also utilized the underhanded free-throw shooting technique long before Rick Barry made it his signature shot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dolph Schayes</span> American basketball player and coach (1928–2015)

Adolph Schayes was an American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A top scorer and rebounder, he was a 12-time NBA All-Star and a 12-time All-NBA selection. Schayes won an NBA championship with the Syracuse Nationals in 1955. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Elliott</span> American basketball player (born 1968)

Sean Michael Elliott is an American former professional basketball player who starred as a small forward in both the college and professional ranks. He attended the University of Arizona, where he had a standout career as a two-time All-American, winner of the 1989 John R. Wooden Award, the 1989 Adolph Rupp Trophy, the 1989 NABC Player of the Year, 1989 AP Player of the Year, and two time Pac-12 Player of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Lanier</span> American basketball player (1948–2022)

Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. was an American professional basketball player. He played center for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lanier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Cooper</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1956)

Michael Jerome Cooper is an American basketball coach and former player. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers during his entire career in the National Basketball Association, winning five NBA championships with the Lakers during their Showtime era. He was an eight-time selection to the NBA All-Defensive Team, including five times on the first team. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Archibald</span> American basketball player (born 1948)

Nathaniel "Tiny" Archibald is an American retired professional basketball player. He spent 14 years playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA), most notably with the Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City–Omaha Kings and Boston Celtics. In 1991, he was enshrined into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Sikma</span> American basketball player-coach

Jack Wayne Sikma is an American former professional basketball center. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star with the Seattle SuperSonics, who drafted him in the first round with the eighth overall pick of the 1977 NBA draft. In 1979, he won an NBA championship with Seattle. Sikma finished his playing career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Benedict Jay Poquette is a retired American basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he graduated from East Lansing High School and Central Michigan University. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1977 NBA draft, and played for them in 1978–79. He also played for the Utah Jazz in 1980–83, the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1984–87, and the Chicago Bulls in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey Howell</span> American basketball player (born 1937)

Bailey E. Howell is an American former professional basketball player. After playing college basketball at Mississippi State, Howell played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Howell was a six-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA champion and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Beck</span> American basketball player (born 1945)

Byron Beck is an American former professional basketball player.

Alton Lavelle Lister is an American former professional basketball player. He is currently serving as an assistant coach for TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona Wildcats men's basketball</span> University of Arizona Pac-12 team

The Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. They compete in the Pac-12 Conference of NCAA Division I and is currently coached by Tommy Lloyd. On August 4, 2023, Arizona announced it would join the Big 12 Conference beginning in the 2024–25 academic year, after spending 45 years in the Pac-10/12 conference.

Joel Bruce Kramer is a retired American professional basketball player. Listed at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and 203 pounds (92 kg), he played the power forward and center positions. After playing college basketball at San Diego State University, he had a five-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1978–1983 with the Phoenix Suns.

Eric Money is an American former professional basketball player.

James L. Fox is an American former professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Strack</span> American college sports coach and administrator (1923–2014)

David H. Strack was an American athletic director for the University of Arizona and head basketball coach of the University of Michigan. He was inducted to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Fraser (basketball)</span> American basketball player and coach

Bruce T. Fraser, nicknamed "Q", is an American basketball coach who is an assistant coach for player development for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats.

Herman B. Harris is an American former professional basketball player.

The 1975–76 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Arizona in the 1975-76 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Coached by fourth year head coach Fred Snowden and led by junior center Bob Elliott, the Wildcats made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 25 seasons, advancing to the Elite Eight. The Wildcats played their home games for the fourth season at the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona competing as members of the Western Athletic Conference.

References

  1. ↑ "Records: Bob Elliott". Ann Arbor Pioneer Athletics. Ann Arbor Public Schools. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ 1983–84 CBA Official Guide, page 119
  3. ↑ "Q&A: UA hoops legend Bob 'Big Bird' Elliott". Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.