| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1951 Falls Church, Virginia, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | J. E. B. Stuart (Falls Church, Virginia) |
| College | Maryland (1970–1973) |
| NBA draft | 1973: 3rd round, 37th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Playing career | 1973–1975 |
| Position | Small forward, guard |
| Number | 44, 15 |
| Career history | |
| 1974 | New York Nets |
| 1974–1975 | Memphis Sounds |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
James M. O'Brien (born November 7, 1951) is an American former professional basketball player. [1] O'Brien played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins, leaving as the program's sixth all-time leading scorer. [2] O'Brien was selected in both the 1973 ABA draft and 1973 NBA draft. [1] [3] The Indiana Pacers, then of the ABA, selected him in the third round, [3] while the Cleveland Cavaliers chose him in NBA's third draft round as well. [1]
The New York Nets acquired O'Brien's ABA rights from Indiana in June 1973 and signed him to a one-year guaranteed contract for $100,000. [2] [4] [5] He was cut by the Nets in training camp as Nets' coach Kevin Loughery felt he was too heavy and too slow. [5] He played semi-pro ball for Trenton in the Eastern League for a few months while getting paid by and practicing with the Nets. [4] He was brought back to the Nets in January 1974 while a few Nets' players were injured and Loughery stated at the time that O'Brien was in much better condition than he was during training camp. [4] He won the ABA championship in 1973–74 with the Nets. [1] During the 1974 playoffs he only played in 4 games for a total of less than 10 minutes. [1] In the finals he only played in 1 game for 3 minutes but scored 8 points in that short time. [6]
The Nets cut O'Brien during 1974 training camp and he was signed by the Memphis Sounds. [7] O'Brien said of being cut by the Nets that:
I had the feeling I was going to be cut in camp. I thought it was between Al Skinner and me but when Ed Manning arrived and got the playing time I knew I was gone. I didn't panic though. I thought there was a place for me and I am very happy here in Memphis. I'm getting the playing time and I don't care if it's at guard or forward. [8]
The Sounds folded after the 1974–75 season and O'Brien signed with the Cavaliers of the NBA, despite having an option year left on his ABA contract. [9] [10] O'Brien was waived by the Cavaliers before the 1975–76 season started. [11]