- Gary Bradds
Gary Lee "Tex" Bradds (July 26, 1942 in
Jamestown, Ohio – July 15, 1983) was an Americanbasketball player.Attended Greeneview High School where he once scored 65 points in a game.The school's gym is named in his honor.
Bradds enrolled at University of Kentucky but transferred after two days.
He played collegiately for the Ohio State University.Was National Player of the Year and winner of the
Rupp Trophy in 1964.Teammates includedJerry Lucas ,John Havlicek ,Bobby Knight , Mel Nowell, andDon DeVoe .Averaged 28.0 points and 13.0 rebounds as a junior, after replacing Jerry Lucas.Averaged 30.6 points and 13.4 rebounds as a senior. Had six consecutive 40 point games his senior year, including a school record 49 against Illinois (2/10/64).During the streak, Bradds averaged 44.3 points and scored 46% of Ohio State's points. Streak ended against Iowa with Bradds scoring 30 points.Member of 2 Big Ten Championship teams, 1963-64.Was member of the1963 Pan games , winning a gold medal.Pan Am team includedWillis Reed andLucious Jackson .His #35 has been retired at Ohio State (1/27/2001).Is a member of their Hall of Fame (inducted in 1978).Also, member of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.Scored 15 points in the National Title game in 1962, leading team.Jerry Lucas once claimed that Bradds was the best player he playedagainst all season "in practice".His 735 points in 1964 are second highest season total in schools history.Was Ohio States MVP in 1963 and 1964.Was Big Ten MVP in 1963 and 1964.Was All American in 1963 and 1964.Teams record while at Ohio State was 62-14.Averaged 20.7 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting .535% from the field in 74 games at Ohio State. His 1,530 points and 706 rebounds still rank in the school's top ten of all time.He was selected by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1st round (3rd pick overall) of the
1964 NBA Draft .He played for the Bullets (1964-66) in the NBA for 44 games and for the Oakland Oaks (1967-69), Washington Capitols (1969-70),
Carolina Cougars andTexas Chaparrals (1970-71) in the ABA for 210 games. Averaged 12.2 points and 5.5 rebounds as a professional in 254 games, scoring 3,106 points. Averaged 17.0 points and 7.9 rebounds in the playoffs. Ranks #67 in ABA history in free throws and #76 in free throw attempts. Finished in top ten in free throw % in 1968-69.Was member of the 1968 ABA Champion
Oakland Oaks that includedRick Barry ,Doug Moe ,Larry Brown , and Ira Harge. Averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds in the 1968 ABA Playoffs with a high of 43 points against Minnesota.Following his pro career, was an assistant coach and Teacher and School Principal of Greeneview South Elementary . A much admired and respected local and national hero/role model to many, Bradds died on July 15, 1983 at the age of 40 of cancer. His son David played basketball at the University of Dayton.
External links
*basketball-reference|id=b/braddga01|name=Gary Bradds
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