Remember the ABA: Goo Kennedy (original) (raw)

Eugene "Goo" Kennedy

Ht. 6-6

Wt. 205
College - Texas Christian University
ABA Teams: Dallas (1971-72 through 1972-73), San Antonio (1973-74), St. Louis (1974-75), Utah (1975-76)

Unanimous All-SWC Player and the SWC "Player of the Year" for TCU in 70-71. A 13th round pick of Dallas in 1971, Kennedy surprised the entire ABA, averaging 8.6 ppg and 7.5 rpg as a rookie. ABA All-Rookie team pick in 1971-72. One of ABA's top shooters with career FG% of 54.9%. No. 2 in the ABA in FG% (.550) in 1972-73 with Dallas.

From Jim O'Brien's 1972-73 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball:

Big surprise last season . . . Drafted in 13th round, he gained starting post for Chaparrals . . . Played center in college, though he was only 6-6, and led Southwest Conference in rebounding (16.6 per game) and averaged 20.1 points . . . Was named All-SWC player of year, yet was ignored in draft . . . Showed strong at rookie camp . . . Plays with unharnessed unvarnished zeal, and fouled out of more games (19) than anyone in ABA . . . Feels he's a marked man in referees' lodge . . . "I've got a reputation for guarding my man too tight and before the game even starts the other coaches start yelling that I'm holding" says Goo . . . Has great speed and quickness . . . Fine inside game . . . A hustler who must be kept off the boards . . . Has two brothers with wonderful nicknames "Bird Brain" and "Bird Chest" - Goo used to be called "Little Bird" . . . Had fouled out of game last season, a close one that looked like it would go into overtime. Goo raced over to veteran Len Chappell, sitting on the other end of the bench, and inquired: "If the game goes into overtime do I get to go back in?"