Billy Cunningham College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com He would get up in the air and spread those wings, hed be swoopin. Thunder Dan has more than made friends with the rim and earned his name! Billy Cunningham found success as a coach in the NBA after his playing days were through. Now imagine yourself crouching a bit, like Superman, and springing high into the air. Find out more. [10] In October 2021, he was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[11]. But the winning wasnt over. Anybodv can win the lottery, a move in which a player drives past a defender by stepping one way and then quickly taking a big lateral step in the other direction. He scored 16,310 points and pulled down nearly 8,000 rebounds. Not only could he walk, but he was also an All-ACC selection three times and a two-time All-American. There was a Philadelphia boy, Sonny Hill, about 5-10 (actually 5-9), he was the first guy that size I ever saw dunk. inBrooklyn,New York For his eleven-year career, Cunningham averaged 21.2 points per game. 3 June 1943 in Brooklyn, New York), professional basketball player known for his vertical leap who was a top scorer and rebounder in the 1960s and 1970s, and who later became a winning coach, television commentator, and team owner. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. 1924- Left, Born: Do you have a blog? "The beauty part of playing basketball," he once said, "is that your mind is occupied with playing basketball and nothing else, and you're having fun.". 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Though he portrayed a large woman in "You have to Walk it like . He had wide shoulders--he was built like Orlando (Woolridge), 6-7 or 6-8. Known as 'The Kangaroo Kid,' Billy Cunningham was a high-flying scorer who won an NBA title as a player and coach with the 76ers. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Who would he share a wing with? Very easily.. There are two other pure measurements of leap--the dunk and the top of the money exchange. "I can't put my finger on it exactly, but there was just something about the game. billy cunningham vertical jump. In warmups, we would always check out the other team and get into little contests with their guys. White is a regular at Hawk games and a fan of Wilkins. White started five games, but was mostly a mop-up guy, then was injured and finished his career in a pro league in Mexico. The following is a list of the NBA's All-Time Top 50 Team: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Dave DeBusschere . Said Trenkle: He can take the ball with his right hand, go up, put it between his legs and dunk it behind his head with his left hand. Cade Cunningham Vertical Jump Height. His list of honors continued in 1986 when he was elected to the Hall of Fame, in 1990 when he was one of the 10 initial inductees to the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and in 1996, he was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Effortless, absolutely effortless.. There is a tavern called the Corner Club, in Moscow, Ida. Bill Cunningham | Premiere Networks David Robinson, future NBA Hall-of-Famer and leader of the San Antonio Spurs, was born in Key We, Chamberlain, Wilt Now they take everything off and it takes a lot more to get people excited.. Despite his Caucasian genetic setbacks, he shot up an unbelievable 41.5 inches at the NBA Draft Combine in 2014. The next season, the consistent Cunningham scored 23.3 points per game and was selected as an All-Star for the fourth time. Data Provided By It was so much air that it tied young Pat for the spot of second-highest vertical leap recorded up to that point. Can the old Elevator still ascend? Send us your videotape. VIDEO: Giant Space Slingshot In Action. The next year he exploded for 24.8 points per game and 12.8 rebounds and he was named a first-team All-Star. Billy Cunningham Wiki, Biography, Age, Career, Relationship, Net Worth The two teams waged a court battle, each claiming the rights to Cunningham, but the new league won. In todays semifinals, folks, well see Gary (Up in the Airy) Coleman vs. Bea (the Flea) Arthur, and Jumpin Johnny Carson vs. Pogo Stick Peter Jennings. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Athletics are in this guys genes; daddy Rick Barry produced a total of four bball loving sons. Theyll all be going through and over their mountainous opponents in no time! His list of accolades from his time at the University of North Carolina is probably as long as his legs (hes 67, in case youre wondering), which is not surprising since anybody with the nickname Kangaroo Kid must have worked pretty hard and jumped pretty high to earn it. With Maurice Cheeks and Lionel Hollins adding vitality to the backcourt, the Sixers roared to a 59-23 record in the 1979-80 regular season and then defeated favored Boston with rookie sensation Larry Bird in the Eastern Conference finals. Philadelphia then became a member of the leagues elite. Ive got the videotape to prove it., Karl Kleinkopf, who coached the Southern Idaho track team for nine years, said: Theres absolutely no doubt Joey could be an eight-foot high jumper by 1992. Patterson, who recently resigned as Arizona States coach, said that Johnson is really an impact player, but not consistently good and solid. Encyclopedia.com. I loved it instantly." Brooks will serve his 1-game suspension Sunday when the Grizzlies visit the Clippers. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Upon graduation, his 1,062 rebounds were the best in North Carolina history and he held single-season records for most rebounds (379 in 1964) and rebound average (16.1 in 1963). 3 June 1943 in Brooklyn, New York ), professional basketball player known for his vertical leap who was a top scorer and rebounder in the 1960s and 1970s, and who later became a winning coach, television commentator, and team owner. William John "Billy" Cunningham was born on June 3, 1943. In his second season with Carolina, Cunningham was hampered by injuries, but he still managed a 20.5 average in 32 games. Jackie stays in the air and the ref calls a three-second violation. As if this wasnt impressive enough, it was during a practice with the LA Lakers about a month after the Combine that he flew up 46 inches, creating a new pre-draft record. Okay, so LaVine is technically not 100% Caucasian. Nope. He was a five-time All Star, 1972-73 MVP, and received recognition for numerous goals, throws, rebounds, and assist plays. His man takes him into the key, gives a head fake and sends Jackie skyward. Philadelphia fans showed surprisingly little bitterness toward Cunningham, who rewarded them with 19.5 ppg in 1974-75. I went back a few hours later with a tape measure. He ran out of his house and to the hoop at St. Rose of Lima grammar school, three blocks away. Its even been called hellicious.. Dawkins claimed to have come from the planet Lovetron, he called himself Chocolate Thunder and Zandokan the Mad Dunker, and he named his dunks. He said he was afraid he would cut himself. Why isnt this guy in the hall of fame yet? star and now the leagues vice president of operations. Another oft-told legend has Jackie on defense. . "Cunningham, William John ("Billy") Philadelphia won 62 games the next season, but the Celtics upset the 76ers in the playoffs. The mystery leaper was--and is--Herb White, 6-foot-2, eyes of blue, from Decatur, Ga. As with most leaping legends, Herbs aerial reputation often preceded him. I got fired up and did a 360 dunk. To that end, heres this writers all-time all-leap team: Dr. J, the Big Dipper, Air Jordan, David Skywalker and Joey Johnson. But who has seen him? . Throughout his life, Cunningham excelled at all aspects of the game he loved. [15], For other people named William Cunningham, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team, List of National Basketball Association single-game playoff scoring leaders, "The Rumble: AN OFF-THE-BALL LOOK AT YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS CELEBRITIES", "Philadelphia 76ers 134 - Portland Trail Blazers 132", Goldaper, Sam. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Thompson was on a par with Erving but after five great NBA seasons, his career hit a quick decline, caused in part by cocaine problems. Mike Conley, who is 6-2 and a triple jumper, won the Foot Locker Slam Dunk Contest last weekend, with 6-2 Raider receiver Tim Brown finishing third and swimmer Matt Biondi in the top five. Known as "The Kangaroo Kid," he won an NBA Championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967, then coached the team to another championship in 1983. Dawkins named it, Chocolate Thunder Flying, Robinzine Crying, Teeth Shaking, Glass Breaking, Rump Roasting, Bun Toasting, Wham, Bam, Glass Breaker, I Am Jam.. "Cunningham, William John ("Billy") In The Finals, however, Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin Magic Johnson, Jamaal Wilkes and the Lakers were too much. Gus once said, When I dunked that ball and heard that shot for the first time, I said to myself, Oh, oh, Gus. However, none of the other basketball-playing Barry brothers Scooter, Jon, and Drew - can claim to be the only white man in history to win the Slam Dunk contest, though. Billy Cunningham - Biography - IMDb //]]>. Keith had a 32. Seniors Are Getting Freaking And A New Loofah Code Lets Everyone Know. Yes, 44. I knew he was right there with me. As a freshman he went out for the track team, worked out a total of 10 hours, then high-jumped 7-3 7/8. Earl Manigault was another fabulous flyer off the Eastern blacktop in the late 50s and early 60s. Soon Greer would be alone. A sample: In Your Face Disgrace, Sexophonic Turbo Delight, Hammer of Thor, and Yo Mamma. Chamberlain was asked, werent there any great leapers of the white persuasion? The most frequent flyers? Were playing in Philadelphia, against Wilt, Hawkins relates. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. "We just helped knock on doors and pull people out of their homes last night. Even back in his Florida State days, where he was ACC Rookie of the year for the 1991-92 season, it was obvious that he loved to run, jump, and make friends with the rim. CREATIVE. He would perform a reverse dunk-dunk with two balls. [6] He announced on June 15, 1972, that he was going to play with the Cougars beginning with the upcoming season at press conferences in Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina which occurred almost simultaneous to the Sixers' introduction of Roy Rubin as its new head coach.[7]. White, also known as the Elevator from Decatur, made the NBA all-time all-warmup team that one season. In 1967, he teamed with fellow Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA title. Instead he went to Georgia as a white player and was a so-so power forward. In the far-up Land of Leap, the unit of currency is the dunk. "It's a remarkable life.". We present them here for purely educational purposes. why did michael jackson wrote heal the world; lionel richie las vegas 2022 Billy Cunningham 76ers Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images If accurate, that would have put him as the 10th-highest max vertical leaper (not standing, but with a short running start) in the NBA Draft, just behind Grayson Allen's number of 40.5 inches. In his UNC career, he scored 1,709 points (24.8 points per game), and grabbed 1,062 rebounds (15.4 rebounds per game). "Rubin Quits L. I. U. to Pilot 76ers,", Goldaper, Sam. He also had stellar 3-pointer abilities, but after that 1996 air show, most of his other accomplishments were left in the dust. He was an incredible shot blocker. If you give bonus points for obscurity and mystery, it would be Joey Johnson, younger brother of Celtic guard Dennis. Note that this is not the official NBA measurement. These are not necessarily great basketball players, understand, but their ability to jump has made them objects of something much deeper than profound respect. However, you can take all the sergeant numbers of all the jumping jacks, put the numbers in a manure spreader and sprinkle them on your lawn or garden. Billy Cunningham tells broadcaster John Andariese about his early success with the 76ers. Billy can jump up to 29-31 inches (vertical leap). The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Its like walking on air. 75 Stories | Billy Cunningham - YouTube They swept the Knicks in the conference semis and topped the Bucks in five games to reach another Finals, where they swept longtime nemesis L.A. for the championship. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Athletic Club, has worked with most of the great L.A. prep stars of the last two decades. Among his numerous career achievements, he was named to the 1966 All-Rookie Team and three All-NBA First Teams. After this historic 2015 event, Twitter lit up with the hashtag #WhiteMenCanJump (the up in lit up is so well placed, right?). I dont want anyone ripping rib-cage muscles or wrenching spinal disks. For his college career he averaged 24.8 points per game and set a school record with 1,062 rebounds. Billy Cunningham was born in Brooklyn, New York. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Anybodv can win the lottery.. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. And the problem these days is inflation. Many of the legendary leapers of that era didnt play NBA ball because all they could do was leap. Though he portrayed a large woman in "You have to Walk it like you talk it or You'll Lose that Beat" (1971), he is best known as an American former professional basketball player and coach. He cant even walk.. Since joining the NBA in the 2002-03 season, this guy has achieved dozens of honours and awards, including three MVP award shares and a spot playing in two All-Star games. Griffin has been one of the most electrifying dunkers in the NBA for the past eight years. Cade Cunningham has a vertical jump of 41 inches. He is six feet seven inches tall. Thats a white head, remember. Not a great deal is known about Jackie, which is good, because nothing dims a legend faster than facts. On 6 May 1986 Cunningham was elected into the NBA Hall of Fame, as one of its ten initial inductees. And he played it constantly. Trenkle had heard of the Gus Johnson nail, so when the Southern Idaho team was passing through Moscow on a trip, he ordered the bus driver to stop outside the Corner Club, and he took Joey inside. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. He inherited a team of underachievers led by Julius Erving. Its a remarkable life.. Hawkins is now vice president of communications for the Dodgers. Or write about sports? Realizing they needed a dominant big man to contain Abdul-Jabbar, Philadelphia acquired the two-time MVP (1979 and 82) Moses Malone from the Houston Rockets (Malone would win a third MVP as a Sixer in that first season in Philadelphia) before the 1982-83 season. Dunk-off of the Network Superstars? Nissalke tells of an informal leaping contest between second-year man Kareem, who then was Lew Alcindor, and Milwaukee forward Don Smith, who now is Zaid Abdul-Aziz. Almost always the feat involves money--claims that the player could grab a dollar bill off the top of the board, or could pluck off a quarter and leave two dimes and a nickel change. He was named Most Valuable Player in the ABA. Professional basketball player, sports administrator In the Division Finals, the Cougars lost a tight seven-game series to the Kentucky Colonels, 4 games to 3. A lot of them, you have to understand, werent able to get into college, Chamberlain said. Jerry West could get up. Cunningham was part of a group that helped to secure an NBA franchise for Miami in the late 1980s. The following season Philadelphia won sixty-two games and the Eastern Division title but lost to the Celtics in the playoffs. Hes earned a list of nicknames, including LaVine The Machine as well as being part of the Bounce Brothers duo with Minnesota Timerwolves teammate Andrew Wiggins. His playing days ended on one play in the 1975-76 season. Cunningham, William John ("Billy") | Encyclopedia.com (b. He ran to the nearest school, three blocks away, and started shooting baskets. See, for example, Jan Hubbard, ed., The Official NBA Basketball Encyclopedia, 3d ed. We present them here for purely educational purposes. So I did a 360, two handed, and he conceded.. Other notable dunks include his shot on the Sonics seriously ticked off Robert Reid, and another on the Knicks flabbergasted Patrick Ewing. I used to dunk on that basket. My sergeant was higher than Jordans. Cunningham grew up in Brooklyn and on his fifth birthday he received a basketball. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? An American-Israeli boy who was actually born in Taiwan, this dude was THIS CLOSE to entering the Slam Dunk competition in 2009, but was passed over for the Portland Trail Blazers Rudy Fernandez. As Cunningham was adjusting to the professional game, the 76ers were becoming a powerhouse. They were trying to touch the top of the board, Nissalke said. He was a high school superstar. The soaring flight of the great leaper is amazing, even to himself. //billy cunningham vertical jump - epcorcentre.org Ive never felt another feeling like it, being able to go up in the air, over someone much bigger, and stay up there. Dunk is cheap. ." Billy Cunningham is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid. Then he went to North Carolina and was an All-American. Then he goes into coaching and, percentage-wise, becomes one of the best ever. Browse 1,052 billy cunningham stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. To think that we can thank a bunch of sweaty dancers for this fundamental basketball maneuver. At the 1991 Slam Dunk Competition he came in third. The Grizzlies say their star guard will be away from the team for 'at least' the next 2 games. Dont try a big leap. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. . 1936-1999 Its a rush, a thrill, said the Elevator from Decatur. William John Cunningham (The Kangaroo Kid, Kang, Billy C) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Left 6-6, 210lb (198cm, 95kg) . The Cougars had finished last the previous season, but with Brown and Cunningham inspiring the team, the Cougars finished first. While he was dribbling down the court, his knee exploded. No discussion of legendary leapers is complete without heated debate. A commitment to the basic fundamentals of any game lead to progress, growth, and success. Media in category "Billy Cunningham" The following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total. Robinson, David 1965 Cunningham could not even crack the starting lineupwhich included Wilt Chamberlain, Chet Walker, Lucious Jackson, Hal Greer, and Wally Jonesbut he averaged 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game coming off the bench. Some of them were pretty damn eccentric. There have been--and are--very good white jumpers. Then he enters into the [NBA] expansion pursuit and gets it. What happens when you put stilts on kangaroo? He spent a total of 17 seasons with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers (nine as player, eight as coach), and two seasons as a player with the Carolina Cougars of the ABA. . With a dad who played basketball center for Northwestern Oklahoma University, and a childhood that included playing baseball, football, AND hoops, Blake Griffin was destined for greatness. After Chamberlain left the team in 1968, Cunningham became the 76ers' franchise player. Biography. Select from premium Billy Cunningham 76ers of the highest quality. His entire head and neck were above the rim. The soaring flight of the great leaper is amazing, even to himself. In 1966-67, the 76ers dominated the NBA. Draft: Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1965 NBA draft, More Cunningham pages at Sports Reference, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:03AM. These are two very, very different kinds of feathered friends. Most of the players had between 29 and 33, so I dont believe any of that stuff in the 40s.. Then they took out Boston in the Eastern Division finals San Francisco in the NBA Finals. His standing vertical was 37.5 inches. William John Cunningham (born June 3, 1943) is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid for his leaping and record-setting rebounding abilities. And Dirk Nowitzki who no doubt has walls plastered top to bottom with awards and achievements. Billy Cunningham wasn't nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid because he had a pouch. Officially, his nickname originated from a 2002 summer league in Salt Lake City, where other players commented on his jumps and grabs, saying he could fly like a bird. Dont get him confused with Larry Bird though. It was so good that Cunningham, a future Hall of Famer, came off the bench. Not only could he dunk, but he had a serious white boy swagger. His departure had a disastrous effect on the 76ers, who posted a 9-73 record in 1972-73, the worst mark in NBA history. About a year ago, I was in a playground game with some black guys. That Sixers team has since been hailed as the greatest ever assembled. [9] In 1996, Cunningham was voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History as part of the NBA's 50th Anniversary. I saw him come down the floor once, in the Eastern League, on a fast break. That's because like many players expected to be picked very high in the draft, they do not attend the Draft Combine or its measurements. So he tried it again, grabbed the nail and bent it straight down. In the 19661967 season the 76ers were a powerhouse, winning sixty-eight against only thirteen losses and beating the Boston Celtics and San Francisco in the playoffs to win the championship. For three days, Rabbit put on a show like theyve never seen before. [8] For his career, he scored 16,310 points, grabbed 7,981 rebounds, and recorded 3,305 assists in both the NBA and the ABA. That year, he was the First-Team All-New York In those days, didnt nobody dunk but Wilt Chamberlain, so Sonny was an absolute marvel.. He did prefer ball to hockey, after all. Billy Cunningham (Billy; The Kangaroo Kid) Position: Forward 6-6 , 210lb (198cm, 95kg) School: North Carolina (Men) Draft: Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (7th pick, 7th overall), 1965 NBA draft SUMMARY Career G 69 PTS 24.8 TRB 15.4 AST - FG% 47.3 FT% 62.8 Cunningham Overview More Cunningham Pages More Cunningham pages at Sports Reference Now, as radio's "Voice of the Common Man," Bill merges all his knowledge, along with his distinguished guests to enrich the minds of his loyal and participative audience. 1 draft choice. Known as "The Kangaroo Kid," Billy Cunningham was a high-flying scorer who won an NBA title as a player and coach with the 76ers. In Madison Square Garden, he got a standing ovation for his warmup dunks. Before the game, English and I went back and forth. He was discovered. . [8] During his tenure, the team featured Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Moses Malone, and Julius Erving. Hes said to be the greatest white dunker in all of basketball history. Thats the outer space were dealing with today, the sky above the hoop, the rare air inhabited by only a select group of humans, the legendary leapers.