Austin Carr facts for kids
_c.jpg)
Carr in 2018
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1948 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| High school | Mackin (Washington, D.C.) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Notre Dame (1968–1971) |
| NBA Draft | 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall |
| Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| Pro career | 1971–1981 |
| Career history | |
| 1971–1980 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1980 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 1980–1981 | Washington Bullets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 10,473 (15.4 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,990 (2.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,878 (2.8 apg) |
Austin George Carr (born March 10, 1948) is a former American basketball player. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Washington Bullets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Fans in Cleveland know him as "Mr. Cavalier."
Carr was part of the Notre Dame team that beat the UCLA Bruins on January 19, 1971. This win ended UCLA's amazing 88-game winning streak.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
Austin Carr grew up in Washington, D.C.. He went to Holy Redeemer School and then Mackin Catholic High School. At Mackin, Carr played with another great guard, Tom Little.
As a junior, Carr scored 475 points in 24 games. In his senior year, he scored 600 points. He helped his team, the Paul Furlong-coached Trojans, win the Catholic League title. Carr was named a Parade All-American, a big honor for high school players.
College Basketball Success
Carr was a 6-foot 4-inch (1.93 m) shooting guard. He became very famous as a player for the University of Notre Dame. He had already scored over 2,000 points in high school.
Carr continued to shine in college. He finished his three years at Notre Dame with 2,560 points. This was an average of 34.5 points per game. At the time, this ranked him fifth in college basketball history.
In his last two seasons, Carr was one of only two college players to score over 1,000 points in a single season. He holds several NCAA tournament records. These include most points in one game (61 points in 1970) and most field goals in one game (25). His average of 50 points per game in seven NCAA playoff games is still a record.
Carr is often listed among the best college basketball players ever. In 2008, ESPN called him the 22nd greatest college player. In 2013, Bleacher Report named him the 12th most dominant college player in history.
NBA Career Highlights
Joining the NBA: Draft Day
Austin Carr became a professional player when the Cleveland Cavaliers picked him first overall. This happened in the 1971 NBA draft. He also had an offer from the ABA, but he chose to sign with the Cavaliers.
Rookie Season and Early Challenges
Carr's first season in the NBA was tough because of injuries. He broke his foot before the season started and missed a month. Soon after returning, another foot injury kept him out for seven more weeks.
Despite the injuries, he showed his amazing skills. He was named to the 1972 NBA All-Rookie Team. After his first season, he had surgery to fix his foot problems.
In the 1973-74 season, Carr had his best year. He averaged 21.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. He also shot 85.6% from the free-throw line. Because of his great play, he was chosen for the 1974 Eastern Conference All-Star team. This was his only All-Star Game appearance.
The "Miracle of Richfield" and Playoff Runs
In the 1975–76 season, Carr helped the Cavaliers make history. They had their first winning season and won their division title. They also made the playoffs for the first time ever. This team was known as "The Miracle of Richfield."
In the 1976 playoffs, the Cavaliers beat the Washington Bullets in a thrilling seven-game series. Cleveland won Game 7 by a score of 87-85. This win sent them to the Eastern Conference Finals. They eventually lost to the Boston Celtics, who went on to win the NBA championship. Carr averaged 11.8 points in 13 playoff games that year.
Carr played in all 82 games in the 1976–77 season. He averaged 16.2 points per game, helping the Cavaliers reach the playoffs again. They also made the playoffs in the 1977–78 season. Carr played in all 82 games that year too.
Later Career and Retirement
Carr played two more seasons with the Cavaliers. In the 1978–79 season, he averaged 17 points per game. He shot a career-best 47.5% from the field. He played 82 games that year.
In 1980, his final season with the Cavaliers, he received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. This award recognizes players who show great service to their community.
The 1980–81 season was Carr's last in the NBA. He played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Bullets. He retired in 1981. He finished his career with averages of 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
Post-Playing Career and Broadcasting
Today, Austin Carr works for the Cavaliers as the Director of Community Relations. He is also a color commentator for the team's games on Fanduel Sport’s Network. The Cavaliers have retired his jersey number, 34, to honor his contributions.
In 2007, Carr was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2008, Notre Dame honored him as their all-time leading scorer.
Austin Carr's Famous Sayings
Carr is known for his fun and unique phrases during broadcasts:
- He throws the hammer down! – for a Cavs slam dunk
- He hits it deep in the Rock! – for a Cavs three-pointer
- Get that weak stuff outta here! – for a Cavs blocked shot
- He got him a bird – When a Cavs player makes an opponent jump on a fake move
- Mouse in the house – When a Cavs player is guarded by a much smaller player
- There's a breeze in the building – When an opponent misses a shot completely
- He dots the i – When a Cavs player makes a mid-range shot
- Too much pressure bursts the pipe – When the Cavs defense is playing very well
- Right back in your face – When the Cavs score right after the other team scores
Awards and Honors
College Achievements
- 1971 Naismith College Player of the Year
- 1971 Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year
- 1971 First Team All-American
- College Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2007)
- Notre Dame Basketball Ring of Honor (2011)
Professional Achievements
- 1972 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 1974 NBA All-Star Game Selection
- 1980 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
- Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (1992)
- 2011 Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Lifetime Achievement Award
- Number 34 retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cavaliers Wall of Honor
Broadcasting Awards
- Five-time Lower Great Lakes Emmy Award winner for his work with the Cavaliers broadcast team.
See also
In Spanish: Austin Carr para niños
