Charlie Criss facts for kids
Criss as a senior at NMSU
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 6, 1948 Valhalla, New York, U.S. |
| High school | Gorton (Yonkers, New York) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Listed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 1970 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1972–1985 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1972–1974 | Hartford Capitols |
| 1974–1975 | Cherry Hill Pros |
| 1975–1977 | Scranton Apollos |
| 1977–1981 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1981–1982 | San Diego Clippers |
| 1982–1984 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1984–1985 | Atlanta Hawks |
| As coach: | |
| 1991 | Atlanta Eagles |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 3,534 (8.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 592 (1.4 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,335 (3.2 apg) |
Charles Washington Criss Jr. (born November 6, 1948) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He was known for being a talented guard even though he was one of the shortest players in the league at 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Charlie Criss started his basketball journey in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA). He quickly became a star, winning two EBA championships. He also earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award twice in that league. After his success in the EBA, he joined the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for teams like the Atlanta Hawks, San Diego Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Contents
Charlie Criss's Basketball Career
Charlie Criss played eight seasons in the NBA. He was known for his quickness and ability to score and pass.
Early Career and Championships
Before joining the NBA, Charlie Criss played in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA). He helped the Hartford Capitols win an EBA championship in 1974. Later, playing for the Scranton Apollos, he won another EBA championship in 1977. He was also named the league's Most Valuable Player in both 1976 and 1977. These achievements showed he was a top player.
Joining the NBA
In 1977, Charlie Criss joined the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. At 5 feet 8 inches, he was the shortest player in the league at that time. Despite his height, he proved he could compete with the best. In his first NBA season (1977-78), he played very well. He averaged 11 points and 4 assists per game.
Key Moments in the NBA
Charlie Criss continued to play important roles for his teams. During the 1980 NBA playoffs, he helped the Hawks reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He averaged 14 points and 4.4 assists per game in those playoffs. On February 20, 1982, while playing for the San Diego Clippers, he had his best scoring game. He scored 34 points and made 8 assists in a win against the San Antonio Spurs.
Life After Playing Basketball
After retiring as a player, Charlie Criss stayed involved with basketball. He worked as a television commentator for the Atlanta Hawks. He also helped organize basketball summer camps for young players. In 1991, he became the head coach for the Atlanta Eagles in the United States Basketball League (USBL). He also worked as a golf instructor.
See also
In Spanish: Charlie Criss para niños
- List of shortest players in National Basketball Association history
