Clarence Glover facts for kids

Clarence Glover is a former American professional basketball player. He was born on November 1, 1947. Glover played as a forward and was known for his height at 6 feet 8 inches and his strong rebounding skills. He played college basketball at Western Kentucky before joining the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Early Life and High School

Clarence Glover grew up in Horse Cave, Kentucky. He went to Caverna High School in his hometown. During his time in high school, Clarence was a talented athlete. He played both baseball and basketball for his school teams.

College Basketball Star

Clarence Glover became a standout player for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers college team. He played for them from 1968 to 1971. His skills helped lead the team to a very exciting season.

Leading Western Kentucky to the Final Four

In 1971, Glover played a key role in leading the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to the NCAA Final Four. This is a huge achievement in college basketball. During the 1971 NCAA tournament, his team won several tough games. They beat Jacksonville, their rival Kentucky, and Ohio State to reach the Final Four.

In the Final Four, they had a close game against the Villanova Wildcats, losing in double overtime. However, they went on to win the third-place game against Kansas. Throughout the tournament, Glover showed his amazing talent. He often scored double-digit points and grabbed many rebounds in these important games. For his final college season, he averaged 8.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

Making History on the Court

The 1971 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers team made history. They were the first college basketball team in Kentucky, not from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), to start five African-American players. Coach John Oldham chose to start Glover, Jim McDaniels, Jim Rose, Jerry Dunn, and Rex Bailey. Coach Oldham believed they were his best players, even though some people pressured him not to start them all together.

Over his college career at Western Kentucky, Clarence Glover played in 80 games. He averaged 6.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Playing in the NBA

After his successful college career, Clarence Glover moved on to play professional basketball. He was a highly sought-after player.

Drafted by the Boston Celtics

In the 1971 NBA draft, Clarence Glover was a top pick. The Boston Celtics drafted him in the first round, as the 10th overall pick. He was also drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association (ABA). Glover chose to sign with the Celtics, feeling it offered better competition and opportunities.

Glover played for the Celtics during the 1971–1972 season. He wore jersey number 28. He played in 25 games for the Celtics, who were coached by Tommy Heinsohn. During his time with the Celtics, he averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in about 4.8 minutes per game.

Life After the Celtics

After his time with the Celtics, Glover joined the Hartford Chiefs in the Eastern League. He later tried to rejoin the Celtics for a second season. The Celtics' General Manager, Red Auerbach, noted that Glover had improved his shooting. However, in October 1972, the Celtics decided to waive Glover.

Life After Basketball

After his basketball career, Clarence Glover dedicated his life to education and coaching. He began working in Kentucky Public Schools in 1995. He served as an assistant principal at Farnsley Middle School.

Glover also helped start Frenchburg Academy. This was a special year-round school for high school students who needed extra support. He has also been a part of many higher education boards. Western Kentucky University even has a scholarship fund named after him, called the "Clarence Glover Scholarship Fund."

Awards and Recognition

Clarence Glover's contributions to basketball have been recognized. In 2007, he was inducted into the Western Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates his achievements as a college athlete.

See also

In Spanish: Clarence Glover para niños