Clifford Ray facts for kids
Ray in 2017
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 21, 1949 Union, South Carolina, U.S. |
| High school | Sims (Union, South Carolina) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Oklahoma (1968–1971) |
| NBA Draft | 1971 / Round: 3 / Pick: 40th overall |
| Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
| Pro career | 1971–1981 |
| Coaching career | 1987–2013 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1971–1974 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1974–1981 | Golden State Warriors |
| As coach: | |
| 1987–1993 | Dallas Mavericks (assistant) |
| 1993–1994 | Fort Wayne Fury |
| 1995–1996 | New Jersey Nets (assistant) |
| 2000–2002 | Golden State Warriors (assistant) |
| 2002–2003 | Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant) |
| 2004–2005 | Orlando Magic (assistant) |
| 2006–2010 | Boston Celtics (assistant) |
| 2012–2013 | Sacramento Kings (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As assistant coach:
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 5,821 (7.4 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 6,953 (8.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,728 (2.2 apg) |
Clifford Ray (born January 21, 1949) is a famous American former professional basketball player and coach. He played in the NBA for ten seasons, first with the Chicago Bulls and then with the Golden State Warriors. Clifford Ray was known for being a strong defender and a great rebounder. He even won an NBA championship as a player and later as an assistant coach.
Contents
Clifford Ray's Basketball Journey
Playing in College and Joining the NBA
Clifford Ray played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma. He was very good at playing most woodwind instruments, showing he had many talents! In 1971, the Chicago Bulls picked him in the third round of the NBA draft. From the very beginning, Clifford was an amazing defender and a fantastic rebounder.
Early Success with the Chicago Bulls
In his first year, Clifford was so good that he was named to the 1972 NBA All-Rookie Team. This means he was one of the best new players in the league! For his first two seasons, he led the NBA in rebounds per minute played. He spent three seasons with the Bulls. His best season with them was 1973–74, when he averaged 9.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. That year, the Bulls made it to the NBA Western Conference finals for the first time ever.
Winning a Championship with the Golden State Warriors
In 1974, Clifford Ray was traded to the Golden State Warriors. This trade was a big deal because it helped the Warriors get a younger, talented player. In 1975, the Warriors, led by star player Rick Barry and coached by Al Attles, won the NBA championship! Clifford Ray was a key part of this team. He led the team in rebounding and was a strong anchor for their defense. The Warriors first beat Clifford's old team, the Chicago Bulls, in the Western Conference finals. Then, they swept the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals, winning the championship!
A Special Basketball Record
Clifford Ray is one of only a few players in NBA history who played for at least ten seasons and had more rebounds than points in his career. This shows how incredibly good he was at rebounding the ball! Other famous players on this special list include Basketball Hall of Famers like Nate Thurmond and Bill Russell.
Clifford Ray's Coaching Career
After his playing days, Clifford Ray became a basketball coach. He started as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks in 1987. He also coached in another league called the Continental Basketball Association. He even became a head coach for the Fort Wayne Fury.
Later, he returned to the NBA as an assistant coach for teams like the New Jersey Nets and the Golden State Warriors. He also worked with the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. From 2005 to 2010, he was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. With the Celtics, he won another NBA championship in 2008, this time as a coach! He also coached for the Sacramento Kings in 2012. In 2016, he became a consultant for the Houston Rockets.
Clifford Ray's Amazing Dolphin Rescue
In 1978, Clifford Ray became famous for something completely different: he saved a dolphin's life! This happened at the Marine World/Africa USA amusement park in Redwood City, California. A bottlenose dolphin named "Mr. Spock" accidentally swallowed a bolt that had a sharp screw sticking out.
The park's veterinarian couldn't reach the bolt because it was too deep in the dolphin's stomach. The vet joked that he needed longer arms. Mike Demetrios, the park president and a basketball fan, remembered Clifford Ray's incredibly long arms. Clifford's arms were about 3 feet 9 inches long! With special gloves, lubrication, and careful guidance, Clifford Ray was able to reach into the dolphin's stomach and safely remove the screw. He saved Mr. Spock's life without hurting him!
See also
In Spanish: Clifford Ray para niños
- Bao Xishun, another person (formerly recognized world's tallest man) who used his long arms to reach into the stomachs of two dolphins.
