Gene Littles facts for kids
Littles was a player at High Point University in 1968
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 29, 1943 Washington, D.C., US |
| Died | September 10, 2021 (aged 78) Scottsdale, Arizona, US |
| High school | McKinley (Washington, D.C.) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 160 lb (73 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | High Point (1965–1969) |
| NBA Draft | 1969 / Round: 5 / Pick: 68th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1969–1975 |
| Coaching career | 1976–1995 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1969–1974 | Carolina Cougars |
| 1974–1975 | Kentucky Colonels |
| As coach: | |
| 1976–1977 | Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant) |
| 1977–1979 | North Carolina A&T |
| 1979-1985 | Utah Jazz (assistant) |
| 1985–1986 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1986–1987 | Chicago Bulls (assistant) |
| 1988–1990 | Charlotte Hornets (assistant) |
| 1990–1991 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1992–1993 | Denver Nuggets (assistant) |
| 1994–1995 | Denver Nuggets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player
As coach:
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| Career ABA statistics | |
| Points | 4,066 (9.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,475 (3.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,336 (3.0 spg) |
Eugene Scape Littles (born June 29, 1943 – died September 10, 2021) was an American basketball player and coach. He played for six seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He was a player for the Carolina Cougars and Kentucky Colonels between 1969 and 1975. Littles helped the Colonels win an ABA championship in 1975. After his playing career, he became a coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He coached teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, and Denver Nuggets.
Contents
Early Life and College Basketball
Gene Littles was born in Washington, D.C. on June 29, 1943. He went to McKinley Technology High School in his hometown. After high school, he played college basketball at High Point University. He became the all-time leading scorer in High Point school history. He was also named an NAIA All-American three times.
In 1969, Gene Littles was chosen in two drafts. The New York Knicks picked him in the 5th round of the 1969 NBA draft. The Dallas Chaparrals also picked him in the 1969 ABA draft. He decided to play in the ABA. His playing rights were later given to the Carolina Cougars.
Playing Career in the ABA
Littles played his first ABA game on October 18, 1969. He scored ten points in that game against the Chaparrals. He played for the Carolina Cougars for five seasons, from 1969 to 1974. In 1970, he was named to the All-Rookie Team. That year, he was sixth in the league for field goal percentage (.507). He also had his best year for points (1,025), assists (282), and rebounds (415). In the 1972–73 season, Littles played in the most games in the ABA, with 84.
After playing for the Cougars, he joined the Kentucky Colonels for one season (1974–75). He was part of the Colonels team that won the 1975 ABA Championship. In his last regular season, he played fewer games (61) and had lower stats.
Coaching Career Highlights
After his playing days, Gene Littles became a basketball coach. He started as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. Then, he became a head coach for college basketball. He coached North Carolina A&T from 1977 to 1979. He led them to win two MEAC tournament championships in a row. In 1979, he was named the conference's coach of the year.
Littles got his first chance to coach in the NBA in 1979. He was hired by the New Orleans Jazz, which later moved to Utah. In 1982, he moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He became their interim head coach when George Karl was let go during the 1985–86 season. However, the Cavaliers hired Lenny Wilkens as their head coach the next season.
He was an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls in the 1986–87 season. After that, he was an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets for two seasons. In February 1990, he became the head coach for the Hornets, replacing Dick Harter. He coached the Hornets for about a season and a half. Allan Bristow took over as coach at the end of the 1990–91 season. Littles then worked as a vice president for the Hornets.
Littles returned to coaching in the 1992–93 season. He was an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets. He was considered for the head coach job for the Los Angeles Clippers, but Bob Weiss got the position. Littles later became the Nuggets' interim coach during the 1994–95 season. He coached between Dan Issel and Bernie Bickerstaff.
Later Life and Legacy
Gene Littles was honored for his basketball career. He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. He also joined the High Point University Athletics Hall of Fame. High Point University retired his jersey number, 14, to honor him. In 2019, a bench outside the Millis Athletic Convocation Center was named after him.
Gene Littles passed away on September 10, 2021, at 78 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Gene Littles para niños
