Howard Porter (basketball) facts for kids
Porter in 1972
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 31, 1948 Stuart, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | May 26, 2007 (aged 58) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| High school | Booker (Sarasota, Florida) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Villanova (1968–1971) |
| NBA Draft | 1971 / Round: 2 / Pick: 32nd overall |
| Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
| Pro career | 1971–1978 |
| Career history | |
| 1971–1974 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1974 | New York Knicks |
| 1974–1977 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1977–1978 | New York Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 4,215 (9.2 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,872 (4.1 rpg) |
| Blocks | 212 (0.6 bpg) |
Howard Porter (August 31, 1948 – May 26, 2007) was an American professional basketball player. At 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 220 lb (100 kg), he played as a forward and a center.
Early life
Porter was born in Stuart, Florida. While in the 8th grade, he played on the varsity team at Stuart Training School, the high school for Martin County blacks. He attended Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. The highlight of his high school career occurred in 1967, when he led Booker to the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A State Basketball Championship.
College career
Porter then played collegiately at Villanova University, where he was a three-time All-America selection. He took Villanova to the 1971 NCAA Championship Game, in which Villanova lost to UCLA 68–62. Porter was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after scoring 25 points in the final game. However, he was later ruled ineligible for the honor because he had signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Condors of the American Basketball Association during the middle of his senior year. To the present day, the MOP for the 1971 Final Four is listed as "*Vacated".
Professional career
Porter never played for the Condors, instead joining the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 1971. He played seven seasons in the NBA as a member of the Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets.
His best professional season was in 1976–77 with Detroit, when he averaged 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, playing alongside fellow Villanova teammate Chris Ford.
Porter was nicknamed "Geezer" during his time at Villanova and had become a fan favorite at the Pistons' then-home, Cobo Arena.
Post-NBA life
Porter had retired from the NBA in 1978 at 29 years old in a career cut short by injuries, including a blood clot in his lungs. In 1995, he began working as a probation officer for Ramsey County.
Death
Howard Porter died on May 26, 2007. He is interred at Washington Park Cemetery in Orlo Vista, Florida. He is survived by his three children, Ebony, Howard Jr. and Keelee.
See also
In Spanish: Howard Porter para niños
