Jack Givens facts for kids
Givens in 2010
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 21, 1956 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| High school | Bryan Station (Lexington, Kentucky) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Kentucky (1974–1978) |
| NBA Draft | 1978 / Round: 1 / Pick: 16th overall |
| Selected by the Atlanta Hawks | |
| Pro career | 1978–1983 |
| Career history | |
| 1978–1980 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1982–1983 | Akita Isuzu Motors |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 1,040 (6.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 456 (2.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 142 (0.9 apg) |
Jack "Goose" Givens, born on September 21, 1956, is a famous American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats team and was recognized as one of the best college players in the country.
Jack helped his team win the 1978 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. He was even named the "Most Outstanding Player" of the Final Four tournament that year! This was largely because he scored an amazing 41 points in the championship game, helping Kentucky beat Duke 94–88. He played as a forward, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds. Jack later played professionally for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also played basketball in Japan.
Contents
Jack Givens' Basketball Journey
High School and College Success
Jack Givens was a star basketball player in high school. He earned "Kentucky Mr. Basketball" and "Parade All-American" honors in 1974 while attending Bryan Station High School in Lexington.
He then went to the University of Kentucky to play for the Wildcats. In his first year, the Wildcats almost won the national championship, finishing as runners-up in 1975. They lost to UCLA in the Final Four championship game.
In 1978, Jack and the Kentucky team returned to the Final Four. After leading Kentucky to a big win over the Arkansas team in the semifinals, he had his best game ever. He scored 41 points and made 18 of 27 shots against Duke. This amazing performance helped Kentucky win their fifth NCAA Championship in men's basketball!
College Achievements
Jack played varsity basketball for four years, from 1974 to 1978. During this time, he scored 2,038 points in 123 games, averaging 16.6 points per game. This made him the third-highest scorer in the school's history! He was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference three times (1976, 1977, and 1978). In 1978, he was also recognized as a second-team All-American.
To honor his incredible career, Kentucky retired Jack's number 21 jersey. A special banner with his name and number hangs in the rafters of Rupp Arena, which is Kentucky's home basketball court.
Playing in the NBA
After his amazing college career, the Atlanta Hawks picked Jack Givens as the 16th player in the 1978 NBA draft. He played for the Hawks for two seasons. During his time with the team, he played about 16.7 minutes per game and scored 6.7 points on average.
Playing Overseas
After his time in the NBA, Jack Givens played basketball in other countries. He played for the Akita Isuzu Motors basketball team in Japan during the 1982–83 season. He still visits Japan regularly with his family to see the friends he made there.
Life After Playing Basketball
After he stopped playing, Jack Givens became a television commentator for NBA games. He worked for different networks and teams, including TBS and the Orlando Magic. He worked for the Orlando Magic from when the team started in 1989 until 2004.
In 2022, Jack joined the UK Sports Network as an analyst for Kentucky men's basketball games. He helps explain the games to fans.
Helping Young Players
Jack Givens is also the CEO and President of Orlando Comets. This is a basketball organization that helps young players. The Orlando Comets have helped over 60 players get full scholarships to play basketball in the NCAA. In 2006, the Orlando Comets won the national AAU Championship for players aged 16 and under.
Jack is married to Linda, and they have two children named Jeremy and Jaimie.
Images for kids
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Givens in 2010
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A jersey honoring Givens hangs in Rupp Arena.
See also
In Spanish: Jack Givens para niños
