Leonard Gray facts for kids
Leonard Gray of Seattle SuperSonics
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| No. 11, 12 | |
|---|---|
| Power forward | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | December 19, 1951 Kansas City, Kansas |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | June 13, 2006 (aged 54) Browns Mills, New Jersey |
| High school | Sumner High School (Kansas City, Kansas) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Long Beach State (1971–1974) |
| NBA Draft | 1974 / Round: 2 / Pick: 26th overall |
| Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics | |
| Pro career | 1974–1977 |
| Career history | |
| 1974–1976 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1976–1977 | Washington Bullets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 2,408 (10.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,169 (5.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 490 (2.2 apg) |
Leonard Earl Gray (born December 19, 1951 – died June 13, 2006) was an American professional basketball player. He was known for his amazing skills on the court. Leonard played as a power forward in the NBA.
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Early Life and Nickname
Leonard Gray was born and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Because he was so tall, people in his hometown called him "Hugie."
High School Basketball Star
Leonard went to Sumner High School. He played basketball all four years. He also played football until his junior year. During his junior football season, he broke his leg. After that, he decided not to play football in his senior year.
In his senior year, Leonard led his high school team, the Sumner Spartans, to an amazing season. They went undefeated! They won the 1969 Kansas Class 4 state basketball championship. In the final game, Leonard scored 24 points and grabbed 22 rebounds. His coach, Roy Flook, told a newspaper that college coaches thought Leonard was the "top prospect in the country."
Many colleges wanted Leonard to play for them. He received offers from over 100 schools! On May 6, 1969, he chose to sign with the University of Kansas. He picked Kansas over famous schools like UCLA, Harvard, and Yale.
College Career Highlights
Leonard started at the University of Kansas in the 1969–1970 school year. At that time, new college players could only play for the freshman team. Leonard played well, averaging 17.5 points per game for the freshman squad.
However, in October 1970, Leonard decided to leave Kansas. He transferred to another school. He joined the Long Beach State basketball team. This team was coached by Jerry Tarkanian.
Leonard could not play for Long Beach State right away. He became eligible in February 1972, halfway through the season. In his first game, he scored 16 points. His team, the 49ers, made it to the 1972 NCAA West Regional Final. They lost to Bill Walton's UCLA Bruins.
Setting Records at Long Beach State
In the 1972–1973 season, Leonard set a new record for Long Beach State. He had a 56.5% shooting percentage. He also averaged 7.1 rebounds per game. The 49ers had a great record of 26 wins and 3 losses. They lost in the 1973 NCAA West Regional semifinals.
After this season, the Atlanta Hawks drafted Leonard in the 1973 NBA draft. He was the 45th pick. But Leonard chose to stay in college and returned to Long Beach State. The Utah Stars also drafted him in the 1973 ABA Draft.
For the 1973–1974 season, Lute Olson became the new coach for Long Beach State. His team was one of the best in the country. They had five future NBA players on the roster. The team finished with a 24–2 record. However, they were not allowed to play in the 1974 NCAA basketball tournament. This was because of some recruiting rule violations.
In 1974, Leonard was named the PCAA Player of the Year. He also made the first team All-PCAA. Leonard finished his college career averaging 10.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
After his senior year, the Seattle SuperSonics drafted Leonard. He was the 26th pick in the second round of the 1974 NBA draft.
Professional Basketball Career
Leonard Gray signed a contract with the Seattle SuperSonics on June 26, 1974. He played his first two full seasons with the SuperSonics. He also played part of a third season with them. His coach there was Bill Russell, a famous basketball legend.
In March 1976, Leonard was a co-captain for the SuperSonics. But he suffered a knee injury that ended his season. He needed surgery for his knee.
On December 13, 1976, Seattle traded Leonard to the Washington Bullets. He finished the 1976–1977 season with the Bullets. After that season, the team did not offer him a new contract.
Leonard played in the NBA playoffs with both teams. In 1975, his SuperSonics team lost in the Western Conference semifinals. In 1977, his Bullets team lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Leonard Gray played in 224 games during his three seasons in the NBA. He averaged 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Awards and Recognition
In June 1969, "Coach and Athlete" magazine named Leonard Gray one of the Top 100 High School basketball players in the United States.
Even though he never played football in college, the San Francisco 49ers drafted Leonard. They picked him as a Tight End in the 15th round of the 1974 NFL draft.
In 1995, Leonard Gray was honored. He was inducted into the Long Beach State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Family Life
Leonard was the son of Paralee and Leonard Gray, Sr. He had two sons.
He was also the uncle of twin sisters Courtney Paris and Ashley Paris. Both Courtney and Ashley became professional basketball players. They led the Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team to the 2009 NCAA Women’s Final Four. Leonard's sister, Lynne, is the mother of the Paris twins.
Leonard Gray lived in Las Vegas. He passed away in Browns Mills, New Jersey on June 13, 2006.
See also
In Spanish: Leonard Gray para niños
