Ralph Beard facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Born | December 2, 1927 Hardinsburg, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| Died | November 29, 2007 (aged 79) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| High school | Louisville Male (Louisville, Kentucky) |
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| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| College | Kentucky (1945–1949) | ||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1949 / Round: 2 / Pick: 22nd overall | ||||||||||
| Selected by the Chicago Stags | |||||||||||
| Pro career | 1949–1951 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| 1949–1951 | Indianapolis Olympians | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career statistics | |||||||||||
| Points | 2,006 (15.9 ppg) | ||||||||||
| Rebounds | 251 (3.8 rpg) | ||||||||||
| Assists | 551 (4.4 apg) | ||||||||||
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Medals
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Ralph Milton Beard Jr. (December 2, 1927 – November 29, 2007) was an American basketball player. He played both in college and professionally.
Ralph Beard won two national championships in college. He played for the University of Kentucky basketball team. After college, he played for two years in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Sadly, his career ended early because of a big mistake. He was involved in a sports betting scandal.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Ralph Beard was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He went to Louisville Male High School. Ralph later shared that his family faced tough financial times. This was one reason he made some bad choices later on.
College Basketball Career
Ralph Beard was a key player for the University of Kentucky basketball team. His team was known as the "Fabulous Five." The team included Alex Groza, Wallace Jones, Cliff Barker, and Kenny Rollins.
Winning Championships and Gold
With the Fabulous Five, Ralph Beard helped his team win two NCAA national championships. These wins happened in 1948 and 1949. He also won a gold medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He played alongside his college teammates and other top players.
Professional Basketball Career
Ralph Beard was chosen in the second round of the 1949 NBA draft. He joined the Indianapolis Olympians team.
Playing for the Indianapolis Olympians
Ralph played for the Olympians for two seasons. During his time, he was a strong player. He averaged about 15.9 points and 4.4 assists per game. He was known for his skills on the court.
Later Life and Legacy
Later in his life, the University of Kentucky welcomed Ralph Beard back. They honored him by retiring his jersey. This means his number will always be special to the team. He also spoke to current players about avoiding bad choices like sports betting.
In 1985, Ralph Beard was recognized for his sports achievements. He was added to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. Ralph Beard passed away on November 29, 2007, at his home in Louisville, Kentucky.
See also
In Spanish: Ralph Beard para niños
