Rod Hundley facts for kids
Rodney Clark "Hot Rod" Hundley (born October 26, 1934 – died March 27, 2015) was an American professional basketball player. He later became a well-known television broadcaster. Hundley played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1957 to 1963. After his playing career, he was famous for being the voice of the Utah Jazz basketball team. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia.
Hundley passed away at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 80. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease.
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Rod Hundley's Early Life and College Basketball
Rodney Clark Hundley grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. He was a very talented basketball player from a young age. He earned the nickname "Hot Rod" because of his fast and exciting playing style.
Playing for the Mountaineers
Hundley went to West Virginia University. There, he played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers. He was an amazing player in college. He often scored many points and helped his team win. He was so good that he became known as an "All-American" player. This means he was one of the best college players in the whole country.
Hot Rod's NBA Career
After college, Rod Hundley joined the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA is the top professional basketball league in North America. He was picked by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1957 NBA draft. However, he was quickly traded to the Minneapolis Lakers. The Lakers team later moved and became the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing for the Lakers
Hundley played as a guard for the Lakers. Guards are players who usually bring the ball up the court and help set up plays. He played for the Lakers from 1957 to 1963. During his time with the team, he was known for his flashy passes and exciting moves. He was even chosen to be an NBA All-Star twice. This means he was one of the best players in the league during those years.
Becoming a Famous Broadcaster
After his playing career ended, Rod Hundley found a new way to stay involved with basketball. He became a television and radio broadcaster. A broadcaster is someone who describes a game as it happens. They help fans who are watching or listening at home feel like they are right there in the arena.
The Voice of the Utah Jazz
Hundley became most famous for being the voice of the Utah Jazz. He started broadcasting for the Jazz when they were still the New Orleans Jazz. He moved with the team when they relocated to Utah. For many years, fans loved listening to his exciting and often funny commentary. He had a unique style that made watching Jazz games even more fun. He was known for his catchphrases and his passion for the game. He retired from broadcasting in 2009.
Images for kids
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Hundley from The 1955 Monticola
See also
In Spanish: Rod Hundley para niños
