Dave Robisch

Dave Robisch
Robisch, circa 1973
Personal information
Born (1949-12-22) December 22, 1949 (age 75)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolSpringfield (Springfield, Illinois)
CollegeKansas (1968–1971)
NBA draft1971: 3rd round, 44th overall pick
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Playing career1971–1984
PositionCenter / power forward
Number25, 12, 24, 40, 35
Career history
19711975Denver Rockets / Nuggets
1975San Diego Sails
1975–1977Indiana Pacers
19771979Los Angeles Lakers
19791980Cleveland Cavaliers
19801983Denver Nuggets
1984San Antonio Spurs
1984Kansas City Kings
Career highlights and awards
Career ABA and NBA statistics
Points10,581 (11.4 ppg)
Rebounds6,173 (6.6 rpg)
Assists1,655 (1.8 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

David George Robisch (born December 22, 1949) is a retired American professional basketball player in the ABA and NBA.[1] Robisch played at the University of Kansas, where he was initiated into the Sigma Nu fraternity. He was positioned at center and forward for the Denver Rockets / Nuggets (1971–75, 1980–83), Indiana Pacers (1975–77), San Diego Sails (1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1977–79), Cleveland Cavaliers (1979–80), San Antonio Spurs (1983) and Kansas City Kings (1984).

He contributed to the Nuggets' victory in the 1974–75 ABA Western Division.

On October 8, 1975, Robisch was part of one of the more infamous trades in ABA history. The Baltimore Claws, despite financial problems, had obtained the rights to star Dan Issel from the Kentucky Colonels. The Claws were unable to come through with the $500,000 they owed the Colonels for Issel. Under pressure from the league, the Claws traded Issel to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Robisch and $500,000 (which was used to pay the Kentucky Colonels the money owed for Issel). The Baltimore Claws would soon fold as a franchise before the final ABA season began, which led to his player rights being acquired by the San Diego Sails. However, the Sails would soon fold as a franchise 11 games after rebranding from their previous San Diego Conquistadors name, which led to Robisch's player rights going to the Indiana Pacers for the rest of the season instead.

Achievements

  • Ranks 1st on ABA Career Turnover Ratio List (7.9).
  • Ranks 9th on ABA Career Blocks Per Game List (.7).
  • Ranks 15th on ABA Career Rebound Rate List (14.2).

In 13 seasons he played in 930 games and played 22,780 minutes, having a 46.4% field goal percentage (3,997 for 8,620), a 79.8% free throw percentage (2,587 for 3,241), 6,173 total rebounds (1,992 offensive, 4,181 defensive), 1,656 assists, 986 turnovers, 2,069 personal fouls and 10,581 points.

Robisch is currently an elected official in Springfield, Illinois, serving as a Trustee of Capital Township. His wife, Lou, is an administrator for Sangamon County, and their sons Scott and Brett both played college basketball.

Robisch is a 1967 graduate of Springfield High School.

In 2006, Robisch was voted as one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament, a group of former players and coaches in honor of the 100 anniversary of the IHSA boys basketball tournament.

References

  1. ^ "Indiana excites Dave Robisch". Star-News UPI. March 30, 1973.