In 1996 Abernethy founded the Indiana Basketball Academy where thousands of young men learn basketball skills, and the importance of character development.
High school career
Abernethy attended St. Joseph's High School in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana. He averaged 25.9 points per game as a senior and set the South Bend city scoring record with his 648 points.[1] Abernethy led his team to 22 wins and a victory in the South Bend sectional championship.[1][2]
The Indiana Hoosiers began recruiting Abernethy during his high school career. Head coach Bob Knight visited the Abernethy family at their house where he was grilled by Abernethy's mother about the recruitment of another player. Abernethy had wanted to attend Indiana University Bloomington even if he had not played basketball and ultimately committed to play for Knight with the Hoosiers.[1]
College career
Abernethy joined the Hoosiers in 1972 and saw limited playing time during his first three seasons due to being on a stacked team. He became a focal point of the Hoosiers as a senior during the 1975–76 season where he was moved to the starting line-up and averaged 10 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Hoosiers won the 1976 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament after compiling a 32–0 record; they remain the last team in college basketball to have an undefeated record.[1]
Professional career
Abernethy was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 43rd overall pick in the 1976 NBA draft.[1][2] He played his first two seasons with the Lakers before he was traded to the Buffalo Braves in June 1978 for a second round pick. The following month, Golden State Warriors signed Abernethy from the Braves (now the San Diego Clippers) in return for another second round pick.[1]
Abernethy played two seasons with the Warriors.[1] He made a cameo appearance in the 1980 film Inside Moves where a Warriors game is depicted.[1][3] In December 1980, Abernethy was waived by the Warriors and signed by the Indiana Pacers for the rest of the season.[1]
After his playing retirement, Abernethy worked in commercial real estate until the 1990s.[3] He served as a technical advisor on the 1986 film Hoosiers.[3]
Abernethy created the Indiana Basketball Academy in 1995 which provides skills training for young players.[1][3] It has been attended by over 25,000 children since its inception.[1][3]
