In the NBA, where everyone can dunk--you wouldnt even want to rule out David Stern--there are really only a few top guns. As a professional he was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, an NBA All-Star, All-NBA First and Second Team, an ABA All-Star, All-ABA First Team, and the ABA Most Valuable Player. Wilt meets me at mid-court and says, Na, na, na, not this time.. Dennis never was much of a leaper. In the JC championship game, an opponent fired a jump shot at the buzzer. Gus once said, When I dunked that ball and heard that shot for the first time, I said to myself, Oh, oh, Gus. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. These are true royalty: Sir Jamalot, Sir Slam, the Prince of Midair. Learn more and register, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Pregame warmups were his showtime. Wed been on the bus eight hours by then, Trenkle said. "It's a remarkable life.". Sure, Casper and friends tend to dominate less vertically challenging sports like golf, hockey, and tennis, but they have also held their own on the floorboards. Really, though, hed have to in order to make it look like he belonged there among all the African American bball greats. I got fired up and did a 360 dunk. I asked Kareem if he ever did, and he could jump a little bit. Lift up an arm and hop once or twice to get a feel for how far away the rim is. Now, as radio's "Voice of the Common Man," Bill merges all his knowledge, along with his distinguished guests to enrich the minds of his loyal and participative audience. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Jump to: Overview (3) | Mini Bio (1) | Family (1) Overview (3) Born: June 3, 1943 in New York, USA: Birth Name: William John Cunningham: Height: 6' 7" (2.01 m) Mini Bio (1) William John "Billy" Cunningham was born on June 3, 1943. In 1976-77, the season before Cunningham took the helm, the Sixers reached The Finals, only to fall to the Portland Trail Blazers. He finally got a pro tryout with the Utah Stars of the ABA at 25, but by then his fabulous springs were sprung. We present them here for purely educational purposes. With Maurice Cheeks and Lionel Hollins adding vitality to the backcourt, the Sixers roared to a 59-23 record in the 1979-80 regular season and then defeated favored Boston with rookie sensation Larry Bird in the Eastern Conference finals. He stood below the basket, no run, just jumped straight up with his arms at his sides, flipped his head sideways and dunked his cap.. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. This guys been compared to celebrated center-man Dwight Howard for his max vertical, and to NBA/Olympic legend Oscar Robertson for his triple-doubles. Herb White was moved to write a poem about an eagle that had lost its ability to soar. I won the unofficial NBA slam dunk title that season, said White, who now sells heavy equipment in Georgia. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Cunningham arrived in Chapel Hill just as Dean Smith was taking over as the head basketball coach of the UNC Tar Heels. Some are best at soaring up for a three-pointer, some rock at the jump shots, some can perform slam dunks like nobodys business, and they all work their butts off to prove that they belong in this black mans sport. Bobby Jones could swoop and soar. 1943 That's because like many players expected to be picked very high in the draft, they do not attend the Draft Combine or its measurements. I saw him come down the floor once, in the Eastern League, on a fast break. The ABA folded after that season, but the slam-off was such a hit with the media that the concept was eventually ripped off by the NBA. Back when he played for the Phillies, they had him dribbling alongside Wilt The Stilt Chamberlain for two seasons, and when Chamberlain left in 69, the 76ers had a Kangaroo as their star. The Cougars' attempt to file an injunction against him was denied in United States District Court on September 24, 1971. There have been--and are--very good white jumpers. Everybody dunks. After that season, he earned the first of what would be three straight All-NBA First Team selections. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Billy Cunningham was a standout scorer for the Philadelphia 76ers. There are celebrity dunk-offs. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [15], For other people named William Cunningham, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team, List of National Basketball Association single-game playoff scoring leaders, "The Rumble: AN OFF-THE-BALL LOOK AT YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS CELEBRITIES", "Philadelphia 76ers 134 - Portland Trail Blazers 132", Goldaper, Sam. That Feb. 8, the ABA trotted out its five best slammers. Cunningham has been on 50,000-watt radio station 700 WLW for over 30 years, beginning in 1983. I dont believe anyone has ever done it. "I don't know anything he has done that hasn't worked," said the Orlando, Florida, executive Pat Williams. Before the game, English and I went back and forth. Category:Billy Cunningham - Wikimedia Commons Weve all heard the saying: white men cant jump. Ron Shelton even made a (fantastic) movie about it in the 90s! Uh oh! Is Billy Cunningham married? He was elected to the Hall of Fame the following year. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. In his rookie season of 19651966 Cunningham was at first assigned to be a guard, then switched positions, becoming a small forward. The University of North Carolina (UNC) coach Frank McGuire convinced Cunningham to enroll there. The 76ers lost to the Lakers in 1980 and 1982, but after acquiring Moses Malone, they finally got past the Lakers in 1983, winning the franchise's third (and most recent) NBA Championship as part of a 121 playoff run. They were like jazz musicians in sneakers. Billy Cunningham of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a jump shot against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1968 at the Boston Garden in Boston,. Small Forward and Power Forward June 12, 2022 . Data Provided By I have seen everybody, Hill said. He was a competitor, said Lewis Schaffel, one of Cunninghams partners in the Miami Heat who grew up with him in Brooklyn. White started five games, but was mostly a mop-up guy, then was injured and finished his career in a pro league in Mexico. One boy did dunks of a monster nature, so they named him after the only monster they knew that could fly--Rodan. In fact, his hockey-head-ish hair might even be as famous as his dunk. Jackie stays in the air and the ref calls a three-second violation. Since his slamming days in the NBA, hes continued with the sport as a scout, director, analyst, commentator, and even vice president of player personnel. In the Division Finals, the Cougars lost a tight seven-game series to the Kentucky Colonels, 4 games to 3. In those days, didnt nobody dunk but Wilt Chamberlain, so Sonny was an absolute marvel.. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He was so good, Red Auerbach saw him play in a schoolyard game and invited him to camp with the Celtics. If youre looking for scale, thats taller than most baby elephants. They think they could track down what the announcer calls a routine fly ball. Joey was a good player at Banning High in Wilmington and spent two years at the College of Southern Idaho, a junior college. Professional basketball player The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Cunningham grew up in Brooklyn and on his fifth birthday he received a basketball. Not too shabby at all, right? There is a tavern called the Corner Club, in Moscow, Ida. . married Sondra; they had two daughters. 1 in everyones heart and myths is Jumpin Jackie Jackson, also known as Sidecar Jackson. Not only could he dunk, but he had a serious white boy swagger. He played 80 games, primarily as a sixth man, while averaging 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy) Cunningham, her stepdaughter and her fiance all jumped into action. Legends profile: Billy Cunningham | NBA.com His masterpiece was a backboard shattering dunk over Kansas City forward Bill Robinzine. About a year ago, I was in a playground game with some black guys. The Philadelphia 76ers selected Cunningham in the first round of the 1965 NBA Draft, figuring the 6-foot-6 bony and mobile player would be a guard. One of the more recent players on this list, Chris Birdman Anderson is known for his celebratory arm flapping and his intriguing tattoos. Airy, Maryland. He finished well out of the running--or jumping--when he clanged at least one attempt off the rim. "Shue Ousted, Cunningham Named; N.B.A. Youd be hard pressed to find a list of Best Dunks that didnt include his legendary knee-to-the-throat jump on Mark Jackson, where he rose like a Phoenix (how clever!) And that performance in Denver was the national coming-out party for Dr. J, the godfather of dunk. Hed shoot it short and Joe and I would leap up and shake hands over the basket.. Vertical Jump Not a Priority for NBA's All-Time Top 50 Players After that season, Cunningham jumped from the NBA to the ABA with the Carolina Cougars. Those Sixers advanced to the East finals before losing in five games to the Celtics. At six feet, seven inches tall and 220 pounds, Cunningham was a consistent scorer and fierce rebounder. Or write about sports? Basketball Player Billy Cunningham's Net Worth, Wife, and Bio Youre just up there and nobody else can get up there., David (Skywalker) Thompson said: Sometimes Id surprise myself. Billy Cunningham is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid. His departure had a disastrous effect. Well find out next season. Theres not room for both of us. The next day Red let Rabbit go. Cunningham achieved a career trifecta in law, business, and government. And there was a dog. Still, the thrill is not all gone. In 1968-69, Cunningham broke loose, scoring 24.8 ppg and recording 12.8 rpg while earning his first of four consecutive All-Star appearances and the first of three successive berths on the All-NBA First Team. They are enshrined in a mythical Museum of Leap. Cunningham attended Erasmus Hall The next year he exploded for 24.8 points per game and 12.8 rebounds and he was named a first-team All-Star. Detroits Adrian Dantley, 6-foot-4, and Clevelands Phil Hubbard, 6-8, were the only front-court starters to go through the season dunkless. Legends abound of the truly great leapers who could touch the top of the board. We ask the player to stand next to a wall, flat-footed, one arm stretched to its maximum, and mark the apex of his fingers. In 1966 Cunningham Chamberlain couldnt remember the players name, but Rod Thorn did. William John Cunningham (born June 3, 1943) is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid for his leaping and record-setting rebounding abilities. In fact, he set the record for most blocks and field goal percentage in a season at his high school, Linganore High in Mt. Thats a mouthful. Earl Manigault was another fabulous flyer off the Eastern blacktop in the late 50s and early 60s. The 6-2 product of the Harlem slums could dunk, catch the ball with his opposite hand and dunk it again, all in the same leap. He scored 16,310 points and pulled down nearly 8,000 rebounds. The ABA wasnt about dignity, it was about style. He became a three-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, three-time Three-Point Shootout Champion, and two-time member of the 50-40-90 club. As a freshman he went out for the track team, worked out a total of 10 hours, then high-jumped 7-3 7/8. Chess Robot Grabs And Breaks Finger Of Seven-Year . Cade Cunningham has a vertical jump of 41 inches. He got kudos for his smooth-sounding, incisive work with the play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton. Trenkle had heard of the Gus Johnson nail, so when the Southern Idaho team was passing through Moscow on a trip, he ordered the bus driver to stop outside the Corner Club, and he took Joey inside. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Julius, Gus (Johnson), Pogo Joe Caldwell. Some have called the team the greatest of all time. In the 19661967 season the 76ers were a powerhouse, winning sixty-eight against only thirteen losses and beating the Boston Celtics and San Francisco in the playoffs to win the championship. But who has seen him? . Joey averaged 19.5 points at Southern Idaho and led the team to a national junior college title. Wilt Chamberlain claims that his sergeant, during his prime, was 46 to 48 inches, easy. Of course, Wilt also claims he once averaged 50 points for an entire NBA season, so his credibility is suspect. Bill Cunningham - 700WLW No man, I dont believe, has been up that far., With Chamberlain over 50--years of age, not points per game--Nissalke feels safe in saying, That would be the ultimate challenge: Bet any amount of money, and you wouldnt find anyone who could come close to the top of the board.. Robinson, David 1965 City, and a member of the Parade Magazine All-America Team. [8] During his tenure, the team featured Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Moses Malone, and Julius Erving. Terrell Owens Gets Into Fight Outside CVS. Jump to navigation Jump to search Billy Cunningham American basketball player and coach. Why isnt this guy in the hall of fame yet? "In a way the injury made things easy for me," he said later. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. Billy Cunningham. He is still the winningest coach in Sixers history. He had tested thousands of Navy pilots during the war, and he said Griffiths was the highest he ever measured.. "The beauty part of playing basketball," he once said, "is that your mind is occupied with playing basketball and nothing else, and you're having fun.". All the teams did that. Theyve run like the wind, ducked like a water fowl, flown like jet planes, and scored more points than Cassanova in a disco. He was discovered. If youve got a good imagination, imagine yourself wearing a baseball cap, and leaping so high, arms at your side, that you flick your head sideways and dunk your cap. Though he portrayed a large woman in "You have to Walk it like you talk it or You'll Lose that Beat" (1971), he is best known as an American former professional basketball player and coach. Its not just his personality that gets attention, though; hes been an NBA Champion in 2013, participated in the Slam Dunk Contest twice, and his vertical leap measures in at a not-too-shabby 37 inches. After the 19711972 season, Cunningham left Philadelphia and the NBA for the rival American Basketball Association (ABA), signing on with the (North) Carolina Cougars. He recorded 14 triple doubles in the NBA and 5 in the ABA, good for 43rd all-time in the NBA and 5th in the ABA. Gus was a colorful thunder dunker and a breaker of backboards. Billy Cunningham - Basketball-Reference.com Now imagine yourself crouching a bit, like Superman, and springing high into the air. The obvious question is, why didnt more of these guys play in the NBA? > Archive 75: Billy Cunningham| 75 Stories: Billy Cunningham. Known as "The Kangaroo Kid," Billy Cunningham was a high-flying scorer who won an NBA title as a player and coach with the 76ers. On 6 May 1986 Cunningham was elected into the NBA Hall of Fame, as one of its ten initial inductees. Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn, New York, Draft: In the Museum of Leap, Wilt (the Big Dipper) Chamberlain has his own wing. He was All-ACC, the ACC Player of the Year, and an All-American in college, later named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team honoring the fifty best players in Atlantic Coast Conference history. As a child he wa, https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/cunningham-william-john-billy. Actually he was a 62% free throw shooter, which is poor except in comparison to his 51% as a pro. William John Cunningham (born June 3, 1943) is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid for his leaping and record-setting rebounding abilities. Some of them were pretty damn eccentric. It was so much air that it tied young Pat for the spot of second-highest vertical leap recorded up to that point. Billy Cunningham was born in Brooklyn, New York. Kareem came the closest. These are professional men: Dr. J, Dr. Dunkenstein, Dr. Jam. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Thematic Series: Sports Figures. He ran out of his house and to the hoop at St. Rose of Lima grammar school, three blocks away. Billy Cunningham found success as a coach in the NBA after his playing days were through.