Sports

By the Numbers: Quakers in the NBA

As the NBA prepares to open a coronavirus-shortened season on Dec. 22, Penn Today examines a collection of Quakers who have been drafted or signed by NBA teams.

Houston Rockets guard and 1995 alumnus Matt Maloney goes up for the lay-up while playing against the Seattle Supersonics.
Houston Rockets guard and 1995 alumnus Matt Maloney goes up for the lay-up while playing against the Seattle Supersonics.  (Image: NBA)

Almost two-dozen Penn alumni were selected in the NBA Draft between 1947-1995, and others found their way to the NBA by more unconventional routes.

In this edition of the By the Numbers, Penn Today examines some of the Penn basketball players who have had their name called on draft night and how they fared when they reached the League.

    • 1947

      With the sixth pick in the 1947 Basketball Association of America Draft, the Philadelphia Warriors selected 1947 alumnus Francis Crossin. He played for the Warriors for three years and averaged a career-high 7.0 points per game in 1949-50.
    • 2

      Ernie Beck, who played at Penn from 1950-1953, was the No. 2 pick in the 1953 NBA Draft, the highest draftee in school history. He averaged 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds across eight seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors, St. Louis Hawks, and Syracuse Nationals. He won a championship with the Warriors in 1956.
    • 4

      Corky Calhoun, a 1972 alumnus, was the fourth overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He played for four teams in nine seasons and won a title with the Portland Trailblazers in 1977.
    • 29

      The Detroit Pistons selected 1979 alumnus Tony Price with the 29th pick in the second round of the 1979 NBA Draft. Prince never played for the Pistons but did play five games for the San Diego Clippers in the 1980-81 season.
    • 174

      Alan Cotler was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 174th pick of the 12th round of the 1972 NBA Draft, the latest selection in school history. The 1972 alumnus attended Georgetown Law School and became a lawyer.
    • 7.4

      Career points per game average for Matt Maloney in six NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Chicago Bulls. The 1995 alumnus was unselected in the 1995 NBA Draft but later signed with the Rockets. In 1997, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

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