Dave Cowens played basketball for Florida State University.  He averaged 19 points and 17 rebounds per game and shot 52 percent from the field while in college.

Cowens was drafted fourth overall by the Celtics in the 1970 NBA draft.  During the preseason annual Maurice Stokes Benefit Game in August 1970, Cowens scored 32 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and was named the game's MVP during his rookie year. He averaged 17 points and 15 rebounds a game and shared the NBA Rookie-of-the-Year Award with Portland's Geoff Petrie.

Cowens played aggressively, often recklessly and with great passion.  Cowens spent the entire 70's with the Boston Celtics, serving as player/coach during the 1978-1979 season.  In the 1979-1980 season he returned just as a player.

Cowens was coaxed out of retirement to play for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1982-83 season before retiring for good.

During his pro career, Cowens averaged 17.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game, was selected to seven All-Star Games and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team in 1976.

Prior to the 1994-95 NBA season, Cowens returned to the court as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.  In 1996, Cowens began the first of three seasons as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

Basketball, Hall of Fame