NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBER

#18 Dave Cowens - C

Dave Cowens Career NBA Stats 1970-80, 1982-83
G
FGA
FGM
FG%
PTS
PPG
3PTA
3PTM
3PT%
FTA
FTM
FT% AST
APG
REB
RPG
BLK
STL
766
12,499
5,744
46.0
13,516
17.6
14
1
7.1
2,590
2,027
78.3
2,910
3.8
10,444
13.6
488
599
 

 

David William Cowens was born on October 25, 1948 in Newport, KY. He is the son of Ruth and Jack Cowens. The family grew up on a farm but sports were part of his upbringing. Dave first started playing basketball at the age of eight. He played a variety of sports along with his brothers. When he reached high school, Cowens’ height reached 6’1”.

 

 

Cowens attended Newport Catholic High School. During his high school years, Cowens was a multi-sport athlete as he also ran track and was on the swim team. However, he had a growth spurt and shot up to 6’6” and he focused back on basketball. During his senior year, he led his high school to the state tournament. Instead of attending college within his home state of Kentucky like his father wanted, Cowens accepted a scholarship offer to play college basketball at Florida State University.

 

Dave Cowens College Career Stats and Notes

Cowens played for Florida State from 1967-70. He averaged 19 points and 17 rebounds per game during his college career. He led the Seminoles to the NCAA tournament in 1968. Cowens was a second team All-American in 1970.

 

Awards and Achievements
MVP
All-NBA

2nd Team: 1973, 1975, 1976

All-Star Selections
1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 1978, 1980
Scoring Titles
NBA Finals MVP
Achievements

NBA Champion

1973-74, 1975-76

NBA All Star Game MVP

1973

NBA Rookie of the Year

1970-71

Member of 1970-71 NBA All Rookie Team

NBA All Defensive First Team

1976

NBA All Defensive Second Team

1975, 1980

Member of NBA 50th Anniversary All Time Team

Member of NBA 75th Anniversary All Time Team

 

 

Dave Cowens NBA Career Stats and Notes

Cowens was selected 4th overall in the 1970 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He spent the first ten years in the league with the Celtics, part of two NBA title winning teams in 1974 and 1976. Cowens briefly retired from the NBA before returning for one season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1982-83. After the season he retired permanently. Cowens was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.

 

Dave Cowens 1972-73 MVP Season

Although the Celtics dynasty had ended the decade before, Cowens was a major piece in restoring the franchise back to its winning ways in the 1970s. Teamed with Hall of Famers Jo Jo White, Paul Westphal and John Havlicek, the Celtics won two titles during the decade.


Cowens’ best season in the NBA was the year prior to their 1974 NBA title run. During the 1972-73 season, Cowens was named to his second All-Star Game and was a Second Team All-NBA selection. He averaged 20.5 points and 16.2 rebounds per game, leading the Celtics to a league-best 68-14 record. His solid play earned him the NBA MVP for the season.

 

 

List of Basketball Hall of Fame Members