Dave Cowens...

[TRexSmarts]

I know Dave Cowens is from Newport, Ky. But I for some reason thought he played at UK? Did he start to play at UK before transferring to Florida State? Or did he always play for FSU?

TRexSmarts

[JPS]

Sorry, don't know the answer to that. I don't think Cowens ever attended UK, but could be wrong.

Jon

[HC]

According to this time line, he could not have been at UK:

http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Cowens.htm

[TRexSmarts]

I guess I'm getting him confused with the fact he is from Kentucky. Thanks all!

TRexSmarts

[cumberlandredskin]

I'm sure Cowens never played for UK. I think I read that UK didn't recruit him very much either. But I'm not sure about that.Just going strictly from memory of what I read.

[Wildcat Larry]

Here's Cowens high school and college info:

High School: Newport (KY) Central Catholic High School (1962-66)
Two-year letter winner

College: Florida State University (1966-70)
The Sporting News All-America Second Team (1970)
Scored 1,479 points in 78 games, a 19.0 ppg average
FSU's all-time leading rebounder (1,340, 17.2 rpg)
Holds FSU's record for best seasonal rebound average (17.5 in 1968-69)
Grabbed 31 rebounds (second best all-time) against LSU in the 1968-69 season

[Wildcat Larry]

I'm not sure just how hard Cowens was recruited by UK. The year that Cowens would have been in the recruiting pool, UK signed some familiar names like Dan Issel, Mike Casey and Mike Pratt. There may not have been a scholarship open for Cowens, especially since UK gave Mike Casey's buddy, Bill Busey, one of their scholarships.

If Cowens had ended up playing behind Dan Issel, he may not have even made it to play in the NBA. Rupp wasn't known for playing a lot of folks, so Cowens might have wasted away on the Memorial Coliseum pines. Amazing how circumstances play such a big part in success.

[TRexSmarts]

Dave Cowen is now the new head coach of a new WNBA franchise in Chicago called Chicago Sky. Not to mention was up for the head coaching job here at NKU a few years ago. That got me thinking about where he is from and I though he did play at UK but I couldn't findit anywhere myself. So, I thought I ask. So thanks for everybody that put in their opinion.

TRexsmarts

[CANT STANDCARDSII]

Wildcat Larry wrote: I'm not sure just how hard Cowens was recruited by UK. The year that Cowens would have been in the recruiting pool, UK signed some familiar names like Dan Issel, Mike Casey and Mike Pratt. There may not have been a scholarship open for Cowens, especially since UK gave Mike Casey's buddy, Bill Busey, one of their scholarships.

If Cowens had ended up playing behind Dan Issel, he may not have even made it to play in the NBA. Rupp wasn't known for playing a lot of folks, so Cowens might have wasted away on the Memorial Coliseum pines. Amazing how circumstances play such a big part in success.
Busey was a package deal ..To get Mike,My roomie,Adolph had to sign Busey,,an All State player ,but never played a lot at UK and get Dutch Casey,Mike's Dad elected Sheriff of Shelby County.It was a done deal.He won in a landslide,Cowen was not a serious target of UK.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

:cool:TL, I graduated from Newport Public in 1964 and could see Newport Catholic from my bedroom window...also, I think I might have played little league baseball against him...IMHO UK was not recruiting him.

[catsrule]

I wonder how many all-americans, Rupp let set on the bench.

[SunBaller]

I would sincerely be interested in finding the real truth about UK's "quest" for Cowens if there was any. It seems that Cowens became even a better Pro Player for the Celticsthan he was at FSU.

http://www.nba.com/history/players/50greatest.html

It seems Cowens is considered one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. That's an enormous honor for someone who was never higher than 2nd Team All American for just one year in college. Issel did not make that NBAlist, but I suppose his prime was in the ABA. I thought every boy from Kentucky wanted to grow up and play for UK. I would really be interested in the whole story if anyone knows it. With Cowens, we might have a couple more National Champion Banners hanging. Or did the Celtics and Red Auerbach just know how to makeplayers better. I don't think so.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

SunBaller, Dave played for Newport Catholic and I went to Newport Public...there was no mention (in my memory) of UK and Dave...he was not that hot of an item coming out of high school...the rest is history.

[SunBaller]

Terry L. Wildcat wrote: SunBaller, Dave played for Newport Catholic and I went to Newport Public...there was no mention (in my memory) of UK and Dave...he was not that hot of an item coming out of high school...the rest is history.
That makes the most sense. I have always wondered why there is rarely any discussion about Cowens being recruited by UK. It's rare that a player improves that significantly after high school. From "not that hot" coming out of high school to one of NBA's 50 Greatest Players. I suppose Dennis Rodman couldalmostfit into that category. I don't believe Carmelo Anthony was hotly sought after in high school if I remember correctly.