Wes Unseld

Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld (born March 14, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a former basketball player and coach in the NBA.

Related Topics:
March 14 - 1946 - Louisville, Kentucky - Basketball - NBA

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Unseld played center for the University of Louisville and was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Bullets in 1968. He became only the second person ever to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (Wilt Chamberlain being the first).

Related Topics:
University of Louisville - Baltimore Bullets - 1968 - Rookie of the Year - MVP - Wilt Chamberlain

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Famed for his rebounding and bone-jarring picks, Unseld made up for his lack of size (6’6”) with brute strength and sheer determination. He took the Baltimore (and after a move, the Washington) Bullets to four NBA finals, and won the championship in 1978 over the Seattle Supersonics.

Related Topics:
1978 - Seattle Supersonics

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Hired by the Bullets as a vice president after his retirement, Unseld was made coach in 1987. His tenure as coach was nowhere near as successful as his playing career, and he resigned following the 1994 season with a 202-345 record.

Related Topics:
1987 - 1994

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He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

Related Topics:
Basketball Hall of Fame - 1988

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