Ray in Florida 2017
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Personal information | |
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Born |
Union, South Carolina |
January 21, 1949
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Sims (Union, South Carolina) |
College | Oklahoma (1968–1971) |
NBA draft | 1971 / Round: 3 / Pick: 40th overall |
Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
Playing career | 1971–1981 |
Position | Center / Power forward |
Number | 14, 44 |
Career history | |
1971–1974 | Chicago Bulls |
1974–1981 | Golden State Warriors |
Career highlights and awards | |
As Assistant Coach NBA Champion (2008) |
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Career statistics | |
Points | 5,821 (7.4 ppg) |
Rebounds | 6,953 (8.9 rpg) |
Assists | 1,728 (2.2 apg) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
As Assistant Coach
Clifford Ray (born January 21, 1949) is an American basketball coach and former professional basketball player. A 6–9 center, he played three of his ten seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Chicago Bulls (1971 to 1974) and the other seven with the Golden State Warriors (1974 to 1981).
Ray played his college basketball at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (he can play most woodwind instruments). Selected in the third round of the 1971 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Ray was, from the start, a very effective defender and rebounder. Ray was named to the 1972 NBA All-Rookie Team, and led the NBA in rebounds per minute played in each of his first two seasons. He spent three seasons with the Bulls, his best being 1973–74 during which Ray averaged 9.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, and the Bulls reached the NBA Western Conference Finals for the first time.
Ray and $100,000 were sent to the Golden State Warriors for Nate Thurmond in an exchange of centers just prior to the 1974–75 season on September 3, 1974. The trade resulted in the Warriors receiving a quality ballplayer who was eight years younger than Thurmond and additional fiscal stability. In 1975 the Warriors, led by Rick Barry and coached by Al Attles, won the NBA championship. Ray led the team in rebounding and anchored the defense, finishing second in minutes played per game, after Barry. The Warriors defeated Ray's former team, the Chicago Bulls, in the Western Conference finals before sweeping the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals.