Johnny "Red" Kerr, circa 1966
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Personal information | |
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Born |
Chicago, Illinois |
July 17, 1932
Died | February 26, 2009 Chicago, Illinois |
(aged 76)
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Tilden (Chicago, Illinois) |
College | Illinois (1951–1954) |
NBA draft | 1954 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall |
Selected by the Syracuse Nationals | |
Playing career | 1954–1966 |
Position | Center / Power forward |
Number | 10, 43 |
Career history | |
As player: | |
1954–1965 | Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers |
1965–1966 | Baltimore Bullets |
As coach: | |
1966–1968 | Chicago Bulls |
1968–1970 | Phoenix Suns |
Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach: |
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Career statistics | |
Points | 12,480 (13.8 ppg) |
Rebounds | 10,092 (11.2 rpg) |
Assists | 2,004 (2.2 apg) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
As player:
As coach:
John Graham "Red" Kerr (July 17, 1932 – February 26, 2009) was an American basketball player, coach, and color commentator. He played in the NBA from 1954 to 1966, mainly as a member of the Syracuse Nationals. He later held several coaching and administrative positions before embarking on a thirty-three year career as a television color commentator for the Chicago Bulls.
Although Johnny Kerr's first passion was soccer, an eight-inch growth spurt during his senior year at Tilden Technical High School compelled him to turn his attention to basketball. The 6' 9" center soon led his school's basketball team to the 1950 Chicago Public League Championship. After high school, he attended the University of Illinois, where he scored 1,299 points during his three years with the school's varsity team. The highlight of his collegiate career occurred in 1952, when he helped the Fighting Illini win the Big Ten Championship and advance to the NCAA Final Four. He was elected to the University of Illinois' "All-Century Team" in 2004.
In 1954, the Syracuse Nationals selected Johnny Kerr with the sixth overall pick of the NBA draft. During his first season (1954–1955), Kerr averaged 10.5 points and 6.6 rebounds and helped the Nationals capture their first NBA Championship. He became a three time All-Star (1956, 1959, 1963) with the Nationals, despite playing in the shadow of future Hall-of–Famer Dolph Schayes.