Ken Sears

American basketball player (1933–2017)

Kenneth Robert "Ken" Sears (August 17, 1933 – April 23, 2017)[1] was an American professional basketball player. He holds the title of being the first basketball player to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, appearing on the December 20, 1954 issue.[2]

Ken Sears
Personal information
Born(1933-08-17)August 17, 1933
Watsonville, California
DiedApril 23, 2017(2017-04-23) (aged 83)
Watsonville, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High schoolWatsonville (Watsonville, California)
CollegeSanta Clara (1951–1955)
NBA draft1955 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career1955–1964
PositionPower forward, Small forward
Number12, 20, 17
Career history
19551961New York Knicks
1961–1962San Francisco Saints
1962New York Knicks
19621964San Francisco Warriors
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points7,355 (13.9 ppg)
Rebounds4,142 (7.8 rpg)
Assists843 (1.6 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Sears played eight seasons (1955–1961, 1962–1964) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the New York Knicks and San Francisco Warriors. He averaged 13.9 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game in his NBA career, appearing as an NBA All-Star in 1958 and 1959. Sears spent the 1961–62 basketball season in the short-lived American Basketball League.[3]

Sears died on April 23, 2017, at his home in Watsonville, California, aged 83.[2]

References

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  1. FitzGerald, Tom. (2017-04-24). "Former Santa Clara, NBA forward Ken Sears dies at 83". SFGATE.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Men's Basketball Hall of Famer Passes Away". Santa Clara Athletics. 2017-04-24. Archived from the original on 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  3. History of the American Basketball League. Retrieved 31 May 2007.