Professional Basketball Player. Born James M. McMillian, he played the position of small forward for several teams in the National Basketball Association from 1970 to 1979. He played basketball collegiately for Columbia University from 1967 to 1970 and earned various honors while leading the Lions to their last NCAA tournament appearance in 1968. He was drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970 NBA draft and played for them for three years. During his years with the Lakers, he scored 3,714 points, an average of 15.3 per game, and helped lead them to the 1972 NBA Championship. He was a key factor during the Lakers' 33-game winning streak that year. In 1973, in need of a center after Wilt Chamberlain's retirement, the Lakers traded him to the Buffalo Braves for Elmore Smith. He would play for the Braves for three seasons before moving on to the New York Knicks, and then the Portland Trail Blazers. He played professional basketball in Italy from 1979 to 1981 before retiring from the sport. During his NBA career, he scored 8,736 points and had 3,319 rebounds and 1,557 assists. After retirement, he went into the clothing business. He passed away from complications of heart failure.
Professional Basketball Player. Born James M. McMillian, he played the position of small forward for several teams in the National Basketball Association from 1970 to 1979. He played basketball collegiately for Columbia University from 1967 to 1970 and earned various honors while leading the Lions to their last NCAA tournament appearance in 1968. He was drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970 NBA draft and played for them for three years. During his years with the Lakers, he scored 3,714 points, an average of 15.3 per game, and helped lead them to the 1972 NBA Championship. He was a key factor during the Lakers' 33-game winning streak that year. In 1973, in need of a center after Wilt Chamberlain's retirement, the Lakers traded him to the Buffalo Braves for Elmore Smith. He would play for the Braves for three seasons before moving on to the New York Knicks, and then the Portland Trail Blazers. He played professional basketball in Italy from 1979 to 1981 before retiring from the sport. During his NBA career, he scored 8,736 points and had 3,319 rebounds and 1,557 assists. After retirement, he went into the clothing business. He passed away from complications of heart failure.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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