Charlie Scott

Full Name: Charles Thomas Scott

Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward

Height: 6’5″

College: University of North Carolina

NBA Draft: 1970, 1st Round (4th Overall) by the Phoenix Suns

Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)

College Career (University of North Carolina, 1967–1970)

Points: 1,673 (20.2 PPG)

Rebounds: 451 (5.5 RPG)

Assists: 312 (3.8 APG)

Achievements:

Consensus First-Team All-American (1970)

ACC Player of the Year (1970)

Led North Carolina to the Final Four in 1969 and was named to the All-Tournament Team

North Carolina’s all-time leading scorer at the time of his graduation

Scott was the first African American to play for the University of North Carolina basketball team, making his mark both on the court and socially.

NBA Career (1970–1979)

Teams:

Phoenix Suns (1970–1972)

Boston Celtics (1972–1976)

Denver Nuggets (1976–1979)

Career Achievements:

NBA All-Star (1972)

NBA All-Rookie First Team (1971)

NBA Champion (1974, with the Boston Celtics)

Career Points: 15,458 (20.6 PPG)

Career Rebounds: 3,339 (4.3 RPG)

Career Assists: 2,090 (2.7 APG)

1× All-NBA Second Team (1972)

4× NBA All-Defensive Team Selection (1972-1975)

Signature Moments:

1972 NBA All-Star Appearance: One of the most exciting young talents of his era, Charlie Scott made the All-Star team during his second season with the Phoenix Suns.

NBA Championship (1974): Played an important role as a key contributor to the Celtics’ title-winning team, alongside Hall of Famers like John Havlicek and Paul Silas.

Scoring and Leadership: Was one of the first players to average 20 points per game in each of his first five seasons, showcasing his ability to score efficiently.

Transition to the Nuggets (1976): After the ABA-NBA merger, Scott played for the Denver Nuggets, continuing his career as one of the top scorers in the league.

Playing Style:

Charlie Scott was known for his scoring ability, particularly his ability to drive to the basket and his jump shot. He was an adept playmaker, combining scoring and distributing in the backcourt. His versatility allowed him to play both shooting guard and small forward, making him a key player for every team he played for.

Hall of Fame Induction (2018)

Scott’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recognized his outstanding career as one of the NBA’s top scoring guards and his contributions to the game. His ability to lead and contribute on both ends of the court, alongside his role in the civil rights movement within basketball, solidified his place in history.

Other Honors and Legacy:

North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame

NCAA Tournament All-Time Team (Honorable Mention)

Recognized as a trailblazer for African-American athletes at North Carolina.

Legacy at UNC: Helped pave the way for future African-American players at the University of North Carolina, breaking barriers and setting the stage for the program’s future success.

Conclusion:

Charlie Scott is remembered not just for his scoring prowess and leadership on the basketball court, but also for his trailblazing role in African-American representation in college basketball at a time when it was beginning to change. His Hall of Fame induction highlights his lasting impact on the game at both the college and professional levels.