|
See All Dates |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
This article is about a person who has recently died. Some information, such as that pertaining to the circumstances of the person's death and surrounding events, may change rapidly as more facts become known. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Point guard Jersey #(s): 23, 2, 4 Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 173 lb (78 kg) Born: April 1, 1947(1947-04-01) Died: February 26, 2009 (aged 61) Career information Year(s): 1969–1979 NBA Draft: 1969 / Round: 3 / Pick: 5 College: Saint Francis University Professional team(s) Cincinnati Royals (1969–1971) Chicago Bulls (1971–1978) Milwaukee Bucks (1978–1979) Career stats Points 8,770 Rebounds 3,596 Assists 5,217 Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com Career highlights and awards 3x NBA All-Star (1974, 1976, 1977) All-NBA (2nd Team) (1974) 3x All-Defensive (1st Team) (1974, 1976, 1977) 5x All-Defensive (2nd Team) (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1978) Norman Allen Van Lier III (April 1, 1947 – February 26, 2009) was a former NBA basketball player who spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Bulls. Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 College and NBA Career 1.2 Post NBA Career 2 NBA stats 3 References 4 External links // Biography Norman Van Lier was born on April 1, 1947 in East Liverpool, Ohio, and then was raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of Midland, Pennsylvania. Van Lier was a part of one of the greatest high school basketball teams of all time, that being Van Lier was also a co-captain of the Midland High School football team, playing both quarterback and safety. He was recruited to play for several colleges but none of those coaches would agree to allow him to play his desired position of quarterback back then. Van Lier had also received offers to play professional baseball, having starred on both his high school and county all-star teams. On June 21, 2008, he was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame. “Western Pennsylvania is football country, but my years are considered the golden era of basketball not only in the state but maybe the country,” said Van Lier that night. “Uniontown, Midland, Schenley and Ambridge could play with anybody, anytime and in any era in the country.”[1] College and NBA Career Van Lier's basketball talents were often under-appreciated because of his modest stature, at 6'1" tall, and because of his emphasis on defense which in Van Lier's day was not well understood by the casual fan. He was not recruited by major basketball powers, and went to Saint Francis University of Pennsylvania, where he emerged as a standout point guard. The Chicago Bulls selected Van Lier in the third round of the 1969 NBA | ||||
|