Bob Cousy
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| Bob Cousy | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bob Cousy |
| Caption | Cousy with the Boston Celtics in 1963 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Weight lb | 175 |
| Birth date | 9 August 1928 |
| Birth place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| High school | Andrew Jackson (Queens, New York) |
| College | Holy Cross (1946–1950) |
| Draft year | 1950 |
| Draft team | Tri-Cities Blackhawks |
| Career start | 1950 |
| Career end | 1970 |
| Career position | Point guard |
| Career number | 14, 19 |
| Years1 | 1950–1963 |
| Team1 | Boston Celtics |
| Years2 | 1969–1970 |
| Team2 | Cincinnati Royals |
| Highlights | * 6× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1963) * NBA Most Valuable Player (1957) * 13× NBA All-Star (1951–1963) * 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1954, 1957) * 10× All-NBA First Team (1952–1961) * 2× All-NBA Second Team (1962, 1963) * 8× NBA assists leader (1953–1960) * NBA 25th Anniversary Team * NBA 35th Anniversary Team * NBA 50th Anniversary Team * NBA 75th Anniversary Team * No. 14 retired by Boston Celtics * NCAA champion (1947) * Consensus first-team All-American (1950) * Second-team All-American (1949) * No. 17 retired by Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Hoophall | bob-cousy |
| Bbr | cousybo01 |
Bob Cousy. Robert Joseph Cousy is an American former professional basketball player and coach. Renowned as "The Houdini of the Hardwood," he played point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, serving as a cornerstone of the franchise's early dynasty and winning six NBA championships. A pioneer of flashy ball-handling and creative passing, he was a 13-time NBA All-Star and the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1957, fundamentally changing the style of play in the National Basketball Association.
Early life and college career
Born in New York City to French immigrant parents, Cousy grew up in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens. He initially struggled with the game, not making his high school varsity team until his junior year. His exceptional play earned him a scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a freshman, he was a key reserve on the 1947 Holy Cross team that won the NCAA championship, defeating the University of Oklahoma in the final. He became a national star, earning Consensus first-team All-American honors in 1950 and finishing his collegiate career as the school's all-time scoring leader. His performance in the 1950 NCAA basketball tournament further cemented his reputation before being selected by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in the 1950 NBA draft.
NBA career
Cousy's rights were acquired by the Boston Celtics, where he teamed with coach Red Auerbach and soon-to-be-legendary teammates like Bill Russell and Tom Heinsohn. He led the NBA in assists per game for eight consecutive seasons from 1953 to 1960, revolutionizing the point guard position with his no-look passes and behind-the-back dribbles. Cousy was instrumental in the Celtics' first championship in 1957, a season where he was named league MVP. He formed one of the most formidable fast-break combinations in history with Russell, leading Boston to five consecutive titles from 1959 to 1963. He retired in 1963 after a celebrated final season that included an emotional farewell at the Boston Garden, but briefly returned in 1970 to play a handful of games for the Cincinnati Royals, primarily as a gate attraction.
Post-playing career and legacy
Immediately following his playing days, Cousy succeeded Frank McGuire as head coach at Boston College, leading the Eagles for six seasons. He later served as head coach of the Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City-Omaha Kings from 1969 to 1973. His legacy as a player is immense; he was a charter inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971 and was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team, NBA 35th Anniversary Team, NBA 50th Anniversary Team, and NBA 75th Anniversary Team. His style directly influenced future generations of star guards, including Pete Maravich and Magic Johnson. The Celtics retired his No. 14 jersey, and in 2019, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.
Personal life
Cousy married his college sweetheart, Missie Ritterbusch, in 1950, and they have two daughters. He has been a longtime resident of Worcester, Massachusetts. In his later years, he has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of former NBA players, criticizing the National Basketball Players Association and the league for not providing adequate pensions for pioneers of the game. He authored an autobiography, *The Killer Instinct*, and has remained a visible and respected elder statesman of basketball, often participating in ceremonies and events for the Boston Celtics.
Awards and honors
Throughout his career, Cousy accumulated numerous accolades. His most prestigious individual honor is the 1957 NBA Most Valuable Player Award. He was selected to 13 consecutive NBA All-Star games and won the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award twice, in 1954 and 1957. He was named to the All-NBA First Team ten times and the All-NBA Second Team twice. Beyond his NBA achievements, he was a 1950 Consensus first-team All-American and an NCAA champion in 1947. His jersey numbers are retired by both the Boston Celtics (No. 14) and his alma mater, the Holy Cross Crusaders (No. 17).
Category:American basketball players Category:Boston Celtics players Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:NBA Most Valuable Player Award winners