Dennis Van Zant
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1, 1952 Glendora, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Glendora (Glendora, California) |
| College | Azusa Pacific (1970–1974) |
| NBA draft | 1974: 7th round, 120th overall pick |
| Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Playing career | 1975–1975 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Career history | |
| 1975 | Swiss Alpines |
| 1975 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1975–1976 | Santa Rosa Oilers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Dennis Van Zant (born June 1, 1952) is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the Azusa Pacific University for four years before embarking on a short professional career, including in the American Basketball Association with the San Antonio Spurs.
College career
[edit]After playing basketball for just one season in high school, Van Zant played collegiately for Azusa Pacific for four years. In 1973, he averaged 20.8 points per game and was a NAIA All-American honorable mention selection. He was a First-team NCCAA All-American in 1973 and 1974.[1][2] In 1994, he was inducted into the schools hall of fame.[3]
Professional career
[edit]Van Zant was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the seventh round (120th overall) of the 1974 NBA draft[4] but never appeared in a game for the them. His first professional stint was with the Swiss Alpines in European Professional Basketball League during the league's only season in early 1975.[5]
In July 1975, he was signed by the ABA's San Antonio Spurs after impressing coach Bob Bass with his ball-handling ability during the rookie camp. He was released by the Spurs in November, having played only two minutes in one game, scoring as many points.[6]
In December, he signed with the Santa Rosa Oilers in the Western Basketball Association.[7][8] He played one season for the Oilers,[9] where he finished fifth in the league in scoring (23.2 ppg) and second in rebounds (12.7 rpg).[10]
Personal life
[edit]Dennis' brother, Larry Vanzant, played college basketball for Azusa.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Azusa Pacific University Men's Basketball Individual Honors" (PDF). athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ a b "Dennis Vanzant: Obscurity to fame". Arcadia Tribune. April 4, 1974. p. B3. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dennis Vanzant (1994) - Hall of Fame - Azusa Pacific University Athletics". athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Lakers pick Azusa cager in NBA draft". Progress Bulletin. May 29, 1974. p. C1. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Swiss Alpines contre Iberia Superstars" [Swiss Alpines against Iberia Superstars] (PDF). Le Confédéré (in French). March 21, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2017 – via RERO.ch.
- ^ "Spur squibs". San Antonio Express. November 2, 1975. p. 11-J. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jim Mertle Chevron five lands big one". The Press Democrat. December 16, 1975. p. 19. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Can Oilers shoot down Winchesters". The Press Democrat. April 13, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Army All-Star cagers here today". The Press Democrat. November 28, 1976. p. 45. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Briefly noting". The Press Democrat. June 13, 1976. p. 5S. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
