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Don Buse

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Don Buse
Buse, circa 1986
Personal information
Born (1950-08-10) August 10, 1950 (age 74)
Huntingburg, Indiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolHolland (Holland, Indiana)
CollegeEvansville (1969–1972)
NBA draft1972: 3rd round, 34th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career1972–1985
PositionPoint guard
Number10, 11
Career history
1972–1977Indiana Pacers
1977–1980Phoenix Suns
1980–1982Indiana Pacers
1982–1983Portland Trail Blazers
1983–1985Kansas City Kings
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points6,890 (7.1 ppg)
Assists4,425 (4.6 apg)
Steals1,818 (2.0 spg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Donald R. Buse (/ˈbuːziː/ BOO-zee;[1] born August 10, 1950) is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'4" (1.93 m) point guard from the University of Evansville, Buse played 13 seasons (1972–1985) in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Indiana Pacers,[2] the Phoenix Suns,[3] the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Kansas City Kings.

High school

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Named an Indiana All-Star in 1968, following a stellar career at Holland High School, which consolidated with Huntingburg High School to become Southridge High School. He started from 1964 to 1968, and led the Dutchmen to Sectional Championships in 1967 and 1968. They finished the 1968 season undefeated but lost the Regional Championship game[4] to perennial power Jeffersonville High School. Buse was selected to the Indiana All-Star Team in 1968.

College

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Buse playing for Evansville in 1971.
  • Played for legendary Arad McCutchan at Evansville; leading the Purple Aces to a four-year record of 68–42 and the 1971 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship title.
  • Ranks # 13 all-time in scoring (1,426 pts.)
  • Ranks # 9 all-time in scoring average (16.9)
  • Ranks # 9 all-time in field goal percentage (.497)
  • Ranks # 7 all-time in free throws (364)
  • Ranks # 7 all-time in free throw percentage (78.5)
  • Selected as 1st Team All-Indiana Collegiate Conference in 1970–71 and 1971–72.
  • Selected as 1st Team All-District College Division (NABC) in 1972.
  • Selected as 3rd Team All-American College Division (UPI) in 1972.
  • Selected as 3rd Team All-American College Division (NABC) in 1972.
  • Selected as Honorable Mention All-American College Division (AP) in 1972.
  • Selected as 1st Team All-American College Division (Universal Sports) in 1972.
  • Retired his number (#10)
  • Selected to the USA Basketball Team in 1971; Pan-American Games participant.
  • Invited to U.S. Olympic Trials in 1972; declined invitation for professional basketball career.

Career

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Don Buse was selected for the NCAA squad to compete for positions on the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, but he was replaced by Jim Forbes as he signed a professional contract.

Buse went on to play professionally for the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Kansas City Kings.

Buse was known for his dependable ball-handling, tight defense, and clutch-shooting, and he appeared in two All-Star games (one in the ABA in 1976; one in the NBA in 1977)[5] during the course of his career. His best season occurred in 1975–76, when he led the ABA in both steals per game (4.12) and assists per game (8.2) while also contributing a career high 12.5 points per game. In the next season, his first in the NBA, Buse again led all players in steals per game (3.47) and assists per game (8.5).

In 1979, Buse helped take the Suns deep into the playoffs on a team with notable players, such as Paul Westphal, Walter Davis, Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams.

Buse was an All-Defensive Team member six times, from the 1974–75 season through the 1979–80 season. The first two were in the ABA and the final four were in the NBA.

After Buse's career he was selected to several All-time teams, including:

  • Selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 'Silver Anniversary' Team in 1993.
  • Selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
  • Selected as one of Indiana's Greatest 50 players [1] in 1999.
  • Selected to the All-Time University of Evansville Basketball Team in 2005.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Papanek, John. "No boo-boos for Boo Boo," Sports Illustrated, February 7, 1977. Retrieved November 17, 2020
  2. ^ Jeff Grossman (December 16, 1976). "'Boo' full of surprises". San Antonio Express. p. 9G. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ Sid Bordman (April 1, 1980). "Suns' Don Buse isn't obscure to Ford, Kings". The Kansas City Star. p. 11. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ "1968 IHSAA final 64". Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  5. ^ Dick Mackey (February 13, 1977). "Don Buse? He's the non-shooting star". The Kansas City Star. p. 2S. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
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