American · Newport, Kentucky · Born 25 October 1948American basketball center and power forward who played 11 NBA seasons, winning two championships with Boston Celtics and earning 1973 MVP award.
David William Cowens was born in Newport, Kentucky in 1948. Boston Celtics selected him fourth overall in the 1970 NBA Draft. His 11-season career produced 17.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game along with eight All-Star appearances. He won the co-Rookie of the Year award in 1971 alongside Geoff Petrie. He won the NBA MVP in 1973. He won two championships with the Celtics (1974, 1976) with Jo Jo White, John Havlicek and Paul Silas. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. He was undersized for a center at 6ft 9in but compensated with intensity — setting screens that were violent by any era's standard, diving on loose balls, and playing with an energy level that his coaches described as simply unsustainable at times. He briefly retired in 1976-77 to drive a taxi in Boston, citing burnout. He returned and continued at near-All-Star level. He later coached the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics. His two championships represent the bridge between the Russell dynasty and the Bird dynasty.
Undersized center who revolutionized the position with his mobility and intensity
How They Played
Mobile, aggressive center with exceptional hustle, strong rebounding, and ability to run the floor
Lasting Impact
Hall of Fame center who helped define the modern NBA center position despite being undersized
Career Honours
- NBA Champion 2x (1974,1976)
- NBA MVP (1973)
- Co-Rookie of Year (1971)
- All-Star 8x
- Hall of Fame (1991)
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 1970–1980 | 726 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 1982–1983 | 40 |
American Athletes