The
second Hall of Famer
with the nickname
"Kangaroo Kid," Billy
Cunningham was a fiery
performer known for his
consistency and unusual
leaping ability. The
"Kangaroo Kid" excelled
under the tutelage of
Dean Smith at the
University of North
Carolina. The fabled UNC
bloodlines made
Cunningham a fabulous
collegian and pro player
and a fine bench coach
with the Philadelphia
76ers. At UNC, Billy C.
was a three-time All-ACC
selection, a two-time
All-America and an
Academic All-America
selection...Book
Billy Cunningham for Your Event
An intense player who
played with enormous
desire, Cunningham was
drafted in the first
round by the
Philadelphia 76ers in
1965. He literally
leaped into stardom when
he was named to the
NBA's All-Rookie Team.
In 1967, Cunningham
teamed with fellow Hall
of Famers Wilt
Chamberlain and Hal
Greer to land the 76ers
an NBA title. After
playing for the 76ers
from 1965 to 1972, he
signed a free agent
contract with the ABA
Carolina Cougars. The
"Kid" averaged 24.1 ppg
and 12.0 rpg and was
named league MVP.
Cunningham returned to
the 76ers in 1974, and
played a
season-and-a-half, only
to be sidelined by a
career ending knee
injury. Cunningham, who
scored 16,310 points and
grabbed 7,981 rebounds
in both the NBA and ABA,
had his number 32 jersey
retired by the 76ers.
His playing career also
produced three All-NBA
First Team selections
(1969, 1970, 1971), one
All-NBA Second Team
honor (1972) and four
NBA All-Star Game
appearances. Cunningham
was named Philadelphia's
coach in 1977, and his
dedication and hard work
landed him a 454-196
record. His coaching
success¾second only to
Pat Riley in reaching
the 300 and 400 career
wins faster than any
other NBA coach¾was
highlighted in 1983 when
Philadelphia defeated
Los Angeles and won the
NBA title after being a
finalist in 1980 and
1982.
>>> Book Billy
Cunningham for Your Event
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