Clyde Lee
Encyclopedia
Clyde Wayne Lee is an American
former professional basketball
player.
A 6'10" forward/center
, Lee starred at Vanderbilt University
in the mid-1960s. Lee was known for his rebounding
skills and inside scoring prowess. In his junior season (1964–65), he led the Commodores to their first SEC championship (Overall: 24-4, SEC: 15-1). Vanderbilt reached the NCAA Mideast Regional Finals
, where they lost to Michigan, 87-85. During his senior season (1965–66), he earned All-American honors and the SEC
Player of the Year Award. Sportswriter Howell Pesier described him as "the greatest player in Vanderbilt history". After four years at Vanderbilt, he was selected by the San Francisco Warriors
with the third pick of the 1966 NBA Draft
.
In 10 (1966–1976) NBA
seasons, spent with the Warriors, Atlanta Hawks
, and Philadelphia 76ers
, Lee scored 5,733 points and grabbed 7,626 rebounds in 742 games. He also appeared in the 1968 NBA All-Star Game
. Recently, he has served as a color commentator
for radio broadcasts of Vanderbilt men's basketball games.
Lee was named to the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
A 6'10" forward/center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
, Lee starred at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball
The Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team represents Vanderbilt University in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference . The Commodores have won three SEC regular season titles . They have competed in ten NCAA Tournaments, making it to the Elite Eight once and the Sweet 16 six times...
in the mid-1960s. Lee was known for his rebounding
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
skills and inside scoring prowess. In his junior season (1964–65), he led the Commodores to their first SEC championship (Overall: 24-4, SEC: 15-1). Vanderbilt reached the NCAA Mideast Regional Finals
1965 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1965 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 8, 1965, and ended with the championship game on March 20 in Portland, Oregon...
, where they lost to Michigan, 87-85. During his senior season (1965–66), he earned All-American honors and the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Player of the Year Award. Sportswriter Howell Pesier described him as "the greatest player in Vanderbilt history". After four years at Vanderbilt, he was selected by the San Francisco Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with the third pick of the 1966 NBA Draft
1966 NBA Draft
The 1966 NBA Draft was the 20th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 11, 1966 before the 1966–67 season. In this draft, ten NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility...
.
In 10 (1966–1976) NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
seasons, spent with the Warriors, Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
, and Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, Lee scored 5,733 points and grabbed 7,626 rebounds in 742 games. He also appeared in the 1968 NBA All-Star Game
1968 NBA All-Star Game
GAME 18: at Madison Square Garden in New York City, January 23, 1968.MVP: Hal GreerCoaches: East: Alex Hannum, West: Bill Sharman.-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods: *Halftime— East, 64-59*Third Quarter— East, 101-91...
. Recently, he has served as a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for radio broadcasts of Vanderbilt men's basketball games.
Lee was named to the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.