Collis Temple
Encyclopedia
Collis Temple, Jr. is an American former professional basketball
player.
A 6'8" forward from Kentwood, Louisiana, Temple was the first African American to play varsity basketball at Louisiana State University
. When he joined the team in 1971, the United States National Guard
was called to protect him from angry segregationists. As a senior, Temple earned All-Southeastern Conference
honors after averaging 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Temple was selected by the Phoenix Suns
with the 94th pick of the 1974 NBA Draft
. He never played in the NBA, but spent one season (1974–75) with the San Antonio Spurs
of the American Basketball Association
. He averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 24 games.
Temple's sons Collis III and Garrett Temple
both played at LSU.
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 6'8" forward from Kentwood, Louisiana, Temple was the first African American to play varsity basketball at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
. When he joined the team in 1971, the United States National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
was called to protect him from angry segregationists. As a senior, Temple earned All-Southeastern Conference
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...
honors after averaging 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Temple was selected by the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
with the 94th pick of the 1974 NBA Draft
1974 NBA Draft
The 1974 NBA Draft was the 28th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 28, 1974 before the 1974–75 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. He never played in the NBA, but spent one season (1974–75) with the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
. He averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 24 games.
Temple's sons Collis III and Garrett Temple
Garrett Temple
Garrett Temple is an American professional basketball player who plays for A.S. Junior Pallacanestro Casale in Italy. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.A 6'6" guard, Temple played at Louisiana State University from 2005 to 2009...
both played at LSU.