Ira Harge
Encyclopedia
Ira Lee Harge is a retired American professional basketball
player.
A 6'9" center
from the University of New Mexico
, Harge was selected with the 4th pick in the 2nd round (11th overall) in the 1964 NBA Draft
by the Philadelphia 76ers
.
Harge played six seasons (1967–1973) in the American Basketball Association
as a member of the Pittsburgh Pipers (1967–68), Oakland Oaks
(1968–1969), Washington Caps
(1969–1970), Carolina Cougars
(1970–1971 and 1973), Floridians (1971–1972), and Utah Stars
(1971–1973), playing on the Pittsburgh Pipers team that won the 1968 ABA Championship
and winning the 1969 ABA Championship
with the Oakland Oaks. Harge maintained a double double average (10.3 points, 11.6 rebounds
) over the course of his ABA career and ranks tenth on the ABA's all-time list for total rebounds (4,955).
Harge's son Joe is currently head coach of the men's basketball team at New Mexico Highlands University
.
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 6'9" 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...
from the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, Harge was selected with the 4th pick in the 2nd round (11th overall) in the 1964 NBA Draft
1964 NBA Draft
The 1964 NBA Draft was the 18th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 4, 1964 before the 1964–65 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility...
by the 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...
.
Harge played six seasons (1967–1973) in 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:...
as a member of the Pittsburgh Pipers (1967–68), Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (ABA)
The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The...
(1968–1969), Washington Caps
Washington Caps
The Washington Caps were an American Basketball Association team from 1969 through 1970. The franchise had previously been the Oakland Oaks. From 1970 through 1976 the team played as the Virginia Squires.-Origins:...
(1969–1970), Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
(1970–1971 and 1973), Floridians (1971–1972), and Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
(1971–1973), playing on the Pittsburgh Pipers team that won the 1968 ABA Championship
1968 ABA Playoffs
The 1968 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967-1968 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the...
and winning the 1969 ABA Championship
1969 ABA Playoffs
The 1969 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1968-1969 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Oakland Oaks defeating the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
with the Oakland Oaks. Harge maintained a double double average (10.3 points, 11.6 rebounds
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...
) over the course of his ABA career and ranks tenth on the ABA's all-time list for total rebounds (4,955).
Harge's son Joe is currently head coach of the men's basketball team at New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University is a public university located in Las Vegas, New Mexico.-History:The university was first established as New Mexico Normal School in 1893, with the prominent archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett serving as its first president...
.