Johnny Neumann
Encyclopedia
Carl John Neumann is an American
former professional
basketball
player and coach. At 6'6" and 200 pounds, he played the guard and forward positions.
, where he played from 1969 to 1971. During his sophomore season, he drew comparisons to Pete Maravich
after averaging an NCAA-high 40.1 points per game
. His strongest performances included a 63 point game against Louisiana State University
and a 60 point game against Baylor University
. Neumann earned All-America
and SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
honors at the end of the season.
After his sophomore season at Ole Miss, Neumann became the first player in basketball history to sign a hardship clause as he signed a five-year, $2 million contract with the Memphis Pros
of the American Basketball Association
.
Neumann was later drafted by the Chicago Bulls
in the 6th round of the 1973 NBA Draft
.
to the Utah Stars
for Glen Combs
, Ronnie Robinson, Mike Jackson
and cash in January 1974.
in the Western Division Semifinals
and the Indiana Pacers in the Western Division Finals to make it to the ABA Championship series, losing the 1974 ABA Finals to the New York Nets. Despite the team's success Neumann struggled to regain his scoring average after being traded to Utah. He averaged just 10.1 points in 44 games with the Stars.
for Jim Eakins
and Larry Miller
. After just four games with the Squires, the Indiana Pacers
bought Neumann's rights from the Squires in November 1974. He averaged 8.3 points per game with Indiana. Neumann finished out the 1974-75 season as a Pacer and in March 1975 the Virginia Squires
bought Neumann's rights back from the Pacers.
Neumann averaged 16.6 points per game for Virginia during the 1975-76 season but in January 1976 he was traded by the Squires.
in exchange for Marv Roberts
. He averaged 10.1 points per game as the Colonels defeated the Indiana Pacers in the ABA Quarterfinals and lost a 4-3 seven game series to the Denver Nuggets
in the 1976 ABA Semifinals
.
in June 1976 Neumann ended up with the Buffalo Braves
. From 1976 to 1978, Neumann played 83 games in the NBA as a member of the Braves, Los Angeles Lakers
, and once again with the Pacers. His 1977-78 campaign with the Pacers, during which he averaged just 4.2 points, would be his last in the United States.
After leaving the NBA Neumann took his game to Europe, where he competed in Italy
for Gabetti Cantu'
(1978-1979) and Germany.
, Greece
, Cyprus
, Israel
, Kuwait
, Saudi Arabia
, Lebanon
, China
, and Japan
, as well as in the American minor-league Continental Basketball Association
with the Maine Lumberjacks
. Neumann also coached the Louisville Shooters
of the Global Basketball Association
in 1991 and 1992. While in Cyprus, he discovered Darrell Armstrong
, a little-known American guard from Fayetteville State University
who later found success in the NBA.
On June 23, 2010, Neumann was appointed as the new coach of the Romania national team
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
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 and coach. At 6'6" and 200 pounds, he played the guard and forward positions.
High school and college
Following a standout career at Overton High School in Memphis, Neumann took his game to the University of MississippiUniversity of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, where he played from 1969 to 1971. During his sophomore season, he drew comparisons to Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
after averaging an NCAA-high 40.1 points per game
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
. His strongest performances included a 63 point game against 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...
and a 60 point game against Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. Neumann earned All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
and SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an award given to the player who has proven himself, throughout the season, to be the most exceptional talent in the Southeastern Conference. The school with the most SEC Player of the Year award winners is Kentucky, with 13 total...
honors at the end of the season.
After his sophomore season at Ole Miss, Neumann became the first player in basketball history to sign a hardship clause as he signed a five-year, $2 million contract with the Memphis Pros
Memphis Pros
Memphis Pros were an American Basketball Association team during the 1970-1971 and 1971-1972 seasons.-Origins:The New Orleans Buccaneers were a charter member of the ABA and played for three seasons, 1967-1970, winning the Western Division championship in 1969...
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:...
.
Neumann was later drafted by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in the 6th round of the 1973 NBA Draft
1973 NBA Draft
The 1973 NBA Draft was the 27th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 24, 1973 before the 1973–74 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
.
Memphis Pros and Memphis Tams
Neumann's professional career started strong, with averages of 18.3 points per game and 19.6 points per game in his first two full seasons with Memphis. He was named to the ABA All-Rookie Team in 1972. However, Neumann gradually fell out of favor with the team's coach and management, who thought he was not passing the ball enough, and he was traded by the Memphis TamsMemphis Tams
The Memphis Tams were an American Basketball Association team during the 1972-1973 and 1973-1974 seasons. The team had previously been the New Orleans Buccaneers for three seasons before moving to Memphis, Tennessee where it became the Memphis Pros from 1970 through 1972. The team later became...
to the 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:...
for Glen Combs
Glen Combs
Glen Courtney Combs is a retired American basketball player.A 6'2" guard from Virginia Tech, Combs was nicknamed "The Kentucky Rifle" for his long-range shooting...
, Ronnie Robinson, Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson
General Sir Michael David "Mike" Jackson, is a retired British Army officer and one of its most high-profile generals since the Second World War. Originally commissioned into the Intelligence Corps in 1963, he transferred to the Parachute Regiment, with whom he served two of his three tours of...
and cash in January 1974.
Utah Stars
In Neumann's first year in Utah the Stars won the ABA Western Division and defeated the San Diego ConquistadorsSan Diego Conquistadors
The San Diego Conquistadors, nicknamed the "Q's", were an American Basketball Association team based in San Diego, California. They were the only expansion team in the history of the ABA. The team played from 1972 to 1975. They were replaced in the ABA by the San Diego Sails.-San Diego...
in the Western Division Semifinals
1974 ABA Playoffs
The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
and the Indiana Pacers in the Western Division Finals to make it to the ABA Championship series, losing the 1974 ABA Finals to the New York Nets. Despite the team's success Neumann struggled to regain his scoring average after being traded to Utah. He averaged just 10.1 points in 44 games with the Stars.
Virginia Squires and Indiana Pacers
In August 1974 the Stars traded Neumann and a draft choice to the Virginia SquiresVirginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
for Jim Eakins
Jim Eakins
James Scott Eakins is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'11" center from Brigham Young University, Eakins was selected in the fifth round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the San Francisco Warriors and in the 1968 ABA Draft by the Oakland Oaks.Eakins played eight seasons in the American...
and Larry Miller
Larry Miller (basketball)
Lawrence James Miller is a retired American basketball player.As the All American star of his Catasauqua High School team, Miller scored 46 of his team's 66 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a 65-62 win over Steelton High in the 1964 Pennsylvania state playoffs at the Hershey Arena.A 6'4"...
. After just four games with the Squires, the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
bought Neumann's rights from the Squires in November 1974. He averaged 8.3 points per game with Indiana. Neumann finished out the 1974-75 season as a Pacer and in March 1975 the Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
bought Neumann's rights back from the Pacers.
Neumann averaged 16.6 points per game for Virginia during the 1975-76 season but in January 1976 he was traded by the Squires.
Kentucky Colonels
In January 1976 Neumann was traded with Jan van Breda Kolff to the Kentucky ColonelsKentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
in exchange for Marv Roberts
Marv Roberts
Marv Roberts was an American basketball player.Roberts, a native of Brooklyn, New York, played college basketball at Utah State University.Roberts was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 3rd round of the 1971 NBA draft...
. He averaged 10.1 points per game as the Colonels defeated the Indiana Pacers in the ABA Quarterfinals and lost a 4-3 seven game series to the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in the 1976 ABA Semifinals
1976 ABA Playoffs
The 1976 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets four games to two in the ABA Finals....
.
NBA
With the ABA-NBA mergerABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
in June 1976 Neumann ended up with the Buffalo Braves
Buffalo Braves
The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....
. From 1976 to 1978, Neumann played 83 games in the NBA as a member of the Braves, Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, and once again with the Pacers. His 1977-78 campaign with the Pacers, during which he averaged just 4.2 points, would be his last in the United States.
After leaving the NBA Neumann took his game to Europe, where he competed in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
for Gabetti Cantu'
Pallacanestro Cantù
Pallacanestro Cantù is an Italian League professional basketball club that is based in Cantù. For sponsorship reasons, it is also known as Bennet Cantù, after Bennet, an Italian supermarket chain. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below...
(1978-1979) and Germany.
Coaching career
Neumann became an assistant coach while playing in Germany, a position that would prove to be his first of many basketball coaching jobs. Since the early 1980s, Neumann has coached in BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, as well as in the American minor-league Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
with the Maine Lumberjacks
Maine Lumberjacks
The Maine LumberjacksCBA Basketball Team's last season was 1982 / 1983, and was based in Bangor, Maine.Amongst other noteworthy points was responsible for the drafting of Billy Ray Bates into the NBA....
. Neumann also coached the Louisville Shooters
Louisville Shooters
Louisville Shooters was a team from Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the Global Basketball Association during its inaugural 1991-1992 season and three games into its second season....
of the Global Basketball Association
Global Basketball Association
The Global Basketball Association was a minor league with various franchises in the United States. Teams were located throughout the South and Midwest...
in 1991 and 1992. While in Cyprus, he discovered Darrell Armstrong
Darrell Armstrong
Darrell Eugene Armstrong is a former American professional basketball player, who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association...
, a little-known American guard from Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University is a historically black, regional university located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. FSU is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.-Academics:The primary...
who later found success in the NBA.
On June 23, 2010, Neumann was appointed as the new coach of the Romania national team
Romania national basketball team
The Romanian national basketball team is the basketball side that represents Romania in international competitions. Romania has 17 appearances for the EuroBasket competition and reached two time the 5th place, but never managed to qualify for the Basketball World Championship...
.