Otis Birdsong
Encyclopedia
Otis Lee Birdsong is an American
former professional basketball
player. He spent twelve seasons (1977–1989) in the NBA and appeared in four NBA All-Star Games.
A 6'3" guard who attended Winter Haven High School
and the University of Houston
, Birdsong was selected by the Kansas City Kings
with the second pick of the 1977 NBA Draft
. He would spend four seasons with the Kings, averaging a career high 24.6 points per game during the 1980-81 NBA season
. He also played seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets
and one with the Boston Celtics
, and he ended his NBA career in 1989
with 12,544 career points.
During his All-American season in 1976-77, Birdsong was named Southwest Conference Player of the Year, after leading the Cougars to a 29-8 record and in the NIT’S championship game against St. Bonaventure. Birdsong scored 38 points and made 18 free throws against the Bonnies. He ranked fourth nationally and set an SWC scoring record with 30.3 points per game. These accomplishments resulted in Birdsong being named SWC player of the Decade.
In addition to receiving All-American honors, Birdsong was named to the All-Southwest Conference team in 1976 and 1977. Additionally, he was named District VI Player of the Year (encompassing Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) by the United States Basketball Writers Association. He was a member of the USBWA’s All-District VI Team in 1975, 1976 and 1977, and he was team captain both his junior and senior years. During his four seasons with the Cougars, the team complied 79-38 record. He left the University of Houston as the school’s second leading all-time scorer with 2,832 total college career points, which remains the 12 th best all-time NCAA record in Division 1 men’s basketball-just behind Larry Bird and ahead of familiar names like David Robinson, Lew Alcindor, Calvin Murphy and Elgin Baylor.
Also at Houston, Birdsong ranks second on the career charts in field goals, third in all-time steals, sixth in assists and ninth in field goal percentages. He continues to hold the school record for free throws with a total of 480.
In 2000, Birdsong was inducted in the University of Houston’s Hall of Honor as well as the Polk County, Florida
Hall of Fame.
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. He spent twelve seasons (1977–1989) in the NBA and appeared in four NBA All-Star Games.
A 6'3" guard who attended Winter Haven High School
Winter Haven High School
Winter Haven High School PrincipalGina WilliamsSchool typePublic Religious affiliationNoneFounded1890LocationPolk County, Florida, Winter Haven, FloridaEnrollment1761 students , Campus surroundingsUrbanContact...
and the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, Birdsong was selected by the Kansas City Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
with the second pick of the 1977 NBA Draft
1977 NBA Draft
The 1977 NBA Draft was the 31st annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 10, 1977 before the 1977–78 season. In this draft, 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. He would spend four seasons with the Kings, averaging a career high 24.6 points per game during the 1980-81 NBA season
1980-81 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers*Rookie of the Year: Darrell Griffith, Utah Jazz*Coach of the Year: Jack McKinney, Indiana Pacers*All-NBA First Team:**Larry Bird, Boston Celtics...
. He also played seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and one with the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, and he ended his NBA career in 1989
1988-89 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: Mitch Richmond, Golden State Warriors*Defensive Player of the Year: Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz...
with 12,544 career points.
Collegiate playing career
When Birdsong was named a 1977 consensus All-American after leading the Houston Cougars to the finals of the National Invitational Tournament, it was the perfect ending to a historic career. As a college freshman, Birdsong finished third among the team’s scoring leaders with 14.3 points per game. The following year, Birdsong etched his name in the University of Houston’s record books by becoming the first sophomore in the school’s history to register 1,000 career points. When the Cougars began playing in the Southwest Conference, Birdsong soon established himself as the dominant scorer in the league’s history. In his first year as an SWC player, Birdsong led the league in scoring, finishing eighth nationally with a 26.1 average.During his All-American season in 1976-77, Birdsong was named Southwest Conference Player of the Year, after leading the Cougars to a 29-8 record and in the NIT’S championship game against St. Bonaventure. Birdsong scored 38 points and made 18 free throws against the Bonnies. He ranked fourth nationally and set an SWC scoring record with 30.3 points per game. These accomplishments resulted in Birdsong being named SWC player of the Decade.
In addition to receiving All-American honors, Birdsong was named to the All-Southwest Conference team in 1976 and 1977. Additionally, he was named District VI Player of the Year (encompassing Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) by the United States Basketball Writers Association. He was a member of the USBWA’s All-District VI Team in 1975, 1976 and 1977, and he was team captain both his junior and senior years. During his four seasons with the Cougars, the team complied 79-38 record. He left the University of Houston as the school’s second leading all-time scorer with 2,832 total college career points, which remains the 12 th best all-time NCAA record in Division 1 men’s basketball-just behind Larry Bird and ahead of familiar names like David Robinson, Lew Alcindor, Calvin Murphy and Elgin Baylor.
Also at Houston, Birdsong ranks second on the career charts in field goals, third in all-time steals, sixth in assists and ninth in field goal percentages. He continues to hold the school record for free throws with a total of 480.
NBA career
After completing his eligibility at the University of Houston, Birdsong was the second player chosen in the 1977 NBA draft when he was taken by the Kansas City Kings. He scored over 14,000 career points in 12 seasons with the Kings, the New Jersey Nets and the Boston Celtics. He was selected to be a member of the NBA All-Star team four times, averaging over 18 points per game. Birdsong returned to Houston following his career and served as a member of the Cougar’s radio broadcast team for several seasons before moving to Dallas.In 2000, Birdsong was inducted in the University of Houston’s Hall of Honor as well as the Polk County, Florida
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
Hall of Fame.