Thomas Craig Abernethy (born May 6, 1954 in South Bend, Indiana

South Bend, Indiana

The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...

) is a retired American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 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.

After starring at Indiana University

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...

, the 6'7" Abernethy was drafted by the 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...

 in the third round of the 1976 NBA Draft

1976 NBA Draft

The 1976 NBA Draft was the 30th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 8, 1976 before the 1976–77 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...

. He spent five years in the league as a member of the Lakers, Golden State 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...

 and 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...

. He amassed 1,779 career NBA points.

Abernethy now teaches children basketball at the IBA (Indiana Basketball Academy).

Family

Abernethy's sons all played college basketball. Andy played for Bethel College in Mishawaka, while his twin brother Matt played at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. Matt won the 2003 Pete Maravich Award, given by the National Christian College Athletic Association. Andy's and Matt's younger brother Todd played ball for the University of Mississippi.

Regular season

|-
| align="left" | 1976–77
| align="left" | L.A. 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...

| 70 || – || 19.7 || .484 || – || .754 || 4.2 || 1.4 || .7 || .1 || 6.3
|-
| align="left" | 1977–78
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 73 || – || 18.0 || .498 || – || .820 || 3.6 || 1.4 || .8 || .3 || 6.8
|-
| align="left" | 1978–79
| align="left" | Golden State

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...

| 70 || – || 17.4 || .515 || .000 || .745 || 3.1 || 1.1 || .6 || .2 || 6.0
|-
| align="left" | 1979–80
| align="left" | Golden State
| 67 || – || 18.2 || .481 || .000 || .683 || 2.9 || 1.3 || .5 || .2 || 5.4
|-
| align="left" | 1980–81
| align="left" | Golden State
| 10 || – || 3.9 || .333 || .000 || .667 || .8 || .1 || .1 || .0 || .4
|-
| align="left" | 1980–81
| align="left" | Indiana

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...

| 29 || – || 8.9 || .429 || .000 || .579 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || .1 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 319 || – || 17.0 || .492 || .000 || .747 || 3.2 || 1.2 || .6 || .2 || 5.6
|}

Playoffs

|-
| align="left" | 1976–77

1977 NBA Playoffs

The 1977 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1976-1977 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers four games to two in the Finals. It was...

| align="left" | L.A. 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...

| 11 || – || 19.5 || .420 || – || .815 || 3.6 || 2.0 || .6 || .2 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | 1977–78

1978 NBA Playoffs

The 1978 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1977-1978 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics four games to three in the Finals. Wes...

| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 2 || – || 6.0 || .250 || – || 1.000 || 1.0 || .5 || .0 || .0 || 2.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 13 || 4 || 17.4 || .407 || .000 || .828 || 3.2 || 1.8 || .5 || .2 || 5.2
|}

External links

• memorabilia @ America Online
• Tom Abernethy biography, pics and info at Lakers Players