John Drew
Two-time All-Star forward who scored in bunches for the Hawks from 1974 to 1982.
via Wikipedia: John Drew (basketball) · see source
John Edward Drew (September 30, 1954 – April 10, 2022) was an American small forward who spent eleven seasons in the NBA, the first eight with the Atlanta Hawks. A second-round pick out of Gardner–Webb University, he became a two-time All-Star in Atlanta and topped 20 points per game five times. He finished his career with 15,291 points and a 20.7 scoring average. His story also carries a darker chapter: a long fight with cocaine addiction made him the first player banned under the substance abuse policy of commissioner David Stern.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 30 September 1954
- Birthplace
- Vredenburgh, Alabama, U.S.
- Died
- 10 April 2022
- Place of death
- Houston, Texas, U.S.
- High school
- J. F. Shields (Beatrice, Alabama)
- College
- Gardner–Webb (1972–1974)
- Draft round
- 2
- Draft pick
- 25
Facts from the source article.
Background
Born in Vredenburgh, Alabama, Drew led J.F. Shields High School to a state title in 1972 and set the Alabama High School Athletic Association record with a career average of 41.0 points. At Gardner–Webb he posted 24.4 points as a freshman and 25.9 points with 13 rebounds as a sophomore. The Atlanta Hawks took him in the second round of the 1974 NBA draft, and on October 18, 1974 he debuted with 32 points and 12 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls. As a rookie he averaged 18.5 points and 10.7 rebounds, led the league with 357 offensive rebounds and made the NBA All-Rookie Team.
Did You Know?
- He shares the NBA record for turnovers in a regular-season game (14) with Jason Kidd, set on March 1, 1978 against New Jersey.
- Only he, Artis Gilmore and Eddie Lee Wilkins went from Gardner–Webb to the NBA.
- In the CBA he was named Newcomer of the League with the Wyoming Wildcatters in 1985–86.
- He won a Player of the Week award with Utah on March 6, 1983.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did John Drew play for the Atlanta Hawks?
From 1974 to 1982, after Atlanta drafted him in the second round in 1974.
Why was John Drew banned from the NBA?
In January 1986 he became the first player banned by David Stern for repeated violations of the league's substance abuse policy.
More in Club History & Eras
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