Artis Gilmore
Dominant center and Hall of Famer who starred in the ABA and NBA.
Artis Gilmore Sr. (born September 21, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Gilmore was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Role
- Center
- Affiliation
- Chicago Bulls (1976–1982)
- Jersey Number
- 53
- Hall of Fame Status
- Inducted 2011 as a Player
- NBA All-Star Selections with Bulls
- 4
- Career High Points in NBA Game
- 42 (March 18, 1977)
- Rebounds per Game (Bulls Tenure)
- 11.1
- Points per Game (Bulls Tenure)
- 19.3
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Gilmore played for the Chicago Bulls from 1976 to 1982, totaling six seasons. He was selected first overall in the 1976 ABA dispersal draft by the Bulls. During his first season with the Bulls, Gilmore led the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. He received four All-Star selections in his five solid basketball seasons in Chicago, averaging 19.3 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game.
In Their Own Story
When the ABA disbanded after 1976, the Chicago Bulls secured Artis Gilmore as the number one pick in the dispersal draft. Signing for $1.1 million over three years, he stepped into a franchise desperate for an anchor. The transition was seamless; in his first season, he commanded the interior so thoroughly that opponents held their breath every time he received the ball near the basket. On March 18, 1977, Gilmore showcased this control against the Kansas City Kings, pouring in 42 points while adding 15 rebounds and 9 assists to secure a narrow 114–112 win. His presence forced defenses to collapse, yet he remained an unstoppable force, finishing with a field goal percentage that would eventually stand as the highest in NBA history for players with significant volume. Although the Bulls lost their first-round playoff series that year to the Trail Blazers, Gilmore's impact was undeniable, earning him four All-Star nods and turning Chicago into a consistent postseason team through his unparalleled efficiency.
Reader's Guide
Gilmore was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1971 NBA draft but signed with the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA. He joined the Bulls in 1976 via the ABA dispersal draft. He played for the Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics before departing the NBA in 1988. He closed his career with Arimo Bologna in Italy from 1988 to 1989.
Did You Know?
- Gilmore led the ABA in rebounding four times and was an ABA All-Star in all five seasons he played in the league.
- He once played in 670 consecutive games.
- Gilmore was named the ABA Rookie of the Year and ABA Most Valuable Player in his first season (1971–1972).
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