Bob Netolicky

Lore & Background

Netolicky was a graduate of Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where his father was a surgeon. He was an All-American selection at Drake University, playing for Coach Maury John. He was a first team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 1967 and left as Drake's all-time rebounding leader (717) and fifth all-time leading scorer (997 points). Drafted by the NBA's San Diego Rockets as the 18th pick in the 1967 NBA draft, he never played for them, instead joining the ABA's Indiana Pacers, who had drafted him in the first ABA draft. He was a four-time ABA All-Star and two-time ABA Champion. Besides the Pacers, he briefly played for the Dallas Chaparrals/San Antonio Spurs. He ended his ABA career with 9,876 points and 5,518 rebounds.

Reader's Guide

Netolicky played for the Indiana Pacers from 1967 to 1972, winning ABA Championships in 1969–70 and 1971–72. He was named to the All-ABA Rookie team in 1967–68 and to the All-ABA Second Team in 1969–70. He played for the Dallas Chaparrals in 1972–73 and began the 1973–74 season with the San Antonio Spurs before being reacquired by the Pacers in November 1973. He played for the Pacers through the 1975–76 season. He also played eight games in the Continental Basketball Association in 1978.

Did You Know?

• Netolicky negotiated a Chevrolet Corvette into his initial Pacers signing bonus.
• He once played for both the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers in the same protested game replay on December 2, 1973.
• He owned a popular nightclub in Indianapolis called Neto's.
• He was known for his exotic pets, including a lion and an ocelot.