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Sam Lacey
Lacey in 1971
Personal information
Born(1948-03-28)March 28, 1948
DiedMarch 14, 2014(2014-03-14) (aged 65)
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolGentry (Indianola, Mississippi)
CollegeNew Mexico State (1967–1970)
NBA draft1970: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Drafted byCincinnati Royals
Playing career1970–1983
PositionCenter
Number44, 40, 52
Career history
19701981Cincinnati Royals / Kansas City–Omaha Kings / Kansas City Kings
1981–1982New Jersey Nets
1982–1983Cleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights
Career NBA statistics
Points10,303 (10.3 ppg)
Rebounds9,687 (9.7 rpg)
Blocks1,160 (1.5 bpg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference
Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Samuel Lacey (March 28, 1948 – March 14, 2014) was an American basketball player. He played professionally in the National Basketball Associations (NBA) spending the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Royals/Kansas City–Omaha Kings/Kansas City Kings franchise. Lacey was selected as an all-star while playing for the Kings in 1975, and eventually had his number 44 retired by them.

Lacey played college basketball for the New Mexico State Aggies, where he was a key player in leading the team to three consecutive NCAA University Division basketball tournaments. He averaged 16.3 points and 14.2 rebounds per game over three varsity seasons with the Aggies; and holds the Aggies records for most rebounds in a game, most rebounds and highest rebounding average in a season, and most rebounds in a career (through 2025–26).

Early life

[edit]

Lacey was born on March 28, 1948, in Indianola, Mississippi.[1][2] He grew up in a three-bedroom home where he and his two brothers shared one of the rooms, and his three sisters shared another.[3] He attended Gentry High School in Indianola, a segregated school at the time.[3] Lacey was reportedly named MVP of the 1966 Mississippi High School All-Star Game, played in Jackson, Mississippi.[4]

In 1970, Indianola held Sam Lacey Day, including a parade and six to seven thousand attendees, and a speech by the mayor.[5]

College career

[edit]

Lacey was originally offered a scholarship to attend Jackson State College (now Jackson State University), but after his high school all-star game performance, he drew broader interest beyond Mississippi.[3] Lacey received a scholarship offer from New Mexico State University, which he attended.[3] He was recruited by Ed Murphy, an assistant to head coach Lou Henson.[1] Lacey played college basketball for the New Mexico State Aggies as a 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) or 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (106.6 kg) or 240 lb (108.9 kg) center.[6][7][8] The Aggies had a combined record of 74–14 during the three seasons Lacey played varsity basketball there (1967 to 1970); and were in the NCAA University Division basketball tournament all three years.[9][10]

As a freshman, Lacey entered school at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and only 180 pounds (81.7 kg).[11] Lacey averaged 20.2 rebounds per game as a member of the Aggies' freshman basketball team (1966–67); and blocked 16 shots in a single game as a freshman.[12] While at New Mexico State, he earned the nickname "Slammin' Sam" because of his defensive prowess and ability to block shots.[12][8]

Lacey gained 60 pounds (27.2 kg) between his freshman and sophomore (1967–68) years.[11] As a variously reported 6 ft 10 in 235 lb or 6 ft 9 in 240 lb sophomore center, Lacey averaged a team-leading 15.1 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game.[13][8] The Aggies were 23–6 that season, and played in the 1968 NCAA University Division basketball tournament. The Aggies defeated Weber State 68–57 in the first round of the West Regional tournament. Lacey had 20 points and a game-leading 18 rebounds.[14] The Aggies lost in the West Regional semifinals to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28 points, 23 rebounds) and eventual national champion UCLA, 58–49; with Lacey scoring only 6 points and gathering five rebounds before fouling out of the game against Abdul-Jabbar.[15][16][17]

As a junior (1968–69), Lacey averaged 15.8 points, 15 rebounds, and one assist per game.[18] In December 1968, Lacey was the unanimous selection as MVP of the Evansville Classic; which the Aggies won.[10][19] During that tournament, he reportedly set a New Mexico State record with 26 rebounds in a single game.[20][8][21] The Aggies were 24–5 that season, and played in the 1969 NCAA University Division basketball tournament. The Aggies defeated Brigham Young in the first round of the West Regional tournament, in which Lacey had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.[22] The Aggies lost to UCLA again, 53–38, in the West Regional Semifinals. Lacey had 11 points and 11 rebounds, to Abdul-Jabbar's 16 points and 16 rebounds.[23] The Associated Press ranked New Mexico State No. 12 at the end of the season (with UCLA again No. 1).[24] Lacey reportedly received a number of All-America honorable mentions in 1969.[25]

Lacey averaged 17.7 points and 15.9 rebounds per game as a senior (1969–70).[26] In the 1970 NCAA University Division basketball tournament, Lacey and All-American star guard Jimmy Collins (24.3 points per game)[27] led the Aggies to their first and only Final Four appearance.[1][4] The Aggies defeated Rice University, Kansas State University and Drake University to reach the tournament's Final Four, before falling for the third consecutive year to eventual national champion UCLA and legendary coach John Wooden.[28][4] Lacey had 19 points and 20 rebounds in the win over Rice;[29] 15 points and 11 rebounds against Kansas State;[30] and 20 points and 24 rebounds against Drake.[31] It has been stated that his 24 rebounds against Drake is a New Mexico State single game record,[32] though it was contemporaneously reported that he had 26 rebounds in a game against Tennessee Tech on December 27, 1968.[20][21][9]

The Aggies lost to UCLA 93–77.[33] Lacey suffered a foot injury early in the game against UCLA. While he continued to play in the game, he was hampered by the injury and the Aggies were not competitive in the second half.[1][4][34] Lacey had eight points and 16 rebounds in 31 minutes.[33] The Aggies did win the third-place game over St. Bonaventure to finish the season 27–3, with Lacey scoring 18 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.[35] The Aggies ended the year ranked No. 5 in the nation by the Associated Press.[28][26][36] Lacey earned first-team All-American honors from Basketball Weekly.[10] He was an Associated Press honorable mention for All-American in 1970.[37]

While at New Mexico State, Lacey set team rebounding records for a career, season, and single game.[10] He still holds the Aggie record for rebounds in a game (through 2025–26).[8][32] Lacey's 1,265 career rebounds is a school record, as are his 1969–70 single season average of 15.9 rebounds per game and 493 total rebounds (through 2025–26).[32] Over his college career, Lacey scored 1,448 points and had 1,265 rebounds, averaging 16.3 points and 14.2 rebounds per game.[38][2]

NBA career

[edit]

Lacey was drafted in the first round of the 1970 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals, fifth overall.[10][39] He was also drafted by the New Orleans Buccaneers in the first round of the 1970 American Basketball Association draft.[40] Lacey chose the Royals, playing over ten years for that franchise. In total, he played 13 seasons (1970 to 1983) in the National Basketball Association.[41] He started as a member of the Royals in Cincinnati. The Royals had moved from Rochester to Cincinnati in 1957 and in 1972 moved again, becoming the Kansas City–Omaha Kings; and then became the Kansas City Kings before the 1975-1976 season.[42] Lacey played for both Kansas City incarnations (the same franchise now being the Sacramento Kings).[41][43] At the end of his career, he played for the New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers.[10][41]

Lacy averaged a double-double in points and rebounds over his first six seasons.[41][1] His possibly most productive NBA season came in 1973–74 when he averaged 14.2 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.[41] That year, on November 25, 1973, Lacey grabbed a career best 26 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds, along with scoring 20 points and recording six assists, in a 104–99 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics.[44][45]

In the 1974–75 season, Lacey led the NBA in defensive rebounds per game, had the league's third leading rebound average (behind only Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Wes Unseld and Dave Cowens), and had the second-most total rebounds (behind only Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo).[46][47][48][49] He was named an All-Star in 1975,[50] and finished the season averaging 11.5 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.[41] On February 5, 1975, Lacey recorded a career high eight steals during a 90–82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[51][52] He was 10th in NBA Most Valuable Player voting in 1975.[53] The Kings lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 1975 Western Conference semifinals in six games. Lacey averaged 44 minutes, 15.7 rebounds, 9.5 points, five assists, two steals, and 1.5 blocked shots per game during that series. He led the Kings in minutes played, rebounding, and blocks; and was second only to Nate Archibald in assists.[54]

During the 1981 NBA playoffs, Lacey was the Kings' captain and leader[1] and played a key role in the 40–42 five seed Kings making it to the Western Conference Finals before being eliminated by Moses Malone and the Houston Rockets.[55] In 15 playoff games, Lacey averaged 35.5 minutes, 10 points, eight rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game,[56] for a Kansas City team missing starting guards Phil Ford and Otis Birdsong due to injuries for significant portions of the 1981 Western Conference playoffs.[57] Lacey led the Kings with 7.7 assists per game in their Western Conference first-round series win over the Portland Trail Blazers; to go along with 10 points, nine rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocked shots per game.[58] He then led the Kings in rebounding in the seven-game semifinal series win over the Phoenix Suns.[59] In the Western Conference finals he tied Ford in leading the Kings with 5.8 assists per game; and leading the team with 2.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. Lacey also had to defend against future Hall of Fame center Moses Malone, and had more personal fouls than any other player in that five-game series (23).[60][61]

During the following season, Lacey was traded to the Nets for Mike Woodson and a future first round draft pick.[62] He played in 54 games for the Nets, but only started six games and averaged 12 minutes of playing time per game.[63] The Nets did not renew Lacey's contract after the 1981–82 season. He was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 1982, during the 1982–83 season.[64] Lacey played the final 60 games of his NBA career with the Cavaliers, starting 33 games and averaging 20.5 minutes, 4.2 points, and 3.9 rebounds per game.[65]

Lacey is one of only five NBA players (along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Julius Erving, David Robinson and Ben Wallace) to have registered 100 blocks and 100 steals in six consecutive seasons.[66] His jersey no. 44 is retired by the Sacramento Kings.[10][1] He is also one of three NBA players (along with Wes Unseld and Reggie Evans) to total at least 30 rebounds and fewer than 10 points in the first two games of the season.[67]

When Lacey retired in 1983, he had accumulated 9,687 rebounds and a total of 10,303 points; averaging 10.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game over his career. As a Royal/King, he played in 888 games and averaged a double-double (11.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game).[41] Lacey ranks 48th overall for total rebounds in NBA history, and 52nd overall among combined ABA/NBA total rebounds (through 2025–26).[68]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Lacey lived in Kansas City, Missouri after retiring from the NBA. He died in his home in Kansas City on March 14, 2014, at age 65.[3][1]

Honors

[edit]

In 2024, Lacey was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.[2] In 1975, he was inducted into the New Mexico State Athletics Hall of Fame.[10] In February 2008, Lacey was among the first inductees into the Aggies Ring of Honor, along with his coach Lou Henson, and Billy Joe Price.[69] In 2015, he became the first New Mexico State basketball player to be inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.[70]

Statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1970–71 Cincinnati 8132.7.418.68711.31.413.5
1971–72 Cincinnati 8135.0.422.70412.02.111.6
1972–73 Kansas City–Omaha 7937.1.474.70811.82.413.5
1973–74 Kansas City–Omaha 7939.3.476.74913.43.81.62.314.2
1974–75 Kansas City–Omaha 8141.7.427.75414.25.31.72.111.5
1975–76 Kansas City 8138.1.401.75912.64.71.61.712.8
1976–77 Kansas City 8231.6.422.7629.04.71.51.610.6
1977–78 Kansas City 7727.7.449.7178.33.91.61.48.6
1978–79 Kansas City 8232.0.502.7398.65.21.31.710.6
1979–80 Kansas City 8129.8.448.000.7418.05.71.41.39.2
1980–81 Kansas City 8227.2.442.200.7867.14.91.21.56.9
1981–82 Kansas City 2110.0.600.0002.02.01.0.53.0
1981–82 New Jersey 54612.0.430.000.7711.91.4.4.72.9
1982–83 Cleveland 603320.5.420.222.7843.92.0.5.44.2
Career 1,0024031.8.441.188.7389.73.71.31.510.3
All-Star 1017.0.3331.0007.01.02.01.06.0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1975 Kansas City–Omaha 644.0.377.61115.75.02.01.59.5
1979 Kansas City 535.2.381.78910.24.21.82.09.4
1980 Kansas City 333.7.3811.000.7507.34.32.3.76.7
1981 Kansas City 1535.5.420.000.8578.05.31.91.510.0
Career 2937.0.401.250.7769.95.01.91.59.4

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Goldstein, Richard (March 18, 2014). "Sam Lacey, Top Center in N.B.A. and the 1970 Final Four, Dies at 66". New York Times.
  2. 1 2 3 "Indianola native Lacey selected to National Collegiate Basketball HOF class of 2024". The Enterprise-Tocsin. Indianola, Mississippi. January 31, 2025. pp. B4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bassing, Tom; Thompson, Demetrius (March 23, 2014). "Delta's ambassador to the NBA". Delta Democrat-Times. Greenville, Mississippi. pp. A2.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "RIP: Indianola basketball great Sam Lacey". Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. March 17, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. "Lacey feted at Indianola". The Delta Democrat-Times (Greenville, Mississippi). May 17, 1970. p. 25.
  6. "The Southern Press: Sunday Conversation with...Indianola native Sam Lacey, No. 5 pick in 1970 NBA draft". Kennymister.blogspot.com. July 2, 2011.
  7. "1967-68 New Mexico State Aggies Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "'Slammin' Sam' blocks shots; shows All-American potential". The Deming Headlight. Deming, New Mexico. January 16, 1969. p. 7.
  9. 1 2 "New Mexico State Aggies Men's Basketball Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Sam Lacey (1975) - US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame". New Mexico State University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Slammin' Sam blocks shots; shows All-American potential". The Deming Headlight (Deming, New Mexico). January 16, 1969. p. 7.
  12. 1 2 "Meet". CitiSun Sunday Magazine, Las Cruces Sun-News. 88 (40): 6. November 24, 1968.
  13. "1967-68 New Mexico State Aggies Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  14. "Weber State vs. New Mexico State Box Score (Men), March 9, 1968". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  15. "UCLA vs. New Mexico State Box Score (Men), March 15, 1968". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  16. "1968 NCAA tournament: Bracket, scores, stats, records | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  17. Thompson, Pat (March 16, 1968). "UCLA Beats N. Mex. St. By 58 To 49". The Register. Danville, Virginia. Associated Press. p. 8.
  18. "1968-69 New Mexico State Aggies Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  19. "NM Aggies Play Best Game, Win Tournament". El Paso Herald-Post. El Paso, Texas. United Press International. December 30, 1968. pp. Four, Sec. C.
  20. 1 2 Perilman, Abe J. (December 29, 1968). "Aggies Clip Tennessee Tech In 1st Round Play". Sun-News. Las Cruces, New Mexico. p. 12.
  21. 1 2 "Aggies Overpower Tennessee Tech". The El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. December 28, 1968. pp. 12–A.
  22. "New Mexico State vs. Brigham Young Box Score (Men), March 8, 1969". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  23. "UCLA vs. New Mexico State Box Score (Men), March 13, 1969". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  24. "1968-69 Men's College Basketball AP Polls". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  25. "Sam Lacey Day, Friday May 15". The Enterprise-Tocsin. Indianola, Mississippi. May 14, 1970. p. 1.
  26. 1 2 "1969-70 New Mexico State Aggies Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  27. "Jimmy Collins College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  28. 1 2 "1970 NCAA tournament: Bracket, scores, stats, records | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  29. "Rice vs. New Mexico State Box Score (Men), March 7, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  30. "New Mexico State vs. Kansas State Box Score (Men), March 12, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  31. "New Mexico State vs. Drake Box Score (Men), March 14, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 "New Mexico State Men's Basketball Leaders & Records - Season". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  33. 1 2 "UCLA vs. New Mexico State Box Score (Men), March 19, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  34. "'Inexcusable turnovers' displease UCLA coach". The Albuquerque Tribune. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Associated Press. March 20, 1970. pp. C–1.
  35. "St. Bonaventure vs. New Mexico State Box Score (Men), March 21, 1970". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  36. "1969-70 Men's College Basketball AP Polls". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  37. Meier, Ted (March 4, 1970). "Pistol Pete Leads Voting For All-American Choices". Alamogordo Daily News. Alamogordo, New Mexico. Associated Press. p. 2.
  38. "Sam Lacey College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  39. "1970 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  40. "Lanier, Maravich Top Pro Draft Choices". St. Joseph News-Press. St. Joseph, Missouri. Associated Press. March 23, 1970. pp. 2–B.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sam Lacey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  42. "Cincinnati Royals Team History, Sports Team History". sportsteamhistory.com. December 27, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  43. "Sacramento Kings Historical Statistics and All-Time Top Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  44. "Sam Lacey Career High 26 Rebounds". Statmuse.
  45. "SuperSonics vs Kings, November 25, 1973". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  46. "1974-75 NBA Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  47. "Wes Unseld". The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  48. "Dave Cowens". The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  49. "Bob McAdoo". The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  50. "1975 NBA All-Star Game Box Score". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  51. "Sam Lacey Career High 8 Steals". Statmuse.
  52. "Trail Blazers vs Kings, February 5, 1975". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  53. "1974-75 NBA & ABA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  54. "1975 NBA Western Conference Semifinals - Kings vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  55. "Sam Lacey, 66; standout of NBA's Kings franchise". Boston Globe.
  56. "1980-81 Kansas City Kings Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  57. Newman, Bruce (April 20, 1981). "A KINGDOM OF BELIEVERS". Sports Illustrated – Vault.
  58. "1981 NBA Western Conference First Round - Kings vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  59. "1981 NBA Western Conference Semifinals - Kings vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  60. "1981 NBA Western Conference Finals - Rockets vs. Kings". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  61. "Moses Malone". The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  62. "Sam Lacey Transactions". Basketball Reference.
  63. "1981-82 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  64. Pantages, Larry (December 5, 1982). "Cavaliers sign Lacey after another change of heart". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. pp. D4.
  65. "1982-83 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  66. "Ben Wallace is NBA's top defender for fourth time". ESPN.com. May 7, 2006. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  67. "Rondo's triple-double is one for the ages". ESPN.com. October 30, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  68. "NBA & ABA Career Leaders and Records for Total Rebounds". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  69. "Billy Joe Price (2017) - US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame". New Mexico State University Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  70. "New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame | Sam Lacey". Retrieved November 22, 2024.
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