David W. "Dave" Cowens enshrined as player in 1991

David W. "Dave" Cowens

Enshrined 1991
Born: October 25, 1948
Newport, KY

What 6-foot-9 center Dave Cowens lacked in size he made up for with an aggressive desire to win. Cowens played aggressively and with great passion. Rather than follow the traditional notion of a basketball center as a back-to-the-basket pivot man, Cowens roamed the outside, shooting soft jumpers or driving to the basket. The "Redhead" didn't begin playing basketball until his junior year in high school, but he still earned himself a scholarship to Florida State University. Although criticized for being too small to play center, when Cowens shared the NBA Rookie-of-the-Year Award with Portland's Geoff Petrie in 1971, he quickly silenced any doubters. During his entire eleven-year NBA career, he played all-out and with intensity at both ends of the court. Cowens was a member of the Celtics' 1974 and 1976 NBA championship teams.