1. Overview
Curtis Rowe Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player, primarily known for his collegiate career at UCLA and his eight seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on July 2, 1949, in Bessemer, Alabama, Rowe was a 6-foot-7-inch (79 in (201 cm)) forward who weighed 225 lb (102 kg). He achieved significant success at both amateur and professional levels. At UCLA, he was a key member of three consecutive NCAA National Championship teams from 1969 to 1971 under legendary coach John Wooden. His professional career included stints with the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, highlighted by an NBA All-Star selection in 1976. He concluded his NBA career in 1979 and was later inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.
2. Early Life and College Career
Curtis Rowe's early life and collegiate basketball career laid the foundation for his future success in the NBA, marked by significant achievements and championships at UCLA.
2.1. Early Life
Curtis Rowe Jr. was born on July 2, 1949, in Bessemer, Alabama, within the United States.
2.2. UCLA Career
Rowe played collegiate basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he became a pivotal player under the guidance of renowned coach John Wooden. He was a member of three consecutive NCAA national championship teams, winning titles in 1969, 1970, and 1971. Rowe stands as one of only four players in NCAA history to have started on three national championship teams, sharing this distinction with his UCLA teammates Lew Alcindor, Henry Bibby, and Lynn Shackelford. During his senior year in 1971, Rowe distinguished himself by averaging 17.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, earning him a selection to the All-America 2nd Team. His contributions were integral to UCLA's dominance during this era, playing alongside future NBA stars like Abdul-Jabbar and Sidney Wicks.
3. Professional Career
Curtis Rowe embarked on an eight-season professional career in the NBA, playing for two prominent franchises and earning an All-Star selection. He wore jersey numbers 18 and 41 during his career.
3.1. NBA Draft
Following his stellar college career, Curtis Rowe was a highly sought-after prospect in the 1971 professional basketball drafts. He was drafted by the Dallas Chaparrals in the ABA Draft that year. Simultaneously, the Detroit Pistons selected him as the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 1971 NBA draft. Rowe ultimately opted to sign with the Detroit Pistons, beginning his career in the NBA.
3.2. Detroit Pistons (1971-1976)
Rowe played for the Detroit Pistons for five seasons, from 1971 to 1976. During his tenure with the Pistons, he established himself as a key player alongside teammates such as Bob Lanier. His performance peaked during the 1975-76 season, when he averaged 16.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, demonstrating his versatility as a power forward. It was during this season that he received his sole NBA All-Star selection.
3.3. Boston Celtics (1976-1979)
In 1976, Rowe was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he played for three seasons. He continued his professional career with the Celtics until his retirement in 1979. His statistics with the Celtics, while not matching his peak with the Pistons, still contributed to the team. He finished his career playing for Boston.
3.4. NBA All-Star Selection
Curtis Rowe earned one selection to the NBA All-Star Game during his career. This honor came in 1976, during his final season with the Detroit Pistons. His selection was a recognition of his strong performance during the 1975-76 NBA season, in which he averaged 16.0 points and 8.7 rebounds. In the All-Star game itself, Rowe played 8.0 minutes, scoring 1.0 point and grabbing 2.0 rebounds.
3.5. Retirement
Curtis Rowe retired from professional basketball in 1979, concluding an eight-season career in the National Basketball Association. His retirement marked the end of a career that saw him transition from a collegiate national champion to an NBA All-Star.
4. NBA Career Statistics
Curtis Rowe's NBA career statistics reflect his consistent performance as a power forward throughout his eight seasons. He appeared in 590 regular season games, accumulating a total of 6,873 points and 4,264 rebounds. Across his career, he averaged 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
4.1. Regular Season
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | STL | BLK | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-72 | Detroit | 82 | 32.5 | .460 | .669 | 8.5 | 1.2 | |||
| 11.3 | ||||||||||
| 1972-73 | Detroit | 81 | 37.1 | .519 | .642 | 9.4 | 2.1 | |||
| 16.1 | ||||||||||
| 1973-74 | Detroit | 82 | 30.5 | .494 | .698 | 6.3 | 1.7 | .6 | .4 | 10.7 |
| 1974-75 | Detroit | 82 | 34.0 | .483 | .753 | 7.1 | 1.5 | .6 | .5 | 12.4 |
| 1975-76 | Detroit | 80 | 37.5 | .468 | .737 | 8.7 | 2.3 | .6 | .6 | 16.0 |
| 1976-77 | Boston | 79 | 27.7 | .498 | .708 | 7.1 | 1.4 | .3 | .6 | 10.1 |
| 1977-78 | Boston | 51 | 17.9 | .451 | .742 | 4.0 | .9 | .3 | .2 | 6.1 |
| 1978-79 | Boston | 53 | 23.1 | .436 | .693 | 4.6 | 1.3 | .3 | .2 | 6.7 |
| Career | 590 | 31.0 | .482 | .701 | 7.2 | 1.6 | .5 | .5 | 11.6 | |
| All-Star | 1 | 8.0 | .000 | .500 | 2.0 | .0 | ||||
| 1.0 | ||||||||||
4.2. Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | STL | BLK | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Detroit | 7 | 32.7 | .481 | .615 | 7.4 | 1.6 | .4 | .9 | 8.3 |
| 1975 | Detroit | 3 | 38.3 | .515 | .526 | 8.7 | 5.0 | .3 | 1.7 | 14.7 |
| 1976 | Detroit | 9 | 38.4 | .477 | .853 | 7.8 | 2.9 | .7 | .9 | 15.0 |
| 1977 | Boston | 9 | 26.3 | .471 | .759 | 8.0 | 1.1 | .1 | .4 | 9.6 |
| Career | 28 | 33.1 | .481 | .726 | 7.9 | 2.2 | .4 | .8 | 11.5 | |
5. Honors and Legacy
Curtis Rowe's career was marked by significant honors, particularly recognizing his collegiate achievements and his lasting impact on UCLA basketball.
5.1. UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the UCLA basketball program, Curtis Rowe was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. This honor highlights his integral role in the Bruins' three consecutive NCAA National Championships from 1969 to 1971, as well as his individual achievements, including his selection to the All-America 2nd Team in 1971.
6. Personal Life
Curtis Rowe is the father of Cameron Rowe, a comedian.