Birdsong comes to Arkansas

May 2, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Arkansas RimRockers News Release


When Otis Birdsong was named a 1977 consensus All-American after leading the Houston Cougars to the finals of the National Invitational Tournament, it was the perfect ending to a historic career. As a college freshman, Birdsong finished third among the team's scoring leaders with 14.3 points per game. The following year, Birdsong etched his name in the University of Houston's record books by becoming the first sophomore in the school's history to register 1,000 career points. When the Cougars began playing in the Southwest Conference, Birdsong soon established himself as the most dominant scorer in the League's history. In his first year as a SWC player, Birdsong led the league in scoring, finishing eighth nationally with a 26.1 average.

During his All-American season in 1976-77, Birdsong was named Southwest Conference Player of the Year, after leading the Cougars to a 29-8 record and in the NIT'S championship game against St. Bonaventure. Birdsong scored 38 points and made 18 free throws against the Bonnies. He ranked fourth nationally and set a SWC scoring record with 30.3 points per game. These accomplishments resulted in Birdsong being named SWC Player of the Decade.

In addition to receiving All-America honors, Birdsong was named to the All-Southwest Conference team in 1976 and 1977. Additionally, he was named District VI Player of the Year (encompassing Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) by the United States Basketball Writers Association. He was a member of the USBWA's All-District VI Team in 1975, 1976 and 1977, and he was team captain both his junior and senior years. During his four seasons with the Cougars, the team compiled a 79-38 record. He left the University of Houston as the school's second leading all-time scorer with 2,832 total college career points, which remains the 12th best all-time NCAA record in Division 1 men's basketball - just behind Larry Bird and ahead of familiar names like David Robinson, Lew Alcindor, Calvin Murphy and Elgin Baylor.

Also at Houston, Birdsong ranks second on the career charts in field goals, third in all-time steals, sixth in assists and ninth in field goal percentages. He continues to hold the school record for free throws with a total of 480. After completing his eligibility at the University of Houston, Birdsong was the second player chosen in the 1977 NBA draft when he was taken by the Kansas City Kings. He scored over 14,000 career points in 12 seasons with the Kings, the New Jersey Nets and the Boston Celtics. He was selected to be a member of the NBA All-Star team four times, averaging over 18 points per game. Birdsong returned to Houston following his career and served as a member of the Cougar's radio broadcast team for several seasons before moving to Dallas.

He has most recently been a member of "Personalities and Promotions International," a sports marketing company founded by Roger Steinbach. In 2000 Otis was inducted into the University of Houston's Hall of Honor as well as the Polk County, Florida Hall of Fame.

And now, a legend comes to Arkansas.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



American Basketball Association Stories from May 2, 2004


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