Artis Gilmore

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Artis Gilmore (born September 21, 1948, in Chipley, Florida) is a former professional basketball player in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "The A-Train" for his unprententious but dominating style of play, the durable 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) Gilmore once played in 670 consecutive games.

He played college basketball at Gardner-Webb Junior College and Jacksonville University leading the Dolphins to the NCAA title game in 1970. During the two years Gilmore played NCAA basketball at Jacksonville, he became one of the few college players ever to average at least 20 points and 20 rebounds over a career. He led the NCAA in rebounding both years, and his career average of 22.7 rebounds per game is still the highest in NCAA Division I history.

He began his professional career with the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association and played there until the league folded in 1976. As a rookie in 1972 Gilmore had the rare distinction of being selected both the league Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. Gilmore led the ABA four times in rebounding average, twice in both field goal percentage and blocks per game, and once in personal fouls. He was named to the All-ABA First team five straight seasons, and was named to the ABA's All-Defense team four times. He played in the ABA All-Star Game all five years he played in the ABA, and was named the game's MVP in 1974. In 1975, he led Kentucky to the ABA championship and was named the Playoffs MVP.

Gilmore was chosen with the 1st overall pick in the 1976 ABA dispersal draft by the Chicago Bulls. He played for Chicago through the 1982 season, after which he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he played through the 1987 season. He ended his NBA career with the Boston Celtics in 1988. Gilmore played in a total of six NBA All-Star Games. He led the NBA in field goal percentage in four consecutive seasons, and in turnovers once (in the 1977-78 season).

He then played one season with Bologna Arimo of the Italian league, where he averaged 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds and made the European All-Star Team.

Despite an ABA career in which he averaged 22.3 points and 17.1 rebounds per game, NBA career averages of 17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and being selected to five ABA and six NBA All-Star Games, Gilmore has not yet been elected to the Hall of Fame; he is one of a few former ABA MVPs to not receive the honor. Gilmore, who led the NBA in field goal percentage four times, remains the NBA's career leader in field goal percentage (minimum 2000 made shots) with a 59.9 percentage.