Tommy Burleson

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Olympic medal record
Men's Basketball
Silver	Munich 1972	United States

Tommy Loren Burleson (born February 24, 1952 in Crossnore, North Carolina) is an American and former collegiate and professional basketball player. A 7'2" center, he was also a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team that lost an epic and controversial gold medal game to the Soviet Union.

Burleson played center for North Carolina State University's 1974 NCAA National Championship team. On that squad, he teamed with superstar David Thompson, guard Monty Towe and others to dethrone UCLA and win the 1974 NCAA Championship. Burleson's defense of UCLA superstar Bill Walton was key to the Wolfpack's semifinal win. He was a member of the 1973 World University Gold Medal team.

Burleson was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics as the third overall player taken in the 1974 NBA Draft, and was named to the 1974-75 All-Rookie team. Playing under coach Bill Russell, Burleson recorded strong playoff performances in both 1975 and 1976 for Seattle. For his playoff career, Burleson averaged over 20 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks per game. Burleson's best season as a professional was his second, when he averaged 15.6 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Burleson was known throughout his amateur and pro career as an good shot blocker. He played eight seasons in the NBA with three different teams (Seattle, Kansas City Kings and Atlanta Hawks). Burleson currently lives in Avery County, North Carolina.