Leon Douglas
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Leon Douglas (born August 26, 1954, in Leighton, Alabama) is an American former professional basketball player in the NBA. A bulky 6-10 ft and 230 lbs center at the University of Alabama, he was a four-time All-SEC selection, the first Alabama player to achieve this distinction since Jerry Harper earned it in 1953-1956. During Douglas' impressive collegiate career he was a first-team All-American selection by the United States Basketball Writers Association in 1975 and 1976, and SEC Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976. The 6-foot-10 center averaged 17.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in 111 college games.he was a member of the US national team that won the gold medal in the Pan-American Games in Mexico in 1975.
A player of distinction, Douglas was Alabama's first, first round NBA draft pick, selected fourth overall by the Detroit Pistons in 1976. Douglas played 4 years with the Pistons and then joined the Kansas City Kings from 1980 to 1983.
He then moved to Europe, winning the French Championship with CSP Limoges, and playing for italian teams Venice, Pistoia and Bologna, where he paired with his younger brother John, a former NBA player too.
Douglas' stellar career led him to being inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Douglas spent the 2004-2006 seasons coaching at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he led the Tigers to the 2005-2006 SIAC Tournament Championship, advancing to the NCAA II tournament. Over the two years at Stillman, he had a 34-24 overall record, 21-10 during his championship run.
Leon Douglas is currently the head coach of Tuskegee University men's basketball team:
Basketball Experience: Head Coach, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Ala. (2004-2006); Assistant Basketball Coach, Italian Basketball League, Pistoia, Italy (1992-1995); Assitant General Manager, Italian Basketball League (1992-1994); Basketball Player for the Italian Basketball League -- Venice, Bologna, Pistoia, Florence and Siena (1983-1992); NBA Basketball Player, Kansas City (Mo.) Kings, (1980-1983); NBA Basketball Player, Detroit Pistons (1976-1980)
Accomplishments: 2005-2006 SIAC Championship win with Stillman College; 2006 SIAC Tournament Coach of the Year, 1995 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Shoals Sports Hall of Fame Inductee; University of Alabama’s first first-round NBA draft pick (1976); Fourtime All-SEC selection — the first Alabama player to achieve this distinction since Jerry Harper in 1953-56; First team All-American selection by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) in both 1975 and 1976; SEC Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976; Team Captain of the 1975 and 1976 Crimson Tide Basketball Team; Member of Intercontinental Cup Team that toured Europe in 1975; Member of the Gold Medal 1976 United States Pan American Team
[edit] External links
Leon Douglas Statistics at Basketball-Reference.com
