Arthur Cornelius Spoelstra (September 11, 1932 – April 9, 2008) was an American basketball player. A 6'9" center from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Spoelstra played college basketball at Western Kentucky. After graduating from WKU, he was drafted by the Rochester Royals in the 1954 NBA draft (fourth round, 34th pick overall). He played four seasons in the NBA for the Royals, Minneapolis Lakers and New York Knicks. He averaged 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for his career.[1]
![]() Spoelstra as a junior at WKU | |
Personal information | |
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Born | (1932-09-11)September 11, 1932 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Died | April 9, 2008(2008-04-09) (aged 75) Evansville, Indiana |
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Godwin Heights (Grand Rapids, Michigan) |
College | Western Kentucky (1951–1954) |
NBA draft | 1954 / Round: 4 / Pick: 34th overall |
Selected by the Rochester Royals | |
Playing career | 1954–1958 |
Position | Center |
Number | 20, 8, 27, 18 |
Career history | |
1954–1957 | Rochester Royals |
1957–1958 | Minneapolis Lakers |
1958 | New York Knicks |
Career NBA statistics | |
Points | 2,012 (7.2 ppg) |
Rebounds | 1,273 (4.6 rpg) |
Assists | 266 (1.0 apg) |
Stats ![]() | |
Stats ![]() | |
Following his basketball career, Spoelstra worked in the insurance industry and the theatre. He died on April 9, 2008 in Evansville, Indiana.[2]
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