Austin Carr

For the English cricketer or the American football player, see Austin Carr (cricketer) and Austin Carr (American football).
Austin Carr

Carr in 2013
Personal information
Born (1948-03-10) March 10, 1948
Washington, D.C.
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Mackin (Washington, D.C.)
College Notre Dame (1968–1971)
NBA draft 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career 1971–1981
Position Guard
Number 22, 34
Career history
1971–1980 Cleveland Cavaliers
1980 Dallas Mavericks
1980–1981 Washington Bullets
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points 10,473 (15.4 ppg)
Rebounds 1,990 (2.9 rpg)
Assists 1,878 (2.8 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2007

Austin George Carr (born March 10, 1948[1]) is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Washington Bullets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known by Cleveland basketball fans as "Mr. Cavalier".

Early years and high school career

Carr grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended Holy Redeemer School, and later Mackin Catholic High School. At Mackin, Carr teamed with All-City guard Tom Little, who made some national All-American teams before starring at the University of Seattle. As a Junior All Met, Carr scored 475 points in 24 games. During Carr's All Met senior season, he scored 600 points and along with Sterling Savoy, led the Paul Furlong coached Trojans to the Catholic League title over DeMatha. Carr was named Parade All-American along with other 1967 seniors such as Artis Gilmore, Howard Porter, Jim McDaniels, and Curtis Rowe, all of whom became major college stars.

Collegiate basketball career

The 6-foot 4-inch (1.93 m), 200 lb (91 kg) shooting guard first came to prominence as a highly recruited player for the University of Notre Dame, arriving after having scored more than 2,000 points during his high school career. Carr lived up to his lofty billing by ending his three-year career at Notre Dame with 2,560 points (an average of 34.5 points per game), ranking him fifth all-time in college basketball history at the time of his departure.[2] During his final two seasons, Carr became only the second college player ever to tally more than 1,000 points in a season, joining Pete Maravich in that select group. Carr holds NCAA tournament records for most points in one game (61 vs. Ohio in 1970), most field goals in one game (25), and most field goals attempted in one game (44). His record scoring average of 50 points per game in seven NCAA playoff games may never be broken. Recently, ESPN named Carr the 22nd greatest college basketball player of all time.[3]

NBA career

NBA draft

Carr moved onto the professional ranks as the first overall selection of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1971 NBA draft. Carr was also selected in the 1971 ABA Draft by the Virginia Squires, but signed with the Cavaliers on April 5, 1971.

Rookie season and early NBA career

Carr's first season in the NBA was marred by a series of injuries that limited his output. During the 1971 preseason, he broke his foot and missed the first month of the season. Less than one month after returning to the court, he was sidelined again by another foot injury, missing another seven weeks. Upon his return, he began to display the skills which made him the top selection in the NBA draft and was named to the 1972 NBA All-Rookie Team.[4] Following the conclusion of his first season, Carr had surgery to clear up any lingering foot problems.

The arrival of Lenny Wilkens prior to the start of the 1972–73 campaign gave Carr a solid partner in the backcourt, helping the Cavaliers improve by nine games in the win column. Carr's best season came the following year, when he averaged a career-best 21.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 85.6% from the free-throw line.[4]

Two months into the 1974–75 season, he suffered a knee injury that put him out of the lineup indefinitely. His absence in the lineup likely prevented the Cavaliers' from capturing their first-ever playoff berth, with the team's bid falling one game short.

Miracle of Richfield and other playoff years (1975–1978)

However, during the next three seasons, Carr played a role in three straight playoff appearances for the team. Cleveland met the Boston Celtics in the 1976 Eastern Conference finals and lost in six games. They were eliminated in the first round of the 1977 playoffs by the Washington Bullets in a close three-game series. They were defeated in similar fashion in 1978, losing to the New York Knicks in two games.

Later career

Carr played out his final season with the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Bullets before retiring in 1981, finishing with career averages of 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.[4]

Present

Broadcasting career and other milestones

Austin Carr (left) and Fred McLeod calling a Cleveland Cavaliers game in 2012.

Today, Carr serves as the Director of Community Relations for the Cavaliers and is also a color commentator on the team's broadcasts on Fox Sports Ohio. Carr's #34 is one of seven jerseys retired by the Cavaliers.

It was announced on April 2, 2007, that Carr was inducted to the second class of the College Basketball Hall of Fame, along with Dick Groat, Dick Barnett and numerous coaches.

On February 21, 2008, Notre Dame recognized Carr, their all-time leading scorer, during the Pittsburgh – Notre Dame men's basketball game.[5]

Signature calls

Awards and honors

College

Professional

Broadcasting

See also

References

External links

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