Billy Cunningham

Billy Cunningham was known as ' The Kangaroo Kid ' for his surprising hops growing up in New York. The 6'7 225-pound star gained national hoops attention at North Carolina and was drafted by the rising Philadelphia 76ers. With Wilt Chamberlain at center, plus stars Chet Walker and Hal Greer, and coach Alex Hannum, the 1966-67 76ers went 68-13 with Cunningham an All-Star himself to win the NBA title. That team is still rated one of the best in history. The star of the team after Wilt moved to LA, Cunningham rose to All-NBA level play. His game was a total game of shooting, athletics, passing, rebounding and defense. Billy C was respected league-wide. In 1970, the ABA wooed Cunningham to play for the Carolina Cougars. Cunningham led the team to the ABA title and was named ABA league MVP. His pro career largely completed, Cunningham was lured back to Philadelphia to coach his former 76ers team. Star issues in the late 1970s were common, but Cunningham stayed with the program. In 1983, the 76ers won the NBA title. Still a young, promising NBA coach, the star walked away with no frontiers left to conquer. Cunningham is a Hall Of Famer and was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Ever.