SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Way back in Tucker’s time
By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net
Temple Tucker remembers a different era in the National Basketball Association.
Back in the late 1950s, the league was barely a blip on the map. There were only eight franchises. And the NBA Draft certainly wasn’t covered like it is today.
The Philadelphia Warriors drafted Tucker in the fourth round with the 29th pick in 1958. He didn’t see his selection on some television network or a social media service like he would have today.
Tucker said he didn’t know he was drafted until the Philadelphia Warriors gave him a call.
However, a professional basketball career wasn’t meant to be.
“I wasn’t real keen on pro ball,” Tucker said in an interview with The Bowie News on Thursday morning. “I was not excited at the prospects of income. I didn’t like the idea of playing two or three games of week.”
Tucker, who is a proud member of the Bowie Hall of Honor, said the top salary back in those days belonged to St. Louis Hawk Bob Pettit ($25,000).
The Warriors offered Tucker $8,000 per year to start. He was looking for more.
Constant travel didn’t appeal to Tucker, either. See more of this column in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.
Former Bowie High School basketball star Temple Tucker. (Photo courtesy Rice University sports information)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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