Hoop fans, do you remember Moses Malone? I saw him play as an 19 year old pro over Xmas 1974. Check

SanctionII

Moses got drafted out of high school in 1974 by the Utah Stars of the ABA. He had previously commited to go to college at Maryland. Lefty Driesell, the Maryland Coach was on cloud nine thinking he had Moses on his team, then he had a bomb dropped on him when Moses went pro. He turned 19 during mid 1974.

Over Xmas break, 1974 I went home to Denver and watched a game between the Utah Stars and Denver's ABA team. The 74-75 ABA season had started in November and the season was maybe 15 games old by Xmas break. Moses did not start the game and the Utah coach did not put him in until the last couple of minutes of the first half. He started the second half and played most of the second half.

Moses put on a show. In a little over 24 minutes of playing time his stats were:

35 POINTS and 23 REBOUNDS.

What a stud. He was 6'10" or 6'11" tall. He was slim, fast, quick and explosive. While on the court he dominated. He rebounded and dribbled the length of the floor, leading the fast break. He passed. He shot (from everywhere), he dunked. He blocked shots. He handed oout assists. He was a man among boys and was clearly the best player on Utah's team

Oh yeah, another rookie played for the Denver team. His name was David Thompson (aka Luke Skywalker). 6'4" tall and could jump out of the gym. Also fast, quick and explosive. He also had a great game. He started for Denver, played most of the game and had 30+ points.

Quite and entertaining game, with the best part being the performance put on by 19 year old Moses Malone. One of the most amazing displays of basketball skills I have ever seen.

Bosox1976

Great story.

Kid4hof03

Being from the Richmond area Moses is quite the legend. Nice story.

Abe

SanctionII

I graduated high school in 1974. Same as Moses. I played high school basketball. Same as Moses. I got a scholarship to play college hoops. Same as Moses.

The similarities between me and Moses ends there.

I did not skip college to play pro hoops.

I did not get a scholarship to an ACC school (I got a scholarship to play at a small NAIA school). I played 4 years. The first three years we had losing seasons and I played a little. My senior year I was a bench warmer (new players came in that year who were pretty good), out team had a great season and my GPA was higher than my PPG

During Xmas break in 1974 I went to the Utah-Denver game with two of my college teamates. All three of us could not believe how a 19 year old kid could be such a phenomenal player that was far and away better than all other players on the floor, including Luke Skywalker (David Thompson, the best player on the 73-74 North Carolina State NCAA championship team that beat Bill Walton's UCLA team).

Michigan

Heard the name but never followed his career closely. Skipped college to go directly into the pros from high school, A big deal way back
when but now it seems commonplace.

stown

As kids, we use to watch an older Mo and a young Akeem (now known as Hakeem) pound it out at the Fonde Rec Center.

I didn't appreciate it then as much as I would today

Connecticoin

I remember Moses quite well. He was the final piece the 76ers needed to finally win a NBA Championship in 1983.

SanctionII

My favorite quote from Moses is and always will be "Fo, Fo, Fo".

He and the 76ers almost pulled off a "Fo, Fo, Fo" when they stormed to the 1983 NBA Championship winning three series by a combined 12-1 record. I do not think any other NBA Championship team in recent memory has come within 1 game of a sweep.

Moses and "The Dream" were known to have awesome battles against each other on the Houston playgrounds. That would have been fun to watch.

Anyone have any idea what Moses is doing now?