Charlie Hentz
Encyclopedia
Charles Hentz is an American
former professional basketball
player.
A 6'5" forward from Arkansas AM&N College
, Hentz was signed by the Pittsburgh Condors
of the American Basketball Association
in Fall 1970. He appeared in 57 games during the 1970-71 ABA season, averaging 6.0 points per game
and 6.8 rebounds per game. He was nicknamed "The Helicopter
" for his jumping and dunking
abilities.
Hentz is best remembered for his actions in a November 6, 1970 game against the Carolina Cougars
in Raleigh, North Carolina
. Late in the first half of the contest, Hentz went up for a dunk and tore the rim from his team's backboard. The game was delayed for about an hour until the rim and backboard were replaced. During the second half of the game, Hentz destroyed another backboard while dunking, and since there were no other replacements available, the arena crew was forced to borrow a wooden backboard from a nearby high school
gym so that the teams could complete the game. According to teammate Charlie Williams
, "The Helicopter just stood there smiling."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
A 6'5" forward from Arkansas AM&N College
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a historically black university located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1873, it is the oldest HBCU and the second oldest public institution in the state of Arkansas . UAPB is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
, Hentz was signed by the Pittsburgh Condors
Pittsburgh Condors
The Pittsburgh Condors were a professional basketball team in the original American Basketball Association. Originally called the Pittsburgh Pipers, they were a charter franchise of the ABA...
of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
in Fall 1970. He appeared in 57 games during the 1970-71 ABA season, averaging 6.0 points per game
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
and 6.8 rebounds per game. He was nicknamed "The Helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
" for his jumping and dunking
Slam dunk
A slam dunk is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim. This is considered a normal field goal attempt; if successful it is worth two points. The term "slam dunk" was...
abilities.
Hentz is best remembered for his actions in a November 6, 1970 game against the Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. Late in the first half of the contest, Hentz went up for a dunk and tore the rim from his team's backboard. The game was delayed for about an hour until the rim and backboard were replaced. During the second half of the game, Hentz destroyed another backboard while dunking, and since there were no other replacements available, the arena crew was forced to borrow a wooden backboard from a nearby high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
gym so that the teams could complete the game. According to teammate Charlie Williams
Charlie Williams (basketball)
Charles E. "Charlie" Williams is a former professional basketball player. A 6’0” guard from Stadium High School and Seattle University, he played in the American Basketball Association in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
, "The Helicopter just stood there smiling."