Kamikaze Kids
Encyclopedia
The Kamikaze Kids refers to the Oregon Ducks men's basketball teams
of 1971-1978. The teams were coached by Dick Harter
until his departure in 1978. Harter hated the Ducks moniker and insisted that any media and public relations material refer to his teams only by the Kamikaze Kids. The Kamikaze Kids were known for their swarming defense that lead to two upsets of #1 UCLA. This era of Ducks basketball is often credited with starting the Mac Court reputation that carried on until the stadium's closure in 2011. Legendary Ducks players Ernie Kent
, Stu Jackson
, Ron Lee
, and Greg Ballard
all played during the Kamikaze Kids era. Kent, who graduated in 1977, would go on to coach the Ducks from 1997-2010.
During the Kamikaze Kids era the Ducks had two 20 win seasons and would play in three consecutive NITs
including the 1974-75 season where the Ducks made it to the NIT semifinals ultimately finishing in third place.
Oregon Ducks men's basketball
Oregon Ducks men’s college basketball is an intercollegiate basketball program that competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, representing the University of Oregon. The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon, then coached by Howard Hobson, won...
of 1971-1978. The teams were coached by Dick Harter
Dick Harter
Dick Harter is an American basketball coach, who has served as both a head and assistant coach in both the NBA and NCAA.-Coaching career:...
until his departure in 1978. Harter hated the Ducks moniker and insisted that any media and public relations material refer to his teams only by the Kamikaze Kids. The Kamikaze Kids were known for their swarming defense that lead to two upsets of #1 UCLA. This era of Ducks basketball is often credited with starting the Mac Court reputation that carried on until the stadium's closure in 2011. Legendary Ducks players Ernie Kent
Ernie Kent
Ernie Kent is an American college basketball coach. He is the former head men's basketball coach at the University of Oregon. Kent replaced Jerry Green as coach following the 1996-97 season. Prior to becoming head coach at Oregon, Kent was an assistant at Stanford University and also coached at St...
, Stu Jackson
Stu Jackson
Stuart Wayne Jackson is an American former head coach and current executive in the National Basketball Association. He has coached two different NBA teams: the New York Knicks in 1990 and 1991, and the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997; he also has served as the Grizzlies' general manager...
, Ron Lee
Ron Lee
Ronald Henry Lee was an All-American basketball player for the University of Oregon, and epitomized the "Kamikaze Kids" under coach Dick Harter with his all-out, fearless hustle and relentless desire to win. Lee played four seasons for the Ducks between 1972 and 1976...
, and Greg Ballard
Greg Ballard
Gregory Ballard is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA.Ballard attended the University of Oregon where he played at the collegiate level at the forward position...
all played during the Kamikaze Kids era. Kent, who graduated in 1977, would go on to coach the Ducks from 1997-2010.
During the Kamikaze Kids era the Ducks had two 20 win seasons and would play in three consecutive NITs
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
including the 1974-75 season where the Ducks made it to the NIT semifinals ultimately finishing in third place.