Ralph Crosthwaite
Encyclopedia
Ralph E. Crosthwaite was an American
basketball player who is best known for his collegiate career at Western Kentucky University
(WKU) between 1954–55 and 1958–59. Within the WKU community, he is considered to be one of the greatest players in program history.
season to play varsity sports). The , 240 pound (109 kg) center
made an immediate impact in his first season, averaging 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. The Hilltoppers
compiled an 18–10 (8–2 Ohio Valley Conference
) record en route to the regular season conference championship. He was named to the All-OVC Team, which at the time did not distinguish between First Team or Second Team selections. The following year, in what would have been Crosthwaite's true sophomore
season, he did not play due to personal reasons.
sophomore in 1956–57
, he led WKU to a co-conference regular season championship. He averaged 20.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game and was named First Team All-OVC. Former WKU star and then-Tennessee Tech head coach John Oldham
, who had to coach against Crosthwaite, said of him:
in 1957–58
. That year he averaged career highs of 22.8 points and 15.3 rebounds even though the team only compiled a 14–11 (5–5 OVC) record. He shot an NCAA-leading 61.0% from the field, and his rebounding average is still the highest single season average in WKU history. He was named to the All-OVC Team for the third time in his career and was drafted
by the National Basketball Association
's Detroit Pistons
in the fourth round (27th overall).
season in 1958–59. Heading into the season, all eyes were on Crosthwaite. A reporter wrote an article during the preseason that said:
He managed to average 20.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, and once again Crosthwaite led the nation field goal shooting percentage at 64.5%. He was selected to his fourth All-Conference team, but Western Kentucky finished 16–10 (8–4 OVC) and failed to qualify for a national postseason tournament. At the conclusion of Crosthwaite's career in 1959, he was WKU's all-time leading scorer with 2,076 points (since passed by Jim McDaniels
and Courtney Lee
) and is still the third all-time leading rebounder with 1,309. His career 20.1 points per game average is fifth in school history, while his career 12.7 rebounds per game average places him second. By scoring 2,000+ points and grabbing 1,000+ rebounds, Crosthwaite also joined an exclusive list of NCAA Division I men's basketball players to reach both milestones.
In the 1959 NBA Draft
, the Boston Celtics
selected him as the 24th overall pick, but for personal reasons Crosthwaite never played in the NBA. In 1995, Western Kentucky University enshrined him their athletics hall of fame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player who is best known for his collegiate career at Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
(WKU) between 1954–55 and 1958–59. Within the WKU community, he is considered to be one of the greatest players in program history.
Freshman
Crosthwaite enrolled at WKU in the fall of 1954. At this time in NCAA athletics, freshmen were allowed to play varsity sports (not long thereafter, a rule was instituted where college freshmen had to wait until their sophomoreSophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
season to play varsity sports). The , 240 pound (109 kg) center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
made an immediate impact in his first season, averaging 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. The Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents WKU in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers currently compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The team's most recent appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was in 2009...
compiled an 18–10 (8–2 Ohio Valley Conference
Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the midwestern and southeastern United States. It participates in Division I of the NCAA; the conference's football programs compete in the Football Championship Subdivision , the lower of two levels of Division I...
) record en route to the regular season conference championship. He was named to the All-OVC Team, which at the time did not distinguish between First Team or Second Team selections. The following year, in what would have been Crosthwaite's true sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
season, he did not play due to personal reasons.
Sophomore
When Crosthwaite returned as a redshirtRedshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
sophomore in 1956–57
1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball season
-Season headlines:* This was the first year where NCAA basketball was split into two levels of play – the University and College divisions.-Major rule changes:Beginning in 1956–57, the following rules changes were implemented:...
, he led WKU to a co-conference regular season championship. He averaged 20.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game and was named First Team All-OVC. Former WKU star and then-Tennessee Tech head coach John Oldham
John Oldham (basketball)
John Oldham is a former college player, athletic director and basketball coach who gave the idea of Western Kentucky University's "Red Towel" logo, an iconic towel used by former coach E.A. Diddle....
, who had to coach against Crosthwaite, said of him:
"Ralph was one of the best big men ever at Western, definitely among the top three centers ever to play here. He was physically strong and very tough around the basket. He controlled everything on the court from 10-feet on in. He had a way of leaning into the defender to clear out room while driving towards the basket that was frustrating to try and stop."
Junior
Crosthwaite's personally greatest season came when he was a juniorJunior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
in 1957–58
1957–58 NCAA University Division men's basketball season
-Season headlines:* Adolph Rupp won his fourth championship as he led the Kentucky Wildcats to an 84–72 win over the Seattle Chieftains and their star, Elgin Baylor. The starting unit was nicknamed the "Fiddlin' Five," after a quip by Rupp that his team were fiddlers when he really needed violinists...
. That year he averaged career highs of 22.8 points and 15.3 rebounds even though the team only compiled a 14–11 (5–5 OVC) record. He shot an NCAA-leading 61.0% from the field, and his rebounding average is still the highest single season average in WKU history. He was named to the All-OVC Team for the third time in his career and was drafted
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
by the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
in the fourth round (27th overall).
Senior
Despite being drafted to the NBA he returned for his seniorSenior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
season in 1958–59. Heading into the season, all eyes were on Crosthwaite. A reporter wrote an article during the preseason that said:
"This rugged giant is devastating around the basket with his operations. He can fake and drive for a dunk shot; he can come down the lane like a steamroller; he can hook from either side; or he can drop in a soft overhead push shot from the head of the circle. Once the ball is on the boards, Crosthwaite is always dangerous with his ability to follow for bat-ins. He has no peer as a rebounder. With Crosthwaite ready to go, Western Kentucky will not be a "soft touch" for any of the 26 opponents on the 1958-59 schedule."
He managed to average 20.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, and once again Crosthwaite led the nation field goal shooting percentage at 64.5%. He was selected to his fourth All-Conference team, but Western Kentucky finished 16–10 (8–4 OVC) and failed to qualify for a national postseason tournament. At the conclusion of Crosthwaite's career in 1959, he was WKU's all-time leading scorer with 2,076 points (since passed by Jim McDaniels
Jim McDaniels
James Ronald McDaniels is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'11" power forward/center, McDaniels averaged nearly 40 points per game as a senior at Allen County High School in Kentucky. From 1968 to 1971, he played at Western Kentucky University, leading his team to a third place...
and Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft...
) and is still the third all-time leading rebounder with 1,309. His career 20.1 points per game average is fifth in school history, while his career 12.7 rebounds per game average places him second. By scoring 2,000+ points and grabbing 1,000+ rebounds, Crosthwaite also joined an exclusive list of NCAA Division I men's basketball players to reach both milestones.
In the 1959 NBA Draft
1959 NBA Draft
The 1959 NBA Draft was the 13th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 31, 1959 before the 1959–60 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. In each round, the teams select in reverse order of...
, the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
selected him as the 24th overall pick, but for personal reasons Crosthwaite never played in the NBA. In 1995, Western Kentucky University enshrined him their athletics hall of fame.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds