Ron Boone
Encyclopedia
Ronald Bruce Boone is a retired American Basketball Association
(ABA) player.
During his years at Tech High
in North Omaha, Nebraska
, Boone stood 6'2" and weighed 175 pounds.
After college, at Idaho State University
, Boone was selected by the Dallas Chaparrals
in the 1968 ABA Draft and by the Phoenix Suns
in the 1968 NBA Draft
. Boone opted for Dallas and the ABA.
After two seasons with the Dallas Chaparrals (1968–70), Boone played for five seasons with the Utah Stars
(1970–75). He was also on the Stars' championship team in the 1971 ABA Finals. After five seasons with the Stars, Boone played for the Spirits of St. Louis
during the 1975-76 season. After the ABA-NBA merger
in June 1976 Boone played in the NBA
for the Kansas City Kings for two seasons (1976–78) and then for the Los Angeles Lakers
for two seasons. Boone then returned to Utah, finishing his professional career with two seasons as a member of the Utah Jazz
.
In Terry Pluto's collection of the oral history of the ABA, Loose Balls, interviewees noted that Boone's nickname was "The Legend," because he always showed up each season in shape and always was remarkably consistent. At the time of his retirement, Boone had the distinction of having played the most consecutive games of any player in the history of professional basketball - 1,041 in a row between the ABA and NBA. This record has since been broken by A. C. Green
. However, it should be noted that Boone played at least 20 minutes in each game, whereas Green made several "token appearances" during his streak while suffering from various injuries.
. For many fans, the duo of "Hot" Rod Hundley
and Ron Boone is synonymous with Jazz basketball.
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:...
(ABA) player.
During his years at Tech High
Technical High School (Omaha, Nebraska)
Technical High School was a public high school that was located at 3215 Cuming Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1923, the school was said to be the largest high school west of Chicago. It was the largest in the Omaha area before it was closed in 1984...
in North Omaha, Nebraska
North Omaha, Nebraska
North Omaha is a community area in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. It is bordered by Cuming and Dodge Streets on the south, Interstate 680 on the north, North 72nd Street on the west and the Missouri River and Carter Lake, Iowa on the east, as defined by the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha...
, Boone stood 6'2" and weighed 175 pounds.
After college, at Idaho State University
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
, Boone was selected by the Dallas Chaparrals
Dallas Chaparrals
The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, later becoming the San Antonio Spurs and joining the NBA.The team suffered from poor attendance and general disinterest in Dallas...
in the 1968 ABA Draft and by the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
in the 1968 NBA Draft
1968 NBA Draft
The 1968 NBA Draft was the 22nd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 3, 1968 and May 8, 1968 before the 1968–69 season. In this draft, 14 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year...
. Boone opted for Dallas and the ABA.
After two seasons with the Dallas Chaparrals (1968–70), Boone played for five seasons with the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
(1970–75). He was also on the Stars' championship team in the 1971 ABA Finals. After five seasons with the Stars, Boone played for the Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
during the 1975-76 season. After the ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
in June 1976 Boone played in the NBA
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...
for the Kansas City Kings for two seasons (1976–78) and then for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for two seasons. Boone then returned to Utah, finishing his professional career with two seasons as a member of the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
In Terry Pluto's collection of the oral history of the ABA, Loose Balls, interviewees noted that Boone's nickname was "The Legend," because he always showed up each season in shape and always was remarkably consistent. At the time of his retirement, Boone had the distinction of having played the most consecutive games of any player in the history of professional basketball - 1,041 in a row between the ABA and NBA. This record has since been broken by A. C. Green
A. C. Green
A.C. Green, Jr., is a retired American NBA basketball player who played in more consecutive games than any other player in NBA and ABA history. With 1,192 straight games played, he earned the nickname "Iron Man". He played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat...
. However, it should be noted that Boone played at least 20 minutes in each game, whereas Green made several "token appearances" during his streak while suffering from various injuries.
American Basketball Association (ABA) accolades
- 3rd All-Time in Scoring (12,153)
- 6th All-Time in Assists (2,569)
- 5th All-Time in Games Played (662)
- 5th All-Time in Minutes Played (21,586)
- 2nd All Time in Personal Fouls (2,245)
- 1st All-Time in Turnovers (2,327)
After basketball
For the past 15 years, Boone has worked in broadcasting for the Utah JazzUtah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. For many fans, the duo of "Hot" Rod Hundley
Rod Hundley
Rodney Clark "Rod" Hundley is a former professional basketball player and television broadcaster. Hundley's life has revolved around the game of basketball. His love and talent for the game led him to achieve honors in high school and most notably during his college years...
and Ron Boone is synonymous with Jazz basketball.