Tucker Chosen for SCB Hall of Fame

SHAWNEE – Small College Basketball announced Tuesday that Oklahoma Baptist basketball legend Al Tucker will be inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame on Nov. 2.
 
Tucker, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 58, is a member of the second Hall of Fame Class for SCB. The ceremony takes place Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Doubletree by Hilton in Evansville, Indiana.
 
The 12-member class includes Tucker, Walt Frazier (Southern Illinois), Jack Sikma (Illinois Wesleyan), Jim Spivey (Southeastern Oklahoma State), Zelmo Beaty (Prairie View A&M), Bob Love (Southern), Elmore Smith (Kentucky State), Rico Swanson (Bethel, Indiana), George Tinsley (Kentucky Wesleyan), Coach Don Meyer, Coach Dave Robbins and contributor Emil Liston.
 
"It is an absolute thrill to announce the Class of 2017 for the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame," said SCB Founder, John McCarthy. "This class represents the best of the best in the history of small college basketball, and it is with great pleasure that we announce this class."
  
Fans may purchase tickets/tables to the Hall of Fame Induction through the following link, www.HoFClassic.com, or by calling 812-421-2212.
 
"This is an outstanding Hall of Fame Class, nearly equal to the inaugural class" said Don Landry, member of the SCB Hall of Fame Selection committee. "It includes two great coaches, a famous contributor to the sport and several of the greatest players to ever play small college basketball.
 
A three-time All-America selection and a first-round selection in the NBA draft, Tucker re-wrote the OBU basketball record book as he led the Bison to three consecutive NAIA National Tournament title games.

After transferring to OBU after one year at Knoxville College in Tennessee, Tucker, as a sophomore in 1965, averaged 25.9 points and 14.6 rebounds, leading OBU to a conference championship, district title, and second-place finish in the national tournament.

In 1966, he averaged 29.2 points and 10.2 rebounds as OBU won conference and district titles en route to a national championship, where Tucker was named most valuable player.

In 1967, he averaged 31.1 points and 14.0 rebounds, leading the Bison to conference and district titles and another national runner-up trophy. Despite the loss in the title game, Tucker was named the tournament's MVP. He led the national tournament in scoring all three years, compiling 471 points in 15 tourney games for a 31.4 scoring average, records which stood for five years. Tucker still ranks as the tournament's second-leading career scorer.

In 1967, he was the sixth player taken in the NBA draft. He made the 1968 NBA All-Rookie team with the Seattle Supersonics. He played five years of pro basketball with the Sonics, Cincinnati Royals, Chicago Bulls, Baltimore Bullets, and Floridians.

Tucker set 22 OBU offensive records, 20 of which still stand. His career records are: points (2,788); scoring average (28.7); field goals made (1,030); field goals attempted (1,952); free throws made (728); free throws attempted (1,019); rebounds (1,252); and rebound average (12.9).

His season records include total points (996); scoring average (31.1); free throws made (266); free throws attempted (365); and rebounds (467).

His game records include points (50, shared); field goals made (27, shared); field goals attempted (42); free throws (22); free throws made (29); and rebounds (29).

He was a three-time NAIA All-America selection, a two-time Chuck Taylor Converse All-America pick, and one-time Associated Press and United Press International All-America choice. He was a three-time first-team NAIA All-Tournament selection, and he played for the U.S. team in the 1967 World Basketball Championships.
 
 "As a member of the selection committee, it was extremely difficult to make a decision of the most deserving players. In the future we have many more deserving coaches and players to consider. Our assignment will not get easier."
 
Said SCB Founder, John McCarthy: "It is important to note the tremendous amount of time and effort put forth from our Hall of Fame Committee. This process has taken months and months of research, discussion and exchange of information. This prominent committee spent a great deal of time with this process, and I am incredibly grateful."
 
The SCB Hall of Fame committee consists of: Don Landry, former head coach/AD/commissioner, Roy Pickerill, SID Kentucky Wesleyan and NCAA Elite 8 media coordinator, Jim Nelson, AD Emeritus and Former Head Coach at Suffolk, Doug Palm, NCAA DIII historian, Rick Zvosec, former collegiate head coach, Gary Pine, Azusa Pacific AD, Steve Shepherd, AD and head basketball coach at College of the Ozarks, Gary Stewart, head coach at Stevenson University, Jerry Dunn, head coach at Tuskegee, Matt Simms, executive director of USCAA, Mike Lightfoot, head coach at Bethel (Ind.), Bob Guptill, SID at GNAC & Central Washington; former SID at Pac West, Chad Waller, Director of Athletic Communications & Media, John Rinka, SCB Hall of Fame Member and Steve Knight, Head Coach, William Carey.