Kelly Tripucka (born 1959)

Former NBA player and commentator for the New Jersey Nets.[68]

What is Kelly Tripucka (born 1959) known for?

Kelly Tripucka, a distinguished alumnus from Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, New Jersey, was born on February 16, 1959, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1981 to 1991.

Standing at a height of 6 ft 6 in and weighing about 220 lb, he carved out a significant career in basketball. Starting his journey in Bloomfield High School, he scored 2,278 points in his three varsity seasons, including scoring an impressive 1,045 points during his senior year. Notably, his high school jersey (#42) was retired by Bloomfield High School to honor his contributions.

He continued his basketball journey at Notre Dame from 1977 to 1981 and was a standout player, leading the team in scoring each year. In his senior year, he averaged 18.2 points per game on 55.1% shooting, with 5.8 rebounds per game. Tripucka also participated in the NCAA Tournament during each of his four years at Notre Dame.

In the 1981 NBA Draft, he was selected as the 12th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons. Tripucka had a successful professional career with the Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets, earning two NBA All-Star awards in 1982 and 1984. His career statistics include 12,142 points (averaging 17.2 points per game), 2,703 rebounds (averaging 3.8 per game), and 2,090 assists (averaging 3.0 per game).

Apart from his playing career, Tripucka made his mark as a color analyst for the New York Knicks for four years, ending with the 2011-12 season. This illustrious career and significant contributions to the sport make him a notable figure in the world of basketball.

More detailed career statistics and other information about Kelly Tripucka's professional career can be found at these resources: NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com.