I've been searching for an answer to a trivia quesiton and I was wondering if someone could help. I am trying to find out how many NBC Officials actually played in the NBA? My choices are 0,1,2,3,4,5,6.

I think it's 0, but I'm just not sure. Any help would be great.

Thanks!

Jim Clark, Leon Wood, and Bernie Fryar I believe all played in the NBA. Don't quote me on that. I think that is the only 3 but I am not 100%.

I know that Leon Wood and Bernie Fryar did. I believe Leon was on the 1984 Olympic team with Jordan, wasn't he? I didn't know Jim played.

I have just discovered from a NBA ref that Jim Clark did not play in the NBA. Sorry!

Tangential Thought:

When they've PLAYED in the NBA do they start reffing any higher than the rest of us lowly peons?

Thanks so much for your reply to my question! Wish me luck!

Juules,
I think playing in the League does give them a certain edge.
They understand more about the way NBA basketball is played and therefore what needs to be called and what doesn't.
On the other hand, just being a player doesn't guarantee success. I attended Coast to Coast Referee School a few years back and Gerald Henderson (Boston Celtics) was giving it a go. Apparently he figured out it wasn't for him.
One other factor to the negative. This summer at Camp, a story was told about Leon Wood. Basically that because he was an NBA player and he still played in pick-up games,
his growth had plateaued, because he was thinking like a player when he refereed. I don't think Leon plays pick up ball anymore!:)
Eli,
any thoughts on the subject?

I gave up playing basketball when I started doing Varsity HS ball. I figure my knees only have so many trips up and down the floor in them. So I'm saving 'em up. I want to make sure I got something left for my Final Foul game. :)

By that logic, you'd better choose your lower level games pretty carefully, too. From what we hear about your abilities, I'd guess you will have quite a few Big Games that you'll be needing knees for.