Hey guys, it’s your boy back again with another deep dive into the archives of basketball history. Today, we’re talking about Kelly Tripucka. Now, if you’re a younger cat, this name might not ring a bell, but let me tell you, this dude could ball.
So, picture this: it’s 1981, and I’m just a youngin’, glued to the TV, watching the NBA draft. The Detroit Pistons, they pick up this guy, Kelly Tripucka, 12th overall. I didn’t know much about him then, but boy, did I learn fast.
Right out of the gate, Tripucka was a beast. This guy, he stepped onto the court and started dropping buckets like it was nothing. I mean, we’re talking about an average of 21.6 points per game in his rookie year. And the icing on the cake? He made the All-Star team. As a rookie! I was like, “Who is this guy?” He was this tall, lanky dude, about 6’6″, 225 pounds, but man, could he move.
The next season, 1982-83, Tripucka took it up another notch. He was averaging 26.5 points per game. That’s superstar numbers, folks. Sadly He only played 58 games that year.
I kept following Tripucka’s career, season after season. He had a long run in the league, a full decade. He wasn’t just a Piston, though. He also played for the Jazz and then the Hornets. Throughout his whole career, he put up some solid numbers – 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, across 707 regular-season games. And he even got another All-Star nod along the way. I remember watching those games, and let me tell you, the guy was fun to watch.
- Points Per Game: 17.2
- Rebounds Per Game: 3.8
- Assists Per Game: 3.0
- Games: 707
Kelly Tripucka Career Regular Season
Nowadays, word on the street is he’s a broadcaster for the New Jersey Nets. It’s cool to see him still involved in the game. Tripucka might not be a household name like Jordan or Magic, but for those of us who remember, he was a true baller, a real talent. And that’s why I wanted to share his story with y’all. Until next time, keep it real, and keep hooping!
