Ron Boone
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Ronald Bruce Boone (born September 6, 1946) is an American former professional
basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...
player. He had a 13-year career in the
American Basketball Association The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major professional basketball league that operated for nine seasons from 1967 to 1976. The upstart ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association thr ...
(ABA) and
National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
(NBA). Boone set a record for most consecutive games played in professional basketball history with 1,041 and claims to have never missed a game from when he started playing basketball in the fourth grade until his retirement. Boone is the current
color commentator A color commentator or expert commentator is a sports commentator who assists the main (play-by-play) commentator, typically by filling in when play is not in progress. The person may also be referred to as a summariser (outside North America) ...
on
Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...
broadcasts.


High school career

Boone grew up in the Logan Fontenelle housing project and attended Technical High School in North Omaha, Nebraska. In high school, Boone played basketball for Coach Neal Mosser, who had led Tech to the 1963 State title and had coached Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Boozer and Baseball Hall of Famer
Bob Gibson Robert Gibson (November 9, 1935October 2, 2020), nicknamed "Gibby" and "Hoot", was an American baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1975. Known for his fiercely competi ...
before Boone. Boone stood only 5'7" when he graduated from high school and didn't become a starter in basketball until his senior season. Boone played baseball under Coach Josh Gibson, older brother of
Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...
pitcher
Bob Gibson Robert Gibson (November 9, 1935October 2, 2020), nicknamed "Gibby" and "Hoot", was an American baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1975. Known for his fiercely competi ...
, who also was an Omaha native and Technical High School alumnus. Small in stature at the time, Boone reflected on his basketball aspirations after high school. “I remember playing in a league down at the local YMCA and just having a good time — scoring points — and this friend of mine asked one of the officials if he thought I could play major college basketball and the guy said, ‘No way,’ Boone recalled. “That was always in the back of my mind because I thought I could. If there was anything in my life that I can say inspired me, it was those comments.”


College career


Clarinda Community College 1964–1965

After high school, Boone and a teammate accepted offers to play junior college basketball. Boone played one season at Clarinda Community College in
Clarinda, Iowa Clarinda is a city in and the county seat of Page County, Iowa, United States. It is located in Nodaway Township, Page County, Iowa, Nodaway Township. The population was 5,369 at the time of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. History C ...
, where he suddenly grew to 6'2" and averaged 26 points per game.


Idaho State University 1965–1968

Following his tenure at Clarinda Community College, Boone enrolled at
Idaho State University Idaho State University (ISU) is a Public university, public research university in Pocatello, Idaho, United States. Founded in 1901 as the Academy of Idaho, Idaho State offers more than 250 programs at its main campus in Pocatello and locations ...
(ISU) in
Pocatello, Idaho Pocatello () is the county seat of and the largest city in Bannock County, Idaho, Bannock County, with a small portion on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in neighboring Power County, Idaho, Power County, containing the city's airport. It is t ...
, where he received a scholarship and played for the Bengals, of the
Big Sky Conference The Big Sky Conference is a List of NCAA conferences, collegiate athletic conference, affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA's NCAA Division I, Division I with college football, football competing in the Football Cha ...
from 1965 to 1968. As a sophomore, Boone averaged 10.9 points and 9.4 rebounds in 1965–1966. Boone played under Idaho State Coach Claude Retherford, as the Bengals finished the season with a 7–19 overall. Retherford was a former college teammate of Boone's high school coach Neil Mosser. "It was Coach Mosser who helped me get a basketball scholarship to Idaho State." Boone reflected later, "I was accepted sight unseen and now, 30 years later, Claude Retherford is still one of my best friends. He visits me in Salt Lake City every spring and I teach his basketball camp every summer." In 1966–1967, Idaho State finished the season with a record of 10–15, with Boone averaging 22.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. As a senior in 1967–1968, Boone averaged 21.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists as Idaho State finished the season with a record of 10–12, playing under new Coach Danny Miller. In his three seasons with Idaho State University, Boone averaged 20.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 61 games, never missing a game. Boone was named to the First–team All- Big Sky teams in both 1967 and 1968.


ABA/NBA career

After graduating from
Idaho State University Idaho State University (ISU) is a Public university, public research university in Pocatello, Idaho, United States. Founded in 1901 as the Academy of Idaho, Idaho State offers more than 250 programs at its main campus in Pocatello and locations ...
, Boone was selected by both the
American Basketball Association The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major professional basketball league that operated for nine seasons from 1967 to 1976. The upstart ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association thr ...
's
Dallas Chaparrals The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The team moved to San Antonio, Texas, for the 1973–74 season and were renamed the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs joined the National Basketball Association ...
in the 1968 ABA draft and by the
Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...
in the
1968 NBA draft The 1968 NBA draft was the 22nd annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on April 3, 1968, and May 8 and 10, 1968, before the 1968–69 season. In this draft, 14 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. co ...
. Boone opted to play for Dallas in the ABA. Of his choice to play in the ABA, Boone said: "I chose the ABA because my college coach said it was a young league and I’d probably have a better chance of making professional basketball there. I felt that by going to the ABA I probably had a shot. I still had to prove myself. At the time
Cliff Hagan Clifford Oldham Hagan (born December 9, 1931) is an American former professional basketball player. A 6′ 4″ forward who excelled with the hook shot, Hagan, nicknamed "Li’l Abner", played his entire 10-year National Basketball Association, ...
, who is a legend, was the coach for the Chaparrals. We had to play two-on-two and he would always play. I remember hearing about this hook shot that he had that was awesome, left and right, and during that time I blocked his hook shot a couple of times. I really think, even today, that’s the reason I ended up making the team."


Dallas Chaparrals 1968–1971

Boone played two seasons with the Dallas Chaparrals (today's
San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...
) from 1968 to 1971. As a rookie in 1968–1969, Boone averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists under Coach
Cliff Hagan Clifford Oldham Hagan (born December 9, 1931) is an American former professional basketball player. A 6′ 4″ forward who excelled with the hook shot, Hagan, nicknamed "Li’l Abner", played his entire 10-year National Basketball Association, ...
. Dallas finished 41–37, losing to the
New Orleans Buccaneers The New Orleans Buccaneers were a charter member of the American Basketball Association. After three seasons in New Orleans, Louisiana, the franchise moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where it became the Memphis Pros, Pros, Memphis Tams, Tams, and Me ...
4 games to 3 in the ABA Playoffs. Boone made the ABA All-Rookie First Team. Boone averaged 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 201 games with the Dallas Chaparrals.


Utah Stars 1971–1975

Boone was traded to the Utah Stars from Dallas in mid-season of the 1970–71 ABA season, while averaging 20.0 points in 42 games with Dallas. In January 1971, the Stars traded Donnie Freeman and
Wayne Hightower Wayne A. Hightower (January 14, 1940 – April 18, 2002) was an American professional basketball player who had a long and productive career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1962 to 1972. ...
to the Chaparrals for Boone and Glen Combs. Boone, alongside
Zelmo Beaty Zelmo "Big Z" Beaty ( ; October 25, 1939 – August 27, 2013) was an American basketball player. He played eight seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and four in the rival American Basketball Association (ABA). A three-time ABA ...
,
Willie Wise Willie M. Wise (born March 3, 1947) is an American former professional basketball player. After a successful ABA tenure, which eventually resulted in him making the ABA All-Time Team, Wise's NBA career was ended prematurely by a knee injury. C ...
and Glen Combs, helped lead the Utah Stars to the 1971 ABA championship under Coach
Bill Sharman William Walton Sharman (May 25, 1926 – October 25, 2013) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He is mostly known for his time with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s, partnering with Bob Cousy in what was then consider ...
. Utah finished the 1970–1971 regular season 57–27, with Boone averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists after coming over in the trade from Dallas. Boone averaged 17.6 points in the ABA Finals 4 games to 3 victory over the
Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were an American professional basketball team based in Louisville, Kentucky. They competed in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1976. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky Colonels. The Colo ...
, with
Dan Issel Daniel Paul Issel (born October 25, 1948) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, earning All-American twice en route to a school-record 25.7 points per game for his ...
and Louis Dampier. The Stars had defeated the
Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
4 games to 3 and his former team, the
Dallas Chaparrals The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The team moved to San Antonio, Texas, for the 1973–74 season and were renamed the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs joined the National Basketball Association ...
4 games to 0 to reach the ABA Finals. Boone averaged 21.0 points in the Dallas series and 14.9 in the Indiana series. Over the course of six seasons with the Utah Stars, Boone averaged 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 396 games.


St. Louis Spirits 1975–1976

The Utah Stars franchise folded after 16 games in 1975–1976, with the NBA and ABA merger imminent. Boone played for the Spirits of St. Louis for the remainder of the 1975–76 season. Overall, Boone averaged 26.2 points for Utah and 21.0 in 62 games for St. Louis, playing alongside Hall of Famer
Moses Malone Moses Eugene Malone Sr. (March 23, 1955 – September 13, 2015) was an American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1974 through 1995. A ...
as well as
Marvin Barnes Marvin Jerome "Bad News" Barnes (July 27, 1952 – September 8, 2014) was an American professional basketball player. A forward (basketball), forward, he was an NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans, All-American at Providence College, and played p ...
,
Maurice Lucas Maurice Lucas (February 18, 1952 – October 31, 2010) was an American professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a four-time NBA All-Star and won ...
, M.L. Carr,
Caldwell Jones Caldwell "Pops" Jones Jr. (August 4, 1950 – September 21, 2014) was an American professional basketball player. Jones was drafted out of Albany State College by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 14th pick in the 1973 NBA draft. He played thre ...
, Gus Gerard and
Mike D'Antoni Michael Andrew D'Antoni (born May 8, 1951) is an American-Italian professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as a coaching advisor for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). While h ...
. St. Louis then disbanded after the demise of the ABA. Boone was a four-time ABA All-Star (
1971 * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses (Solar eclipse of February 25, 1971, February 25, Solar eclipse of July 22, 1971, July 22 and Solar eclipse of August 20, 1971, August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 1971 lunar eclip ...
,
1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; ...
1976 Events January * January 2 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 18 – Full diplomatic ...
).


Kansas City Kings 1977–1978

After the
ABA–NBA merger The ABA–NBA merger was a major pro sports business maneuver in 1976 when the American Basketball Association (ABA) combined with the National Basketball Association (NBA), after multiple attempts over several years. The NBA and ABA had entered ...
in June 1976 Boone played in the
NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
for the
Kansas City Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...
. On August 5, 1976, he was drafted by the Kings from the Spirits of St. Louis in the dispersal draft. Playing for Coach Phil Johnson in 1976–1977, Boone led the Kings in scoring, averaging 22.2 points, along with 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals, as the Kansas City finished 40–42. Boone averaged 17.7 points for the Kings in 1977–1978, along with 3.3 rebounds 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals.


Los Angeles Lakers 1978–1979

On June 26, 1978, Boone was traded twice. First, he was traded by the Kansas City Kings with a 1979 2nd round draft pick (Mark Young was later selected) to the
Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...
for Mike Evans and
Darnell Hillman Darnell "Dr. Dunk" Hillman (born August 29, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player. Early life Hillman graduated from Hiram W. Johnson High School. The 6-foot-9 (2.06 m) forward played college basketball for the San Jo ...
. Then, on the same day, June 26, 1978, he was traded by the Denver Nuggets with a 1979 2nd round draft pick ( Ollie Mack was later selected) and a 1979 2nd round draft pick (Mark Young was later selected) to the Los Angeles Lakers for
Charlie Scott Charles or Charlie Scott may refer to: Politicians * Charles Scott (governor) (1739–1813), American Revolutionary War soldier and fourth governor of Kentucky * Charles L. Scott (1827–1899), U.S. Representative from California * Charles Frederic ...
. Boone played for the
Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...
as a reserve for Coach
Jerry West Jerry Alan West (May 28, 1938 – June 12, 2024) was an American basketball player and executive. He played professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and is widely regarded as one of the greatest ...
in 1978–1979, averaging 7.4 points in 82 games, playing only 19 minutes per game.


Utah Jazz 1979–1981

On October 25, 1979, Boone was traded by the Lakers to the
Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...
for a 1981 3rd round draft pick ( Zam Fredrick was later selected), returning to Utah and finishing his professional career with two seasons playing for the
Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...
. In 1979–1980, Boone averaged 12.9 points under Coach Jazz
Tom Nissalke Thomas Edward Nissalke (July 7, 1932 – August 22, 2019) was an American professional basketball coach in the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association. He coached several teams in both leagues, and had an overall coa ...
, playing alongside Hall of Famers
Adrian Dantley Adrian Delano Dantley (born February 28, 1955) is an American former professional basketball player and coach who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Dantley is a six-time NBA All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection an ...
and
Pete Maravich Peter Press Maravich ( ; June 22, 1947 – January 5, 1988), known by his nickname Pistol Pete, was an American professional basketball player. He starred in college at Louisiana State University's Tigers basketball team; his father, Press Mar ...
. In his final season, in a reserve role, Boone averaged 7.8 points in 52 games. On January 26, 1981, Boone was waived by the Utah Jazz. Boone immediately had offers to play for other teams, but chose to retire following his release, saying "it was the right time to retire." In his career, Boone played in 1041 total games, without ever missing a game. He averaged 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals, with 17,437 total career points. In 84 career playoff games, Boone averaged 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals. In the ABA, Boone averaged 18.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 662 career ABA games. Boone averaged 13.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 379 career NBA games.


1,041 consecutive games streak

Boone's streak of 1,041 consecutive games played has only been surpassed by
A. C. Green A.C. Green Jr. (born October 4, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Iron Man", he holds a National Basketball Association (NBA) record for most consecutive regular-season games played with 1,192. Green played ...
, who appeared in 1,192 straight games.
Johnny "Red" Kerr John Graham Kerr (July 17, 1932 – February 26, 2009), also known as Red Kerr, was an American basketball player, Coach (sport), coach, executive and sports commentator, broadcaster who devoted six decades to the sport at all levels. The affable ...
held the previous record of 844. Boone is likely the only player in major professional sports history to have never missed a single game played in his career. In 13 total seasons, Boone played in 1,041 out of 1,041 possible games throughout both the ABA & NBA. Prior to that, Boone did not miss a game in college and claimed to have not missed a game in his pre–high school and high school career. Boone has never missed a game as a broadcaster as well. Of the consecutive games streak, Boone said, "It wasn’t important at all. You want to play, you want to play every game and you don’t even think about it. Later on in my career I thought “boy, this is something special.” And then you start taking pride in it, the fact that I’ve never pulled a hamstring or a muscle or a groin. You start thinking, 'Why? Why hasn't something like that happened to me?' I realized it went all the way back to my high school days. My high school coach talked about stretching, warming up and getting ready to play. From when I started playing in fourth grade. What a great story that is. That a guy can go his whole career without missing a game."


Career notes

Boone finished 3rd all-time in
American Basketball Association The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major professional basketball league that operated for nine seasons from 1967 to 1976. The upstart ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association thr ...
scoring with 12,153 points, behind
Dan Issel Daniel Paul Issel (born October 25, 1948) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, earning All-American twice en route to a school-record 25.7 points per game for his ...
(12,823) and
Louie Dampier Louis Dampier (born November 20, 1944) is an American former professional basketball player. He played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA), primarily playing with the Kentucky Colo ...
(13,726). He also finished 6th all-time in ABA assists (2,569), 5th in games played (662), 5th in minutes played (21,586), 2nd in personal fouls (2,245), and 1st in turnovers (2,327). Of the top five leading scorers in ABA history: Dampier, Issel, Boone,
Mel Daniels Melvin Joe Daniels (July 20, 1944 – October 30, 2015) was an American professional basketball player. He played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for the Minnesota Muskies, Indiana Pacers, and Memphis Sounds, and in the National Bas ...
and
Julius Erving Julius Winfield Erving II (born February 22, 1950), commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American former professional basketball player. Erving helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA), and he was the best-known player ...
, Boone is the only one of the five not in the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
. In Terry Pluto's book on the 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, Boone played at least 20 minutes in each game.


Basketball announcing career 1988–present

For the past 34 years, Boone has been a broadcaster for the
Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. Since the 1991–92 season, the ...
contests. Boone starting calling games for the Jazz in September, 1988. The Utah Jazz' partnered "Hot Rod" Hundley and Boone as announcers for many years. To many Jazz fans the duo was synonymous with Jazz basketball.


Personal

Boone has a son, JaRon; a daughter, Jozette; and three grandchildren. His wife Jackie died of cancer, at age 62, in 2008. JaRon Boone played college basketball at the
University of Nebraska A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...
from 1992 to 1996, averaging 12.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 127 career games. Boone is an avid golfer saying, "The game of golf is an individual sport that just drives you to try to beat it. You’re constantly trying to beat this golf course, knowing damn well how tough it is. Then the margin of error in the game itself is so small, it just makes it so competitive and so hard to beat it. It’s an addiction. So many friends of mine take up this game and they can’t believe what it does. What you become after taking it up." Boone hosts the annual "Ron Boone Golf Classic" which benefits the Huntsman Cancer Institute.


Honors

* Ron Boone was inducted into the Idaho State University Hall of Fame in 1980. * Boone was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. * In 1997, Boone was selected to the American Basketball Association All-Time Team. * Boone was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.


Notes


References


External links

*
DatabaseBasketball.com Ron Boone page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boone, Ron 1946 births Living people 20th-century African-American sportsmen 20th-century American sportsmen 21st-century African-American sportsmen 21st-century American sportsmen ABA All-Stars American men's basketball players Basketball players from Oklahoma City Dallas Chaparrals draft picks Dallas Chaparrals players Idaho State Bengals men's basketball players Junior college men's basketball players in the United States Kansas City Kings players Los Angeles Lakers players Mass media in Utah Phoenix Suns draft picks Shooting guards Spirits of St. Louis players Technical High School (Omaha, Nebraska) alumni Texas Chaparrals players Utah Jazz announcers Utah Jazz players Utah Stars players