Ken Durrett

Kenneth L. Durrett (December 8, 1948 – January 7, 2001) was an American professional basketball player with the National Basketball Association's Kansas City Kings and Philadelphia 76ers. A 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) power forward, Durrett was a star at La Salle University from 1968 to 1971.

Durrett was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Schenley High School and committed to La Salle. Durrett played for the Explorers from 1968 to 1971 and was a three-time recipient of the Robert V. Geasey Trophy, awarded annually to the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5 – one of only four players to accomplish this feat. Durrett finished his collegiate career with 1,679 points (23.6 per game) and led the Big 5 in scoring each of his three years. He was a Co-MVP in the Big 5 as a sophomore in 1969, during the Explorers’ 23–1 season. Durrett led La Salle to a berth in the 1971 National Invitation Tournament and was a Consensus second-team All-American in 1971. He was inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1975 and the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 1976. A knee injury ended his college career.

After completing his collegiate eligibility, Durrett was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals with the fourth pick overall in the 1971 NBA draft. Durrett, still slowed by his college knee injury, played parts of four seasons for the Royals and stayed with the franchise as they became the Kansas City-Omaha Kings. He was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the 1974–75 NBA season and retired at the end of that season. His career averages were 4.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

Durrett played for the Lancaster Red Roses of the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA) from 1975 to 1977. He was selected to the All-EBA Second Team in 1976.

After a post-playing career as a community activist and basketball coach in his native Pittsburgh, Durrett died at age 52 of an apparent heart attack.

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