F-C | 6-foot-10 | Indianola, Mo. | New Mexico State | #44

KEY FACTS:

CAREER STATS:

After four stellar seasons at New Mexico State – including a freshman season in which he averaged 19 points and 20 rebounds per contest – Sam Lacey was selected fifth overall in the 1970 NBA Draft by the Cincinnati Royals.

He arrived in Ohio ready to give the Royals a much-needed boost following the loss of Oscar Robertson and big man Connie Dierking. Lacey immediately provided the team an interior presence. Playing alongside standouts Nate Archibald and Johnny Green, the first-year center averaged a double-double in points and rebounds.

As his career continued and the franchise relocated to Kansas City, Lacey maintained his reputation of having an impact on the boards and averaged double-digit rebounds the first six years in the League.

During 1973-74, the Kings center produced his best statistical season while filling the stat sheet with more than 14 points and 13 rebounds per game. Recognized for his proficiency, Lacey was chosen for the 1975 All-Star Game and helped the Kings reach the Playoffs. Through six games in the postseason, he averaged a glass-cleaning15.7 rebounds per appearance.

Spending more than a decade with the organization, Lacey would not see the Playoffs again until 1978. In 1981, the Kings progressed to the Western Conference Finals and the 32-year old produced a stat-stuffing 10 points, nearly 10 rebounds and five assists per game. After defeating Portland and Phoenix, the Kings came up short against the Houston Rockets.

Following his productive tenure with the Royals/Kings, Lacey concluded his 13-year career with stops in New Jersey and Cleveland.

By the time he retired in 1983, Lacey had accumulated 9,687 rebounds and just over 10,000 points. He currently ranks 40th overall for total rebounds in NBA history. His No. 44 is retired by the team.