The NBA has seen its fair share of legendary basketball players, but none quite like Billy Cunningham. Known for his tenacious defense and aggressive style of play, Cunningham was a key component in the success of several championship teams throughout the late 1960s and 1970s.
His accomplishments speak volumes about his legendary status as one of the greatest players ever to don an NBA jersey. In this article, we will take a look at Cunningham’s incredible career and learn more about what made him such an iconic figure in the game of basketball. Due to his leaping and record-setting rebounding abilities, he was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid.
A four-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-Defensive Team selection, Cunningham was also named MVP of the 1972–73 season. He led teams to three consecutive conference championships from 1974–76 as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the first coach in NBA history to accomplish that feat. With his fantastic skills on both offense and defense, it is no wonder why Billy Cunningham is considered one of the greatest players to ever grace an NBA court. Read on to learn more about this remarkable player’s career and accomplishments!
Billy Cunningham – Early Life
William John Cunningham was born on June 3rd, 1943, and raised in the Parkville area of Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in Brooklyn, Cunningham received a basketball for his fifth birthday and ran to the nearest school three blocks away. He was immediately drawn to the game, later recalling that “there was just something about it” he loved instantly.
As a senior at Erasmus Hall High School in 1961, Cunningham earned the nickname of ‘Kangaroo Kid’ due to his incredible jumping ability which propelled him and his team to success and an All-American status.
Billy Cunningham – College
Billy Cunningham’s time at the University of North Carolina was remarkable. On February 16, 1963, he pulled off an incredible feat by grabbing 27 rebounds in a single game against Clemson – a record that still stands today. In addition, his 48-point performance against Tulane on December 10, 1964 set another UNC single-game record.
When Cunningham left UNC, he had racked up 1,709 points (24.8 per game) and 1,062 rebounds (15.4 per game). His rebound total was the most in school history and he also held single-season records for most rebounds (379 in 1964) and highest average (16.1 in 1963).
Billy Cunningham – Philadelphia 76ers
In 1965, Cunningham joined the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. During his 80-game stint with the team, he averaged 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team at season’s end. He then became part of an impressive line up that included Chamberlain, Greer, Walker and Jackson as they went on to win the 1967 NBA championship title – in which Game 2 saw Cunningham score 28 points in a 126-95 victory over San Francisco Warriors.
When Chamberlain left in 1968, it was Cunningham who stepped up as an NBA franchise player; averaging 24.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game while leading the Sixers to 55 wins during their 1968–69 campaign to earn himself an All-NBA First Team selection for three straight years thereafter. On December 20th 1970, he had a career-high performance in a 134–132 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers, scoring 31 points and grabbing 27 rebounds. It was an extraordinary display of athleticism and skill that will long be remembered.
Billy Cunningham – Carolina Cougars
On August 5, 1969, Cunningham inked a three-year deal to join the American Basketball Association’s Carolina Cougars for the 1971–72 season. However, after contending that they had failed to pay the remaining $80,000 of his $125,000 signing bonus due on May 15th of 1970, he reversed himself and extended his deal with the 76ers by four years for $950,000 through 1974–75.
Despite attempts from the Cougars to file an injunction against him in United States District Court (denied on September 24th 1971), Cunningham was still bound by law to fulfill his original commitment until October 1974 following a reversal of judgment in April 1972. That same day he announced at simultaneous press conferences in Charlotte and Greensboro North Carolina about playing for the Cougars starting that upcoming season – nearly coinciding with Philadelphia introducing Roy Rubin as their new head coach.
In his debut ABA season Cunningham averaged 24.1 points per game and 12 rebounds per game leading the league in total steals as well being named All-ABA First Team and MVP. The Cougars went on to defeat New York Nets 4 games to 1 during Eastern Division Semifinals before losing out narrowly against Kentucky Colonels 4 games to 3 across seven matches in Division Finals. In the 1973-74 season they again finished third in Eastern Division but were eliminated by Colonels once more this time during semifinals.
Billy Cunningham – Early Retirement
After the 1973–74 season, Cunningham returned to the Philadelphia 76ers, his former team. Unfortunately, Cunningham retired early in 1975–76 due to a torn knee cartilage and ligaments. Throughout his professional basketball career, spanning both the NBA and ABA leagues, he scored a total of 16,310 points, nabbed 7,981 rebounds and recorded 3,305 assists.
He achieved 14 triple doubles in the NBA and 5 more in the ABA – ranking him 43rd all-time in the NBA and 5th in the ABA. As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, Cunningham was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History back in 1996. To honor 75 years of basketball history by October 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Billy Cunningham – Coaching Career
Billy Cunningham’s coaching career with the Philadelphia 76ers was nothing short of extraordinary. In just over seven seasons, he achieved an impressive 454 regular-season wins and a remarkable .698 winning percentage – second only to Phil Jackson in NBA history.
Upon his appointment as head coach on November 4, 1977, Cunningham brought together a star-studded lineup featuring Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Moses Malone and Julius Erving. His first playoff appearance saw him lead the Sixers to a stunning four-game sweep against the Knicks before eventually falling to the Bullets in six games.
However, this defeat did not dampen his success as he guided Philadelphia to the playoffs every year and managed three trips to the NBA Finals: 1979–80 against the Lakers; 1981–82 and 1982–83 (vs Los Angeles again). The third time proved to be a charm for Cunningham as his team finally got past their rivals en route to securing their third championship NBA title – part of an undefeated 12–1 playoff run! To top it off, ‘Cunn’ also reached both 300 and 400 win milestones faster than any other coach in league history.
Billy Cunningham – Outside the NBA
In 1976-77, Cunningham became part of the CBS broadcast team and was often paired with Brent Musburger. After that season ended, he left to coach the 76ers before rejoining CBS again in 1985-86, once more working alongside Musburger and providing commentary on both NBA and NCAA men’s college basketball.
In 1987, Tom Heinsohn’s job as lead color commentator for CBS’ NBA telecasts was taken over by Cunningham who worked with Dick Stockton doing play-by-play. However, a year later he joined the Miami Heat expansion franchise as a minority owner, selling his interest in the team on August 12, 1994. Hubie Brown replaced him at CBS but he stepped back in during the 1990 NBA Playoffs partnered with Verne Lundquist and then did one last stint covering 1991 NCAA men’s basketball tournament together with Dick Stockton.
Billy Cunningham – NBA Legacy
Billy Cunningham was an unstoppable force in the NBA from the late 1960s to early 1970s. He earned three consecutive All-NBA first team selections, followed by a second team birth. His performance on the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers championship squad as sixth man cemented his status as one of the greatest players ever. After switching leagues, he went on to win MVP honors in his debut season with the American Basketball Association (ABA).
Legendary basketball player, Billy Cunningham, was elected into the NBA Hall of Fame and selected to both the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams as one of its all-time greats. At college level, he made All-ACC, won ACC Player of the Year, and became an All-American; subsequently being named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men’s basketball team
As a professional he earned multiple accolades including NBA All-Rookie First Team selection, NBA All-Star status, All-NBA First and Second Team honors, ABA All-Star distinction, selection to the ABA All-Time Team and MVP title. In addition to these accomplishments Cunningham won championship titles in 1967 as a player and 1983 as a coach.
Billy Cunningham – Net Worth
Billy Cunningham achieved great success both as a player and coach. He also provided commentary for CBS’ NBA telecasts and he was a minory owner of the Miami Heat. His net worth is etimated to be $5 million.
Did Billy Cunningham play with Wilt Chamberlain?
Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, and Hal Greer rose to legendary status together when they joined forces as part of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967. Both having been named to the NBA All-Rookie Team a year prior, their dynamic duo resulted in an extraordinary championship victory for the Sixers that same year – cementing them forever in basketball history.
Did Billy Cunningham win MVP?
Billy Cunningham, a renowned athlete and coach, was honored with the ABA MVP title for his remarkable performance in the 1972-73 season while playing as forward/center for the Philadelphia 76ers. His impressive scoring abilities cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
How tall is Billy Cunningham?
Billy Cunningham is 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) tall. He was called “the Kangaroo Kid” for his leaping abilities and his height had a big influence on that.
