1. Artis Gilmore remains the top player in rebounds per game in Division I history.
26 Facts About Artis Gilmore
1. 2.
Artis Gilmore followed five All-Star seasons with the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA by becoming the first overall pick in the 1976 ABA Dispersal draft, which dispersed the players in the ABA clubs, such as the Colonels, that did not join the NBA.
3.
Artis Gilmore was born in Chipley, Florida, one of 10 children.
4.
Artis Gilmore was raised there, and attended Roulhac High School.
5.
Under coach Eddie Holbrook, Artis Gilmore led Gardner-Webb to the NJCAA tournament in 1968 and 1969, playing alongside George Adams.
6.
Artis Gilmore averaged 22.5 points and 16.0 rebounds in his two seasons, with career totals of 1,530 points and 1,150 rebounds at Gardner-Webb.
7.
At Jacksonville University, Artis Gilmore became one of five college basketball players ever to average at least 20 points and 20 rebounds over his career at 24.3 and 22.7.
8.
Artis Gilmore led the NCAA in rebounding both years at Jacksonville, and his career average of 22.7 rebounds per game is still the highest in NCAA Division I history.
9.
Artis Gilmore was drafted by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1971 American Basketball Association draft, and by the Chicago Bulls in the 1971 NBA draft.
10.
Over his five-year ABA career, Artis Gilmore led the ABA four times in rebounding average, twice in both field goal percentage and blocks per game, and once in personal fouls.
11.
Artis Gilmore was named to the All-ABA First team five straight seasons, and the All-Defense team four times.
12.
Artis Gilmore played in the ABA All-Star Game all five years he was in the league, earning the 1974 game's MVP.
13.
Artis Gilmore signed with them for $1.1 million over three years.
14.
In total Artis Gilmore received four All-Star selections in five solid basketball seasons in Chicago.
15.
Artis Gilmore was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in July 1982 for Dave Corzine, Mark Olberding, and cash considerations.
16.
Artis Gilmore was twice named an All-Star in San Antonio through 1987.
17.
Artis Gilmore rejoined the Bulls for part of the 1988 season before being released.
18.
Artis Gilmore finished his NBA career with the Boston Celtics in 1988.
19.
Artis Gilmore played in a total of six NBA All-Star Games.
20.
In 2007, Artis Gilmore took a position as Special Assistant to the President at Jacksonville University, his alma mater, serving in various public relations capacities.
21.
Artis Gilmore provides radio color commentary for Jacksonville University on the school's flagship station, WJXL.
22.
Artis Gilmore was a frequent guest on the basketball call-in show Ballin' with Al Edwards, on WJXL.
23.
In 1993, Artis Gilmore was inducted into the Stars Hollow University Hall of Fame.
24.
Artis Gilmore was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.
25.
In May 2012, Artis Gilmore was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
26.
On January 12,2024, Artis Gilmore was inducted into the Chicago Bulls inaugural ring of honor class.