KUNNERT, Kevin

Kevin Kunnert

KUNNERT, Kevin. (Dubuque, IA, Nov. 11, 1951- ). Kunnert was a star player all four years at WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. He was a member of the state's third place team in 1969. (1)

Kunnert attended the University of Iowa and played center. In 1973 he was the recipient of the George Clarkson Award as the outstanding player in Iowa and the unanimous choice as Iowa's most valuable player during the 1972-73 season. (2) Kunnert was once the scoring leader, twice the team's most valuable player, and three times its rebound leader. He ranks fifteenth on Iowa's all time scoring list with 1,145 points. He was one of fifty-six players from across the United States to be invited to tryout for the United States Olympic team. (3)

In 1973 Kunnert was the first round twelfth pick of the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association of the American Basketball Association. (4) When negotiations with Chicago broke down, Kunnert signed with the Buffalo Braves and established a $2,600 annual scholarship at the University of Iowa for as long as his professional career lasted. His was the first five-year, no-cut contract in the National Basketball Association by the Buffalo team.

In 1974 Kunnert was traded to the Houston Rockets. (5) He spent four and one-half years there before becoming a San Diego Clipper. He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers where he closed out his career after three years. During his NBA career, Kunnert average 8.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, in 555 games. (6)

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Source:

1. Tigges, John. They Came From Dubuque. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1983, p. 9

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. "Kevin Kunnert," Basketball-Reference.com. Online: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kunneke01.html

5. Tigges, John. p. 10

6. "Kevin Kunnert," Hawk Central. Online: http://hawkcentral.com/2010/07/24/where-are-they-now-kevin-kunnert/