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Florida State basketball: 10 best NBA careers in Seminoles history

By Josh Yourish

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Scottie Barnes (4) passes the ball around Colorado Buffaloes guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (11) in the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Scottie Barnes (4) passes the ball around Colorado Buffaloes guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (11) in the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov. 3, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Hawks center Walt Bellamy (8) defends Boston Celtics center Dave Cowens (18) during the 1973-74 season at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 3, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Hawks center Walt Bellamy (8) defends Boston Celtics center Dave Cowens (18) during the 1973-74 season at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 best Florida State basketball NBA career: Dave Cowens

The only Florida State Seminole to average more points per game in the NBA than Sam Cassell is NBA Hall-of-Famer Dave Cowens. Cowens was an NBA MVP, a two-time NBA Champion, eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, and three-time All-Defensive team selection. He was a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary top 75 players of all time.

Despite averaging 19.0 points per game over his three years at Florida State, the 6-foot-9 center was not as highly acclaimed in college. The team only made the NCAA Tournament in his first season, but still, he was selected fourth overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1970 NBA draft.

There were questions about Cowens’ ability to play center at his size, but Bill Russell convinced the Celtics to draft him, and the selection paid off. Cowens averaged 17.0 points and 15.0 rebounds in 81 games as a rookie. Over the next nine seasons in Boston, he was an All-Star eight times.

Cowens led the Celtics to NBA titles in 1974 and 1976 averaging 21.0 points and 16.4 rebounds in the second run to a championship. For his career, in the playoffs, he averaged 18.9 points and 14.4 rebounds.

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