Issel, Daniel P.
Basketball
b. Oct. 25, 1948, Batavia, IL
An All-American at the University of Kentucky in 1970, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Issel scored 2,138 points and had 1,078 rebounds in four seasons as a starter, averaging 25.8 points a game. He was chosen in the first round of the ABA's draft by the Kentucky Colonels.
Issel was named rookie of the year after leading the league in scoring with 2,480 points in 1970-71 and he established an ABA record with 2,538 points the following season. Shortly before the 1974-75 season, Issel went to the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade. The Nuggets entered the NBA after the ABA folded in 1976 and Issel remained with them until his retirement after the 1985 playoffs.
A rugged performer around the basket, Issel had a soft touch on a medium range jump shot that was most effective from around the foul line. In 15 professional seasons, he scored 27,413 points, fifth best in history, averaging 18.3 per game. He also had 11,133 rebounds. Issel added 2,936 points and 1,255 points in 133 playoff games.
Issel had two stints as the Nuggets' head coach. The first began in 1992 and ended with Issel's resignation during the 1994-95 season. He returned to the team as general manager in 1998 and took over as coach for the second time for the 2000-2001 season. He resigned in December of 2001 after being suspended for four games because of shouting a profanity, coupled with an ethnic slur, at a fan. His overall coaching record was 180-208.