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Tuskegee chooses Leon Douglas as men's
basketball coach
July 15, 2006
Tuskegee, AL.- – Tuskegee University has
named 2005-06 SIAC Basketball Tournament Championship coach
and former Detroit Piston Leon Douglas as its new head men’s
basketball coach.
Tuskegee Photo
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Leon Douglas |
“I am impressed with Coach Douglas’ thorough knowledge
of the techniques and broad aspects of basketball," said Tuskegee
President Benjamin F. Payton. "He knows and has championship
experience with playing, coaching and recruiting. His
professional experience, coupled with his proven leadership
and mentoring of student-athletes, makes him a strong choice
to lead the Tuskegee Golden Tigers men’s basketball team.”
Douglas spent the 2004-2006 seasons coaching at Stillman College,
where he led the team to victory in the 2005-06 SIAC championship.
Over the two years he had an impressive 34-24 record.
“I am excited about the opportunity to become a part
of the Tuskegee University family. My vision is that we be
competitive and my goal is that we win national championships,” said
Mr. Douglas.
The Alabama native, earned a degree in Social Work from the
University of Alabama; and during his Crimson Tide career he
was a four-time All-SEC selection, the first Alabama player
to achieve this distinction since Jerry Harper earned it in
1953-56. During Douglas’ impressive collegiate career
he was a first team All-American selection by the United States
Basketball Writers Association in 1975 and 1976, and SEC Player
of the Year in 1975 and 1976. Douglas was also a member of
the Gold Medal 1976 United States Pan American Team that played
in Mexico City. A player of distinction, Douglas was Alabama’s
first, first round NBA draft pick, selected fourth overall
by the Detroit Pistons in 1976.
Douglas played 4 years with the Pistons and then joined the
Kansas City Kings from 1980 to 1983. He went on to play in
the Italian Basketball League from 1984 -1992 with Venice,
Bologna, Pistoia, Florence, and Siena. In 1985, we was a member
of the French Championship team. Douglas’ stellar career
led to his being inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
in 1995.
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