Cowens, Dave (1948-…), was one of the dominant centers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during the 1970’s. At 6 feet 9 inches (206 centimeters) tall, Cowens was smaller than most NBA centers. However, he became one of the league’s top rebounders and defensive players because of his strength and agility. He was also known for his hustle. Cowens was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 1972-1973 season and starred on Boston Celtic teams that won the NBA championships in 1974 and 1976.
David William Cowens was born in Newport, Kentucky on Oct. 15, 1948. He played at Florida State University, graduating in 1970. Boston selected him as the fourth player picked in the 1970 NBA draft. Cowens was co-Rookie of the Year for the 1970-1971 season. He played for the Celtics until 1980. Cowens served as player-coach during the 1978-1979 season. He retired for two seasons, returning to play for the Milwaukee Bucks for the 1982-1983 season.
Cowens served as assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA from 1994 to 1996 and then became head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. In 1999, Cowens resigned as coach of the Hornets. He coached the Golden State Warriors for the 2000-2001 season and part of the 2001-2002 season. Cowens was general manager and coach of the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association for the 2006 season. Later in 2006, he left the Sky to become an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons. Cowens was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
