Original Chicago Bull
By Eric Olson May 20, 2012 8:36PM
FILE - In this 1968 photo provided by the Chicago Bulls, Bulls' Bob Boozer poses in uniform. Former NBA star and 1960 Olympic gold medalist Boozer has died. He was 75. Thomas Funeral Home in Omaha confirmed that Boozer died Saturday night, May 19, 2012. (AP Photo/The Chicago Bulls, File)
Updated: July 1, 2012 12:47PM
OMAHA, Neb. — Bob Boozer, one of the original Chicago Bulls and a member of the dominating 1960 Olympic basketball team, has died of a brain aneurysm. He was 75.
Ella Boozer said that her husband died Saturday afternoon at an Omaha hospital. He had become ill Friday night while having dinner with friends, she said.
Mr. Boozer was a two-time All-American at Kansas State in 1958-59 and played 11 years in the NBA after the Cincinnati Royals drafted him No. 1 overall.
The Bulls selected Mr. Boozer in the 1966 expansion draft and he averaged 20.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in three seasons with the team. He made his only All-Star appearance in 1968 while with the Bulls.
The 6-foot-8 forward retired after winning the 1971 NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
He played with Jerry West, Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas on the gold medal-winning 1960 Olympic team and went on to average 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds for six professional teams.
“Bob always said that he got everything you could have ever gotten from playing basketball,” said Ella Boozer, his wife of 46 years. AP
