THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190559
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF, WIRE REPORTS
LENGTH: 31 lines
Former Old Dominion basketball star Kenny Gattison has retired after nine seasons as an NBA player and is expected to be named an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets.
Utah Jazz officials announced Wednesday that the the 32-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward will become an assistant coach, but said they did not know with which team. Sources at ODU say Gattison has reached an agreement with Nets coach John Calipari.
Gattison, who led ODU to two NCAA tournaments and two NIT bids, is ninth in career scoring (1,657 points) and fourth in career rebounding (963) at ODU.
The Wilmington, N.C. native was drafted in 1986 by the Phoenix Suns, but was released after one season and played in Europe. He played the first of six seasons in Charlotte in 1989-90. His best was 1991-92, when he averaged 12.7 points and 7.1 rebounds and was team captain.
He was taken last season by Vancouver in the expansion draft, but injuries limited him to 25 games. He was traded last spring to Orlando, who dealt him to Utah.
Gattison's career averages were 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds. Gattison will return to Hampton Roads on Oct. 24 when the Nets play Golden State at the Hampton Coliseum. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
New Jersey is expected to hire Kenny Gattison. by CNB