A Buckeye All-Star History Session (Plus Redd Short)

So what exactly is Basketball heaven? Such a notion could be open to a number of interpretations. In sports there is nothing quite like the feeling of being on top of your game in conjunction with your team, & winning league titles or tournaments. Other prestigious honors like winning an Olympic Gold Medal or being inducted into a Hall of Fame would certainly be up there as well. Perhaps some would call basketball heaven the early days of our childhoods when we would simply enjoy & love the game on a summer afternoon.

This time of year players around the world are being recognized for their exemplary play in the form of League All-Star games. Being selected in such a game signals a couple things. Not only are you being recognized as currently one of the best & most consistent players in the league; It also means that fans & people who support the league simply like to watch you play.

In the National Basketball Association, there probably will not be another Buckeye who approaches John Havlicek's staggering 13 consecutive NBA All-Star appearances from 1966 to 1978. Hondo is currently tied for 3rd place in the all time games played list.

NBA All-StarGames Played:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 18
Shaquille O'Neal, 15
Wilt Chamberlain, 13
Bob Cousy, 13
John Havlicek, 13
Michael Jordan, 13
Elvin Hayes, 12
Karl Malone, 12
Hakeem Olajuwon, 12
Three other with 12
http://www.nba.com/history/allstar/individual_records.html

Havileck's Ohio State teammate Jerry Lucas played in 6 All-star games (1964-1969, & 1971) He won the the MVP of the game in 1965.

In the 'modern' era of basketball, two Buckeyes stand apart from the rest as the standard bearers.

Future Hall of Famer Katie Smith is a seven time WNBA All-Star (2000-2003, 2005, 2006, & 2009) She has played for both the East & west squads. And is credited as being the first WNBA player to win the All Star game as a member of both the eastern and western conference teams (2006). And is also credited as being the first WNBA player to win the All Star game as a member of both the eastern and western conference teams.

In 2003/2004 NBA Season, Michael Redd, in the prime of his prolific scoring career earned a selection to the 2004 NBA All-Star agme. Redd's incredible achievement ended a 24 year drout of former Buckeyes in the All-star game, & marks him as the first modern Era Pro Buckeye to break through into NBA All-Star History.

Redd scored 13 points in just 15 minutes of action for the Eastern Conference. The west ended up winning by a score of 136-132, Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers earned the MVP award.

-Michael Redd All-Star Short from NBA Journey-



Several Buckeyes have participated in All-Star games overseas. Brian Brown played in the German League All-Star game in 2006 & 2006 where he was the MVP. Je'Kel Foster also played in the BBL All Star game on two occasions, 2007 with Ludwigsburg, & 2010 with Oldenburg. Former Big Ten MVP Terence Dials played in the French All-Star game in his rookie pro season. Scoonie Penn played in the 2006 Croatian All-Star game. George Reese played in the Polish League All-Star Game in 2006 & 2009. JJ Sulllinger & Tony Stockman were on the same All-Star team in Mexico (2008, JJ also played int he CBA All-Star game)..just to name a few..

-Video made by George Reese documenting his experience at the 2009 Polish League All-Star Game-