| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1, 1952 Glendora, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Glendora (Glendora, California) |
| College | Azusa Pacific (1970–1974) |
| NBA draft | 1974: 7th round, 120th overall pick |
| Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Playing career | 1975–1975 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Career history | |
| 1975 | Swiss Alpines |
| 1975 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1975–1976 | Santa Rosa Oilers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Dennis Van Zant (born June 1, 1952) is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the Azusa Pacific University for four years before embarking on a short professional career, including in the American Basketball Association with the San Antonio Spurs.
College career
After playing basketball for just one season in high school, Van Zant played collegiately for Azusa Pacific for four years. In 1973, he averaged 20.8 points per game and was a NAIA All-American honorable mention selection. He was a First-team NCCAA All-American in 1973 and 1974.[1][2] In 1994, he was inducted into the schools hall of fame.[3]
Professional career
Van Zant was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the seventh round (120th overall) of the 1974 NBA draft[4] but never appeared in a game for the them. His first professional stint was with the Swiss Alpines in European Professional Basketball League during the league's only season in early 1975.[5]
In July 1975, he was signed by the ABA's San Antonio Spurs after impressing coach Bob Bass with his ball-handling ability during the rookie camp. He was released by the Spurs in November, having played only two minutes in one game, scoring as many points.[6]
In December, he signed with the Santa Rosa Oilers in the Western Basketball Association.[7][8] He played one season for the Oilers,[9] where he finished fifth in the league in scoring (23.2 ppg) and second in rebounds (12.7 rpg).[10]
Personal life
Dennis' brother, Larry Vanzant, played college basketball for Azusa.[2]
References
- ↑ "Azusa Pacific University Men's Basketball Individual Honors" (PDF). athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- 1 2 "Dennis Vanzant: Obscurity to fame". Arcadia Tribune. 4 April 1974. p. B3. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Dennis Vanzant (1994) - Hall of Fame - Azusa Pacific University Athletics". athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ↑ "Lakers pick Azusa cager in NBA draft". Progress Bulletin. 29 May 1974. p. C1. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Swiss Alpines contre Iberia Superstars" [Swiss Alpines against Iberia Superstars] (PDF). Le Confédéré (in French). 21 March 1975. Retrieved 26 November 2017 – via RERO.ch.
- ↑ "Spur squibs". San Antonio Express. 2 November 1975. p. 11-J. Retrieved 3 April 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Jim Mertle Chevron five lands big one". The Press Democrat. 16 December 1975. p. 19. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Can Oilers shoot down Winchesters". The Press Democrat. 13 April 1976. p. 11. Retrieved 3 April 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Army All-Star cagers here today". The Press Democrat. 28 November 1976. p. 45. Retrieved 3 April 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Briefly noting". The Press Democrat. 13 June 1976. p. 5S. Retrieved 8 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.