Gene Shue

Gene Shue

Gene Shue at Maryland in 1954
No. 4, 6, 7, 21, 12
Guard
Personal information
Born	(1931-12-18) December 18, 1931 Baltimore, Maryland
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High school	Towson Catholic (Towson, Maryland)
College	Maryland (1951–1954)
NBA Draft	1954 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors
Pro career	1954–1964
Career history
As player:
1954	Philadelphia Warriors
1954–1956	New York Knicks
1956–1962	Fort Wayne / Detroit Pistons
1962–1963	New York Knicks
1963–1964	Baltimore Bullets
As coach:
1966–1973	Baltimore Bullets
1973–1977	Philadelphia 76ers
1978–1980	San Diego Clippers
1980–1986	Washington Bullets
1987–1989	Los Angeles Clippers
Career highlights and awards
5× NBA All-Star (1958–1962) All-NBA First Team (1960) All-NBA Second Team (1961) 2× NBA Coach of the Year (1969, 1982)
Career statistics
Points	10,068 (14.4 ppg)
Rebounds	2,855 (4.1 rpg)
Assists	2,608 (3.7 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Eugene William "Gene" Shue (born December 18, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland) is a retired American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his playing days he was a 6'2" (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) guard.

Playing career

Shue attended Towson Catholic High School and the University of Maryland. After graduation, he was drafted 3rd overall in the 1954 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. During his ten year playing career in the NBA, he was also a member of the New York Knicks, Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons, and the Baltimore Bullets. After just six games with the Philadelphia Warriors Shue was sold to the New York Knicks.

After the 1955-56 season Shue was traded to the Fort Wayne Pistons for Ron Sobie. In 1956-57 he played his first season (third season in the league) for the Fort Wayne Pistons. The franchise moved to Detroit the following season, and Shue blossomed. Shue was one of the top guards of the early days of the NBA. He is credited with inventing the "Spin Move," a 360-degree turn while changing hands. Shue was an NBA All-Star five consecutive times (1958–62). In 1959-60 he scoring 22.8 pts/game (6th most in the NBA) (1712 pts) and 5.5 rebounds/game leading the NBA in minutes (3338) and finishing second in free throw % (.872) getting named All-NBA First Team. The following year he may have had his most complete year ever averaging 4.3 rebounds/game, 6.8 assists/game (4th in the NBA) (530 assists also 4th) and 22.6 (10th most in the NBA) (1765 pts). He also marked his highest field goal% (.421) getting named All-NBA Second Team. The 1961-62 season was his last one as star player averaging 19.0 pts/game and 5.8 assists/game (5th in the NBA) (465 assists also 5th).

In 1962 Shue was traded back to the New York Knicks for Darrall Imhoff and cash. In 1963 Shue was traded along with Paul Hogue to the Baltimore Bullets for Bill McGill.

Coaching career

Gene Shue then served 23 years as a head coach in the league. Shue was an All-Star five consecutive times (1958–62) and was named All-NBA First Team once (1960). As the Baltimore Bullets coach he guided them to the NBA Finals in 1971 but got swept by the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Oscar Robertson Milwaukee Bucks. He guided the Philadelphia 76ers to the 1977 NBA Finals, but eventually lost to the Bill Walton-led Portland Trail Blazers. Shue finished his coaching career with a regular season record of 784-861 record in the regular season while going 30-47 in the playoffs. His 784 wins are the 16th most in NBA history and his 861 losses are the sixth most in NBA history. Gene Shue was twice named NBA Coach of the Year.

Shue, who now lives in Marina del Rey, California, currently is a scout for the 76ers.

External links

• BasketballReference.com: Gene Shue (as coach)
• BasketballReference.com: Gene Shue (as player)