Billy Keller
| File:Billy Keller.jpg Billy Keller as an Indiana Pacer in the ABA | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 30, 1947 Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | George Washington Community High School |
| College | Purdue University |
| NBA draft | 1969: ABA 1st Round, 8th overall, Indiana Pacers |
| Playing career | 1969–1976 |
| Position | Guard |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
William Curry "Billy" Keller (born August 30, 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American former professional basketball player.
High School Career
George Washington
1961-1965
Billy Keller, the 5'10" guard, spent his entire basketball career in the state of Indiana. He attended George Washington Community High School, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball his Senior year.
College Career
Purdue
1965-1969
Keller attended Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he played under head coach George King. Along-side three-time All-American Rick Mount, he lead the Boilermakers to a Big Ten Conference Title and to the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance, making it to the NCAA Finals game in 1969. In 75 games, he averaged 14.1 points game throughout his career and tallied a total of 1,056 points.
Professional Career
Indiana Pacers
1969-1976
Billy was the 2nd pick in the 7th round in the 1969 NBA Draft to the Milwaukee Bucks, but only played for the ABA's Indiana Pacers. Along with George McGinnis and college teammate Rick Mount, he helped lead the Pacers to an ABA Championship in 1972. Keller would become one of the most successful shooters in ABA history, making 506 three-point field goals during his seven-year career (second in league history behind only Louie Dampier's 794) while leading the league in free throw percentage two times in 1973 and 1976. He set an ABA Playoffs record going 30-30 from the free throw line in the 1974-1975 season. He finished his 7 year ABA career averaging 11.8 points a game, with a .456 field goal percentage and scoring a total of 6,588 points.
In 1992, Keller was elected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He currently runs a series of basketball camps in his home state.