Who is Artis Gilmore?
Former professional basketball player Artis Gilmore competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Artis is notably regarded as one of the greatest left-handed scorers in NBA history.
He has additionally participated in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played with the Kentucky Colonels from 1971 to 1976 while he was in the ABA.
Gilmore then participated in NBA games with the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls.
He also wore the number 53 on his uniform and played center for the ABA and NBA teams. During the 1988–89 season, the basketball player also competed for the Arimo Bologna in the Italian League.
In addition, he played for the Jacksonville Dolphins and Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs during his university career.
Gilmore is among the best players in the National Basketball Association in the United States, which comes as no surprise.
In both the All-Star and playoff games, Artis was named Most Valuable Player. Not to mention, he was selected five times for the ABA All-Star Games.
On top of that, he is widely regarded as the best Bulls center by fans, pundits, and media sources. The player was frequently contrasted with other legendary centers like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Here are some basic facts about the former Chicago Bulls center before going into more information about his life and career.
Relationship Details, Artis Gilmore is Married?
Enola Gay is married to the ex-Bulls center. They started dating after their college reunion.
In 1972, right after graduating from college, they also got married. Gilmore got married when he was just 23 years old.
The couple has been blissfully wed for 49 years and has five kids.
Shawna, Priya, and Tiffany are three of Artis and Enola’s children; Otis James and Artis II are their two sons.
Each of their grown children has a secure place in their lives. In addition, the couple has a few grandchildren.
Quick facts about Artis Gilmore
| Full Name | Artis Gilmore |
| Birth Date | September 21, 1949 |
| Birth Place | Chipley, Florida, the United States |
| Nick Name | The A-Train, The Big A |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Education | Gardner–Webb University, Jacksonville University |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Father’s Name | Otis Gilmore |
| Mother’s Name | Mattie Lou Gilmore |
| Siblings | Ten; Oren Gilmore ( younger brother) |
| Age | 72 Years Old |
| Height | 7’2″ (2.18 m) |
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Wingspan | 7’8 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Build | Athletic |
| Profession | Former NBA & ABA Player |
| Former Team | Kentucky Colonels, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics |
| Position | Center |
| Active Years | 1971 – 1989 |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Enola Gay |
| Kids | Five; Shawna, Priya, Tiffany, Otis James, and Artis II |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Social Media | |
| Merch | Game Used Jersey Auto Signed Card, Signed Chicago Bulls Photo, Rookie Card |
| Last Update | July 2022 |
Artis Gilmore: Early Life, Age, Wiki, Parents, Ethnicity
American city of Chipley, Florida, is the place of Artis Gilmore’s birth. Otis and Mattie Lou Gilmore are his parents.
The former basketball player comes from a hard-working and financially strapped household. While his mother raised him and his nine siblings, Gilmore’s father worked as a fisherman.
Otis did not have steady work as a fisherman. The Gilmore family, therefore, faced financial difficulties.
Being the second oldest, his boyhood was mostly cut short by the family’s financial difficulties.
Nevertheless, the upbeat and diligent player regarded himself as fortunate.
He was also appreciative of his parents for doing their utmost to support him and his siblings. In addition, he had sports to fall back on.
The athlete was passionate about football and desired to become a tight end. His family lacked the funds to cover his insurance, though.
In addition, he switched to basketball after realizing he had a gifted height. The A-Train became popular right away and improved his basketball abilities swiftly.
Education, Schooling, University
The NBA center first attended T. J. Roulhac, an all-black school, before transferring to Chipley High School.
He relocated to Carver High School in Alabama after less than a week at the school, though. The former Bulls player also received his Carver diploma in 1967.
For T. J. and Carver, he mainly played high school basketball. He was nevertheless widely known as a player in Carver.
Professional Career, (Former NBA & ABA Player)
Earlier Years
The basketball player competed in high school basketball as well as other sports at both Carver High School and Roulhac High School.
He earned a Third Team All-American designation and graduated from Carver with honors.
The athlete chose to enroll at Gardner-Webb University after graduating from high school. He additionally participated in college basketball with the GWU Runnin’ Bulldogs.
Gilmore was one of the most diligent athletes Eddie Holbrook, the then-head coach of GWU, had ever coached.
Artis guided the collegiate squad to the 1968 and 1969 NJCAA tournaments while he was a Bulldog. The NBA player then changed schools to Jacksonville University.
The Jacksonville Dolphins won the NCAA Championship game in 1970 with his help, helping them get to the NCAA Tournament.
The Dolphins were nonetheless defeated by the UCLA Bruins. Nevertheless, he excelled during his time at Jacksonville.
The highest ever in NCAA Division I history, his career average of 22.7 rebounds per game still holds the record.
Working for the ABA
The ABA and NBA gave the player’s college basketball career a lot of attention. He was welcomed with open arms by both leagues’ teams.
As a result, he was selected in the 1971 Draft by both the NBA and the ABA. Gilmore, however, made the decision to play for the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA.
Virginia Colonels
The center signed a ten-year, $2.5 million deal with the Colonels after being selected by the ABA.
He only played, though, for five seasons due to the ABA’s dissolution in 1976. He introduced himself to the ABA group soon after joining.
The former athlete won the ABA Rookie of the Year Award and the ABA Most Valuable Player Award in his first season with Kentucky.
In addition, he ranked first in the American league for rebounds, FGPs, blocks per game, and other metrics.
The Big A also made the All-ABA First team five times, was named to the All-Defense team four times, and took part in five ABA All-Star Games.
Additionally, the former NBA star won 1974’s Most Valuable Player award. He was also the Playoffs MVP in the 1974–1975 ABA season in addition to winning the ABA Championship.
Employment in the NBA
Illinois Bulls
Artis joined the Chicago Bulls through the dispersal draft in the National Basketball League when the ABA folded in 1976.
In addition, he agreed to a three-year, $1.1 million contract with the Bulls. In 1978, the center for the Spurs was selected for the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
He also participated in four All-Star games for the Bulls. He played from 1976 to 1982 as a result of Chicago extending his contract for an additional three years.
The Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs
Following his 1982 trade, The A-Train brought his A-game to the Spurs. Additionally, he was selected for two All-Star games while playing for San Antonio.
Additionally, he collaborated with shooting guard George Gervin to give the Spurs some incredible games. He then participated in 1988 with the Celtics.
European League
Artis spent a season playing for Arimo Bologna in the Italian League following his NBA career. Additionally, the former Celtics player was selected to the European All-Star Team.
Hall of Fame for basketball
In 1993, Gilmore was admitted into the “Hall of Fame at Jacksonville University.” He was also admitted in 1995 to the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame.
In 2011, Artis was also admitted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he had to wait 17 years after becoming eligible before being inducted.
He was also admitted in 2012 to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Net Worth, Salary, Assets
The center for the Spurs has earned a significant amount of riches throughout the course of his ABA and NBA careers.
His wealth exceeds $5 million. He also held contracts worth $1.1 million with the Bulls and $2.5 million with the Colonels.
In addition, the athlete made a respectable sum of money from sponsorships and endorsements.
Rumors and Controversy
Talking about his rumors and controversy, he has not been in any part of rumors as well as controversy to date.
What is the Height of Artis Gilmore? Weight, Full Body Stats
He is 240 lb (109 kg), or 7 feet 2 inches tall, and weights 109 kilograms.
Gilmore, a talented athlete in his teens, used to go barefoot since he needed a size 13.
However, Chipley was able to get by without them because his local retailers did not carry those large sizes.
Awards
- 1975 ABA champion
- ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player in the year 1975
- ABA Most Valuable Player in the year 1972
- Six-time NBA All-Star in 1978, 1979, 1981 to 1983, and 1986
- Five-time ABA All-Star from 1972 to 1976
- 1974 ABA All-Star Game MVP
- Five-time All-ABA First Team from 1972 to 1976
- Four-time ABA All-Defensive First Team from 1973 to 1976
- 1978 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 1972 ABA Rookie of the Year
- ABA All-Rookie First Team in the year 1972
- Four-time ABA rebounding champion from 1972 to 1974 and in 1976
- ABA All-Time Team
- Consensus first-team All-American in the year 1971
- 1970 Second-team All-American – AP, NArtis Gilmore, UPI
- Two-time NCAA rebounding leader in 1970 and 1971
- Third-team Parade All-American in the year 1967
Social Media Accounts
The storied center is not a big user of social media. Nevertheless, he has over 973 followers on Twitter.
He hasn’t tweeted or shared anything recently, though. The majority of Artis’ other tweets on his Twitter account have been about basketball-related news, happenings, and highlights.
Additionally, the basketball player’s cover photo is a photograph of his family. Additionally, he has shown his wife and grandchildren some wonderful photos.
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