All Things Basketball with GD - Week 12 Player Spotlight, George Gervin

George Gervin: 6'7", 180 lb (00:29)

Played some small forward but mostly shooting guard

Born in Detroit, MI on April 27, 1952

Comes from a family of 6; dad left home in his early years; grew up in poverty

Started playing basketball at a young age with his cousin & neighborhood kid named Ralph Simpson

In his sophomore year at Martin Luther King HS, he tried out for the team

Willie Meriweather, the JV coach & a father figure to him, convinced the head coach to keep him on the team

Also befriended the school's janitor Mr Winters who gave him access to the school's gym

His basketball skills improved, but his grades weren't that good

Experienced a growth spurt to 6'4" as a senior; averaged 31 PPG & 20 RPG leading team to state quarterfinals; became All-State (1970)

Received a scho ...