Nationality American Name Fred Hetzel Pro career 1965–1971 Weight 100 kg | Listed weight 220 lb (100 kg) Height 2.03 m Listed height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) Role Basketball Player | |
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Born July 21, 1942 (age 82) Washington, D.C. ( 1942-07-21 ) NBA draft 1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall Number 44 (San Francisco Warriors / Small forward) Position Small forward, Center, Power forward | ||
Fred W. Hetzel (born July 21, 1942) is a retired American basketball player who played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an All-American college player for Davidson College.
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Early life in D.C.
Hetzel initially attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. and played for the Tigers in the 1958 season. He then transferred to Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland and was a 3 time All Met. As a sophomore, he averaged 20.5 ppg and 20.4 ppg as a junior. As a 3 time All Met in the Washington Daily News, he followed in the footsteps of Lew Luce and George Leftwich as the only 3-peats. He averaged 24.1 ppg in his senior season and finished with 1,210 points during his Bears career. On March 2, 1961, Undefeated Landon and DeMatha Catholic High School (ranked 1-2 in the city) faced off in Cole Field House before a crowd of 6400. Fred Hetzel led Landon that night with 18 points but it was the tandem of John Austin and Gary Ward that led the Stags to victory 57-52.
Basketball career
A 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) forward-center from Davidson, he was selected by the San Francisco Warriors with the first pick of the 1965 NBA draft. Hetzel was named to the 1966 NBA All-Rookie Team. He played six seasons in the NBA (1965–71) with five teams, including the 1970–71 Los Angeles Lakers, and scored 4,658 career points. Currently residing in Virginia, and Bonita Springs, Florida and is in the Real Estate industry.