Russ Lee

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is Russ Lee: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you have a better example of his signature, or a story about it, the note at the foot of this page still stands.

Marshall University retired his number after a college career of 23.9 points and 11.3 rebounds a game, and the Milwaukee Bucks made him the sixth overall pick in the 1972 draft. The pro game proved harder: two seasons off the Bucks bench, then a trade to the brand-new New Orleans Jazz before the 1974-75 season. He lasted 15 games in New Orleans, averaging 4.3 points, before being cut and choosing to retire.

Basketball ran deep in the Lee family. Younger brother Ron was an All-American at Oregon and the NBA's 1978 steals leader, and brother Eugene played at Marshall too. Russ entered the Marshall Hall of Fame in 1985.

HOW HE CAME & WENTHe was traded to the brand-new Jazz before the 1974-75 season, played 15 games and was cut.

Full name

Russell E. Lee

New Orleans Jazz tenure

1974–75

Position

Guard

Born

1950

Height

6′5″ (196 cm)

Weight

185 lb (84 kg)

College

Marshall

Drafted

1972, 1st round (No. 6), Milwaukee