Russ Lee

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, 2nd round, Milwaukee

Why this player is hard to find

Fifteen games in the franchise's first season. Almost nothing exists — the only known item carrying his photograph is a playing card. A signed example would be the first.