Dennis Van Zant (born June 1, 1952) is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the Azusa Pacific University for four years before embarking on a short professional career, including in the American Basketball Association with the San Antonio Spurs.

Dennis Van Zant
Personal information
Born (1952-06-01) June 1, 1952 (age 72)
Glendora, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolGlendora (Glendora, California)
CollegeAzusa Pacific (1970–1974)
NBA draft1974: 7th round, 120th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career1975–1975
PositionPower forward
Career history
1975Swiss Alpines
1975San Antonio Spurs
1975–1976Santa Rosa Oilers
Career highlights and awards
  • NCCAA All-American (1973, 1974)
Stats at Basketball Reference

College career

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After playing basketball for just one season in high school, Van Zant played collegiately for Azusa Pacific for four years. In 1973, he averaged 20.8 points per game and was a NAIA All-American honorable mention selection. He was a First-team NCCAA All-American in 1973 and 1974.[1][2] In 1994, he was inducted into the schools hall of fame.[3]

Professional career

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Van Zant was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the seventh round (120th overall) of the 1974 NBA draft[4] but never appeared in a game for the them. His first professional stint was with the Swiss Alpines in European Professional Basketball League during the league's only season in early 1975.[5]

In July 1975, he was signed by the ABA's San Antonio Spurs after impressing coach Bob Bass with his ball-handling ability during the rookie camp. He was released by the Spurs in November, having played only two minutes in one game, scoring as many points.[6]

In December, he signed with the Santa Rosa Oilers in the Western Basketball Association.[7][8] He played one season for the Oilers,[9] where he finished fifth in the league in scoring (23.2 ppg) and second in rebounds (12.7 rpg).[10]

Personal life

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Dennis' brother, Larry Vanzant, played college basketball for Azusa.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Azusa Pacific University Men's Basketball Individual Honors" (PDF). athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Dennis Vanzant: Obscurity to fame". Arcadia Tribune. April 4, 1974. p. B3. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ "Dennis Vanzant (1994) - Hall of Fame - Azusa Pacific University Athletics". athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Lakers pick Azusa cager in NBA draft". Progress Bulletin. May 29, 1974. p. C1. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "Swiss Alpines contre Iberia Superstars" [Swiss Alpines against Iberia Superstars] (PDF). Le Confédéré (in French). March 21, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2017 – via RERO.ch.
  6. ^ "Spur squibs". San Antonio Express. November 2, 1975. p. 11-J. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Jim Mertle Chevron five lands big one". The Press Democrat. December 16, 1975. p. 19. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ "Can Oilers shoot down Winchesters". The Press Democrat. April 13, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ "Army All-Star cagers here today". The Press Democrat. November 28, 1976. p. 45. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  10. ^ "Briefly noting". The Press Democrat. June 13, 1976. p. 5S. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.