Jim Hadnot

James Weldon Hadnot (January 15, 1940 – August 2, 1998) was an American professional basketball center who spent one season in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a member of the Oakland Oaks during the 1967–68 season. He attended Providence College, class of 1962. He was 6'10.

Early life Hadnot grew up in Oakland, California and attended McClymond's High School, the same high school that Celtics legend Bill Russell graduated from. Hadnot and Russell would develop a tight relationship with one another as a result of this connection, with Russell serving as a father figure to the younger Hadnot after the untimely death of his biological dad.

College Following his successful 4-year tenure at McClymond's, Hadnot became one of the most sought-after young high schoolers in the country. Bill Russell first brought up the prospect of attending Providence to his attention, urging him to go to the program due to the fact that their campus was close to Russell's home in Reading, Massachusetts. Hadnot lived alongside Russell and his then-wife Rose Swisher for some time en route to becoming Providence college's all-time leader in points (1,462) and rebounds (1,299) before graduating in 1962. He also helped lead the team to an NIT title in 1961. In 1962, his final season with the Friars, Hadnot played alongside future Georgetown coaching legend John Thompson. Over the course of his three year stint at Providence, Hadnot averaged 17.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2.6 fouls.

Professional career NBA Hadnot would be drafted 27th overall by the Boston Celtics in the third round of 1962 NBA draft, but failed to make the team. Boston also drafted Hadnot's fellow Providence teammate Vinnie Ernst 54th overall in that same draft, but he was also cut from the team shortly thereafter.

Hadnot played for the ill-fated Oakland Oaks in the American Basketball League. The team went 11–14 before the league folded in late December 1962.

Hadnot played for the Trenton Colonials of the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) during the 1963–64 season and was selected to the All-EPBL Second Team.

ABA Six years after his failed run in the NBA, Hadnot returned to his hometown of Oakland, California to attempt to make a splash in a new up-and-coming basketball league known as the American Basketball Association. The ABA was just embarking on their first season of play and would quickly become the NBA's primary rival as a result of their innovative additions to the game such as the 3-Point Line, Dunk Contest, and multicolored ball. At 28 years of age, Hadnot signed a deal with the Oakland Oaks and quickly became one of their most beloved players, boasting a statline of 39.0 minutes, 17.5 points, and 12.2 rebounds in 77 games of play during his rookie campaign. Hadnot was the godfather of Jason Kidd.

Career statistics

ABA Source

Regular season Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG PPG