Ken Richardson

Ken Richardson (May 24, 1950 – October 22, 2013) was an American basketball player who played his entire professional career in Australia. He became a South Australian basketball icon playing for the West Adelaide Bearcats in the SA State League and the National Basketball League (NBL). Richardson, who played his college basketball at Ohio Dominican University and was a Mid Ohio Conference First Team selection in 1970–71, joined West Adelaide in 1974, winning the 1975 Woollacott Medal en route to his first SA state championship. He went on to win the NBL's inaugural Most Valuable Player award in 1979 and led the Bearcats to the NBL championship in 1982 as player-coach.

Early life Richardson was born in Zanesville, Ohio. From junior college in Florida, he attended university in Ohio and was invited to attend a Houston Rockets' camp, albeit at his own expense. In 1970–71 and 1972–73, Richardson played for Ohio Dominican University's men's basketball team. In 1970–71, he earned first-team All-MOC honors, and in 1972–73, he was named NAIA All-District 22 Honorable Mention. Richardson scored 1,207 points in two seasons at Ohio Dominican, earning him a place in the school's 1,000-point club.

Growing up in Ohio, Richardson was an expert tracker. It made him invaluable in Vietnam as a soldier leading men into battle. He joined the West Adelaide Bearcats and led them to the 1974 grand final. A year later, he won the 1975 Woollacott Medal en route to his first South Australian (SA) state championship. He became the first American to claim the Woollacott Medal,

For the next two years he dominated in Victoria In November 2012, West Adelaide inducted Richardson into the club's Hall of Fame.

In 1986, Richardson coached the Geelong Cats in the NBL to a 14–12 record, missing the playoffs on percentage. He coached the team again in 1987.

Personal life In the late 1970s, Richardson considered taking out Australian citizenship. On the assumption he would, then Boomers coach Lindsay Gaze suited him up for Australia to play against a visiting US college team, making Richardson the only American who was solely an American to officially play for Australia.

Post-basketball, Richardson worked on oil rigs and on the MS Princess of Tasmania, having a love of the ocean and the open sea. He was also a supporter of the Maritime Workers' Union.

Death Richardson died peacefully in a Darwin hospital on October 22, 2013, losing his battle with cancer. He was 63 years old.