Kurt Nimphius

Kurt Nimphius (born March 13, 1958) is an American former basketball player who played nine seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Early life

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nimphius was the son of Karl and Esther Nimphius and was raised with siblings Kris and Karla. His father and uncles operated the Nimphius Boat Company and his father was a woodworking teacher, who built the family home himself.

High school career

Nimphius attended South Milwaukee High School in South Milwaukee, graduating in 1976 and playing basketball for Coach Jerry Sullivan.

In the 1976 Wisconsin Class A Basketball Tournament, Nimphius led South Milwaukee to three victories and the state championship to complete a 25–0 season. Nimphius scored 97 points, the second-highest total ever in the tournament, along with 40 rebounds.

Nimphius led South Milwaukee to victories over Milwaukee Washington, Madison West and Eau Claire Memorial. Nimphius scored 30 points with 11 rebounds in the 45–43 Finals victory over Coach Dick Bennett's Eau Claire Memorial team. Nimphius hit a short jumper with 46 seconds left to break a 43–43 tie.

College career Nimphius attended Arizona State University, where he played for coach Ned Wulk. As a freshman in 1976–77 he averaged 1.5 points and 1.6 rebounds for the Sun Devils. As a sophomore, Nimphius averaged 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, shooting 55.7%, from the floor. As a junior, in 1978–79, Nimphius averaged 9.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, shooting 58%.

As a senior in 1979–80 under Coach Wulk, Nimphius averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, shooting 60% from the field. Arizona State finished 22–7 and 15–3 in the Pac-10 Conference. He led the team in scoring and rebounding, playing alongside Byron Scott, Sam Williams, Alton Lister and Fat Lever.

Nimphius was named All-Pac-10 after his senior season, when he had 11 double-doubles and scored 30 points four times, including 37 points against Oregon.

Overall, Nimphius played in 104 games at ASU, averaging 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds on 58% shooting. Nimphius holds ASU records for highest single-season (60.9) and career (58.6) field goal percentage marks and ranks among the Sun Devils' top 10 in career rebounding, blocked shots and points (1,006).

Professional career

Denver / Europe / Alberta (1980–1981) Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the third round (1st pick) of the 1980 NBA draft, Nimphius took part in Denver's rookie/free agent camp, but was not invited to return for regular training camp.

Nimphius began the 1980–81 season playing in Europe for Rodrigo Chieti of the Italian Professional League, averaging 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in ten games. Nimphius then returned to the United States to play with the Alberta Dusters of the Continental Basketball Association, playing in 18 games, averaging 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.

Dallas Mavericks (1981–1985)

On September 2, 1981, Nimphius was waived by the Denver Nuggets and immediately signed as a free agent by the Dallas Mavericks the same day.

As an NBA rookie in 1981–82, under coach Dick Motta in Dallas, Nimphius played in 63 games with 27 starts, as the Mavericks finished 28–54. Mark Aguirre, the number one overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft, Jay Vincent and Rolando Blackman were fellow rookies.

In 1982–83, Dallas finished 38–44, with Nimphius averaging 18 minutes 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 49% in 81 games. He split time at center with Pat Cummings.

Dallas improved to 43–39 in 1983–84. Nimphius split time with Cummings and averaged 7.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks in 27 minutes per game. He played in 81 games, starting 47. Dallas made the playoffs, where they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 3 games to 2, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1. Nimphius averaged 3 points and 6 rebounds in the Seattle series and 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the Lakers series.

In 1984–85, Nimphius played in all 82 games for Dallas, starting 40, as the Mavericks finished 44–38. Nimphius averaged 6.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 24 minutes. Dallas was defeated by Portland in the playoffs 3–1 and Nimphius played sparingly in the series.

On November 15, 1984, Hakeem Olajuwon and Nimphius were ejected after a fight in the Mavericks' game against the Houston Rockets.

Nimphius averaged 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds in 13 games with Dallas in 1985, when he was traded to the Clippers.

Los Angeles Clippers (1985–1987)

On November 25, 1985, Nimphius was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Donaldson.

In 1986–87 Nimphius played 38 games for the Clippers, averaging 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds before he was traded to Detroit for two high draft picks.

Detroit Pistons (1987)

On January 29, 1987, Nimphius was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Detroit Pistons for a 1987 first round draft pick (Ken Norman was later selected) and a 1987 second round draft pick (Norris Coleman was later selected).

Playing 28 games for the Pistons and Coach Chuck Daly, Nimphius was used little, averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds. The Pistons, with Isiah Thomas, John Salley, Bill Laimbeer, Adrian Dantley, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Rick Mahorn and Vinnie Johnson advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pistons were defeated 4 games to 3 in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson.

San Antonio Spurs (1987–1988) On October 27, 1987, Nimphius signed as a veteran free agent with the San Antonio Spurs. The Pistons received a 1988 second round draft pick (Jeff Moe was later selected) as compensation.

Nimphius then played for the team Cajacanarias of the Canary Islands in the Spanish league in 1988–89.

Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1990) On October 23, 1989, Nimphius signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 38 games with the 76ers, he averaged 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Nimphius is a black belt in karate.

Career statistics

NBA Source

Regular season

Playoffs

Honors Nimphius was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Nimphius was inducted into the Pac-12 Basketball Hall of Honor during the 2012 Pac-12 Conference men's basketball tournament on March 10, 2012. In 2011, Nimphius was inducted into the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame.