Steve Kuberski

Stephen Phil Kuberski (born November 6, 1947) is an American former professional basketball player. Kuberski won two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, in 1974 and 1976 and had a nine-year National Basketball Association (NBA) career. Kuberski was the last Celtic to wear number 33 before Larry Bird.

Early life Born in Moline, Illinois to Elaine (d.2015) and Felix Kuberski (d. 1983), Steve was raised with siblings Susan, Kathy, Carol and Brian.

High school career Kuberski played high school basketball at Moline High School in Moline, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities. Moline played in Wharton Field House, a former home of the early NBA's Tri-Cities Blackhawks, who were coached by a young Red Auerbach.

Kuberski became a starter for the Moline Maroons in the 1963–64 season, as a 6-foot-5 junior. He averaged a team-high 14.0 points, as Moline finished 15–8 under Coach Harv Schmidt.

As a senior in 1964–1965, Kuberski, under new Coach Herb Thompson, led Moline to the Illinois High School Association Tournament Elite Eight as the Maroons finished 25–3. In his final home game at Wharton Field House, Kuberski scored 50 points against Cedar Rapids Washington.

Kuberski made the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the IHSA Tournament, scoring 64 points in two games.

Listed as a Top-30 national recruit, Kuberski was recruited by UCLA, but ultimately chose to attend the University of Illinois over Notre Dame University.

Kuberski, and teammates Rich Jones and Ron Dunlap, along with two others, had been suspended indefinitely while Illinois did an internal investigation during the 1966–1967 Illini season. Numerous other athletes in other sports were involved and Coach Harry Combes subsequently resigned. Kuberski, Jones and Dunlap never played for Illinois again.

After the ruling, Kuberski transferred from Illinois to Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois after the 1966–1967 school year.

In 1966–1967, Kuberski had played in 5 games for Illinois under Coach Combes, averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds, before being suspended. After transferring to Bradley, Kuberski sat out the 1967–1968 season due to the transfer.

In the 1967–68 season, Kuberski played for an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team from Macomb, Illinois and landed a tryout with the 1968 U.S. Olympic team. "That was a good experience for me because we played against older, more experienced players," Kuberski said.

Boston Celtics 1969–1974) Kuberski was drafted by the Celtics in the 4th round of the 1969 NBA draft, as he was eligible because his original class was graduating. Kuberski signed with the Celtics and GM Red Auerbach in September 1969, foregoing a potential final season of collegiate eligibility. Kuberski rejected an initial one-year contract and signed when Boston offered a three-year contract.

In 1970–1971, Kuberski averaged 22 minutes for the 44–38 Celtics, averaging 9.3 points and 6.6 rebounds, playing alongside rookie and future Hall of Famer Dave Cowens.

The Celtics finished 56–26 in 1971–1972, with Kuberski averaging 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. The Celtics were defeated by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals 4–1 after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 4–2 in the earlier series. Coach Heinshohn said of Kuberski in 1972, “Steve’s been playing like a Polish lineman from Notre Dame.”

The Celtics finished 68–14 in 1972–1973 and Kuberski contributed 4.4 points and 2.5 points in nine minutes per game. As in the previous season, the Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks (4–2) in the playoffs before losing to the New York Knicks 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks went on to win the NBA Championship.

The Celtics captured the 1974 NBA Championship under Coach Heinsohn in 1973–1974. Kuberski averaged 5.1 points in the regular season, as the Celtics finished 56–26. The Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson and Bob Dandridge in the NBA Finals.

Milwaukee Bucks (1974–1975) On May 20, 1974, Kuberski was drafted by the New Orleans Jazz from the Boston Celtics in the NBA expansion draft. Later, on October 8, 1974, Kuberski was traded by the New Orleans Jazz with a 1975 2nd round draft pick (Clyde Mayes was later selected) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Russ Lee and a 1975 1st round draft pick (Rich Kelley was later selected).

"We have always thought a lot of Kuberski," Bucks Coach Larry Costello said at the time of the trade. "He's a strong rebounder, he has physical toughness and he can run. He proved himself a winner with the Celtics before New Orleans got him in the expansion draft."

Buffalo Braves (1975) On October 16, 1975, Kuberski was claimed on waivers by the Buffalo Braves from the Milwaukee Bucks. Kuberski played 10 games with the Braves, and Coach Jack Ramsay, averaging 1.7 points and 2.1 rebounds. On November 20, 1975, Kuberski was waived by the Buffalo Braves.

Boston Celtics (1975–1977) On December 11, 1975, Kuberski was signed as a free agent by Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics, reuniting with his former team. After the Celtics claimed Kuberski off waivers, they immediately put him into the starting lineup and won 14 of their next 16 games, en route to the Atlantic Division and an NBA title.

After playing in three 1977–78 season games, Kuberski was placed on waivers by the Celtics on December 8, 1977. He did not play again in the NBA. In 2001, Kuberski was inducted to the Quad City Sports Hall of Fame. Bleacher Report named Kuberski as #50 on the list of "50 Greatest Celtics", in 2011.