I was in HS when Auerbach drafted Cowens. We were grumbling because Cowens was "small." Of course, he had some crazy big shoes to fill...didn't he?
I've posted some of this before:
(Wiki)He scored 1,479 points in 78 games at Florida State, at 19.0 points per game, and ranks among Florida State's top 10 all-time scoring leaders.
He is the all-time Florida State leading rebounder with 1,340 rebounds (17.2 rebounds per game). He holds the team record for best seasonal rebound average (17.5 in the 1968–1969 season). He once grabbed 31 rebounds (second best all-time) against LSU in the 1968–69 season.
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50 years later, Dave Cowens is still the all time leading rebounder at Florida State. He wanted the ball more than his opponent and his opponent knew it.
Grant couldn't be more different a player, but, I think he has a chance at being a "top 6th man" in the NBA. I love his game.