By Paul Gotham
****Remember, try this without research. Follow Wally’s lead and release your inner James Joyce. Assists are important, and we give credit to those who help contribute to us figuring out the answer.
I never knew much about stress and anxiety. At least, I did not know about that stuff while I was on the hardwood. I had quite a bit to do with my school winning its second national title in the same decade. I was a freshman, and people expected a lot from me after that. In fact, nowadays, if a guy had my freshman season, he would probably leave for the N.B.A. I stayed all four years. By the time I graduated I had over 2,000 
points and 1,000 rebounds. I was the first person in school history to do that. I don’t think anybody from the school has done it since (remember, I’m not too uptight about things). Did I mention my school has 36 NCAA Tournament appearances? My time in college earned me a No.1 overall pick in the draft. But my pro career was more about bone spurs, ankle woes, and knee injuries. I wanted to bring the pride back to the parquet. I spent five seasons there trying to put another banner in the rafters, but I never scored more than 375 points in a season.
Who am I?
No stress and anxiety??? Two national titles??? 36 NCAA tourney appearances??? Sounds like one of the nation’s “elite programs” … well, maybe that’s too generous given where the program is right now. But they were certainly GREAT in the ’80s … never “Crummy” …. with lots of great players, including the Doctors of Dunk and Darrel Griffith But the player who helped Louisville win a 2nd national title … the guy who absolutely stared down pressure cuz he had icewater in his veins is … Never Nervous Pervis Ellison.
Casey … you had to know I’d get this one 🙂
Pervis Ellison. I didn’t know he went to Boston. I did know he was not much after that freshman year. But what a sensation he was in that tourney. I see Wally agrees too. I also am surprised to hear that he is the first and only 2000/1000 guy in Lou uh Vul history!
Wally! You continue to be the man! A helmet sticker AND a slap on the back.
Pete – yes, Pervis signed a contract in Beantown. You probably did not know that because he did not do much – he played less than 500 minutes in each of his last three campaigns with the Cs.