![]() McNeely in 1947 | |
Personal information | |
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Born | Greenwood, Texas, U.S. | June 22, 1919
Died | December 26, 2003 Irving, Texas, U.S. | (aged 84)
Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Career information | |
High school |
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College |
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BAA draft | 1947: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
Selected by the Pittsburgh Ironmen | |
Position | Forward |
Coaching career | 1948–1960 |
Career history | |
As coach: | |
1948–1960 | Pampa HS |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Clyde Clifton McNeely (June 22, 1919 – December 26, 2003) was an American basketball player and coach.[1] A 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) forward,[2] he played college basketball for the Texas Wesleyan Rams for three seasons and led the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in scoring during his senior season in 1946–47. McNeely was the first player ever drafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA) when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Ironmen as the first pick of the league's inaugural 1947 draft. He never played professional basketball and instead pursued a coaching career at Pampa High School in Texas.