Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S. | October 12, 1939
Died | June 23, 1978 Zurich, Switzerland | (aged 38)
Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Bradford (Kenosha, Wisconsin) |
College | William & Mary (1958–1961) |
NBA draft | 1961: 2nd round, 23rd overall pick |
Selected by the Chicago Packers | |
Playing career | 1961–1963 |
Position | Power forward |
Career history | |
1961–1962 | Hawaii Chiefs |
1962–1963 | Chicago Majors |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at Basketball Reference |
Jeffrey Maxwell Cohen (October 12, 1939 – June 23, 1978) was an All-American basketball player at the College of William & Mary in 1960–61.[1] He was selected as the 14th pick in the second round (23rd overall) of the 1961 NBA draft by the Chicago Packers (now the Washington Wizards).[2]
At William & Mary, Cohen played his way into the NCAA record books. He is the ninth all-time leading rebounder in the pre-1973 college basketball era, having grabbed 1,679 boards.[3] He is one of very few men's basketball players in NCAA history to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds during a collegiate career. At the time of his graduation, he was only one of 10 players to ever accomplish that feat. As of 2019–20, Cohen's 2,003 career points rank fourth all-time at William & Mary.[4] He was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection from 1959 to 1961,[4] and in 1990 he had his jersey number retired posthumously.[5] Additionally, Jeff set a W&M single game scoring record of 49 points on February 25, 1961. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.[6]
Despite being drafted to the NBA, Jeff was never signed by any team. He spent some time playing professionally in the now-defunct American Basketball League from 1961 to 1963. As a member of the Hawaii Chiefs, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game for the 1961–62 season.[7] The following season, Cohen averaged 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists while playing for the Chicago Majors.[7]