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New York Knicks: 25 Best Players To Play For The Knicks

By Phil Watson

Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view as the New York Knicks are introduced before the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view as the New York Knicks are introduced before the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Original Caption) Knicks Ken Sears balances the ball on the tips of his fingers as he makes a charging leap for the basket during the first half of tonight’s game with Boston at Madison Square Garden. Boston’s Big Bill Russell, (6), and Bob Cousy look on helplessly.
(Original Caption) Knicks Ken Sears balances the ball on the tips of his fingers as he makes a charging leap for the basket during the first half of tonight’s game with Boston at Madison Square Garden. Boston’s Big Bill Russell, (6), and Bob Cousy look on helplessly. /

Kenny Sears. 25. player. 27. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 4th round pick from Santa Clara, 1955 NBA Draft.. PF-SF.

The New York Knicks got a good one when they selected Santa Clara forward Kenny Sears with the fourth overall pick in the 1955 NBA Draft.

Sears was a two-time All-Star for New York, leading the NBA in field-goal percentage in 1958-59 and 1959-60 and placing fourth as a rookie in 1955-56.

NYK_25_SEARS
NYK_25_SEARS /

His contract expired after the 1960-61 season, however, and Sears jumped to the San Francisco Saints of the new American Basketball League.

The Saints were on shaky financial footing and Sears opted to rejoin the Knicks in May 1962 in exchange for an antitrust suit filed by the team and the NBA being dismissed.

His return didn’t last long—in December 1962, Sears and Willie Naulls were traded to the San Francisco Warriors in exchange for Tom Gola.

In parts of seven seasons with the Knicks, he averaged 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 32.1 minutes per game, shooting 45.2 percent from the floor and 82.5 percent at the line.

He retired after the 1963-64 season.

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