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Houston Rockets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Rockets

By Phil Watson

Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside Toyota Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside Toyota Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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SAN DIEGO, CA - 1967: Don Kojis #44 of the San Diego Rockets poses a portrait at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California circa 1967. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1967 NBAE (Photo by NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – 1967: Don Kojis #44 of the San Diego Rockets poses a portrait at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California circa 1967. Copyright 1967 NBAE (Photo by NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images) /

169. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Expansion draft pick from Chicago Bulls, May 1, 1967.. SF. 1967-70. Don Kojis. 25. player

Don Kojis may have felt a little unwanted by May 1967, when he was exposed in an expansion draft for the second straight season. The San Diego Rockets took the small forward from the Chicago Bulls and he bloomed as the franchise’s first All-Star.

Kojis was a two-time All-Star for the Rockets before his contract was sold to the Seattle SuperSonics in April 1970.

HOU_25_KOJIS
HOU_25_KOJIS /

In three seasons in San Diego, Kojis averaged 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 35.2 minutes per game, shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 74.2 percent at the line.

Kojis is still the leading rebounder in the history of the Marquette program and averaged 21.4 points and 17.1 rebounds per game while leading the Warriors to the NCAA tournament.

He was taken in the second round by the Chicago Packers in the 1961 NBA Draft and remained with that franchise through its transitions as the Chicago Zephyrs and Baltimore Bullets.

He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in June 1964. In May 1966, the Bulls selected Kojis in its expansion draft.

In October 1972, Kojis was traded to the Kansas City-Omaha Kings and retired in 1975.

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