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San Antonio Spurs: 25 Best Players To Play For The Spurs

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNIONDALE, NY – JANUARY 01: Rick Barry #24 defends as NBA All Star Connie Hawkins #42 shoots as NBA’s Bob Lanier #33, the ABA’s Mel Daniels #31, Willie Wise #42, and Don Freeman #26 watch the shot at the Nassau Coliseum on January 1, 1972 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Randy Brooke/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY – JANUARY 01: Rick Barry #24 defends as NBA All Star Connie Hawkins #42 shoots as NBA’s Bob Lanier #33, the ABA’s Mel Daniels #31, Willie Wise #42, and Don Freeman #26 watch the shot at the Nassau Coliseum on January 1, 1972 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Randy Brooke/Getty Images) /

<strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Utah Stars, Jan. 8, 1971; Purchased contract, Indiana Pacers, July 22, 1974.. SG. 1971-72, 1974-75. Donnie Freeman. 11. player. 29

The Texas Chaparrals landed All-Star Donnie Freeman along with Wayne Hightower in a January 1971 trade with the Utah Stars in exchange for Glen Combs and Ron Boone.

Freeman didn’t miss a beat with the Chaparrals, earning two All-Star berths and two All-ABA selections.

Marv Winkler
Marv Winkler /

going to Dallas in September.

In July 1974, the San Antonio Spurs brought Freeman back to the franchise, purchasing his contract from the Pacers.

He signed with the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent in October 1975.

In parts of three seasons with Texas, Dallas and San Antonio, Freeman averaged 20.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 33.4 minutes per game, shooting .467/2-for-13/.813.

After averaging 27.3 points as a senior at Illinois, Freeman was a third-round pick, 29th overall, by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1966 NBA Draft.

He was waived in September 1966 and didn’t surface until he signed with the ABA’s Minnesota Muskies in July 1967.

He went with the team when it became the Miami Floridians in 1968 and was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-ABA performer.

He was traded to the Stars in June 1970 and retired after being waived by the Lakers in October 1976.

Freeman was 10th in ABA history with 19,546 minutes played and seventh with 11,544 points.

Next: Original Chaparral Made An Impression

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