Today’s Treasure from my collection: Did any of you catch the recent “dunk that broke the internet” from Finland prospect Miikka Muurinen in the FIBA EuroBasket championships? Miikka is a class of 2026 prospect at AZ Compass Prep, so certainly a player to watch.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Kim Hughes, who recently passed away at age 73. 6’11” Kim starred at U of Wisconsin with his twin brother Kerry (imagine that delivery!). Kim then had a long pro career, highlighted by the last ABA title in ‘76 as a New York Net.

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Today’s Treasure from my collection: After seeing “The Waiting Game” ABA film it got me thinking another change the league brought about, enabling young players to join the pro league before “their college class graduated” (the NBA rule). Spencer Haywood was the first.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Last night I saw Michael Husain’s excellent, thought-provoking new movie, “The Waiting Game.” The film provides a history of the colorful ABA & the unsettling plight of many players years after the league ended (4 teams joined the NBA in ‘76).

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Just as he taught George Mikan decades before, DePaul Coach Ray Meyer prepared 6’11” Dave Corzine for basketball excellence. Corzine once scored 46 points in an NCAA tournament game & had a long NBA career, including with his hometown Bulls.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Allan Hornyak, who passed away at age 74. Allan was an Ohio prep legend, averaging over 40 ppg his junior & senior seasons, including an 86 (not a typo) point game. He was 1st team All Big-10 his 3 varsity campaigns at Ohio State.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Like a young Wally Szczerbiak here, I hope you all have a driveway, park or schoolyard hoop that you can get away to, get some shots up on a summer evening and clear your mind a little.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Ft. Wayne & Detroit Piston George Yardley was arguably one of the top NBA players excluded from the Top 50 list announced in 1996. He was one of the early guys play with flair, exhibit “hang time” & was a prolific scorer.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering Walt Piatkowski, who recently passed away at age 80. The last Bowling Green team to make the NCAA tournament was way back in 1968, which was led by 6’8” Walt & coached by Bill Fitch. Walt’s son Eric became a longtime NBA player.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: I encourage you to listen to Adam Ryan’s new ‘Basketball Record’ podcast episode with Mike Riordan. Prior to his title with the Knicks Mike served in the U.S. Air Force & played in the Eastern League. An interesting journey to NBA success!

Today’s Treasure from my collection: One of the sneakiest great seasons in pro hoops history was in 1976-77 after the 4 ABA teams joined. People were talking about NBA newcomers Dr. J, The Iceman & David Thompson… Billy Knight averaged 26.6 ppg, 2nd in the league to Pistol Pete!

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Have you ever seen the graphic that compares John Havlicek’s individual & team accomplishments to Michael Jordan’s? They are remarkably similar. What I remember about Hondo is his outstanding balance & efficiency, on display in this photo.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: 50 years ago today my buddies & I attended our first Beach Boys concert at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. It was a life changing night for me. Here’s a photo from a Dayton show several years later, signed in ballpoint by Mike Love & Al Jardine.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Now it is standard for the Final Four to be played in huge domed stadiums, but the first one played in a venue of this size was 1971 at The Astrodome in Houston when UCLA edged Villanova in the championship game.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: 2007 SEC Player of the Year & 3X SEC 1st Teamer Chris Lofton is the subject of the SEC Network special “Volunteer for Life”, which chronicles Chris not being heavily recruited out of high school & then overcoming cancer.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Remembering ABA (& NBA) great Larry Jones, who just passed away at age 82. Larry’s thoughtful note says I hold the distinction of being the first person to ever get a basketball card signed by him, this exact one from the 1971 Topps issue!

Today’s Treasure from my collection: James Jones is one of the most overlooked players in pro basketball history. He was a 6X ABA All-Star, plus 3X All-ABA 1st team. He even comes up 3rd when ‘googling’ James Jones’ from hoops (ex-Heat/Cavs player & then Yale coach show 1st).

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Before “hardship” & early entry, a player was not eligible for the NBA draft until their college class graduated. Thus, due to delays enrolling at Dayton Hank Finkel was selected in the 1964, ‘65 & ‘66 drafts! He opted to keep playing for UD.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: Forward Loy Vaught helped lead Michigan to the 1989 NCAA crown before a long NBA career, highlighted by two NBA seasons as a LA Clipper when he averaged a double-double. I see now San Diego State Coach Brian Dutcher in the background here.

Today’s Treasure from my collection: I joined a fun conference call last Sunday night with a group of vintage card collectors that are especially interested in the 1961 Fleer basketball set. We were reminded that Red Auerbach’s brother Zang designed the Celtics leprechaun logo!