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132. Don Otten

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132. Don Otten

Don Otten’s career might seem pedestrian when you look at just the stats from Basketball Reference, but his Hall of Fame case is much stronger than at first glance.

A two-time All-American at Bowling Green, Otten turned pro with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1946, where he was named the league MVP and scoring champion (14.0) in 1948-49, the last year of the NBL’s existence.  The Blackhawks would join the NBA in 1949, but by this time, he was 28, and his skills were eroded year after year, though he was still a competent basketball player. 

Had the records been more detailed, Otten might have entered the Hall years ago via the Veteran’s Committee.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Bellefontaine, Ohio, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1957
  • Position: Center
  • Games Played: 219
  • Per Game Averages:

    24.7 MIN*
    10.5 PTS
    6.0 RB**
    1.4 AST
    N/A STL***
    N/A BLK***
    .357 FG%
    N/A 3FG%****
    .761 FT%

    5 Playoff Games
    N/A MIN****
    14.0 PTS
    6.3 RB**
    2.8 AST
    N/A STL***
    N/A BLK***
    .353 FG%
    N/A 3FG%
    .810 FT%

    *Minutes Played were not logged until the 1951-52 Season
    **Rebounds became a stat in the 1950-51 Season.
    ***Steals and Blocks were not as stat when Otten played.
    ****The 3-Point Line was not in effect when Otten played.
    *****Minutes Played were not in Otten’s Playoff games as they were before 1951-52.


  • Advanced Stats:

    19.6 PER*
    .475 TS%
    20.9 WS
    N/A VORP**

    5 Playoff Games
    N/A PER*
    .535 TS%
    0.5 WS
    N/A VORP**

    *PER was first calculated in 1951-52.
    **VORP was not a stat when Otten played.

  • Played For: Washington Capitols, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Baltimore Bullets, Fort Wayne Pistons, Milwaukee Hawks
  • College: Bowling Green
  • Drafted: N/A
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Top Ten Finishes: True Shooting Percentage (1) (1949-50)
    Top Ten Finishes: Free Throws (2) (1949-50 & 1951-52)
    Top Ten Finishes: Free Throw Attempts (2) (1949-50 & 1951-52)
    Top Ten Finishes: PER (1) (1951-52)
    Top Ten Finishes: Win Shares (1) (1949-50)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Win Shares (1) (1949-50)

  • Other Points of Note: None

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