Billy Paultz

William Edward Paultz, born July 30, 1948, in River Edge, New Jersey, is an American former professional basketball player who competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the now-defunct American Basketball Association (ABA). Nicknamed "the Whopper," he was a four-time ABA All-Star and led the ABA in blocks in 1976.

Paultz played high-school basketball at River Dell Regional High School in Bergen County, then attended Cameron Junior College before finishing his collegiate career at Saint John's University. In 1970 he was selected in the seventh round of the NBA draft by the San Diego Rockets and was also taken by the Virginia Squires in the ABA Draft. Paultz opted to sign with the Squires. On August 11, 1970, the Squires traded his rights to the New York Nets in exchange for a draft choice and cash.

As a rookie, Paultz made his first postseason appearance in the 1971 ABA Playoffs with the Nets, averaging 20.2 points, 15 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. On December 17, 1971, he scored 27 points and set a Nets franchise record with 33 rebounds in a 90–83 victory over Dallas.