Clifford Ray

Clifford Ray, born January 21, 1949, is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the ability to play most woodwind instruments. Selected in the third round of the 1971 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Ray was an effective defender and rebounder from the start. He was named to the 1972 NBA All-Rookie Team and led the NBA in rebounds per minute played in each of his first two seasons. Ray spent three seasons with the Bulls, his best coming in 1973–74, when he averaged 9.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game and the Bulls reached the NBA Western Conference finals for the first time. Just prior to the 1974–75 season, on September 3, 1974, Ray and $100,000 were sent to the Golden State Warriors in an exchange of centers for Nate Thurmond. The trade gave the Warriors a quality ballplayer eight years younger than Thurmond, along with additional fiscal stability. Over a ten-season NBA career, Ray played three years with the Chicago Bulls from 1971 to 1974 and seven with the Golden State Warriors from 1974 to 1981. He later worked as a coach.