Theodore McClain (born August 30, 1946) is a retired American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

player. A 6'1", 180 lb (82 kg)

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison ...

from

Tennessee State University Tennessee State University (Tennessee State, Tenn State, or TSU) is a public historically black land-grant university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1912, it is the only state-funded historically black university in Tenness ...

, McClain played eight seasons (1971–1979) of professional basketball in the ABA and NBA. While in college McClain was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1970 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Tournament in a losing effort, as Tennessee State lost in the finals to

Philadelphia University Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in its earliest form in 1824, the university officially combined with Philadelphia University in 2017. To signify its heritage, the univer ...

. McClain was selected in the second round of the 1971 NBA draft by the

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at ...

and in the same year's ABA Draft by the Carolina Cougars.Ted McClain at DatabaseBasketball.com
McClain opted to play for the Cougars. McClain competed for the Carolina Cougars, Kentucky Colonels,

New York Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

, Denver Nuggets,

Buffalo Braves The Buffalo Braves were an American professional basketball franchise based in Buffalo, New York. The Braves competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division from 1970 ...

, Philadelphia 76ers, and Phoenix Suns. In his career, McClain averaged 8.4 points per game and 3.4 assists per game. He also appeared in the

1974 ABA All-Star Game The seventh American Basketball Association All-Star Game was played January 30, 1974 at Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia before an audience at 10,624. Babe McCarthy of the Kentucky Colonels coached the East, while Joe Mullaney of the Utah Stars ...

. McClain holds the ABA record for steals in a single game with 12, set against the New York Nets on December 26, 1973.

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* 1946 births Living people African-American basketball players American men's basketball players Atlanta Hawks draft picks Basketball players from Nashville, Tennessee Buffalo Braves players Carolina Cougars draft picks Carolina Cougars players Denver Nuggets players Kentucky Colonels players New York Nets players Philadelphia 76ers players Phoenix Suns players Point guards Shooting guards Tennessee State Tigers basketball players 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American sportspeople {{Louisville-stub