Written by Austin Kent
Perhaps more well known for his two stints coaching Michael Jordan in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, Doug Collins still managed to put together a decent playing career himself. Collins, an American 6'6" shooting guard, was a member of the 1972 Olympic team that came up short in a controversial gold medal game with the Soviet Union. With the Soviets up just one point and time quickly burning off the clock, Collins drew a foul with three seconds remaining before calmly netting a pair of free-throws that gave the US a 50-49 lead. The Soviets failed to score on the ensuring possession but as history tells us, a series of timekeeping gaffes and adamant protests helped put the USSR back in a position to win the game, which they eventually did.
As a pro, Collins was drafted first overall in the 1973 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and enjoyed All-Star caliber success on with the 76ers before an injury cut his career short in just his eighth season.
