Gilmore went to college first at Garner-Webb than to the University of Jacksonville. While at Jacksonville he became one of the greatest college players of all-time and lead them to the 1970 NCAA title game where they fell victim to John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins. While at Jacksonville Gilmore averaged over 22 rebounds a game which is still an NCAA record.

After two years at Jacksonville Gilmore went pro. He was selected both by the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and by the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels. Gilmore chose the Colonels because they offered him a record contract. He had a dominant rookie year averaging 24 points, 18 rebounds, 5 blocks on 60% shooting and winning both rookie of the year and Most Valuable Player honors. He followed up his rookie year with 21 point, 18 rebound, 3 block sophomore season. He struggled some his third year in the ABA averaging just 19 points on 50 percent shooting but did set his career high with 18.3 rebounds per game. Gilmore found his groove again in his fourth season and had his most successful season of his career. That season he lead the Colonels to their only ABA championship and was named finals MVP. He followed up the 75 season with another fantastic season but rumors of the leagues demise effected everybody’s play and the rumors were found to be true, following the 75-76 season the ABA folded.

In 5 seasons in the ABA Gilmore had won a championship, an MVP, a finals MVP, lead the league in rebounding 4 times and finished with career averages of 22 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks. Many consider him the second greatest ABA player behind Julius Earving.

Four of the remaining ABA teams, the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and New York Nets joined the ABA. Gilmore’s team the Kentucky Colonels did not and he was entered into the leagues dispursal draft. He was the first pick in that draft and was taken by the Chicago Bulls, the same NBA franchise who had drafted him in 1971.

Gilmore continued to have immediate success after joining the NBA. Most former ABA players really struggled but Gilmore put up respectable numbers of 19 points and 13 rebounds his first year with the Bulls. His first three years with the Bulls were some of his best in the NBA, he averaged 22 or more points a game in all but his first year and was selected as a three time all-star

In his 4th year with the Bulls he suffered his first injury. Until that point Gilmore had played in all 84 games in each of his 5 seasons with the Colonels and all 82 with the Bulls. He played only 48 games that season and averaged just 18 points a 9 rebounds.

The injury and age began to show on Gilmore as his numbers went down, he was still an all-star caliber player but not as dominant as he once was. Following the 81-82 season he was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs. He found a new home in the Alamo City and quickly became a fan favorite as the team made a deep playoff run.

He played 5 solid seasons with the Spurs and was twice selected as an all-star as a member of the Spurs. His last all-star appearance he was 36 years old at the time making him the oldest all-star selection ever. He has since been surpassed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Following the 86-87 season the Spurs traded Gilmore back to the Bulls where he played half a season. He was waived later that season and joined the Boston Celtics. The following year he played a season in Italy before retiring.

Despite having career totals of 18 points, 12 rebounds 3 blocks, and an 11 time NBA/ABA all-star Gilmore is not a member of the basketball hall-of-fame. It’s not sure why he’s never been selected or if he ever will. Gilmore currently works at Jacksonville University as a director of public relations.

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