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Dennis Van Zant (born June 1, 1952) is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the Azusa Pacific University for four years before embarking on a short professional career, including in the American Basketball Association with the San Antonio Spurs.

College career

After playing basketball for just one season in high school, Van Zant played collegiately for Azusa Pacific for four years. In 1973, he averaged 20.8 points per game and was a NAIA All-American honorable mention selection. He was a First-team NCCAA All-American in 1973 and 1974. In 1994, he was inducted into the schools hall of fame.

Professional career

Van Zant was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the seventh round (120th overall) of the 1974 NBA draft but never appeared in a game for the them. His first professional stint was with the Swiss Alpines in European Professional Basketball League during the league's only season in early 1975.

In July 1975, he was signed by the ABA's San Antonio Spurs after impressing coach Bob Bass with his ball-handling ability during the rookie camp. He was released by the Spurs in November, having played only two minutes in one game, scoring as many points.

In December, he signed with the Santa Rosa Oilers in the Western Basketball Association. He played one season for the Oilers, where he finished fifth in the league in scoring (23.2 ppg) and second in rebounds (12.7 rpg).

Personal life

Dennis' brother, Larry Vanzant, played college basketball for Azusa.

References

1. "Azusa Pacific University Men's Basketball Individual Honors" (PDF). athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
2. ^ "Dennis Vanzant: Obscurity to fame". Arcadia Tribune. April 4, 1974. p. B3. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Dennis Vanzant (1994) - Hall of Fame - Azusa Pacific University Athletics". athletics.apu.edu. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
4. "Lakers pick Azusa cager in NBA draft". Progress Bulletin. May 29, 1974. p. C1. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Swiss Alpines contre Iberia Superstars" [Swiss Alpines against Iberia Superstars] (PDF). Le Confédéré (in French). March 21, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2017 – via RERO.ch.
6. "Spur squibs". San Antonio Express. November 2, 1975. p. 11-J. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Jim Mertle Chevron five lands big one". The Press Democrat. December 16, 1975. p. 19. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Can Oilers shoot down Winchesters". The Press Democrat. April 13, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Army All-Star cagers here today". The Press Democrat. November 28, 1976. p. 45. Retrieved April 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Briefly noting". The Press Democrat. June 13, 1976. p. 5S. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

• 1952 births
• Living people
• American men's basketball players
• Azusa Pacific Cougars men's basketball players
• Basketball players from California
• Los Angeles Lakers draft picks
• Power forwards
• San Antonio Spurs players