Ed Palubinskas

Edward Sebastian "Ed" Palubinskas (born 1950) is a NBA player shooting coach and the President of the National Basketball Shooters Association. He is a member of the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame.cite web |url=http://www.basketball.net.au/FS_extra.asp?id=5929&OrgID=1 |title=Basketball Australia Hall of Fame |publisher=Basketball Australia |accessdate=2008-09-14]

Playing career

College

Palubinskas started his collegiate career at Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho in 1972, where he led the U.S. in free throw % with 92.4%. He holds the record for the most consecutive free throws in a game--14. He was also selected as an All-American that year. Ed then transferred to Louisiana State University, where he played two seasons from 1972-1974. While at LSU, Palubinskas averaged 18.6 ppg and was selected to the All-SEC Coaches Team.

Professional

Ed was drafted in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks in the 3rd round. He was then traded to the New Orleans Jazz and drafted in the 8th round of the ABA draft by the Utah Stars.

Olympics

Palubinskas is widely regardedWho|date=September 2008 as one of the greatest Australian basketball players ever. After being the 2nd leading scorer in the 1972 Munich Olympics, Palubinskas was the top overall scorer in 1976 Montreal Olympics. He set three Olympic scoring records in Montreal, most notably he set the record for most points scored in a single Olympics (269).

Coaching career

Palubinskas began his coaching career in 1986 when he became the assistant coach at Brigham Young University, where he stayed until 1989. He went on to be the assistant coach at Louisiana State University during the 1991-1992 season, helping the Tigers win a SEC Championship that year.

After a four year campaign as the head coach at Central Private High School from 1992-1996, Ed became the assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2000-2001 season. Ed helped lead the Lakers to the 2001 NBA Championship and he is most noted for his help with the notorious free throw woes of Shaquille O'Neal.cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/id/105348/ |title=Why Shaq Shoots Sure Shots work=Slate |date=May 2, 2001 |accessdate=2008-09-14]

Other experience

Along with his valuable coaching experience at every level, Ed has served as a shooting consultant for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and the Australian Women's Olympic Team.

In addition, he founded the Palubinskas Basketball Academy in 1996 to teach shooting fundamentals to basketball players of all levels.

Career highlights

*"Mr. Basketball Australia" - 1970
*1972 and 1976 All-World Olympic Team
*Most points scored in Olympic history (269) - 1976
*Guinness Book of World Records - Most Free Throws Made in 1 Hour (1,206)
*Voted #1 All-Time Basketball Player in Australia - 1990
*Winner of multiple national and international free-throw shooting competitions
*Career 99% free throw shooter

References

External links

* [http://www.freethrowmaster.com/Freethrow/ Palubinskas Basketball Academy]
* [http://corporate.olympics.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=6612 Historical Vignette: Ed Palubinskas, Australia's first basketball great] - Australian Olympic Committee
* [http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/pa/eddie-palubinskas-1.html Eddie Palubinskas profile] at sports-reference.com