NJCAA Region 16

Bio

Cotton's playing days began at Bowling Green High (Mo.) where he was named All-State at guard as a junior and senior. He then played at Hannibal-LaGrange Junior College (Mo.), averaging 25.5 points in 1952-53 on his way to JUCO All-American honors. He played the next three seasons at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, averaging 13.3 points. He began his coaching career in 1958 at Moberly Junior College (Mo.). In nine seasons, he amassed a 223-59 (.791) record, including a 31-2 mark in 1966-67. His teams won JUCO titles in 1966 and 1967 and he was named Coach of the Year following each of those seasons. He then moved to Kansas State as an assistant to Fred "Tex" Winter and took over as head coach in 1968. Named Big Eight Coach of the Year in 1970, he led the Wildcats to the Big Eight Championship and into the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals. During his storied 21-year NBA coaching career that began in 1970, Cotton compiled a record of 832-775 (.518), finishing his career sixth on the NBA all-time victory list. A two-time NBA Coach of the Year (1979 with Kansas City and 1989 with Phoenix), Cotton left the sidelines following the 1991-92 season after guiding Phoenix to four straight 50-plus win seasons and two trips to the Western Conference Finals (1989, '90). He was considered one of the NBA's most respected teachers and colorful personalities. Cotton was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988, the National Junior College Hall of Fame in 1985, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1995 he was named NAIA Alumnus of the Year. (NJCAA Region 16 Hall of Fame - February 2011)