Kenyon Martin Becomes 8th Bearcat in NBA Finals

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Kenyon Martin became the eighth University of Cincinnati product to reach the finals of the NBA playoffs when the New Jersey Nets opened play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

The Bearcats have been represented in a total of 13 championship series and have played on a total of eight NBA championship teams.

The UC leader in most NBA championship appearances is Jim Holstein. After completing his UC career in 1951-52, Holstein was a member of the Minneapolis Lakers' 1953 and 1954 NBA title teams as well as the Ft. Wayne Pistons 1955 and 1956 squads which finished as runners-up.

Ron Bonham, who closed his UC career in 1964, also has a pair of NBA championship rings which he earned as a member of the Boston Celtics in 1965 and 1966.

Tom Thacker (UC 1961-63) is the answer to the trivia question, who is the only player to play on an NCAA championship team, an NBA championship team and an ABA championship team, claiming titles with the Bearcats in 1961 and 1962, the 1968 NBA champion Boston Celtics and the 1970 ABA champion Indiana Pacers.

Martin is the first Bearcat in the NBA finals since Derrek Dickey, who was on Golden State's 1975 championship team.


Bearcats in the NBA Finals

Jim Ard (1970)
Boston 1976 champs

Ron Bonham (1964)
Boston 1965 champs
Boston 1966 champs

Derrek Dickey (1973)
Golden State 1975 champs

Jim Holstein (1952)
Minneapolis 1953 champs
Minneapolis 1954 champs
Ft. Wayne 1955 runner-up
Ft. Wayne 1956 runner-up

Kenyon Martin (2000)
New Jersey 2002 ***

Rick Roberson (1969)
L.A. Lakers 1970 runner-up

Oscar Robertson (1960)
Milwaukee 1971 champs
Milwaukee 1974 runner-up

Tom Thacker (1963)
Boston 1968 champs