Bayard Forrest
Encyclopedia
Bayard Forrest is a retired American
professional basketball
player. He was a 6'10" 235 lb center
who played at Grand Canyon University
before being drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics
in the 1976 NBA Draft
. Forrest never played for the Sonics but played two seasons for the Phoenix Suns
before retiring in 1980.
(NAIA). Forrest declined offers from Oregon State University
, Arizona State University
and the University of Hawaii
because he wanted to go to a Christian school. Forrest lead Grand Canyon to the 1975 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
where they defeated Midwestern State University
65-54 in the Championship. In the Championship game, Forrest had 16 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. In four years at Grand Canyon, he averaged 18 points a game and 12.7 rebounds a game while shooting 53.5% from the field.
by the Seattle SuperSonics
. Forrest never played a game for the Sonics and was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1977. Forrest served as Alvan Adams
' back up in 1978 and 1979. The Suns reached the Western Conference Finals in the 1979 NBA Playoffs
before falling to the Sonics in seven games. While in Phoenix, Forrest averaged 15.3 minutes a game, 4.1 points a game, 4.2 rebounds a game and 2.2 assists a game. He retired on June 7, 1980.
Before being drafted by the Sonics, Forrest was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 3rd round (54th overall) of the 1975 NBA Draft
and by the San Antonio Spurs
in the 6th round (56th overall) of the 1975 ABA Draft. He turned down both teams to play his senior season in college.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He was a 6'10" 235 lb center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
who played at Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University is a for-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Grand Canyon Education . GCU was founded in 1949 as a non-profit liberal arts college. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. purchased Grand Canyon University in February 2004...
before being drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
in the 1976 NBA Draft
1976 NBA Draft
The 1976 NBA Draft was the 30th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 8, 1976 before the 1976–77 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. Forrest never played for the Sonics but played two seasons for the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
before retiring in 1980.
College career
Forrest attended Grand Canyon University, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA). Forrest declined offers from Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
because he wanted to go to a Christian school. Forrest lead Grand Canyon to the 1975 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1975 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1975 NAIA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament was held in March at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. The 38th annual NAIA basketball tournament featured 32 teams playing in a single-elimination format ....
where they defeated Midwestern State University
Midwestern State University
Midwestern State University is a public liberal arts college in Wichita Falls, Texas, and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
65-54 in the Championship. In the Championship game, Forrest had 16 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. In four years at Grand Canyon, he averaged 18 points a game and 12.7 rebounds a game while shooting 53.5% from the field.
Professional career
Forrest was selected in the second round (19th pick overall) in the 1976 NBA Draft1976 NBA Draft
The 1976 NBA Draft was the 30th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 8, 1976 before the 1976–77 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
by the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
. Forrest never played a game for the Sonics and was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1977. Forrest served as Alvan Adams
Alvan Adams
Alvan Leigh Adams is a retired American professional basketball player. After starring at the University of Oklahoma, the 6'9" power forward/center was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 4th pick of the 1975 NBA Draft...
' back up in 1978 and 1979. The Suns reached the Western Conference Finals in the 1979 NBA Playoffs
1979 NBA Playoffs
The 1979 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1978-1979 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets four games to one in the Finals. The Sonics...
before falling to the Sonics in seven games. While in Phoenix, Forrest averaged 15.3 minutes a game, 4.1 points a game, 4.2 rebounds a game and 2.2 assists a game. He retired on June 7, 1980.
Before being drafted by the Sonics, Forrest was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 3rd round (54th overall) of the 1975 NBA Draft
1975 NBA Draft
The 1975 NBA Draft was the 29th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 29, 1975 before the 1975–76 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
and by the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
in the 6th round (56th overall) of the 1975 ABA Draft. He turned down both teams to play his senior season in college.
Personal
Forrest's nephew, Caleb Forrest, played four years of college basketball at Washington State UniversityWashington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
.