As 22 teams made their return to the court in the Orlando Bubble, the league suffered a loss from the NBA family. On Saturday, Mike Gale, an 11-year ABA/NBA veteran passed away at the age of 70.
In the third round of the 1971 NBA Draft, the guard was selected by the Chicago Bulls out of North Carolina’s Elizabeth City State College. However, Gale opted to play in the American Basketball Association after landing with the Kentucky Colonels in the third round of the 1971 ABA draft.
Over three seasons in the ABA, Gale earned two All-Defensive Team nods. In 1974, Hale joined Julius Erving and the New York Nets on their way to an ABA Championship.
After a short stint with the Nets, Hale played five seasons in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. In a social media post, the Spurs released a statement on the passing of Gale.
Via @spurs on Twitter:
After one season with the Portland Trail Blazers, Hale capped off his basketball career with the Golden State Warriors. With Al Attles’ Warriors, Gale started 70 games, averaging 5.6 points, 3.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.
Via @NBAalumni on Twitter:
