Don King’s scoring record
Don King says that the game has changed since he played basketball for Appalachian State from 1957-58 through 1960-61. But his scoring record has stood for 50 seasons.
“The players are a little bigger, and the game is probably a little faster now,” King said. “The shot clock, which we didn’t have, has changed the game along with the 3-point line. I’m surprised the record hasn’t been broken by now.”
Chances are, King’s career scoring total of 1,794 points will be topped Thursday night when ASU plays Milligan. Donald Sims is 16 points away from breaking the record.
King, who grew up in Winston-Salem and now lives in Fuquay-Varina, was a prolific shooter – and his school-record 700 field goals will be tough to beat.
“He never had a bad practice shooting the ball, or a bad game,” said Bob Light, whose 15 seasons as ASU’s coach began with King’s freshman season. “He was amazing. I’ve said Don King could wake up in the middle of the night, go to the gym still half asleep and beat you in a game of HORSE. He was that good.
“It’s a testament to what he did, without benefit of a 3-point line or 30-second clock or the one-on-one play that everybody features now, and the fact that scores were lower then, that the record has held up for so long.”
Light, who lives in Boone and still attends ASU games regularly, tips his hat to Sims.
“Both are great ball players, and both have had great careers at Appalachian,” he said. “Donald Sims is a fine young man and he has been a joy to watch. He has such a great shot, and great ability to get away from his man one-on-one and produce a good shot. His free-throw shooting has been amazing. He puts a lot of pressure on defenses. Like Don, he’s fun to watch.”
More on Don King can be found in Thursday’s Winston-Salem Journal.