Don Buse


Donald R. Buse is a retired American professional basketball player.
A 6'4" guard from the University of Evansville, Buse played 13 seasons in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Kansas City Kings.

High school

Named an Indiana All-Star in 1968, following a stellar career at Holland High School, which consolidated with Huntingburg High School to become Southridge High School.
He started from 1964–1968, and led the Dutchmen to Sectional Championships in 1967 and 1968.
They finished the 1968 season undefeated but lost the Regional Championship game to perennial power Jeffersonville High School. Buse was selected to the Indiana All-Star Team in 1968.

College

Don Buse was selected for the NCAA squad to compete for positions on the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, but he was replaced by Jim Forbes as he signed a professional contract.
Buse went on to play professionally for the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Kansas City Kings.
Buse was known for his dependable ball-handling, tight defense, and clutch-shooting, and he appeared in two All-Star games during the course of his career. His best season occurred in 1975-76, when he led the ABA in both steals per game and assists per game while also contributing a career high 12.5 points per game. In the next season, his first in the NBA, Buse again led all players in steals per game and assists per game.
In 1979, Buse helped take the Suns deep into the playoffs on a team with notable players, such as Paul Westphal, Walter Davis, Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams.
Buse was an All-Defensive Team member six times, from the 1974–75 season through the 1979–80 season. The first two were in the ABA and the final four were in the NBA.
After Buse's career he was selected to several All-time teams, including: