Ron Behagen

Ron Behagen is an American former professional basketball player. He played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association as a power forward and center for eight different teams and also played professionally in Italy. Teams he has played in the NBA include the New Orleans Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Washington Bullets, and more.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Ronald Michael Behagen was born on January 14, 1951, in New York City, United States. He stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds during his playing days. In 2012,

Behagen was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution after pleading guilty to stealing money from a 68-year-old woman suffering from multiple illnesses.

High School and College Career

Behagen attended DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx, New York. He played college basketball at the College of Southern Idaho from 1969 to 1971 and at the University of Minnesota from 1971 to 1973.

He was named Third-team All-American by UPI and First-team All-Big Ten in 1973. On January 25, 1972, Behagen was involved in a serious on-court incident during a game against Ohio State, which resulted in his suspension for the remainder of the season.

Professional Career

Behagen was selected by the Kansas City–Omaha Kings with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 1973 NBA Draft.

He played for the Kings from 1973 to 1975, the New Orleans Jazz from 1975 to 1977, the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, and Indiana Pacers during the 1977 season. He also played for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks in 1978, and 1979 and the Kansas City Kings in 1979, Antonini Siena in Italy in 1979–1980, and the Washington Bullets in 1980.

Behagen was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1974.

Career Highlights

• 1973 – Third-team All-American (UPI)
• 1973 – First-team All-Big Ten
• 1974 – NBA All-Rookie First Team