Kurt Nimphius (born March 13, 1958) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) player. Nimphius played nine seasons in the NBA after his collegiate career at Arizona State University.
Early life
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nimphius was the son of Karl and Esther Nimphius and was raised with siblings Kris and Karla. His father and uncles operated the Nimphius Boat Company and his father was a woodworking teacher, who built the family home himself.
High school career
Nimphius attended South Milwaukee High School in South Milwaukee, graduating in 1976 and playing basketball for Coach Jerry Sullivan.
In the 1976 Wisconsin Class A Basketball Tournament, Nimphius lead South Milwaukee to three victories and the state championship to complete a 25–0 season. Nimphius scored 97 points, the second-highest total ever in the tournament, along with 40 rebounds.
Nimphius led South Milwaukee to victories over Milwaukee Washington, Madison West and Eau Claire Memorial. Nimphius scored 30 points with 11 rebounds in the 45–43 Finals victory over Coach Dick Bennett's Eau Claire Memorial team. Nimphius hit a short jumper with 46 seconds left to break a 43–43 tie.
College career
Nimphius attended Arizona State University, where he played for Coach Ned Wulk. As a freshman in 1976–1977 he average 1.5 points and 1.6 rebounds for the Sun Devils. As a sophomore, Nimphius averaged 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds, shooting 55.7%, from the floor. As a junior, in 1978–1979, Nimphius averaged 9.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, shooting 58%.
As a senior in 1979–1980 under Coach Wulk, Nimphius averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, shooting 60% from the field. Arizona State finished 22–7 and 15–3 in the Pac-10 Conference. He led the team in scoring and rebounding, playing alongside Byron Scott, Sam Williams, Alton Lister and Fat Lever.
Arizona State played in the 1980 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. They defeated Loyola Marymount 99–71 before losing to Ohio State 89–75. Nimphius had 13 points and 7 rebounds against Loyola Marymount and 14 points and 11 rebounds against Ohio State with Herb Williams, Kelvin Ransey and Clark Kellogg.
Nimphius was named All-Pac-10 after his senior season, when he had 11 double-doubles and scored 30 points four times, including 37 points against Oregon.
Overall, Nimphius played in 104 games at ASU, averaging 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds on 58% shooting. Nimphius holds ASU records for highest single-season (60.9) and career (58.6) field goal percentage marks and ranks among the Sun Devils' top 10 in career rebounding, blocked shots and points (1,006).
Professional career
Denver / Europe / Alberta (1980–1981) Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the third round (1st pick) of the 1980 NBA draft, Nimphius took part in Denver's rookie/free agent camp, but was not invited to return for regular training camp.
Nimphius began the 1980–1981 season playing in Europe for Rodrigo Chieti of the Italian Professional League, averaging 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds in ten games. Nimphius then returned to the United States to play with Alberta Dusters of the Continental Basketball Association, playing in 18 games, averaging 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks (1981–1985)
On September 2, 1981 Nimphius was waived by the Denver Nuggets and immediately signed as a free agent by the Dallas Mavericks the same day.
As an NBA rookie in 1981–1982, under Coach Dick Motta in Dallas, Nimphius played in 63 games with 27 starts, as the Mavericks finished 28–54. Mark Aguirre, the number one overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft, Jay Vincent and Rolando Blackman were fellow rookies.
In 1982–1983, Dallas finished 38–44, with Nimphius averaging 18 minutes 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 49% in 81 games. He split time at center with Pat Cummings.
Dallas improved to 43–39 in 1983–1984. Nimphius split time with Cummings and averaged 7.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks in 27 minutes per game. He played in 81 games, starting 47. Dallas made the playoffs, where they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 3 games to 2, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1. Nimphius averaged 3 points and 6 rebounds in the Seattle series and 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the Lakers series.
In 1984–1985, Nimphius played in all 82 games for Dallas, starting 40, as the Mavericks finished 44–38. Nimphius averaged 6.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 24 minutes. Dallas was defeated by Portland in the playoffs 3–1 and Nimphius played sparingly in the series.