American · Vredenburgh, Alabama · Born 30 September 1954American professional basketball player who starred as a high-scoring forward in the NBA from 1974-1985, known for his prolific offensive output.
John Drew was among the NBA's most consistent scorers of the mid-1970s — six All-Star selections and a 20.7 career points-per-game average — and became one of the sport's earliest prominent cases of the substance abuse crisis that forced the league to treat addiction as an institutional problem rather than a private failure.. Atlanta Hawks selected him in the second round of the 1974 NBA Draft from Gardner-Webb University. His 11-season career produced 20.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game along with six All-Star appearances. He averaged 23.7 points per game for Atlanta in 1977-78 — his finest individual season. He is the Atlanta Hawks' fourth all-time leading scorer. His combination of scoring ability, rebounding and athleticism made him one of the more complete small forwards of the mid-to-late 1970s. He was one of the early prominent cases of substance abuse in the NBA — he struggled with cocaine addiction during his career and was suspended multiple times under the NBA's drug programme in the early 1980s. His career ended in 1985 as a result of these issues. Despite the personal challenges, his six All-Star appearances and consistent 20-plus point production across multiple seasons reflect genuine elite-level basketball ability. He has spoken publicly about his addiction and recovery in the decades since his playing career.
High-scoring forward known for his offensive prowess
How They Played
Athletic forward with excellent scoring ability
Lasting Impact
Prolific scorer who battled substance abuse issues
Career Honours
- All-Star 6x
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | 1974–1982 | 614 |
| Utah Jazz | 1982–1985 | 178 |
American Athletes