Playing career

Shue attended Towson Catholic High School and the University of Maryland, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, he was drafted 3rd overall in the 1954 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. During his ten year playing career in the NBA, he was also a member of the New York Knicks, Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons, and the Baltimore Bullets. After just six games with the Philadelphia Warriors Shue was sold to the New York Knicks.

After the 1955-56 season Shue was traded to the Fort Wayne Pistons for Ron Sobie. In 1956-57 he played his first season (third season in the league) for the Fort Wayne Pistons. The franchise moved to Detroit the following season, and Shue blossomed. Shue was one of the top guards of the early days of the NBA. He is credited with inventing the "Spin Move," a 360-degree turn while changing hands. Shue was an NBA All-Star five consecutive times (1958-62). In 1959-60 he recorded 22.8 pts/game (6th most in the NBA) (1712 pts) and 5.5 rebounds/game, leading the NBA in minutes (3338) and finishing second in free throw % (.872) while earning All-NBA First Team honors. The following year he may have had his most complete year ever, averaging 4.3 rebounds/game, 6.8 assists/game (4th in the NBA) (530 assists also 4th) and 22.6 points/game (10th most in the NBA) (1765 pts). He also marked his highest field goal% (.421) and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. The 1961-62 season was his last one as star player; he averaged 19.0 pts/game and 5.8 assists/game (5th in the NBA) (465 assists also 5th).

In 1962 Shue was traded back to the New York Knicks for Darrall Imhoff and cash. In 1963 Shue was traded along with Paul Hogue to the Baltimore Bullets for Bill McGill.

Coaching career

Shue then served 23 years as a head coach in the league. As the Baltimore Bullets coach he guided them to the NBA Finals in 1971 but got swept by the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Oscar Robertson-led Milwaukee Bucks. He guided the Philadelphia 76ers, which had the worst record in NBA history in 1973, to the 1977 NBA Finals, but eventually lost to the Bill Walton-led Portland Trail Blazers. Shue finished his coaching career with a regular season record of 784-861 while going 30-47 in the playoffs. His 784 wins are the 16th most in NBA history and his 861 losses are the sixth most in NBA history. Gene Shue was twice named NBA Coach of the Year.

Shue, who now lives in Marina del Rey, California, currently is a scout for the 76ers.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]