Kramer, Joel

Joel Bruce Kramer

Kramer was terrific player at San Diego State University in the late 1970s before playing professionally both in the NBA and in Israel in the 1980s.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Nov. 30, 1955

Career Highlights:
Kramer was the hometown star for San Diego State in the 1970s before playing in the NBA. After a decent 16-13 season in 1976, the Aztecs struggled the following year despite Kramer's excellence on the court. Joel was named first team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) although the Aztecs finished 13-15. In 1977, Kramer repeated as first team All-conference and was named PCAA Player of the Year, and San Diego State had a strong season and finished 19-9. That year, Joel was also a member of the gold medal winning U.S. team at the Maccabiah Games. He said of the experience: "I had a sense of pride, being one of the Jews representing our country in competition.

In 1978, Kramer was drafted in the third round (63rd overall) by the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. During training camp prior to the start of his rookie year, Kramer found himself with a dilemma; one of the pre-season games fell on Rosh Hashana. When Joel asked the Suns coach if observing the Jewish New Year would be a detriment to his making the team, the coach responded: "Do what you need to do." Kramer attended services and made the team. That season (1978-79) was his best in the NBA. He played in all 82 games, scored 487 points (5.9), had 337 rebounds (4.1), 92 assists, and 23 blocks -- all career highs. Joel helped lead the Suns to a record of 50-32 (2nd in the Western Conference) and the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to 4-3 to the Seattle Supersonics (the eventual NBA champion).

The following season, the Suns finished 55-27 and lost in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1 (the Lakers eventually won the NBA title with a rookie named Magic Johnson). In 1980-81, Kramer played in all 82 games and averaged 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, and the Suns finished the season with the best record in the Western Conference (57-25), but lost again in the Conference Semifinals, this time to the Kansas City Kings, 4-3. In Kramer's final two seasons, the Suns made the playoffs but did not advance past the conference semifinals. Joel retired in 1983 after playing five seasons for the Suns, and appearing in 328 career NBA games.

After playing with the Suns, Kramer went to Israel and played with Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The 1977 Maccabiah Games alumnus remained with the club for only a few months. He said, "They wanted a 'Dr. J. type.' The slam-dunk. They assumed by virtue of my being from the NBA, I would be that kind of player." Kramer, who was more of a team-oriented player, is a member of the San Diego State Athletic Hall of Fame. He is currently the president of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center board of directors.

Origin:
San Diego, California

Career Dates:
Kramer played at San Diego State University in 1974 and again from 1976-78, and in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns from 1978-1983.

Physical description:
6'7", 205 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NBA:
Games: 328
Points: 1,257
Points Per Game: 3.8

Field Goals Made: 483
Field Goals Attempted: 1,008
Field Goal Percentage: .479

3-Pointers Made: 0
3-Pointers Attempted: 3
3-Point Percentage: 0.000

Free Throws Made: 291
Free Throws Attempted: 395
Free Throw Percentage: .737

Rebounds: 916
Rebounds Per Game: 2.8
Assists: 343
Assists Per Game: 1.0
Steals: not available
Blocks: 62

Personal Fouls: 585
Disqualifications: 2
Turnovers: 264

NBA playoffs:
Games: 28
Points: 129
Points Per Game: 4.6

Field Goals Made: 50
Field Goals Attempted: 93
Field Goal Percentage: .538

3-Pointers Made: 0
3-Pointers Attempted: 0
3-Point Percentage: 0.000

Free Throws Made: 29
Free Throws Attempted: 41
Free Throw Percentage: .707

Rebounds: 78
Rebounds Per Game: 2.8
Assists: 24
Assists Per Game: 0.9
Steals: 12
Blocks: 9

Personal Fouls: 64
Disqualifications: 2
Turnovers: 18

< Previous |  Next >