Gottlieb, Doug

Douglas Mitchell Gottlieb

Gottlieb began his college career at Notre Dame, then became an outstanding point guard for Oklahoma State in the late 1990s. Still the most prolific passer in OSU history, he holds every school assist record. In 1998-99, Doug became the first Jewish player in thirty years to top an NCAA Division I statistical category when he led the nation in assists (299 assists in 34 games for an 8.8 average). Rutgers' Steve Kaplan was the last Jewish player to accomplish this when he led the nation in free throw percentage in 1969-1970 (102-110 for a 92.7%).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Jan. 15, 1976

Career Highlights:
In 1996, Gottlieb arrived at Notre Dame as one of the top high school prospects in the country. He'd been named Orange County (CA) Player of the Year in 1995 as a high school senior, and finished second as Mr. Basketball in California. His freshman year for the Irish, he played in all 27 games, starting all but the first four. He led the team with 154 assists, against only 70 turnovers, and was also the team leader in steals and minutes played. Unfortunately, Doug was forced to leave Notre Dame under a cloud after he was accused of stealing credit cards.

After spending a year at Golden West College in California (where he did not play basketball), Gottlieb tranferred to Oklahoma State in 1998 as a sophomore (his father had once been an assistant coach under Cowboys coach Eddie Sutton). That season, Doug was named All-Big 12 honorable mention and conference newcomer of the year, breaking OSU's single-season assist average with 6.93 per game.

In 1999, Gottlieb was named All-Big 12 honorable mention, and led the nation in assists (8.8 per game), only the second Cowboy to lead the nation in a statistical category. He continued setting OSU assist records, breaking the school career mark with 500 (after only two seasons), and also broke the school record of 22 career double-figure assist games. In a game against Florida Atlantic, Gottlieb set a school record and tied the Big 12 mark with 18 assists, and in the Big 12 tournament, he set the record for assists in a game (14) as well as in tournament play (38).

Doug capped off a stellar college career in 2000 by leading Oklahoma State to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. He finished second in the nation in assists with 8.5 per game (290 in 34 games), while committing only 105 turnovers (3.1 average). OSU coach Eddie Sutton said of Gottlieb, "Doug doesn't have to score points for us to be a winner. He's one of the best guards as far as being able to distribute the ball, run the ball club, and has turned into a great defender."

Gottlieb went unselected in the NBA draft, but was the top pick of the Oklahoma Storm of the USBL in April, 2000. Although a terrific passer and floor leader, his lack of shooting ability (.240 three-point percentage and .457 free throw percentage in college) will keep him out of the NBA. He's expressed interest in broadcasting, but says of his playing future, "I feel like I have a lot of basketball left in me. I'd die 10 deaths watching other people if I thought I could still play..."

After winning the Russian Championship with Ural Great in 2000-01, Gottlieb played at the 2001 Maccabiah Games and helped the U.S. win the gold medal, defeating Israel in the final game, 82-71. During the 2001-02 season, Doug was a member of the Maccabi Ra'anana .

Origin:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Career Dates:
Gottlieb played point guard at Notre Dame in 1996, and for Oklahoma State from 1997-2000.

Physical description:
6'1", 180 pounds

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