Billy Keller retired from the Pacers in the fall of 1975, during training camp, when his knee wouldn’t allow him to play any longer. The next day he was in the WIBC studios with morning host Gary Todd, taking calls from fans.

This excerpt of that show provides an indication of Keller’s popularity, and a slice of the basketball life in Indianapolis at that time. I’ve left in a few of the commercials, just for effect. Keller had attended Washington High School and Purdue, and then played seven seasons for the Pacers. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick. He was a valuable reserve on all three ABA championship teams, and probably the team’s most popular player. This clip offers evidence of that.

Thanks to Charlie Morgan, general manager of the Emmis stations, for allowing me to post it here.

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Tagged with: Billy Keller, Indiana Pacers