John Roche Inducted in 2003
John Roche
John Michael Roche a New York City native, attended high school at La Salle Academy. Later he attended the University of South Carolina (1968-1971). Roche was twice named the ACC basketball Player of the Year, he was a consensus All-American and Academic All-American basketball player in 1970 and 1971. He was named the 20th-best player in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference on its 50-year anniversary team.
Roche was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (14th pick) of the 1971 NBA draft and also selected by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1971 ABA Draft. Roche signed with the New York Nets of the ABA, who had obtained the rights to him from the Colonels. He was selected to the 1972 ABA All-Rookie team and played with the Nets during his first three seasons.
Playing career, New York Nets (1971-74), Kentucky Colonels (1974-75), Utah Stars (1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1976), Sinudyne Bologna (1977-78), and Denver Nuggets (1979-82). Career highlights ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972), 2× Consensus second-team All-American (1970, 1971), 2× ACC Player of the Year (1969, 1970), 3× First-team All-ACC (1969–1971), and No. 11 retired by South Carolina Gamecocks. Roche is a member of the New York City, LaSalle Academy, University of South Carolina, and the State of South Carolina Hall of Fame.
Roche was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (14th pick) of the 1971 NBA draft and also selected by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1971 ABA Draft. Roche signed with the New York Nets of the ABA, who had obtained the rights to him from the Colonels. He was selected to the 1972 ABA All-Rookie team and played with the Nets during his first three seasons.
Playing career, New York Nets (1971-74), Kentucky Colonels (1974-75), Utah Stars (1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1976), Sinudyne Bologna (1977-78), and Denver Nuggets (1979-82). Career highlights ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972), 2× Consensus second-team All-American (1970, 1971), 2× ACC Player of the Year (1969, 1970), 3× First-team All-ACC (1969–1971), and No. 11 retired by South Carolina Gamecocks. Roche is a member of the New York City, LaSalle Academy, University of South Carolina, and the State of South Carolina Hall of Fame.