Ron Bonham, American basketball player, Died at 73

  Sports

Ronald D. Bonham was born on May 31, 1942, and died on April 16, 2016.

He was an American professional basketball player.

He stood at 6’5″ (1.96 m) forward, Bonham attended Muncie Central High School in Muncie, Indiana, where he earned the nickname “The Muncie Mortar” and “The Blond Bomber.”

During his senior, Ron averaged 28 points per game and earned Indiana’s “Mr. Basketball” award as he led his team to the state runner-up spot.

Bonham was twice named first-team All-Indiana and was named MVP of both Indiana vs. Kentucky all-star games as a senior.

Bonham graduated in 1960 as Muncie Central’s all-time leading scorer with 2,023 points, which also made him the all-time scorer for the state of Indiana.
He narrowed his college choices to Purdue University and the University of Cincinnati.

During his a sophomore years under coach Ed Jucker, Ron averaged 14.3 points per game, led the Bearcats with a .760 free throw percentage and was named All-Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).

With The Bearcats won the MVC title and posted a 29-2 overall record.

The team was led by Bonham, Tom Thacker, George Wilson, Tony Yates and Paul Hogue, on March 24, 1962, they won their second consecutive NCAA championship with a 71-59 win over Ohio State.

In his junior years in 1962-63, Bonham led the Bearcats in scoring with 21.0 points per game and in free throw percentage at .892, again earning All-MVC honors.

In his senior years, he again led the Bearcats in scoring with a 24.4 average and a .819 free throw percentage and was co-team MVP with George Wilson.

Ron Bonham was selected in the second round (16th overall) in the 1964 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.

During his rookie years in 1964-65, he was a backup forward, played 10 minutes per game in 37 games and averaged 7.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Ron did, however, win a championship ring as the Celtics went 62-18 and won the NBA title with a five-game series victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was inducted into the University of Cincinnati Athletics Hall of Fame, in 1986.

Ron was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, in 1991.

Ron Bonhampassed away at 73 yrs old.