Donald R. Buse (/ˈbuːziː/BOO-zee;^[1] born August 10, 1950) is an American former professionalbasketball player. A 6'4" (1.93 m)point guard from theUniversity of Evansville, he played 13 seasons (1972–1985) in theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) andNational Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of theIndiana Pacers,^[2] thePhoenix Suns,^[3] thePortland Trail Blazers, and theKansas City Kings.

Don Buse

Buse, circa 1986
Personal information
Born	(1950-08-10)August 10, 1950 (age 74) Huntingburg, Indiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school	Holland (Holland, Indiana)
College	Evansville (1969–1972)
NBA draft	1972: 3rd round, 34th overall pick
Drafted by	Phoenix Suns
Playing career	1972–1985
Position	Point guard
Number	10, 11
Career history
1972–1977	Indiana Pacers
1977–1980	Phoenix Suns
1980–1982	Indiana Pacers
1982–1983	Portland Trail Blazers
1983–1985	Kansas City Kings
Career highlights and awards
ABA champion (1973) NBA All-Star (1977) ABA All-Star (1976) All-ABA Second Team (1976) ABA steals leader (1976) 4×NBA All-Defensive First Team (1977–1980) 2×ABA All-Defensive First Team (1975, 1976) NBA assists leader (1977) NBA steals leader (1977) NCAA Division II champion (1971) No. 10 jerseyretired by Evansville Purple Aces
Career statistics
Points	6,890 (7.1 ppg)
Assists	4,425 (4.6 apg)
Steals	1,818 (2.0 spg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats atBasketball Reference

Named an Indiana All-Star in 1968, following a stellar career atHolland High School, which consolidated withHuntingburg High School to becomeSouthridge High School.He started from 1964 to 1968, and led the Dutchmen to Sectional Championships in 1967 and 1968.They finished the 1968 season undefeated but lost the Regional Championship game^[4] to perennial powerJeffersonville High School. Buse was selected to the Indiana All-Star Team in 1968.

• Played for legendaryArad McCutchan at Evansville; leading the Purple Aces to a four-year record of 68–42 and the 1971NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship title.
• Ranks # 13 all-time in scoring (1,426 pts.)
• Ranks # 9 all-time in scoring average (16.9)
• Ranks # 9 all-time in field goal percentage (.497)
• Ranks # 7 all-time in free throws (364)
• Ranks # 7 all-time in free throw percentage (78.5)
• Selected as 1st Team All-Indiana Collegiate Conference in 1970–71 and 1971–72.
• Selected as 1st Team All-District College Division (NABC) in 1972.
• Selected as 3rd Team All-American College Division (UPI) in 1972.
• Selected as 3rd Team All-American College Division (NABC) in 1972.
• Selected as Honorable Mention All-American College Division (AP) in 1972.
• Selected as 1st Team All-American College Division (Universal Sports) in 1972.
• Retired his number (#10)
• Selected to theUSA Basketball Team in 1971;Pan-American Games participant.
• Invited to U.S. Olympic Trials in 1972; declined invitation for professional basketball career.

Don Buse was selected for the NCAA squad to compete for positions on the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, but he was replaced by Jim Forbes as he signed a professional contract.

Buse went on to play professionally for theIndiana Pacers, thePhoenix Suns, thePortland Trail Blazers, and theKansas City Kings.

Buse was known for his dependable ball-handling, tight defense, and clutch-shooting, and he appeared in twoAll-Star games (one in the ABA in1976; one in the NBA in1977)^[5] during the course of his career. His best season occurred in 1975–76, when he led the ABA in bothsteals per game (4.12) andassists per game (8.2) while also contributing a career high 12.5 points per game. In the next season, his first in the NBA, Buse again led all players in steals per game (3.47) and assists per game (8.5).

In 1979, Buse helped take the Suns deep into the playoffs on a team with notable players, such asPaul Westphal,Walter Davis,Truck Robinson andAlvan Adams.

Buse was an All-Defensive Team member six times, from the 1974–75 season through the 1979–80 season. The first two were in the ABA and the final four were in the NBA.

After Buse's career he was selected to several All-time teams, including:

• Selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 'Silver Anniversary' Team in 1993.
• Selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
• Selected as one of Indiana's Greatest 50 players[1] in 1999.
• Selected to the All-TimeUniversity of Evansville Basketball Team in 2005.

• List of NBA annual assists leaders
• List of NBA annual steals leaders
• List of NBA single-season steals per game leaders

• Career statistics fromNBA.com   and Basketball Reference
• "No Boo-boos For Boo Boo", 1977Sports Illustrated article
• "Buse Putting Go in Pacers", 1982Sporting News article
• Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame[2]