Billy Paultz

Who is Billy Paultz?

William Edward "Billy" Paultz is a retired American professional basketball player.

Born in River Edge, New Jersey, Paultz played college basketball at Cameron Junior College and then at Saint John's University, and was selected in the seventh round of the 1970 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets and by the Virginia Squires in the 1970 ABA Draft. Paultz opted to sign with the Squires. On August 11, 1970 the Squires traded his rights to the New York Nets in exchange for a draft choice and cash.

He played professional ball both in the National Basketball Association and in the now defunct American Basketball Association. His nickname was "The Whopper", and he stands 6 feet 11 inches tall.

As a rookie, Paultz made his first playoff appearance in 1970-1971 with the New York Nets. He spent his first five seasons, all in the playoffs, with the ABA Nets, and was a key player in their 1974 championship season. He was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs where he made four appearances in the playoffs, including one in an ABA championship final from 1975–1979.

Although Paultz moved with a bulky stiffness, he was a very heady player.