Bones McKinney

Who was Bones McKinney?

Horace Albert "Bones" McKinney was an American professional basketball player and coach.

A 6'6" forward-center who played at both North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina, McKinney had a six-year playing career in the NBA, most of them with the now-defunct Washington Capitols. He also played for the Boston Celtics. His final year with the Capitols, McKinney was a player-coach; the team folded midway through the season.

McKinney, known for his sideline antics, would later coach the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, leading them to two Atlantic Coast Conference titles and an appearance in the Final Four in 1962.

McKinney also coached Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association from 1969 through 1971. He coached them to a 42-42 record during the 1969-1970 season, good for third place in the East Division. The Cougars then lost in the first round of the 1970 ABA playoffs to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 0. As the 1970-71 season got under way, McKinney was named a vice president of the team. After a 17-25 start, halfway through the season McKinney was replaced as head coach by his assistant coach Jerry Steele. Steele also went 17-25 for the remainder of the season for a 34-50 record that failed to get the Cougars into the 1971 ABA playoffs. During the 1970-71 season, McKinney provided color commentary for the television broadcast of the 1971 ABA All Star Game.