Frank & Billy are looking forward to a visit from the legendary UCLA basketball star and a first round pick in the NBA draft, John Vallely, on the April 13th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic.
Vallely, a former NBA player and 2x NCAA Basketball Champion, was a star and All-American for the John Wooden led UCLA Bruins. He won his two NCAA championships in 1969 and 1970, and was a teammate of Kareem Abdul Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor) in ’69.
The 14th player drafted in the First Round of the 1970 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, the 6’2” guard also played for the Houston Rockets.
As impressive as Vallely was in hoops, the Newport Beach, CA born athlete was equally dominant in volleyball. Introduced to beach volleyball while in high school, John was a member of one of beach volleyball’s greatest two-man duos ever. In 1969, Vallely and his partner, the legendary Von Hagen, put together a perfect season, winning all of the five open tournaments they entered.
Vallely was recognized for his beach volleyball accomplishments by being inducted into the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) Hall of Fame.
Following his basketball career, Vallely built a successful real estate portfolio and a sports apparel business. Since the passing of his daughter, Erin, from cancer at the age of 12, he has been actively involved in pediatric cancer research, serving on the Board of Director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation with Rod Carew.
Vallely faced his own battle with cancer, being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002, and was later blessed with a successful stem cell/bone marrow transplant in 2006. He called on the lessons he learned from Coach Wooden to come out triumphant in that battle as well.
John currently works in Orange County, CA where he lives with his wife Karen of 50+ years, and close to his son Eric and granddaughter Erin.
A basketball legend and a California Beach Volleyball Hall of Famer, the affable John Vallely will be a special ‘MMM’ guest on April 13th.
###