Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information on Len Chappell:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Leonard R. Chappell
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born January 31, 1941 – Passed away July 12, 2018 (aged 77)
  • Hometown: Portage, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters)
  • Weight: 240 pounds (109 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 9 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore #5, #19, and #20 during his NBA career
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Portage Area High School (Portage, Pennsylvania)
  • College: Wake Forest University (Demon Deacons) (1958–1962)
  • NBA Draft: 1962 NBA Draft, 1st Round, 4th overall pick by the Syracuse Nationals
  • Teams Played For:
    • Syracuse Nationals (1962–1963)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1963–1964)
    • New York Knicks (1964–1965)
    • Chicago Bulls (1966–1967)
    • Cincinnati Royals (1967–1968)
    • Detroit Pistons (1968)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (1968–1969)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1971)
    • Atlanta Hawks (1971)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Len Chappell’s player archetype was that of a rugged scoring big, a power forward-center type who brought interior offense, rebounding, and enough versatility to log minutes at both frontcourt spots during his NBA career. At 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, he had a thick, physical frame built for paint play, and his defensive role was that of a strong interior presence who could battle opposing big men on the glass and hold his ground around the lane rather than switch all over the floor. Offensively, Chappell functioned as a frontcourt scorer and secondary inside option, leaning on strength, touch, and work near the basket, which fits both his standout Wake Forest production and his best NBA season with the Knicks. His overall play style reads as tough, productive, and old-school: a hard-nosed big man who scored from the interior, rebounded consistently, and played with the kind of physicality that made him a dependable frontcourt piece in his era. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Len Chappell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Sports Reference CBB — Len Chappell College Stats
NBA.com — Len Chappell
Wake Forest Athletics — Len Chappell Named ACC Legend