Last Updated on June 10, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
League Search Page > NBA > New Jersey Nets > Roster & Statistics
Here is the New Jersey Nets (still known as the New York Nets) 1971–72 season roster and regular season player statistics.
Note: The team was still officially the New York Nets in 1971–72, based on Long Island. They played home games at Island Garden and Nassau Coliseum during the season.
Team Roster – 1971–72 New York Nets
| # | Player | Pos | Height | Weight | Birthdate | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Bill Melchionni | G | 6’1″ | 180 lb | Oct 19, 1944 | Villanova |
| 11 | Ollie Taylor | G | 6’2″ | 194 lb | Mar 7, 1947 | Houston |
| 12 | Luther Green | F | 6’7″ | 210 lb | Nov 13, 1946 | LIU Brooklyn |
| 14 | John Roche | G | 6’1″ | 170 lb | Sep 26, 1949 | South Carolina |
| 15 | Walt Simon | F | 6’6″ | 200 lb | Dec 1, 1939 | Benedict College |
| 20 | Rick Barry | F | 6’7″ | 205 lb | Mar 28, 1944 | Miami (FL) |
| 21 | Mike Gale | G | 6’4″ | 185 lb | Jul 18, 1950 | Elizabeth City State |
| 22 | Willie Sojourner | F/C | 6’8″ | 225 lb | Sep 10, 1943 | Weber State |
| 23 | John Baum | F | 6’5″ | 200 lb | Jun 17, 1946 | Temple |
| 24 | Billy Paultz | C | 6’11” | 200 lb | Mar 30, 1948 | Saint John’s |
| 25 | Steve Jones | G/F | 6’5″ | 200 lb | Apr 29, 1942 | Oregon |
| 44 | Jim Ard | C | 6’8″ | 215 lb | Sep 19, 1948 | Cincinnati |
Regular Season Player Statistics – 1971–72
| Player | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry | 70 | 31.5 | 7.5 | 4.7 | 46.8% | 89.1% |
| Bill Melchionni | 84 | 14.2 | 2.8 | 6.8 | 47.1% | 85.4% |
| Billy Paultz | 84 | 14.0 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 48.7% | 72.8% |
| Steve Jones | 73 | 11.8 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 46.5% | 83.0% |
| John Roche | 82 | 11.3 | 2.1 | 3.2 | 43.3% | 82.4% |
| Ollie Taylor | 78 | 10.0 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 45.4% | 74.6% |
| Willie Sojourner | 81 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 1.0 | 47.2% | 65.5% |
| John Baum | 61 | 6.8 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 43.6% | 70.0% |
| Mike Gale | 67 | 5.3 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 41.9% | 76.0% |
| Luther Green | 38 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 42.0% | 68.0% |
| Walt Simon | 32 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 40.8% | 72.5% |
| Jim Ard | 12 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 38.9% | 69.2% |
Season Summary – 1971–72
- Team Name: New York Nets
- Record: 44–40
- Division: Eastern (3rd place)
- Head Coach: Lou Carnesecca
- Playoffs:
- Lost to Kentucky Colonels 2–4 (Eastern Division Semifinals)