Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Tom Abernethy, a former NBA player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Thomas Craig Abernethy
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on May 6, 1954
  • Hometown: South Bend, Indiana, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
  • Weight: 220 pounds (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 33 and 42
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend, Indiana
  • College: Indiana University (1972–1976)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 3rd round (43rd overall pick) in the 1976 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1976–1977)
    • Golden State Warriors (1977–1979)
    • Indiana Pacers (1980–1983, played in both NBA and ABA)
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Tom Abernethy’s player archetype was that of a blue-collar complementary forward: a low-usage, team-first piece who fit beside better scorers, defended both forward spots, rebounded his area, and kept possessions moving without needing the offense built around him. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, he had solid wing-forward size for his era, and his play style leaned more on positioning, effort, screening, finishing, and simple ball movement than on shot creation or isolation scoring. Offensively, he projected as a supporting option who could score within the flow, while defensively he brought value as a physical, fundamentally sound helper whose versatility made him a useful role player in both college and the NBA. (NBA)

Sources:

Indiana University Athletics — Tom Abernethy (2015) – Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame — Tom Abernethy
Mark Montieth — Tom Abernethy
NBA.com — Tom Abernethy | Forward | Golden State Warriors