Ken Warzynski
{{Short description|American basketball player (1948–2019)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Ken Warzynski
| image =
| width =
| caption =
| number = 40
| position = Power forward
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lb = 213
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1948|06|30}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|1|18|1948|06|30}}
| death_place = Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
| nationality = American
| high_school = Gordon Tech (Chicago, Illinois)
| college = DePaul (1967–1970)
| draft_year = 1970
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 32
| draft_team = Detroit Pistons
| career_start =
| career_end =
| highlights =
}}
Kenneth Harry Warzynski (June 30, 1948 – January 18, 2019) was an American basketball player who played for DePaul University and was a second round draft pick (32nd pick overall) of the Detroit Pistons in the 1970 NBA draft.
Early life
Warzynski was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 30, 1948, the son of Harry and Florence Warzynski. He was raised with his sister Arlene and attended Gordon Technical High School in Chicago.{{cite web|url=https://www.rallscountymo.net/|title=rallscountymissouri|website=rallscountymissouri}} Warzynski graduated from Gordon Technical in 1966, where he played basketball and also varsity baseball.{{cite web|url=https://gths66.classquest.com/main/default.aspx?r=1&pageid=107406&siteid=E212429300|title=Class of 1966 + (Gordon Technical High School)|website=gths66.classquest.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-27-9403270461-story.html|title=BASEBALL|first=Bill O'Connor contributed to this|last=report|website=chicagotribune.com}}
College career
A 6'7" forward, Warzynski played college basketball for DePaul University under Hall of Fame Coach Ray Meyer. As a Senior in 1969–1970, Warzynski averaged 19.7 points and 15.2 rebounds, as DePaul finished 12–13.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ken-warzynski-1.html|title=Ken Warzynski College Stats|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}
Warzynski had 28 rebounds against Harvard on Jan. 3, 1970, still the DePaul single-game team record. Warzynski ranks fourth on DePaul's all-time rebounding list and his career rebounding average of 11.6 is currently third all time. His 15.2 rebounding average in 1969–1970 is second all-time at DePaul.{{Cite web | url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/depa/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/mbb1000pts.pdf | title=Depaul record book {{!}} 1,000-point scorers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404134449/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/depa/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/mbb1000pts.pdf |archive-date=2018-04-04 }}{{Cite web |url=https://depaulbluedemons.com/documents/2018/12/5//MBBalltimerecords2018.pdf?id=5514 |title=(PDF) – DePaul University Athletics |access-date=2019-03-03 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043656/https://depaulbluedemons.com/documents/2018/12/5//MBBalltimerecords2018.pdf?id=5514 |url-status=dead }}
Overall, Warzynski averaged 16.0 points and 11.6 rebounds in his 75 career games at DePaul, with 1,203 total points and 890 total rebounds.
Professional career
The Detroit Pistons selected Warzynski in the second round of the 1970 NBA draft. The Pistons had drafted Bob Lanier with the #1 pick in the 1970 Draft. Warzynski never played in the NBA.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=772|title=The Draft Review|first1=Fine Line Websites & IT|last1=Consulting|first2=The Draft|last2=Review|website=The Draft Review}} The Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association also selected Warzynski in the 11th round of the 1970 ABA Draft.{{cite web|url=http://prosportstransactions.com/basketball/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&BeginYear=2008&BeginMonth=10&BeginDay=28&EndYear=&EndMonth=&EndDay=&submit=Search&start=5925|title=Basketball Transactions Search Results|website=prosportstransactions.com}}
In 1970–1971, Warzynski played for the Rockford Royals of the Continental Basketball Association, along with former DePaul teammate Al Zetsche.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasljerseys.com/EBA/Rosters/MBL-NABL/RoyalsRockford_Rosters.htm|title=Eastern Basketball Association Rosters|website=www.nasljerseys.com}}
Honors
- Warzynski was inducted into the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. His coach, Ray Meyer, was a fellow inductee in the ceremony on November 20, 1987.{{cite web|url=https://depaulbluedemons.com/news/2007/10/29/Hall_of_Fame_By_Sport.aspx|title=Hall of Fame – By Sport|website=DePaul University Athletics}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-11-20-8703270584-story.html|title=YUGOSLAVS TEST DEMONS|first=Bob|last=Logan|website=chicagotribune.com}}
Personal
Warzynski had a career in real estate in South Carolina.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8trxhGtv7A|title=KEN WARZYNSKI, REALTOR CHARLESTON, SC COLDWELL BANKER UNITED, REALTORS|last=Coldwell Banker – Carolinas|date=28 March 2013|publisher=|via=YouTube}}{{cite web|url=https://www.charlestoncremationcenter.com/obituaries/Kenneth-Warzynski/|title=Kenneth Harry Warzynski – View Obituary & Service Information|website=Kenneth Harry Warzynski Obituary}}
Warzynski died on January 18, 2019. He was survived by his four children, Julie, JoAnne, Chris and Kevin.{{cite web|url=https://www.everhere.com/us/obituary-mount-pleasant-kenneth-harry-warzynski-8652535|title=Kenneth Harry Warzynski's Memorial – Mount Pleasant, South Carolina – Online Obituaries|website=everhere.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{1970 NBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warzynski, Ken}}
Category:20th-century American sportsmen
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Chicago
Category:DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball players
Category:Denver Rockets draft picks