Rick Mount: From Lebanon Phenom to Purdue Immortal and ABA Trailblazer

Before three-point shooting became basketball’s modern religion, before spacing and deep range defined offenses, there was Rick Mount.

In Indiana, his name still carries weight.

Mount was not just a great shooter — he was arguably the first true long-range superstar in basketball history. From his high school dominance at Lebanon to becoming Purdue’s all-time scoring leader, and then starring in the ABA, Mount helped shape the modern perimeter game decades before it was fashionable.

His story is not just about numbers. It is about timing, innovation, and a career that bridged eras.

The Lebanon Years: Indiana’s Golden Boy

Rick Mount was born on January 5, 1947, and raised in Lebanon, Indiana — a state where basketball excellence is woven into daily life.

At Lebanon High School, Mount became a statewide sensation.

He was not just good. He was electric.

Mount led Lebanon to the 1966 Indiana state championship game in the one-class tournament era — when every school competed for a single title. Though Lebanon fell to East Chicago Washington in the final, Mount’s performance cemented him as one of the greatest high school players in state history.

High School Honors:

• 1966 Indiana Mr. Basketball

• 1966 Indiana All-Star

• Parade All-American

• National High School Player of the Year (Helms Foundation)

He averaged over 30 points per game as a senior and was already displaying what would define his career — deep shooting range and confidence few defenders could contain.

He was a national recruit.

And he chose Purdue.

Purdue University: The Making of a Scoring Legend (1967–1970)

Rick Mount arrived at Purdue in an era when freshmen were not yet eligible for varsity play (NCAA rules at the time required freshmen to play on separate teams). So his varsity career officially began in 1967–68.

It didn’t take long for him to change the program.

Career Statistics at Purdue:

• 2,323 career points

• 28.3 points per game average

• 3× First-Team All-Big Ten (1968, 1969, 1970)

• 2× Consensus First-Team All-American (1969, 1970)

• 1970 National Player of the Year (Helms Foundation)

Mount led the Big Ten in scoring three straight seasons.

He was a prolific scorer without the benefit of a three-point line. Every deep jumper he hit counted for two — and he hit a lot of them.

His range was well beyond what most defenders expected in that era. He routinely pulled up from what would now be NBA three-point distance.

The 1969 NCAA Championship Game

Mount’s most iconic collegiate moment came in 1969.

He led Purdue to the NCAA Championship Game, where they faced UCLA and Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

Mount scored 28 points in the title game — an extraordinary performance against a historically dominant UCLA team — but Purdue fell 92–72.

Even in defeat, Mount proved he could perform on the biggest stage.

Purdue finished 1968–69 with a 29–5 record and remains one of the most accomplished teams in school history.

Mount’s No. 35 jersey was later retired by Purdue — a testament to his enduring legacy.

The Prototype Shooter

Rick Mount was ahead of his time.

If the three-point line had existed in college basketball during his career, his scoring numbers would likely look even more staggering.

He shot with:

• High arc

• Quick release

• Deep range

• Confidence in transition

Many basketball historians credit Mount as one of the earliest players to consistently utilize long-range shooting as a weapon — not just a situational attempt.

He changed how defenders guarded perimeter scorers.

The ABA Years: A Perfect Fit for Mount’s Game

Rick Mount was selected 1st overall in the 1970 ABA Draft by the Indiana Pacers.

He also had NBA draft rights (the Detroit Pistons selected him in the NBA Draft), but Mount chose the ABA — a league that would prove ideal for his style.

Why?

Because the ABA used the three-point line.

Mount’s long-range shooting finally counted for three.

Indiana Pacers (1970–1975)

Mount became a key contributor for the Pacers during one of the franchise’s greatest eras.

ABA Career Stats:

• 12,060 ABA points

• 15.9 points per game

• 1975 ABA All-Star

• 1976 ABA All-Star

He helped lead Indiana to the 1973 ABA Championship, contributing significantly during the playoff run.

Mount’s best professional season came in 1974–75, when he averaged 18.3 points per game.

He was one of the league’s most respected shooters and became one of the first true long-range specialists in professional basketball.

After the ABA–NBA Merger

When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, Mount remained with the Pacers for the 1976–77 season in the NBA.

He later spent time with:

• New Jersey Nets

• Denver Nuggets

• San Antonio Spurs

Injuries and the changing style of the league shortened his NBA tenure, and he retired in 1980.

Why Rick Mount Still Matters

Rick Mount’s legacy is layered.

1. Indiana High School Royalty

He remains one of the most celebrated high school players in Indiana history.

2. Purdue Icon

His 2,323 career points still rank among Purdue’s all-time leaders.

3. Early Three-Point Pioneer

He was built for the modern game decades before it arrived.

If Mount played today:

• His range would stretch defenses

• His scoring averages would likely increase

• His value in spacing-based offenses would be immense

Hall of Fame Recognition

Rick Mount was inducted into:

• Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

• Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

His impact on the state and on Purdue basketball is permanent.

Final Thoughts

Rick Mount’s career bridged basketball’s past and future.

At Lebanon, he was a state icon.

At Purdue, he was an All-American and national player of the year.

In the ABA, he became one of the first great three-point threats in professional basketball.

He didn’t just score points.

He changed expectations for how far a shooter could shoot — and how dangerous that could be.

In Indiana, that matters.

Because in Indiana, legends never fade.