Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Jack Marin, former Duke and NBA basketball standout.
Marin’s game took shape at Duke University, where he played under Vic Bubas during the program’s ascent to national prominence. At 6’6″ with a left-handed stroke that became his trademark, he quickly established himself as a smart, reliable, matchup-stretching forward. Marin was known as “Mr. Consistency” to Blue Devil fans. He played in all 85 games during his three year career and excelled in all phases of the game. He still ranks as one of the greatest collegiate shooters of all-time and stands tenth on Duke’s al-time scoring list. Marin led the ’66 Blue Devils in scoring and was at his best in the big games. In Duke’s two-game sweep of 1965 national champion UCLA, Marin scored 43 points in a fine all-around floor performance. Later against number three-ranked Michigan he scored 30 points while matched against Cazzie Russell. His consistent play earned him All-America honors his senior year and all-ACC honors as a junior. He was a two-time All-ACC selection and helped lead Duke to the 1966 Final Four, cementing his status as one of the top collegiate players in the country. Marin was inducted into the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978.
The Baltimore Bullets selected Marin fifth overall in the 1966 NBA Draft, and he wasted no time proving he belonged. He earned NBA All-Rookie honors in 1967, showcasing a polished mid-range game and a knack for scoring without unnecessary flash.
By the early 1970s, Marin had developed into one of the league’s most efficient forwards. His 1970–71 season was his best statistically, averaging 21.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He earned two NBA All-Star selections (1972 and 1973) and was among the league’s most reliable free-throw shooters, leading the NBA in free-throw percentage in 1971.
Marin’s most memorable postseason run came during the 1971 NBA Finals, where the Bullets faced the powerhouse Milwaukee Bucks led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. Though the Bullets lost the series, Marin shined, averaging nearly 20 points per game and demonstrating his ability to thrive under playoff pressure. His calm demeanor, high basketball IQ, and accuracy under duress became trademarks of his postseason reputation.
In 1973, Marin became part of a major NBA transaction when Baltimore traded him to the Houston Rockets in the deal that sent Elvin Hayes to the Bullets. Marin brought veteran leadership and steady scoring to Houston, where he averaged in the mid-teens and helped guide a developing roster featuring Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich. His professionalism and composure made him a stabilizing presence.
He later played for the Buffalo Braves, contributing veteran shot-making alongside young star Bob McAdoo, and then finished his career with the Chicago Bulls during the 1976–77 season. Over 11 NBA seasons, Marin scored 12,541 points, averaged double-figure scoring nearly every year, and maintained excellent shooting percentages — especially from the free-throw line, where he ranked among the most dependable shooters of his era.
Marin’s career also stood out for his remarkable balance. While still playing, he studied law — a sign of his discipline and long-term thinking. After retiring, he became an attorney and a significant advocate for retired NBA players, applying the same steady leadership he showed on the court.
Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
12/17/25 – Durham Sports Club’s Christmas Event
1/5/25 – NO MEETING (Croasdaile will be closed that week)
1/19/25 – Special Guest Speaker