Austin Carr

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Lore & Background

Carr's college dominance at Notre Dame set the stage for his NBA arrival. He holds NCAA tournament records for most points (61), field goals made (25), and attempts (44) in a single game. In 1970, he scored 61 against Ohio, a mark that still stands. During his senior year at Notre Dame, he helped defeat the UCLA Bruins on January 19, 1971, ending their record 88-game winning streak. This team feat was significant as it took three years for Notre Dame to beat UCLA again in 1974. In the NBA, Carr suffered early injuries, including a broken foot in the 1971 preseason and another shortly after returning, which limited his rookie output. Despite this, he made the 1972 All-Rookie Team. This performance earned him his only NBA All-Star selection that year as part of the Eastern Conference team.

In Their Own Story

The 1975-76 season marked a turning point for both Carr and the franchise. After two injury-plagued years, he helped lead the Cavaliers to their first winning record (40-42 is mentioned in context of missing playoffs previously, but 1975-76 was the first winning season), Central Division title, and playoff berth. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Cavs faced the Washington Bullets. The series went seven games, culminating in a dramatic Game 7 victory where Dick Snyder hit a go-ahead shot with four seconds left to win 87-85. This run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics, became known locally as "The Miracle of Richfield." Carr averaged 11.8 points in those 13 playoff games. The following season, 1976-77, Carr played all 82 games for the first time since his second year, averaging 16.2 points and helping the team return to the playoffs before falling to Washington again. In 1977-78, he played another full 82-game season, reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive year, where he averaged career-best playoff numbers: 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 34.5 minutes per game against the New York Knicks.

Reader's Guide

Austin Carr was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1971 NBA draft, though he was also picked by the Virginia Squires in the ABA Draft; he signed with Cleveland on April 5, 1971. During his nine-year tenure with the team, he averaged 16.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He is famous for his signature broadcast calls used today by the Cavaliers' commentary team: "He throws the hammer down!" for a dunk, "Get that weak stuff outta here!" for a block, and "Mouse in the house!" when a small defender guards an opponent. Carr won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1980 during his final season with Cleveland before moving to the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Bullets for the 1980-81 season. He retired in 1981, finishing his career with averages of 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His number 34 jersey is one of seven retired by the Cavaliers, not 32 as previously misstated. In 2007, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Carr holds the NCAA tournament record for most points in a single game with 61, set against Ohio in 1970.
• He was part of the Notre Dame team that ended UCLA's historic 88-game winning streak on January 19, 1971.
• Carr is known as "Mr. Cavalier" and his number 34 jersey is retired by the franchise.
• He earned his only NBA All-Star selection in 1974 after averaging a career-best 21.9 points per game.
• His signature call "There's a breeze in the building!" is used when an opponent air balls a shot.