Ray Tolbert - Indiana Hoosiers IU Basketball History

Ray Tolbert Biography

Ray Tolbert is an American basketball player from Anderson, IN that played for Indiana University. He played power forward and center for the Hoosiers between 1977-1981. He was part of the 1981 NCAA Championship team for the Hoosiers. Tolbert was drafted in the first round of the 1981 NBA draft to the New Jersey Nets. He played professionally from 1981-1994 and is currently a coach for Fishers High School.

Name: Raymond Lee “Ray” Tolbert
Position: Power Forward / Center
Nationality: USA
Age: 66 years old
Birthday: September 10, 1958
Hometown: Anderson, Indiana
High School: Madison Heights (Anderson, Indiana)
Height: 6’9″ (206 cm)
Weight: 225 lb (102 kg)
Seasons: 4 (1977-81)
Jersey: #45
NBA Draft: 1981 / 1st round, 18th overall to New Jersey Nets

Awards and Accolades

20th All-Time Leading Points for Indiana
6th All-Time Leading Rebounds for Indiana
1981 NCAA Championship
1981 IU MVP & Big Ten Player of the Year
1981 Big Ten Championship
1980 Big Ten Championship
1979 Gold Medal Pan Am Games
1979 NIT Championship
1977 McDonald’s All-American
1977 Indiana Mr. Basketball

Ray Tolbert’s High School Recruiting Profile

Ray Tolbert grew up in Anderson, Indiana who went to high school at Madison Heights in Anderson, Indiana. He was the leading scorer during his senior year with 25.1 points per game, leading in rebounds with 13.0 per game and leading blocked shots with 6 per game. He was coached under Phil Buck.He was recruited by Indiana under Coach Bob Knight.

I can’t imagine there being many better college prospects than Ray Tolbert,” said Madison Heights coach Phil Buck. “His potential is unlimited.
Phil Buck, Ray Tolbert’s High School Coach

Tolbert idolized Bobby Wilkerson who also attended Madison Heights. He also attended Indiana and was part of the 1976 NCAA Championship that went undefeated.

He was recruited the last two years by almost every team in the Big Ten as well as Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA and Southern Cal. He got another call just this week from UCLA. He was under constant pressure but never became complacent.
Phil Buck

Ray Tolbert’s Seasons with the Hoosiers

1977-1978 Indiana Basketball Season

Bob Knight (7th Season)
21-8 (12-6 Big Ten)

🥈 2nd Place Big Ten
🏅 NCAA Sweet Sixteen

1978-1979 Indiana Basketball Season

Bob Knight (8th Season)
22-12 (10-8 Big Ten)

4th Place Big Ten
🏅 NIT Champions

1979-1980 Indiana Basketball Season

Bob Knight (9th Season)
21-8 (13-5 Big Ten)

🏆 1st Place Big Ten
🏅 NCAA Sweet Sixteen

1980-1981 Indiana Basketball Season

Bob Knight (10th Season)
26-9 (14-4 Big Ten)

🏆 1st Place Big Ten
🏆 1981 NCAA Champions

Indiana University Career Statistics

(Source: Indiana University Athletics)

	GP	GS	MIN	AVG	FGM	FGA	PCT	FTM	FTA	PCT	TOT	AVG	PF	AST	AST/G	T/O	BLK	STL	PTS	AVG
1977-78	29	28	899	31.0	121	269	0.450	50	77	0.649	201	6.9	93	21	0.7	62	39	25	292	10.1
1978-79	34	32	1122	33.0	168	309	0.544	71	102	0.696	241	7.1	100	39	1.1	85	45	22	407	12.0
1979-80	29	28	928	32.0	127	241	0.527	46	75	0.613	208	7.2	80	44	1.5	50	33	20	300	10.3
1980-81	35	35	1190	34.0	177	301	0.588	74	100	0.740	224	6.4	92	50	1.4	71	38	25	428	12.2
Total	127	123	4139	32.6	593	1120	0.529	241	354	0.681	874	6.9	365	154	1.2	268	155	92	1427	11.2

Ray Tolbert’s Indiana University Basketball Career

Ray Tolbert was a four year starter for the Hoosiers that created an immediate impact for their team. He started in all but one game during his first year under head coach Bob Knight. He averaged 10.1 points per game in his first year and the Hoosiers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen where they lost to Villanova 61-60.

In his second year, he continued to progress and develop his offensive ability and had his highest scoring season of his career with 12.0 ppg. The Hoosiers did not make the NCAA Tournament, ended in fourth place in the Big Ten, but they ended up winning the NIT Tournament. Ray Tolbert won co-MVP of the NIT tournament.

Indiana made it back to the NCAA Tournament in Tolbert’s junior year. Bob Knight was in his ninth year and the Hoosiers ended 21-8 and 13-5 in the Big Ten. Indiana lost to Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen at Rupp Arena 69-76.

Ray Tolbert led the team during the 1980-1981 season as one of the team co-captains. The Hoosiers ended the season 26-9, 14-4 in the Big Ten and were invited to teh 1981 NCAA Tournament as a 3-seed. The Hoosiers won their fourth national title with a 63-50 win over North Carolina.

Tolbert entered the NBA draft at the end of the 1981 season. He was drafted as one of the four Hoosiers to be drafted this year and landed in the first round, 18th overall pick to the New Jersey Nets. Isiah Thomas was the only team member drafted higher than him this year, at 2nd overall.

Ray Tolbert’s Career after Indiana

After being drafted for the New Jersey Nets, Tolbert played in 12 games in his rookie season, and did not start any games. He averaged 3.4 points in his first season and was traded to Seattle, then Detroit. His best season was in 1982-83 where he averaged 5.1 points per game.

Tolbert went overseas to play for Italy and then the CBA. He re-entered the NBA in 1987 for the Knicks, Lakers and Hawks. After several more seasons, he left the NBA and played for Aurora Desio, Malaga, and the Fort Wayne Fury.

Ray Tolbert Professional Career Summary

Ray Tolbert’s After Basketball Career

After retiring from the NBA, he started to coach. He became coach for the ABA’s Anderson Champions for 2006-2007’s season. Currently, he resides in Fishers, Indiana where he is the Varsity Assistant at Fishers High School.

Ray Tolbert’s Videos and Highlights

Highlights as an Indiana Hoosier

Interviews and Other Videos of Ray Tolbert

Check out the rich history of Indiana Hoosiers basketball!

Have a favorite Indiana Hoosier basketball player, coach, or event?

Help grow the Hoosier basketball history books by being a contributor to one of our IU athletics history pages! IndianaHQ is always looking for writers of all ages and experience levels. If you think you have what it takes, drop us an email here or send us a tweet!