Hoops Hobby

Autographs of Pacers with Last Name starting with ‘K’ – 4 of 10, 40% Complete

I’m closing in on the halfway mark of working my way through the list of All-Time Indiana Pacers, which stands at 389 players who’ve appeared in a regular season game. The latest to be added to the checklist are Jahlil Okafor, who recently made his first NBA appearance since the 2020-21 season, and Tony Bradley, both meant to be a solution at 3rd team center.

First, I’ll look at the autographs I have so far for the letter K.

Billy Keller

Billy is a fantastic through the mail (TTM) signer, and he was kind enough to send this one back signed just last year, after I sent to two old addresses before getting a return from the most current one.

I really enjoy the colors in this 1974-75 Topps set, and it was an easy choice for a card to attempt to have signed. Like I’ve mentioned on the blog before, sending to players through the mail is an activity I enjoy with my older son, Will. Keller personalized to him here.

Keller is a fairly recent guest on the Wax Museum Podcast, episode 307. He gave a great interview where he gave his perspective on signing autographs through the mail, talked about his basketball history, including his time with the Pacers, and his thoughts on the prevalence of the 3-point shot in today’s game. Definitely a worthwhile listen.

Clark Kellogg

Kellogg is another through the mail return I’ve had in my collection for a long time. It’s one I even documented getting back here on the blog back in 2011. It’s one of my favorite returns because of the note I received back with the signed card from 2002-03 Upper Deck Generations.

This was during the offseason after the Pacers made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, with Frank Vogel taking over mid-season. The Pacers looked promising after a first round series loss to the top-seeded Derrick Rose led Bulls, with Danny Granger at an all-star level along with a young core of Darren Collison, Roy Hibbert, and an emerging Paul George.

Lari Ketner

Ketner played for the Pacers during the 2000-01 season, where he appeared in three games after playing in 22 games during his 1999-00 rookie year season split between the Bulls and Cavaliers.

He unfortunately passed away in 2014 after a battle with colon cancer.

All of Ketner’s cards are from his time at UMass, including the 1999 Press Pass autograph shown here.

Billy Knight

Knight was a dominant wing player in the early part of his career, which coincided with the transition of the Pacers from the ABA to NBA. He was All-ABA in his second ABA season, and was a 3x All-Star between the ABA and NBA Pacers/Buffalo Braves.

Billy Knight does sign through the mail, but when I saw an Optic Gold autograph pop up for a very reasonable price, I went ahead and added it. Not too many Gold parallels in the binder so I took the opportunity.

Another example of Panini using the same photo for the front and back of the card, with a plain old back. Only thing worth pointing out here is that this card is copy 10/10.

Next up, players that I don’t have an autograph for yet.

Certified Non-Pacers Autographs

Greg Kelser

Kelser appears in a 2003 Michigan State set with multiple autographs, and rightfully so. He won a National Championship with the Spartans in 1979.

His rookie card is in 1980-81 Topps, where he’s pictured as a Piston. He’s also in 1983-84 Star as a San Diego Clipper. Really like the Star card and appreciate them more and more as I continue to progress with this autograph project.

John Kuester

Kuester played college basketball at UNC, and then went on to be an assistant coach and head coach at both the college and NBA levels. He worked with and played under legendary coaches such as Dean Smith, Rick Pitino, and Larry Brown.

As a pro player, Kuester played 3 seasons, his last of which was with the Pacers.

Kuester’s cards are either as a Tar Heel, or as a coach in 2005-06 Topps Total from his time as an assistant with the 76ers. His only autograph card is a UNC card from a 2010 Upper Deck set.

Players with Pacers Cards

Ron Kozlicki

Kozlicki played 37 games in the inaugural ABA season for the Pacers after a solid college career at Northwestern. Was part of the trade that brought Mel Daniels to the Pacers from Minnesota.

Koz’s only cards are from the 2020 Lana Sports release, and I’m glad he has cards. Hopeful to get the Lana Sports card signed someday.

Players with Non-Pacers Cards

Arvesta Kelly

Kelly, a combo guard who played in 188 ABA games between 1967 and 1972, finished his career with the Pacers, playing in four games after being claimed off waivers.

Kelly appears in 1971-72 Topps as a member of the Pittsburgh Condors. He’s also in the 2020 Lana Sports ABA set, with the Pittsburgh Pipers.

Greg Kite

Kite is a fantastic through the mail signer, who has cards with the Hornets, Celtics, Magic, and Kings.

While he won two championships with the Celtics in the 80s, his most consistent playing time and role came with the Magic in the early 90s. He started all 82 games for the Magic at center during the 1990-91 season.

Players with No Cards

Bruce Kuczenski

Kuczenski played in 5 games for the Pacers during the 1983-84 NBA season, averaging just over 10 minutes per game. He also played for the Nets and 76ers during that season.

Have you picked up any autograph cards lately? Do you have a long-term card project you’re working on? I want to hear about it!