Swen Nater was born in Holland and overcame some early life challenges to eventually play college basketball at UCLA under coach John Wooden. While Swen was at UCLA, the Bruins won two NCAA championships. Swen Nater played against Bill Walton every day in practice. After college, he was drafted into the American Basketball Association (ABA), was the 1974 ABA Rookie of the Year, and was a two-time ABA All-Star. Later he played in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and is the only player to have led both the NBA and ABA in rebounding. In this interview Swen shares personal stories, lessons learned, and wisdom gained over the years.
I will get myself ready when my chance comes. Swen wanted to play for the Los Angeles Laker and be like Wilt Chamberlain. He used his imagination to practice and become a better player. In the process, he learned repetition is the key to learning. The harder you work the luckier you get. John Wooden's pyramid of success was a great framework to become the best player (person) you can be.
Swen said John Wooden had many sayings that seemed like a paradox. For example, the most powerful force in the world is gentleness.
Swen might be the tallest magician in the world!