{{short description|American basketball player}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Bob Presley | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1946|4|30}} | birth_place = Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|1975|3|25|1946|4|30}} | death_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 10 | weight_lbs = | high_school = * Northern (Detroit, Michigan) | college = * Mt. San Jacinto (1966–1967) * California (1967–1969) | draft_year = 1969 | draft_round = 11 | draft_pick = 143 | draft_team = Milwaukee Bucks | career_start = 1971 | career_end = 1975 | career_position = Center | career_number = | years1 = 1971 | team1 = Meralco | years2 = 1973–1974 | team2 = Richmond Believers | years3 = 1974 | team3 = San Francisco Sugar Hills | years4 = 1974–1975 | team4 = Martinez Muirs | highlights = * MICAA champion (1971 Open) * Second-team All-AAWU (1968) * Desert Conference Most Valuable Player (1967) * First-team All-Desert Conference (1967) }} '''Robert Nathaniel Presley''' (April 30, 1946 – March 25, 1975) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the California Golden Bears and was an eleventh round selection by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA draft. Presley played professionally in the Philippines, Belgium and in the American semi-professional Western Basketball Association (WBA).
Presley was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended three high schools and struggled academically despite having potential as a basketball player. Presley was sent to California where he benefitted from alleviated academic standards and graduated from high school. He became eligible to attend Mt. San Jacinto College where he starred on the basketball team as a sophomore. Presley transferred to play for the Golden Bears from 1967 to 1969. His suspension and subsequent reinstatement in 1968 sparked racial tension on the team and resulted in the resignations of head coach Rene Herrerias and athletic director Pete Newell. Presley was expected to start his professional career with the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1969 but quit the team before appearing in a game. After his release from prison for grand theft in 1971, Presley aspired to play in the NBA and toiled in minor leagues.
Presley's personal life was marked by turmoil and poverty. He struggled to make an adequate income from his basketball career and failed in other business ventures. After experiencing several mental breakdowns in his pursuit for a successful basketball career, Presley drowned himself in the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.
==Early life== Presley was born on April 30, 1946,<ref name=nenstiel>{{cite news |last1=Nenstiel |first1=Gregory |title=Two Black Victims |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-two-black-victims/164175236/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Tampa Tribune |date=November 2, 1980 |page=61 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> in Birmingham, Alabama.<ref name=henson>{{cite web |last1=Henson |first1=Joaquin M. |title=Death of an import - SPORTING CHANCE |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2001/04/22/107715/death-import-sporting-chance-joaquin-m-henson |website=PhilStar |access-date=January 29, 2025 |date=April 22, 2001}}</ref> His parents had wanted to name him Nathaniel Robert but the hospital where he was born reversed the names on his birth certificate.<ref name=nenstiel/> Presley's family lived in poverty in Birmingham so they moved to Detroit.<ref name=henson/> They lived in the attic of a relative's house, slept on the floor and used a "slop jar" because they did not have access to a bathroom.<ref name=henson/> Presley's father worked late hours on the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company.<ref name=henson/> His childhood was permeated by hunger and inattention.<ref name=nenstiel/>
Presley attended the Moore School for Boys which was a predominantly black institution that was established for troubled children.<ref name=johnson>{{cite magazine |last1=Johnson |first1=William |title=Collision on the new Underground Railroad |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1968/02/12/collision-on-the-new-underground-railroad |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=January 29, 2025 |date=February 12, 1968}}</ref> Moore did not have an interscholastic sports program so Presley transferred to Pershing High School when he was aged 16 because of his potential as a basketball player.<ref name=johnson/> Pershing basketball coach Will Robinson attempted to keep Presley interested in pursuing his education by giving him lunch money and driving him to school but he was suspended after six weeks due to truancy.<ref name=johnson/> Presley later stated that "Pershing was 97% white, and I couldn't make the adjustment."<ref name=johnson/>
Presley spent the rest of the year at a job where he reconditioned used cars.<ref name=johnson/> He enrolled at Northern High School as a sophomore in 1963 and played as a reserve center on the basketball team.<ref name=johnson/> Presley and Northern made the Class A championship game in 1964 where they lost to Benton Harbor High School.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeLand |first1=Jim |title=Determination Takes Tigers To Title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-palladium-determination-takes/164171595/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Herald-Palladium |date=March 23, 1964 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In October 1964, Presley arrived at Northern while intoxicated and punched a teacher, starting a brawl that took four teachers and multiple policemen to control him.<ref name=johnson/> He was expelled from Northern and spent the rest of the year playing basketball on neighborhood courts with local players including Bill Buntin and Mel Daniels.<ref name=johnson/>
Presley had formed a connection with George Gaddy, a physical education instructor and manager of a local sports club for underprivileged children, during his attendance at Moore.<ref name=johnson/> Gaddy was involved in an operation that helped black athletes with poor grades gain enrollment at colleges so they could participate in intercollegiate athletics; ''Sports Illustrated'' compared the scheme to the Underground Railroad.<ref name=johnson/> Gaddy helped Presley to enroll at Salinas High School in northern California where he completed his junior year.<ref name=johnson/> He then enrolled at both Mt. San Jacinto College (which, as a California junior college, only required students to be 18 years old) and Banning High School where he achieved his high school diploma at the age of 20.<ref name=johnson/>
==College career== ===Mt. San Jacinto Eagles (1966–1967)=== Presley returned to Mt. San Jacinto,<ref name=johnson/> where he played on the Eagles basketball team as a sophomore.<ref name=tds>{{cite news |title=Three 'Runners Named All-Desert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-desert-sun-three-runners-named-all/164161065/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Desert Sun |date=February 27, 1967 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Eagles achieved a 25–5 record,<ref name=johnson/> and won the Desert Conference championship.<ref name=tds/> Presley averaged 22 points per game and was selected as the most valuable player of the Desert Conference.<ref name=tds/>
===California Golden Bears (1967–1969)=== ====Junior season==== Presley was recruited to play for the California Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley.<ref name=johnson/> He had only achieved a C-plus average with his grades at Mt. San Jacinto but was eligible for entrance under a Californian scheme that allowed 2% of undergraduates to be admitted at a level below the usual academic requirements.<ref name=johnson/> Presley submitted a letter of intent to play for the Golden Bears in April 1967.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Nick's Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-nicks-notebook-52/164161137/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=May 2, 1967 |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He was expected "to become one of the best centers in the country" with the Golden Bears.<ref name=lee/>
In the first 12 games of the 1967–68 season, Presley averaged a team-leading 22.2 points and 16.4 rebounds per game.<ref name=lee>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Frank |title=Suspension Slaps Bears' Star Presley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-suspension-slaps-be/164212858/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=January 19, 1968 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A professional scout noted that, "next to Lew Alcindor, [Presley] is the best big man in the nation."<ref name=peters75may21/>
=====Suspension and protest===== On January 18, 1968, Golden Bears head coach Rene Herrerias announced that Presley was suspended indefinitely but did not elaborate on the reason.<ref name=lee/> A California athletic department source stated that the suspension was because of "rule violations".<ref name=lee/> On January 20, Herrerias reinstated Presley to the team and again declined to give reasoning.<ref>{{cite news |title=Another Chance For Presley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-another-chance-for/164213041/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=January 20, 1968 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On January 22, a team meeting occurred where the black players begged off and sided with Presley.<ref name=peters68jan24>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Cal's Caucasion Cagers Stay Firm, Won't Rejoin Club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-cals-caucasion-cag/164215621/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=January 24, 1968 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later that day, 11 white players and a manager of the Golden Bears basketball team resigned in support of Herrerias after allegations that administrative pressure was invoked to have Presley reinstated.<ref>{{cite news |title=12 Quit UC Cage Squad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-12-quit-uc-cage-squ/164213074/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=January 23, 1968 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
On January 23, Presley appeared alongside a group representing black athletes at the University of California, Berkeley who made demands that California fire Herrerias and Golden Bears football assistant coaches Bill Dutton and Joe Marvin "for reasons of their inability or unwillingness to relate to Black Athletes."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Negro Athletes Seek Ouster of UC Coaches |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-negro-athletes-seek/164215829/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=January 24, 1968 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> They also declared that black athletes at the university had been subjected to derogatory comments because of their appearance, had to find housing on their own and received poor academic counselling because of an assumption they lacked intelligence.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Scorecard |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1968/02/05/scorecard |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=January 29, 2025 |date=February 5, 1968}}</ref> Presley stated that he was "shocked" at the action of the white players quitting the team and claimed that he did not think Herrerias was "qualified to coach."<ref name=peters68jan24/> He also alleged that he was suspended because he refused to get a haircut; this was denied by both Herrerias and California athletic director Pete Newell.<ref name=peters68jan24/> Presley was one of the first collegiate athletes who donned an afro; he would maintain for the rest of his life that his refusal to cut it was the reason for his suspension.<ref name=schoenfeldp39>{{cite news |last1=Schoenfeld |first1=Ed |title=Presley's Found In River |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-presleys-found-in-river/164158708/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=May 14, 1975 |page=39 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The 11 players responded to the black athletes' demands with a statement on January 23 that urged "all team members, both black and white, be treated equally and fairly."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Cal Cagers Stress 'Pressure to Reinstate Presley' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-cal-cagers-stress/164215632/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=January 24, 1968 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
On January 24, Presley and all members of the Golden Bears returned to practice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lembke |first1=Daryl E. |title=Negro, White Players at Cal Report to Basketball Practice |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-negro-white-playe/164159608/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 25, 1968 |page=49 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Cal Cagers, Embattled Herrerias Return to Drawing Board |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-cal-cagers-embattl/164216712/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkerley Gazette |date=January 25, 1968 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The 11 players had relented after they had a conference with Herrerias where he confirmed that he made the decision to reinstate Presley.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lembke |first1=Daryl E. |title=Cal Players |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-cal-players/164159550/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 25, 1968 |page=57 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On February 2, Presley appeared in his first game with the Golden Bears since his suspension where a team spokesman observed there was no sign of the short-lived racial rebellion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Falcons Topple Cal Five |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-falcons-topple-cal-five/164216842/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=February 3, 1968 |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On February 10, Presley was returned to the Golden Bears' starting line-up.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rickard |first1=Jack |title=Ricks Ramblings... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/corvallis-gazette-times-ricks-ramblings/164217336/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |date=February 14, 1968 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Presley finished the season with averages of 18.1 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Big Lew Gets Most Stax Titles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-1968-basketball-b-pac/15208762/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Statesman Journal |date=March 15, 1968 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He set a program record with 27 rebounds in a game against the Saint Mary's Gaels.<ref name=peters68nov27>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Nick's Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-nicks-notebook-11/164172947/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=November 27, 1968 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Presley was selected to the All-Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) second-team in 1968.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alcindor, Critchfield Head Pacific-8 All-Star Cagers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-alcindor-critchfield-he/164217961/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Tri-City Herald |date=March 14, 1968 |page=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In March 1968, Newell resigned as California athletic director; the ''Los Angeles Times'' alleged that it was the result of the Presley scandal and made Newell "the first casualty of racial unrest in college sports."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Paul |title=Negro Unrest Plagued Newell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-negro-unrest-plagu/164217908/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=March 15, 1968 |page=42 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On April 11, Herrerias resigned as head coach and stated that the black protest was a contribution but not "the sole factor" in his desire to leave.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brachman |first1=Bob |title=Herrerias Move Shows Cal Unrest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-herrerias-mov/164172507/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=April 12, 1968 |page=46 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Presley announced that Herrerias' resignation was "a great thing" as he had been contemplating not returning to the basketball team if Herrerias was to stay.<ref>{{cite news |title=Presley 'Glad' Rene Quit Cal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-presley-glad/164172538/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=April 12, 1968 |page=46 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Herrerias was replaced by freshman coach Jim Padgett.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cal's Negro Athletes Laud New Coaches |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star-cals-negro-athletes/164172628/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Ventura County Star |date=April 25, 1968 |page=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
====Senior season==== In a November 1968 interview, Presley stated: "All the ill feelings from last year are gone, because the causes are gone."<ref name=peters68nov27/> He praised Padgett for his coaching methods that utilised Presley as the focal point of the team.<ref name=peters68nov27/> He averaged a team-high 10.4 rebounds but the Golden Bears languished to a 12–13 record during the 1968–69 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alcindor Reigns, Atop Pac-8 Again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-alcindor-reigns-atop-pa/164220214/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=March 12, 1969 |page=42 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Professional career== On April 15, 1969, Presley was selected by the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in the second round of the 1969 ABA draft.<ref>{{cite news |title=Griffin picked by Oakland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-griffin-pick/164220399/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Peninsula Times Tribune |date=April 15, 1969 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On April 26, he signed a three-year contract with the Rockets.<ref name=ot>{{cite news |title=Cal Center Signs Denver Contract |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-cal-center-signs-denver/164173370/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Oakland Tribune |date=April 27, 1969 |page=53 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Bill Ringsby, the Rockets president, stated that the team considered Presley "a fantastic player who is destined to become a superstar."<ref name=ot/> On May 7, Presley was also selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 11th round of the 1969 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warriors Draft Girl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-warriors-draf/164173539/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=May 7, 1969 |page=67 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
On September 23, 1969, Presley participated in a workout with the Rockets and then left the team training camp with no explanation.<ref name=tsfe69sep23>{{cite news |title=Bob Presley Walks Out On Rockets |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-bob-presley-w/164173760/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=September 23, 1969 |page=57 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Head coach John McLendon did not speculate on why Presley had left but admitted that he had criticised Presley for lagging.<ref name=tsfe69sep23/> McLendon claimed that Presley would be the sixth center in his line-up and was unlikely to make the team if he stayed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fraser |first1=Morris |title=Learns From Many |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-learn/164173992/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph |date=October 7, 1969 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A Rockets spokesman stated: "we may have to write it off as a bad investment. I don't think management is too concerned right now."<ref name=tsfe69sep23/> In a 1971 interview, Presley claimed that he left the team because they refused to pay his bonus and McLendon enforced an intensive training program.<ref name=kaplan>{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Paul |title=Presley a freak in Philippines, but what now? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-presley-a-freak-in-philip/164159819/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Miami News |date=September 17, 1971 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Presley's contract with the Rockets meant that he could not play for another team in either the ABA or NBA without additional action by the team.<ref name=tsfe69sep23/> Using the $10,000 that he received by showing up to Rockets training camp, Presley briefly moved to Europe before he returned to the United States in October 1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former UC Basketball Star Is Arrested; Girl Claims She Was Victim of Kidnap |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-former-uc-basketbal/164174871/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=November 12, 1969 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
On November 13, 1969, Presley was jailed on charges that he orchestrated an alleged traveller's cheque fraud in Berkeley, California.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Cal cager lands in jail |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-ex-cal-cager/164174084/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Peninsula Times Tribune |date=November 13, 1969 |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In December, he was charged with grand theft while charges of conspiracy and fraudulent use of checks were dropped.<ref name=tsfe70aug20>{{cite news |title=Ex-Cal Cager Admits Theft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-ex-cal-cager/164174265/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=August 20, 1970 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On August 19, 1970, Presley pleaded guilty to grand theft.<ref name=tsfe70aug20/> On September 23, Presley was sentenced to six months imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Presley Sentenced For Check Swindle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-presley-sentenced-f/164159677/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=September 24, 1970 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1971, Presley played for the Meralco Kilowatts in the Philippines.<ref name=kaplan/> Playing alongside Robert Jaworski and Alberto Reynoso, the team won the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) championship.<ref name=henson/> Presley returned to the United States and contacted Bob Bass who had drafted him on the Rockets; Bass suggested that he join him on the Miami Floridians of the ABA.<ref name=kaplan/> Presley signed with the Floridians in August 1971.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Burke Tourney Star; Presley In Local Loop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-burke-tourney-star/164159973/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=August 6, 1971 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On October 4, Presley was the final player cut by the Floridians before the start of the 1971–72 ABA season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Floridians Cut 6-11 Bob Presley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-floridians-cut-6-11-bob/164159845/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Miami Herald |date=October 5, 1971 |page=82 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He returned to the Philippines for the 1972 season and then had a short playing stint in Belgium.<ref name=peters73nov3>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title='New' Presley returns to local courts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-new-presley-returns-to/164160947/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Independent |date=November 3, 1973 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1973, Presley joined the Richmond Believers of the Western Basketball Association (WBA).<ref name=peters73nov3/> The team folded in January 1974,<ref>{{cite news |title=Believers Drop Out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-believers-drop-out/164227193/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=January 4, 1974 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and Presley moved to the San Francisco Sugar Hills for the remainder of the season.<ref name=peters75mar12/> In 1974, he unsuccessfully tried out for the International Basketball Association.<ref name=schoenfeldp39/> He returned to the WBA where he joined the Martinez Muirs for the 1974–75 season.<ref name=schoenfeldp39/> He was paid $50 per weekend to play for the Muirs.<ref name=peters75may21/> Presley led the WBA with 13.0 rebounds per game while his 20.6 points ranked fourth best.<ref>{{cite news |title=Presley, Lee top stats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/concord-transcript-presley-lee-top-stat/164223712/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Concord Transcript |date=March 26, 1975 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In a March 1975 interview, Presley lamented how his professional career had unfolded and credited his problems to his suspension at California.<ref name=peters75mar12/> He believed that "the system won't let [him] play."<ref name=peters75mar12/> Presley stated: "I'm going to give it one more year because I'm still motivated enough to feel I can make it, I would do a lot of things different if I had the chance again but it doesn't do any good to look back."<ref name=peters75mar12>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Presley would do things differently |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-presley-would-do-th/164158812/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=March 12, 1975 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Personal life== Presley was married but experienced a sadomasochistic relationship with his wife.<ref name=nenstiel/> Before their marriage, he had convinced her to become a prostitute so that he could work as her pimp.<ref name=hall/> Presley attempted to run a bar and drive-in restaurant which both failed as business ventures.<ref name=hall/> He was unable to keep other jobs which friends helped him to attain.<ref name=hall/> Presley's wife was the sole money earner in their relationship and Presley was primarily relegated to working as a homemaker.<ref name=hall/> His wife ultimately left him in 1975.<ref name=wilheim>{{cite news |last1=Wilheim |first1=John |title=Bob Presley: tragic story of cager's life |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-bob-presley-tragi/164174937/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Battle Creek Enquirer |date=April 13, 1980 |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Presley worked as a janitor to supplement his income while playing for the Muirs.<ref name=schoenfeldp39/>
At the conclusion of the WBA season, Presley experienced a mental breakdown.<ref name=peters75may21/> In March 1975, Presley went to the Northwestern United States to seek an opportunity with the Seattle SuperSonics or Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA.<ref name=tsfe75may14/> His Muirs head coach, Dale Hall, attempted to arrange a tryout with the SuperSonics.<ref name=peters75may21>{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Nick |title=Frustrations finally caught up with Pres |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-frustrations-finall/164158771/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=May 21, 1975 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Presley attended a SuperSonics game where he directed abusive remarks at rookie center Tommy Burleson and had to be evicted from the locker room by head coach Bill Russell.<ref name=peters75may21/>
==Death== The day after his SuperSonics confrontation, Presley travelled to Portland, Oregon.<ref name=hall/> He lodged that night with a couple where he had another mental breakdown, wore a skirt and called himself "the wife" in his relationship.<ref name=hall/> A few hours later, on March 25, 1975,<ref name=wilheim/> Presley reportedly jumped from the Hawthorne Bridge into the Willamette River.<ref name=hall/>
On May 11, 1975, a decomposed body was spotted floating in the Willamette River by a tugboat.<ref name=to>{{cite news |title=7-foot man found dead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-7-foot-man-found-dead/164158893/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Oregonian |date=May 12, 1975 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was believed to have been in the water for several weeks.<ref name=to/> The body was reported as being 7-foot tall; Portland police stated that they had no report of a missing man that size.<ref name=to/> Two phone numbers were found on the body: one for a listing in Detroit and another for Muirs head coach Hall.<ref name=tbg>{{cite news |title=Body found at Portland–Presley? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-body-found-at-portl/164158913/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Berkeley Gazette |date=May 12, 1975 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''The Berkeley Gazette'' speculated that the body was Presley's on May 12,<ref name=tbg/> which was confirmed when identification was made from fingerprints the following day.<ref name=tsfe75may14>{{cite news |title=Ex-Cal hoop star Presley found dead in Willamette river |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-ex-cal-hoop-s/164158850/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |date=May 14, 1975 |page=62 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A medical examiner declared that Presley had died of drowning,<ref name=tsfe75may14/> and his death was ruled a suicide.<ref name=hall>{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Mike |title=Herb Michelson writes compellingly about Robert N. Presley's downfall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-herb-michelson-writes-com/164175152/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Clarion-Ledger |date=August 3, 1980 |page=71 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Legacy== Presley's life was documented in the 1980 book ''Almost a Famous Person'' by Herb Michelson, a columnist for ''The Sacramento Bee''.<ref name=wilheim/>
==See also== * List of basketball players who died during their careers
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Presley, Bob}} Category:1946 births Category:1975 deaths Category:American expatriate basketball people in Belgium Category:American expatriate basketball people in the Philippines Category:American men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from Detroit Category:California Golden Bears men's basketball players Category:Centers (basketball) Category:Milwaukee Bucks draft picks Category:Northern High School (Detroit, Michigan) alumni Category:Suicides by drowning in the United States Category:Suicides in Oregon