Bob Verga

Bob Verga: A St. Rose High School Legend

St. Rose High School

Bob Verga was born and raised in Belmar, New Jersey. He attended St. Rose High School, a Catholic school in his hometown. Verga was a star athlete at St. Rose, playing basketball, baseball, and football. However, it was in basketball that he truly excelled.

Verga was a 6’1″ guard with a quick release and a deadly jumper. He was also a tenacious defender and a skilled passer. As a junior, Verga led St. Rose to the New Jersey State Championship. He averaged 30 points per game in the playoffs, including 37 in the championship game.

As a senior, Verga was one of the most highly sought-after basketball recruits in the country. He received scholarship offers from many top schools, including Duke, Notre Dame, and UCLA. However, Verga decided to stay close to home and attend Duke University.

Family

Verga came from a close-knit family. His parents, Bob and Mary, were very supportive of his basketball career. His father, Bob, was a high school basketball coach and helped Verga to develop his skills.

Verga’s mother, Mary, was a stay-at-home mom who took care of Bob and his three siblings. She was always there to cheer Bob on at his games.

College Recruiting

Duke was a powerhouse basketball program in the 1960s, and Verga was excited to play for the Blue Devils. He was also familiar with Duke coach Vic Bubas, who had coached Verga’s father in high school.

 Bob Verga etched his name into Duke basketball history by earning All-American honors in 1966 and 1967. His shooting prowess remains unmatched at Duke, holding the school record for the highest single-season scoring average of 26.1 points per game in 1967.

Verga played a pivotal role in Duke’s remarkable 1966 season, where the team finished third in the nation with a 26-4 record. They held the top ranking for much of the season and were poised for a national championship run. However, Verga’s untimely bout with the flu a day before the national semi-finals derailed their aspirations. Despite playing through illness, Verga’s performance was hindered, scoring only four points in their 83-79 loss to Kentucky.

Duke’s three-year record during Verga’s tenure was a commendable 64-18. He concluded his career as the school’s fourth leading scorer with 1,758 points, cementing his legacy as one of Duke’s most prolific basketball players.

ABA/NBA

Bob Verga played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1974. He averaged 20.2 points per game for his career, ranking 13th all-time in the ABA. Verga was also a two-time ABA All-Star and a one-time ABA scoring champion.

His best season came in 1969-70, when he averaged 27.5 points per game for the Carolina Cougars. He also led the ABA in scoring that season, earning him a spot on the ABA All-Star team and helping the Cougars reach the ABA Finals.

Verga was a skilled scorer who could shoot from anywhere on the court. He was also a good passer and ball-handler. Verga was known for his competitive fire and his never-give-up attitude.

During his NBA/ABA career, Verga played for eight different teams, including the Dallas Chaparrals, Houston Mavericks, Carolina Cougars, Pittsburgh Condors, and Portland Trail Blazers. He finished his career with 3,216 points, 1,270 rebounds, and 1,082 assists.

Verga’s performance in the NBA/ABA was impressive, given that he played against some of the greatest basketball players of all time, including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and John Havlicek. Verga was a true competitor, and he left his mark on the game of basketball.

Fun fact: Verga was the first player in ABA history to score 50 points in a game. He accomplished this feat on March 27, 1971, while playing for the Carolina Cougars against the Virginia Squires.

Legacy

Bob Verga is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of St. Rose High School. He led the Roses to a state championship and was a McDonald’s All-American. Verga went on to have a successful college career at Duke University, where he was a two-time All-American. After college, Verga played in the ABA and NBA.

Verga is more than just a basketball legend. He is also a role model for young athletes. Verga is a hard worker who is dedicated to his craft. He is also a humble and kind person.