Larry Bird did not play in the NBA in 1978 because he chose to return to Indiana State University to complete his senior year of college eligibility, despite being drafted by an NBA team that year.
Larry Bird's 1978 NBA Draft Status
By 1978, Larry Bird had been enrolled in college for four years (including a brief period at Indiana University and a redshirt year before his impactful time at Indiana State). This length of time in college made him eligible for the NBA draft as a junior, even though he still had one year of playing eligibility remaining at Indiana State.
Despite his draft eligibility and selection, Bird's strong desire was to play out his final season with the Indiana State Sycamores. This decision meant any NBA team that drafted him would have to wait a full year for him to join their roster.
Key Reasons Larry Bird Didn't Play in the NBA in 1978:
- Commitment to College: Bird was intent on fulfilling his college commitment and playing his senior year at Indiana State. This choice allowed him to lead the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979.
- NBA Draft Rules: While eligible to be drafted in 1978, NBA rules at the time did not force a drafted player to immediately join the league if they still had college eligibility.
- Team Patience: The Boston Celtics, who selected Bird with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, were willing to wait for him to complete his collegiate career. This contrasts with teams like the struggling Indiana Pacers, who had considered Bird but needed an immediate impact player and couldn't afford to wait a year to get him under contract.
Bird's decision proved strategic, as his final college season further developed his skills and brought national attention to Indiana State before he began his storied career with the Celtics in the 1979-1980 NBA season.
