Albert King

Albert King

Professional Athlete

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Described by his classmates and teachers as “humble,” “quiet,” “a gentle giant” and “a gentleman,” Albert King was the top-rated prep basketball player in the nation his senior year at Fort Hamilton High School—surpassing the likes of Magic Johnson and Gene Banks. The 6’ 6” small forward/shooting guard is regarded as one of the country’s greatest high school players of all time. Today, his jersey has an honored place displayed at the entrance to the boys’ gym and his #55 has been retired here.

Upon graduation, Albert attended the University of Maryland and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in the 1979-1980 college season. He graced the cover of Sports Illustrated twice during the 1980 season and was chosen by the New Jersey Nets as a first-round pick (10th overall) in the 1981 NBA draft. Albert played a total of nine NBA seasons for four different teams—the NJ Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Bullets. In his NBA career, he played 534 games and scored a total of 6,470 points.

In 2002, Albert had the distinction of being named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men’s basketball team as one of the 50 greatest players in ACC history. If you Google “50 greatest streetballers of all time” you’ll find Albert King listed as the 21st. In addition to playing basketball in the United States, he also took the court for Olimpia Milano (Italian Basketball League) and Hapoel Holon (Israeli Basketball League).

FHHS alumni proudly boast that this is the school where the King brothers reigned. Al’s older brothers, Thomas (’71) and Bernard (’74, inducted into our Hall of Fame in 1993) and their younger brother Gerald (’85) were also Tigers who gave us much to cheer about. During their pro careers, Albert and Bernard were featured in Converse’s iconic ads “Where Kings First Ruled.” Albert is highlighted in Rick Telander’s acclaimed 1976 book, Heaven is a Playground, (which was cited by President Barack Obama as the best basketball book he’s ever read).

With basketball mostly behind him, Albert King went on to become a respected businessman, owning several Wendy’s restaurant franchises. He is also the recipient of several plaques commemorating his civic services. Albert lives in Wayne, New Jersey with his wife Tammy and together, they have a son named Trevor.

More than just a man who can put a ball through a hoop, Albert has earned the distinction of being a plain-talking, inspirational individual who goes out of his way to help others and speaks passionately to youth about always doing one’s personal best. Because of his skills on the basketball court, in business and with gratitude for the lessons he’s shared about living life on a positive note, we proudly induct Albert King into the Fort Hamilton High School Hall of Fame.