Charlie Criss

Who is Charlie Criss?

Charles Washington Criss, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player.

A 5'8" guard from New Mexico State University, Criss began his professional career in the Continental Basketball Association, earning league Most Valuable Player honors with the Scranton Apollos in 1976, next playing for the Washington Generals. He joined the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association the following year, and played eight seasons in the league with the Hawks, San Diego Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks. When he entered the NBA, Criss was the league's shortest active player.

In his NBA career, Criss averaged 8.5 points and 3.2 assists per game, his best year being his first, posting averages of 11 points and 4 assists in 77 matches. Since retiring as a player, he worked as a golf instructor, an Atlanta Hawks television color commentator, a minor-league basketball coach and a basketball summer camp coordinator.