Donald R. Buse (born August 10,
1950) is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'4" (1.93 m) guard from the University of Evansville,
Buse played 13 seasons (1972–1985) in the American Basketball
Association and National Basketball
Association as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers,
and the Kansas City Kings. Don
Buse was selected for the NCAA squad to compete for positions on the 1972 U.S.
Olympic basketball team, but he was replaced by Jim Forbes as he signed a
professional contract. Buse went on to play professionally for the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers,
and the Kansas City Kings. Buse
was known for his dependable ball-handling, tight defense, and clutch-shooting,
and he appeared in two All-Star games (one in the ABA
in 1976; one in the NBA
in 1977) during the course of
his career. His best season occurred in 1975–76, when he led the ABA in
both steals per game
(4.12) and assists per game
(8.2) while also contributing a career high 12.5 points per game. In the next
season, his first in the NBA, Buse again led all players in steals per game
(3.47) and assists per game (8.5). In 1979, Buse helped take the Suns deep into
the playoffs on a team with notable players, such as Paul Westphal, Walter Davis, Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams. Buse was an All-Defensive Team member six times,
from the 1974–75 season through the 1979–80 season. The first two were in the
ABA and the final four were in the NBA.