Otto Petty, former Central High School basketball star, dies at 76

Otto Petty, a former star basketball player from Central High School, passed away at the age of 76 on September 28, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. Born in 1946, Petty grew up to become a successful athlete and coach. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall, Petty was the senior point guard for Central’s 1968-69 team, which achieved an impressive 35-1 record and claimed the state championship.

The team went on to win the Sweet 16, marking the first time an all-Black school had accomplished this feat. Petty contributed significantly to the team’s success, recording four points and 22 assists in the championship game against Ohio County, where the final score was 101-72. He was honored with four points and 22 assists in the championship game, earning him a spot on the all-tournament team and third-team All-State recognition from The Courier Journal.

Petty’s talent did not stop at Central High School. He went on to play for Florida State University, where he formed a formidable duo with Ron King, the Mr. Basketball winner from Kentucky in 1969. Together, they led the Seminoles to the 1972 NCAA Tournament championship game, where they faced off against UCLA, ultimately falling short with a score of 81-76.

At Florida State, Petty was a three-year letterman and set numerous records, including the single-game (16 assists), season (227 assists), and career (602 assists) marks for assists, all of which continue to stand today. After his collegiate career, Petty attempted to join the Kentucky Colonels in the American Basketball Association but was unsuccessful.

Instead, he pursued a career in coaching and became a middle school science teacher in Louisville. Petty's dedication and achievements were recognized when he was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.