Neumann Returns to Indy as Lebanon's Coach

He doesn't call himself Johnny anymore, and his lifestyle has become far more sedate, if somewhat peripatetic. But when Carl John Neumann returns to Indianapolis as the head coach of the Lebanese national team in the 2002 World Basketball Championship, he'll rekindle fond memories of the city's basketball heritage.

Then known as Johnny Neumann, a prolific college scorer who averaged 40.1 points per game as a sophomore at the University of Mississippi in 1972-73, he was expected to follow "Pistol" Pete Maravich from the SEC to professional stardom, but it didn't quite work out as planned.

Though he played well in his first two ABA seasons, peaking with averages of 19.6 points, 5.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds with Memphis in 1972-73, he never found a home. Maybe it was his flashy lifestyle, or maybe it was the fact that he suffered in comparison to not only Maravich, but his own college legend. He wasn't a bad player; he just wasn't as great as many thought.

Neumann played for five teams in five ABA seasons, then three teams in two NBA seasons. He enjoyed stints with the Pacers in both leagues, averaging 8.3 points in 48 games in 1974-75, and 4.2 points in 20 games in the '77-78 season, which proved to be his last in the U.S. His combined ABA/NBA career scoring average was a modest 13.2.

Thereupon began his odyssey, which led first to Italy, where as a player he became MVP, then to Germany, where he became an assistant coach for the first time. He returned to the U.S. with two coaching stints in the CBA, then went back overseas, where he coached in Belgium, Greece and Cyprus. In Cyprus, he found Darrell Armstrong, a gifted but overlooked guard who would go on to NBA stardom in Orlando. After coaching in Kuwait, Neumann landed the job in Lebanon - which in turn, has led him back to Indianapolis.

"I know everybody in the group thinks that Lebanon is going to roll over and play dead but I think they will be surprised," said Neumann of his team's chances. "The most important thing is that we are there. We are an Arab country and with all of the turmoil throughout the world going on now, it just shows what can be done in sports."

Perhaps the least likely team to be participating in the World Championships, Lebanon pulled a stunning 75-72 upset of Korea in the semifinals of the Asian Basketball Championship. Though they lost 93-67 in a heated rematch with China - the teams had engaged in a major bench-clearing brawl after China won a preliminary meeting - the Lebanese team already had done enough to quality for the Worlds.

Grouped in Pool B, Lebanon opens play against Brazil on Aug. 29 in the RCA Dome, then faces Puerto Rico on Aug. 30 in Conseco Fieldhouse and Turkey on Aug. 31 in Conseco Fieldhouse. The top three teams in Pools A and B will advance, as will the top three teams in Pools C and D.

The most famous Lebanese player is former NBA center Rony Seikaly, who isn't expected to participate. In Lebanon, however, the big name is Fadi El Katib, a 6-5 guard who averaged 22.5 points and shot .551 in the Asian tournament. The center is 6-11 Joe Vogel, a naturalized Lebanese from the U.S. (Colorado State), who averaged 12.8 points and 10.4 rebounds in the qualifying tournament. Another name to remember is Elie Mouchantaf, a Lebanese legend who was left off the national team roster for the Asian tournament and is therefore considered only a remote possibility to make the trip to Indianapolis.