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Dennis Grey, a 6-foot-8 center who played two seasons in the American Basketball Association before continuing his professional career in Europe, died Aug. 9 in Sacramento. He was 79. Grey was born June 4, 1947, and raised in San Diego, where he played basketball at Crawford High School. He continued at California Western University, now United States International University, and developed into a professional prospect at center. Grey joined the Los Angeles Stars of the ABA for the 1968-69 season, appearing in 58 games and averaging 9.1 points and 5.5 rebounds. On a team that was ironically short on stars, Grey played a valuable role in 22.7 minutes per game in his only season in L.A. MORE: Former Pac-10 coach of the year dies at 85 In June 1969, Grey took part in a pickup game in Los Angeles involving players from the Stars and UCLA. According to contemporary reporting, Grey said Alcindor struck him during the game, fracturing his jaw. Grey underwent surgery and remained hospitalized with his jaw wired shut. He subsequently filed a $750,000 lawsuit against Alcindor, with Los Angeles attorney Paul Caruso representing him. The injury affected Grey’s career. The Los Angeles Stars traded him to the New York Nets for cash on Sept. 19, 1969. He appeared in only four games for the Nets during the 1969-70 season, averaging 4.5 points and 6.3 rebounds. MORE: Key figure in Montreal Expos history dies Grey did not leave professional basketball after his abbreviated ABA season. He played in Europe from 1970-75, with stops in Paris, Milan and Barcelona, and also toured during several summers with McGregor’s All-Star Team. His European career gave him an opportunity to continue playing after the jaw injury had curtailed his time in the ABA. Grey returned to Sacramento in 1975 and began a second career. He founded a landscaping business before moving into downtown real estate, where he bought, restored and sold houses and apartments. He became known for careful restoration work that preserved the character of older Sacramento properties. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —