Pino Inducted into New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame
Aug 17, 2021 | Men's Basketball
The late Wildcat played for Tex Winter from 1965-68
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Late Kansas State men's basketball player Nick Pino, a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico who became a three-year standout for head coach Fred "Tex" Winter and the Wildcats from 1965-68, was recently inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.
Pino was named to the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, but due to COVID-19 protocols, the original induction ceremony in 2020 was delayed until Sunday, August 15, 2021. He was joined in the class by 11-year NFL player Alan Branch, professional boxer Danny Romero, former NBA player and college basketball coach Jimmy Collins, former college basketball coach Rob Evans, women's basketball player Carolyn Thompson and professional boxer Holly Holm.
Dubbed the "Nick the Stick" by a sportswriter with the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper for his 7-foot-1 frame, Pino played three seasons (1965-68) for Winter at K-State, guiding the Wildcats to the 1968 Big Eight regular-season title and a trip to the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals as a senior. In all, he helped K-State to 50 wins, lifting the program to three consecutive winning seasons capped by the 19-win campaign in his final year.
Pino was known for his unstoppable hook shot, averaging double figures in two of his three seasons, including his senior season in 1967-68, in which, he nearly tallied a double-double with 11.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Big Eight champions. He still ranks among the top-25 in total rebounds (561), while his 19 career double-doubles places 12th all-time. He made an instant impact as a sophomore in 1965-66, leading the team in both scoring (10.9 ppg.) and rebounding (7.0 rpg.).
Pino was a renowned high school player for St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe, where he played for the "Mighty Midget" team coached by Dick Shelley. He became a high school All-American as a senior in 1962-63, once scoring 80 points in a game against El Rito High School in January 1963 and setting the state record for free throws made with 26 against Espanola Valley later that year. The 1,033 points he scored as a senior stood as the state single season record for 50 years before it was eclipsed by Bryce Alford in 2012-13.
Pino was drafted twice by Los Angeles Lakers, including in the sixth round of the 1968 NBA Draft, but injuries derailed his early professional career. He would later revive his basketball career in Mexico, playing professionally for Santos de San Luis and winning a Mexican national title.
Pino would use his business degree from K-State to run a successful insurance business in the state for many years before he moved back to Santa Fe in 1985 to be closer to family. He sadly was unable to enjoy his Hall of Fame honor as he passed away at the age of 75 on November 3, 2019.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Pino was named to the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, but due to COVID-19 protocols, the original induction ceremony in 2020 was delayed until Sunday, August 15, 2021. He was joined in the class by 11-year NFL player Alan Branch, professional boxer Danny Romero, former NBA player and college basketball coach Jimmy Collins, former college basketball coach Rob Evans, women's basketball player Carolyn Thompson and professional boxer Holly Holm.
Dubbed the "Nick the Stick" by a sportswriter with the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper for his 7-foot-1 frame, Pino played three seasons (1965-68) for Winter at K-State, guiding the Wildcats to the 1968 Big Eight regular-season title and a trip to the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals as a senior. In all, he helped K-State to 50 wins, lifting the program to three consecutive winning seasons capped by the 19-win campaign in his final year.
Pino was known for his unstoppable hook shot, averaging double figures in two of his three seasons, including his senior season in 1967-68, in which, he nearly tallied a double-double with 11.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Big Eight champions. He still ranks among the top-25 in total rebounds (561), while his 19 career double-doubles places 12th all-time. He made an instant impact as a sophomore in 1965-66, leading the team in both scoring (10.9 ppg.) and rebounding (7.0 rpg.).
Pino was a renowned high school player for St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe, where he played for the "Mighty Midget" team coached by Dick Shelley. He became a high school All-American as a senior in 1962-63, once scoring 80 points in a game against El Rito High School in January 1963 and setting the state record for free throws made with 26 against Espanola Valley later that year. The 1,033 points he scored as a senior stood as the state single season record for 50 years before it was eclipsed by Bryce Alford in 2012-13.
Pino was drafted twice by Los Angeles Lakers, including in the sixth round of the 1968 NBA Draft, but injuries derailed his early professional career. He would later revive his basketball career in Mexico, playing professionally for Santos de San Luis and winning a Mexican national title.
Pino would use his business degree from K-State to run a successful insurance business in the state for many years before he moved back to Santa Fe in 1985 to be closer to family. He sadly was unable to enjoy his Hall of Fame honor as he passed away at the age of 75 on November 3, 2019.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on K-State men's basketball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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