Education
Bellefontaine High School.
Bellefontaine High School.
A 6"10" center from Bellefontaine High School (Ohio) and Bowling Green State University, Otten began his professional career in 1946 with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks of the National Basketball League. During the 1948-1949 NBL season, Otten averaged 14.0 points per game and earned league Most Valuable Player honors. The Blackhawks joined the National Basketball Association (National Basketball Association) in 1949, and Otten continued playing until 1953, competing for Tri-Cities as well as the Washington Capitols, Baltimore Bullets, Fort Wayne Pistons, and Milwaukee Hawks.
He averaged 10.5 points per game in his National Basketball Association career.
Don"s brother Mac Otten also played in the National Basketball Association. In 1949, Don and Mac became the first ever pair of brothers to end up playing for the same team in the National Basketball Association. Otten holds the National Basketball Association record for most personal fouls in a game, with eight. He set the record in a November 24, 1949 game between Tri-Cities and the Sheboygan Red Skins.
National Basketball Association Rule 3, Section I permits a player to remain in the game after fouling out if no other players are available on the bench.