Arni's Birthday Zoom: Billy Keller celebrates No. 76

Boilermaker Hall-of-Fame member Billy Keller shares his experiences as a Boilermaker legendary basketball player (1967-69) on this 76th birthday (August 30, 2023). Keller, the only Boilermaker to experience Purdue's two final four appearances as a player (1969) and as an (assistant coach, 1980), shares his experiences about his successful basketball life.

Keller's remarkable basketball career included a state title in Indianapolis, Washington H.S.(1965) and being named Indiana Mr. Basketball later that same year. In college, he was a three-year starter for coach George King and was the point guard on coach George King's 1969 Final Four Team. Professionally, Keller was a key cog in the Indiana Pacers' three ABA titles in the early 1970s. One of the most beloved figures in the history of basketball in the state of Indiana, Keller continued his basketball life coaching in college at Indiana Central (now UIndy), working for the Indiana Pacers and hosting basketball camps.

 During the warmer months in Indiana, he and his wife Joyce follow their four grandchildren's athletic exploits. His two granddaughters play college volleyball in Ohio (Dayton and Marietta), one of his grandsons, Luke Almodovar, was a guard on the Indiana All-Star team and the other is a basketball player as well and is considering attending Purdue in engineering after this year. 

"I have been very fortunate, but it has given me so many great memories," Keller said.